Shravan Somvar Vrat Katha
Shravan Somvar Vrat Katha
Shravaṇe na harer-ārcā, kṛitā yena manasvinā।
Sa gacchet paramam sthānaṃ, viṣṇu-loke mahīyate॥
Meaning:
One who worships Lord Hari (Shiva) with devotion in the month of Shravan attains the supreme state and is honored in the divine abode of the Lord.
Introduction – Importance of Shravan Month
According to the Hindu calendar, the month of Shravan (Sawan) is considered the most sacred and spiritually powerful month of the year. It is especially dedicated to Lord Shiva, and Mondays (Somvar) during this month are believed to be highly auspicious for his worship. Devotees observe fasts on these days, known as Shravan Somvar Vrat, to seek blessings of health, wealth, progeny, and spiritual growth. Worship during this month with true faith brings immediate results and fulfills sincere desires.
Shravan Somvar Vrat Katha (Fasting Story)
Once upon a time, in a town lived a wealthy merchant. He had all riches but was sorrowful due to the lack of a child. He began observing a fast every Monday and regularly visited the temple of Lord Shiva with full devotion. Pleased by his worship, Goddess Parvati requested Lord Shiva to bless the merchant with a son. Initially, Lord Shiva replied, “Every soul must bear the fruits of its past karma, and destiny cannot be changed.” But moved by Parvati’s compassion, Shiva granted the merchant a son — but with the condition that the child would live only twelve years. The merchant later had a son. When the boy turned eleven, he was sent to Kashi (Varanasi) for education along with his maternal uncle. They performed yagnas and gave alms during their journey. One day, they reached a town where a princess was to be married. The groom was blind in one eye, and the royal family attempted to hide this by dressing the merchant’s son as the groom. The boy, being truthful, wrote on the bride’s veil about the swap and his own identity. The wedding was stopped. Eventually, the boy reached Kashi and performed another yagna. On the day he turned twelve, he fell seriously ill and died. His uncle began to mourn. At that moment, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati passed by. Parvati insisted Shiva revive the child. Shiva agreed and brought the boy back to life. On their return journey, they visited the town where the wedding had taken place. Recognizing them, the king welcomed the boy and got him properly married to the princess. When they returned home, the merchant and his wife were overjoyed. That night, Lord Shiva appeared in the merchant’s dream and said, “I granted your son life because of your unwavering devotion and your Shravan Somvar fasts. Anyone who observes this vrat with devotion shall have their wishes fulfilled and sufferings removed.”
How to Perform Shravan Somvar Vrat (Step-by-step Vidhi):
- Take a bath early in the morning and wear clean clothes.
- Offer Abhishek to a Shivling using milk, water, curd, honey, and ghee.
- Offer Bilva leaves, Datura, flowers, and sacred ash.
- Chant “Om Namah Shivaya” at least 108 times.
- Read or listen to the Shravan Somvar Katha.
- Observe the fast — either fruit-only or waterless.
- Perform Shiva Aarti in the evening.
- Donate to the poor and Brahmins as per your capacity.
Benefits of Shravan Somvar Vrat:
- Earns the divine blessings of Lord Shiva
- Brings happiness, peace, and prosperity
- Grants childbirth, removes delays in marriage
- Destroys sins and bad karma
- Ensures spiritual growth and the path to liberation (moksha)