Concepts of Vrata

 Vrata means a serious vow taken regarding consumption of food and other behaviors by a person in order to complete a particular religious ceremony or as a self-punishment for the sin that may have been committed by him/her in life. Scriptures divide various vows into three basic types: Those that involve only mind - manasika.

These involve vows of non-violence, vows of only speaking the truth or sexual abstinence for a prearranged period. Those involve only body – kaayika. These involve different types of fasting e.g. One time, both times, with water or without water etc and are usually are for a short durations and at times repetitive after few days. Both mind and body are involved to an extent – vaachika.

These involve reading a particular scripture for unlimited number of times - the popular ones are: Bhagvad Gita or Ramayana or repeatedly taking a name of a particular deity (for 1000, 10,000 or 100,000 times as much it can!). The latter is known as jaapa or naama-smarana. One can vow to remain mute for a predetermined time for mostly 30 days. This is known as mauna-vrata.

Vrata may be further divided on the basis of the period of the year that they are undertaken. Those who are undertake in a particular lunar month (maasavrata), on a particular date of the year (Tithi Vrata), on a particular constellations appearing in the sky (Nakshatra - Vrata) or on particular day of the week (Vaara-Vrata). The Vratas are also classified on the basis of deity they seek to calm down viz Surya – Vrata (for God Sun), Ganesh-Vrata (Lord Ganesh), Shiva-Vrata (Lord Shiva), or Vishnu-Vrata (Lord Vishnu or Krishna).

Every Vrata has it implication not only in tradition but if practiced faithfully it goes long way in developing behavior, performance and personality of a being. However, there is no restate here is that there are no miracles or a magic and nothing is possible unless one is sincere about following the Vrata. If a person heart and mind is not within it then there is nothing more foolish than to do a Vrata as a matter of ritual. Remember, with blind faith even in a good deed is falling apart and an insult to human intellect. The most important aspect of the Vrata is to make a declaration of purpose, either publicly or privately. This process is called "sankalpa".

The various Hindu scriptures tell a systematic way of doing this. If the practice is followed with sincerity, determination and regularity over a period of time it inculcates not only discipline but also confidence and habit of winning in an individual. These days “habit of winning” is considered as one of the most important ingredients of success.

Vratas go a long way in developing this mind-frame. Besides this, as many believe, that it generates a lot of positive energy that help in the struggle of life. Control over wandering mind and discipline of life does a lot of good to the physical as well as the metal abilities of an individual. There are a number ways suggested in the scriptures as to how a Vrata should begin people should suggest for those who are interested in doing any religious Vrata to follow the rites indicated by Vyasa in Mahabharata.

In the modern times there is tendency to avoid onion, garlic, non-vegetarian preparations and alcohol during the Vrata. In the month of Shravana (month of August–September) avoid green vegetables; in the month of Bhadrapad (month of September – October) avoid curd and milk products; in the month of Ashwin (month of October –November) avoid pulses. 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 honor the birth of a deity, for example on Janmashtami; to remember a specific incident in the past, like Savitri's devotion to her husband, with the Savitri Vrata; 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.

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 vrata. People fast and pray to Lord Vishnu. The Puranas have given detailed information about vratas, their origin, and the benefits that ensue by observing them.

The concept of vrata is to get better the lives and actions of the people. For example in the Satya Narayana Vrata Katha the sequence of events is projected to reflect the divine aspect of truth urging people to respect and stick on to truth with determination and devotion. The idea of vrata (or taking vow), practiced normally as a day of fasting, reflection and meditation (once a month on a day like Ekadashi), is a reminder and for mental and physical purification so that the person stays healthy (physically and mentally) and avoids criminal and sinful activities.

Moreover, if a person has done anything sinful or bad in thought, word or deed, vrata vow on the day of fasting, once a month in the name of God is then the time for him / her to make restitution seek forgiveness and take a vow not to repeat such actions. Then only there is any value in keeping the vrata or fasting.

The concept of sacrificing something precious in return for the fulfillment 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 among Hindus.