Home > Indian History > Indian Puranas > Krishna-Ashtami Vrata
Krishna-Ashtami Vrata
Krishna-Ashtami Vrata mentioned in the Agni Purana states that with the performance of the Vrata an individual is able to conquer all enemies without any efforts.

Share this Article:

Krishna-Ashtami Vrata, Agni PuranaAgni Purana has also described in details the process which is involved in the performance of the Krishna-Ashtami Vrata. It has been stated in the Purana that it should be performed the Vrata should be performed by the penitent in a pure spirit. The penitent should fast in the night, by simply taking a dose of the cow`s urine, sleep on the bare floor, and worship the god Shankara. On the day of performance of the Vrata the penitent the penitent should worship Lord Shiva in the month of Pousha, by taking clarified butter; while he should worship the god Maheshwara in the month of Magha, by living on a diet composed of thickened milk, on the day of observance of the vow.

It has been stated that the penitent should eat the seeds of sessamum oriental on the day of the eighth phase of the moon in the month of Phalguna, and worship the god Mahadeva. The diet of the penitent on such a day in the month of Chaitra, should consist of barley, the manifestation of the god Hara to be worshipped on the occasion, being Sthanu. Similarly the penitent should worship the Shiva manifestation of the god, on such a Tithi in the month of Vaishaka, by taking only a handful of the washings of Kusha grass. The manifestation of Hara to be worshipped on such an occasion in the month of Jaistha is Pashupati, and the penitent should drink only the washings of Shringa, that day. In the month of Ashada, the penitent shall eat the dung of a cow on a similar occasion, and worship the Ugra manifestation of the deity, Sarva being the deity to be worshipped on the day of the vow (Vrata) in the month of Shravana, the diet of the observer consisting only of Arka. Similarly the Vrati shall worship the Tramvaka manifestation of the god, in the month of Bhadra, eating only the leaves of a Bel tree on the night of observance of the vow.

Agni Purana narrates that the Isha manifestation of the god Hara, in the month of Ashvina, eating rice on the occasion of the Vrata, and the Rudra manifestation in the month of Kartika, taking nothing else than curd on such an occasion. The Homa ceremony should be performed at the close of the year, and the god should be worshipped in the mystic diagram (Mandate), where by the Vrata would be completed. Gifts of cows, clothes, and gold should be made to the preceptor and the Brahmanas. A man, by doing as above indicated and making the necessary prayer in connection therewith, enjoys all the pleasures of life and attains salvation after death. The man, who breaks his fast in the night on the occasion of all the Ashtami Tithis in a year, and makes gifts of cows to Brahmanas at the close of the Vrata, goes to the region of Indra.

In this adhyaya of Agni Purana Lord Agni has also described in detail that the process of performing the Sargati Vrata. It has been said that the Vrata should be performed on the occasion of an Ashtami Tithi, occurring on a Wednesday either in the dark or in the light fortnight of a month. The Vrati (penitent) should not take anything but molasses that day. Men, who observe the vow on the Tithi and in the manner, indicated above, never know any break down in their fortune. The penitent should live on a food, prepared with eight times the quantity of rice as would be contained in the hollow of the palm covered over with the last three fingers. The rice should be served on mango-leaves knitted together and spread over with the blades of Kusha grass. The goddess Ambika should be worshipped with all her retinue and divine appendages, and the observer of the vow should make gifts of rice mixed with Karkati, alter having heard from the preceptor the history of the origin of the Vrata.

It has been mentioned in the Purana that the man, who in the month of Chaitra, drinks the washings of eight tender shoots of an Ashoka Tree, on the day of the eighth phase of the moon`s increase., marked by the asterism Punarvasu, becomes exempted from all grieves. Grief can never approach nor affect a person, who performs the present Vrata which should be practised by reciting the prayer. Finally the Purana says that the man, who worships the Matrikas on the day of the eighth phase of the moon`s increase, in the month of Chaitra, conquers all his enemies without any effort.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Indian Puranas


Concept of Naraka in Vishnu Purana
Concept of Naraka has been discussed in the Vishnu Purana in an elaborate manner. It has been said that a person reaches hell if he commits an evil deed and the hell into which he reaches is determined by his actions.
Characters of Markandeya Purana
Markandeya Purana will give an idea about the mythological characters like Markandeya, Demon Mahisha, Dama, King Khaninetra and Khanitra.
Concept of Varna in Narada Purana
Concept of Varna in Narada Purana describes four basic varnas which include Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. Varna has been classified as per deeds performed by them.
Characters of Padma Purana
Some of the Characters of Padma Purana are Vishnu, Rama, Sita and Shiva.
Characters of Brahma Purana
Brahma Purana will give an idea about the mythological characters like Surya, Vishnu, Shiva, Rama and Parvati.
Characters of Shiva Purana
Shiva Purana will give an idea about the mythological characters like Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Brahma and Krishna.
Adhyayas in Agni Purana
Adhyayas in Agni Purana are all encompassing. The chapters have dealt with a variety of subjects related to human lives. A large number of chapters have been dedicated to religious aspects of human life.
Ramayana in Agni Purana
Ramayana in Agni Purana has been described by Lord Agni in a vivid manner.
Puranic Deities of India
Puranic Deities in India are worshipped by the Hindus, they are of immense supremacy and are considered to be almighty.
Indian Puranic Tribes
The existence of Indian Puranic tribes is often mixed with mythology and fiction that depict them as superhuman or sub.
Puranic Texts
Puranic Texts are vital according to Hindu, Jain or Buddhist religion; they describe the history of the Universe.
Puranic Shaivism
Puranic Shaivism established during the Gupta Dynasty. This puranic religion developed and expanded, and was accompanied by the development of Brahmanical forms of worship. The stories of the Puranas spread rapidly through the singers and narrators.
Puranic Sources of ancient Indian history
In defining the ancient Indian history Puranic sources are indeed important.