Shitla Saptami Nnag Panchmi Vratkatha

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shitla Saptami Nnag Panchmi Vratkatha" by Krushnaprasad Bhatt, based on the provided pages:

This book, published by Vasant Printing Press in 1953, presents the vratkatha (narrative of a religious observance) for Shitla Saptami and Nag Panchami, along with a Gujarati commentary. It is associated with the Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra and Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir.

Part 1: Shitla Saptami Vratkatha

The narrative begins with a prayer to Goddess Shitla, described as being seated on a donkey, naked, adorned with a broom and a pot, and with a winnowing fan on her head.

The story then shifts to the prosperous city of Hastinapur, ruled by King Indradyumna. He had a virtuous and beloved queen named Dharmashila. They had a son named Mahadharma and a daughter named Shubhkari, who was exceptionally beautiful and virtuous.

Shubhkari was married to Guṇavān, the son of King Sumitra of the city of Kaudinya. Guṇavān was wealthy, handsome, and accomplished, making him a suitable match for Shubhkari. After their marriage, Guṇavān took Shubhkari to his city.

Later, Guṇavān returned to Hastinapur to take Shubhkari back to his home. Upon his arrival, Shubhkari, with joy and reverence, greeted her father. She expressed her understanding of the saying that there is no greater dharma than chastity (pativratya). She then requested her father's permission to return to her husband's city with him.

King Indradyumna, however, expressed his wish for Shubhkari to stay for one day and perform the auspicious Shitla Vrat, which bestows good fortune, health, and averts widowhood. He mentioned that this was also his and his wife's desire.

The king arranged for Shubhkari to go to a nearby lake with a learned Brahmin and his wife for the ritual. While searching for the lake, they got lost. Shubhkari, tired but devoted, kept chanting the name of Shitla.

She then encountered an old woman, who was virtuous and beautiful, while the Brahmin, exhausted, had fallen asleep. Unfortunately, a snake bit the sleeping Brahmin. The old woman, filled with compassion, spoke to Shubhkari, promising that her husband would live long if she performed the Shitla puja. She then guided Shubhkari to the lake.

Shubhkari performed the Shitla puja with great devotion and appeased the goddess. As a reward, she received a boon and set off for home. On her way, she saw the snake-bitten Brahmin lying dead, with his wife weeping beside him. Seeing their plight, Shubhkari also wept, lamenting their fate.

The weeping Brahmin's wife then comforted Shubhkari, stating her intention to immolate herself in fire and join her husband in heaven. Hearing this, Shubhkari, with compassion, remembered Goddess Shitla, the destroyer of widowhood. Promptly, Goddess Shitla appeared with a gentle smile and offered Shubhkari a boon.

Shitla asked Shubhkari what sorrow troubled her and requested her to offer the merit of her Shitla vrat to the Brahmin's wife. By the power of this merit, the Brahmin's life would be saved. Shubhkari readily agreed and transferred the merit.

As a result, the Brahmin, who had been seemingly dead for a long time, awoke. The Brahmin's wife, witnessing this miracle, also developed a desire to perform the Shitla vrat. She then performed the puja with devotion.

Meanwhile, Shubhkari's husband, Guṇavān, was on his way to Hastinapur. However, he was also bitten by a snake and died. Shubhkari, on her journey, encountered the dead body of her husband, accompanied by her friend, the Brahmin's wife, who was weeping.

At this moment, Goddess Shitla reappeared and reminded Shubhkari of her earlier promise: that those who observe the Shitla vrat do not experience widowhood. She instructed Shubhkari to wake her husband, just as one would wake a sleeping person, emphasizing that the Shitla vrat averts widowhood.

Following Shitla's advice, Shubhkari woke her husband, who was overjoyed to see her. The villagers were astonished by the miraculous revival of the Brahmin's husband. The Brahmin's wife, filled with joy, bowed to the old woman (Shitla) and expressed her gratitude for her unbroken good fortune and freedom from separation from her husband. She further stated that any woman who observes this vrat would be free from widowhood, poverty, and separation from their husbands.

The wish-granting Goddess Shitla disappeared. Shubhkari, having received Shitla's blessings, returned to her home. With Shitla's grace, she became like Lakshmi, revered by the universe, and like Parvati, worshipped by all. The Shitla Vrat narrative concludes here.

Part 2: Nag Panchami Vrat

The text then transitions to the observance of Nag Panchami in the month of Shravan (July-August) on the fifth day of the waxing moon.

Lord Shiva (Ishwar) instructs Goddess Parvati that on this day, images of snakes should be drawn with cow dung on both sides of the doorway.

These snake images should then be bathed with ghee, water, and milk. Offerings of wheat, milk, and various fried grains (laja) should be made. The observance involves worshipping the snakes with curd, barley sprouts, incense, flowers, and pleasing the Brahmins.

Alternatively, on the fifth day of Shravan, one can draw images of black or colored snakes on the floor, in the courtyard, at home, or on a cloth, with faith. Worshiping these images with incense, milk, and milk-based sweets (payasa) pleases powerful snakes like Padmak and Takshaka. This act is said to protect one and their descendants for seven generations from the fear of snakes.

The observance also includes a directive: during the day and night, one should not dig the earth. A specific mantra is provided for warding off snake venom: "Om Kukulam Phat Swaha." It is stated that simply chanting this mantra will prevent venom from affecting one.

Finally, the text concludes by stating that this narrative of the Nag vrat, when heard or read, liberates one from all sins. This concludes the Nag Panchami vrat narrative from the Prabhasa Khanda.

Overall Scope:

The book provides detailed instructions and the mythological stories associated with two important Hindu (and by extension, Jain traditions) observances: Shitla Saptami, focused on health, well-being, and averting widowhood through devotion to Goddess Shitla, and Nag Panchami, dedicated to appeasing snakes to ensure protection from their venom and to ward off harm. The Gujarati commentary makes the original Sanskrit verses accessible to a wider audience.