Literally "what is willed, vowed". It is believed that if one imposes restraints on one`s behaviour or diet to please the gods, the act becomes a sacred vow or religious observance. Vrata refers to such a religious observance undertaken as the result of a vow. It is a means of drawing a deity`s attention to something one desires. By sacrificing something dear that desire will be fulfilled.
Those undertaking a vrata are required to pay special attention to personal hygiene, pray regularly, have pure thoughts and live austerely. A vrata entails many restrictions, usually on food, drink, or speech. The most characteristic feature of a vrata is complete abstention from all food or cooked food, and giving up or reducing the consumption of water. Another popular form of vrata is the vow of silence or mauna vrata, in which one refrains from speaking. Other vows include giving up meat, salt and sweet food. A vrata could last from a day? to several years.
Vratas are undertaken for different reasons:
to commemorate the birth of a deity, for example on Janmashtami; to commemorate a specific incident in the past, like Savitri`s devotion to her husband, with the Vata Savitri Vrata (see below); on a certain day of the week for the deity associated with that day, (on Mondays for Shiva) or on a certain day of the week which serves a specific purpose, like Fridays for making wishes come true. Some important vratas are:
Karva Chautha:
An important vrata, women fast on this day to ensure a long and happy life for their husbands. This vrata is a nirjala vrata or a fast without water. Women break their fast only after sighting the moon in the evening and offering water to it. They then drink some water, indicating the end of the vrata.
Navaratri:
Literally "nine vratas", this vrata is observed in most parts of India from the first till the ninth day of Ashvin. It commemorates the victory of Durga over a demon of the name. During Navaratri, devotees of Durga fast and pray for health and prosperity. They worship a different manifestation of Durga every night: Mahakali, the form that killed Madhu and Kaithabha; Mahishasura Mardini, the form that conquered Mahishasura; Chamunda, who destroyed Chanda and Munda; Kali, who killed Raktavija; Nanda who predicted the death of Kansa; Raktadanti who bit a demon to death; Sabhambari, who protected the world from famine; Durga, who killed a demon called Durga and Labhramari, who destroyed a demon called Aruna. The tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashmi (the tenth day of victory) or Dushehra in a large part of the country. Navaratri is also observed on the ninth day of the bright fortnight in Chaitra to commemorate the birth of Rama . Also known as Ramnavami, it is popular in northern India.
Makara Sankranti:
This is the winter solstice and the day the sun enters the sign of Capricorn or Makara. It falls in Margashirsha or Pausha. Because it marks the beginning of longer days and shorter nights, it is believed to be an auspicious time. People observe vratas by fasting and praying to the sun. Vratas are also observed on other sankrantis.
Vata Savitri Vrata:
This vrata is observed on the full moon night in Jyeshtha in honour of a mythical princess named Savitri, who like the Greek queen Alcestis, brought her husband back from death. By observing this vrata, women hope to prolong their husbands` lives. At this time, women fast and pray to the vat or banyan tree, because it was under this tree that Savitri`s husband, Satyavana, came back to life.
Ekadashi:
In Jyeshtha, a nirjala vrata or fast without water is observed on Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the month. It is believed that a woman named Ekadashi killed a demon called Mrudumanya. This demon had obtained a boon from Shiva by which he could not die of natural causes, nor be killed by any one born of woman. He then began wreaking such havoc that even the gods and goddesses were forced to hide. As they huddled together, they began to perspire. From their perspiration arose a woman called Ekadashi, who killed the demon. Observing this vrata is believed to ensure spiritual benefits.
Hartalika:
On the third day of Bhadra, Parvati is worshipped by both married and unmarried women. The vrata is known as Hartalika, meaning abducted, because when Parvati ran away from home to marry Shiva, her father suspected her of having been abducted. Unmarried women observe the vrata in the hope that they will marry someone they love. It is also believed that girls who do not observe this vrata will remain unmarried in their next seven lives. Married women who observe the Hartalika Vrata do so in the belief that it will protect them from widowhood.
Other important vratas are Shivaratri, Nagapanchami�, Ananta Vrata and Satyanarayana Puja. It is believed that Vishnu goes to sleep during Chaturmasya, on the tenth day of Ashada and wakes up on the eleventh day of Kartik. While he is asleep, special care must be taken against demons and other evil beings. It is also believed that on the eleventh day of Bhadra, Vishnu turns to the right while sleeping. These three days are considered particularly important and are observed as vratas. People fast and pray to Vishnu.
The Puranas have given detailed information about vratas, their origin, and the benefits that ensue by observing them.
The concept of sacrificing something precious in return for the fulfilment of some desire is still popular today. The observance of vratas, especially by fasting or not eating a specific food which one relishes, is quite common.