Once upon a time, there was a village potter who made pots. He used to use a kiln-furnace to fire and harden his pots. One day he noticed that the flame inside the furnace was not able generate high enough temperatures to harden the pots. Because of this his pots continued to remain weak. They would break easily. He was the only potter in the village and without his pots, the villagers would not be able cook their meals.
He tried to resolve his furnace-kiln problem by all means but to no avail! Finally out of desperation, he went to the King to seek his help.
The King consulted with the kingdom's Religion-Minister (called Raj Purohit) for a possible solution. This was back in the times where giving bali, i.e. offering human or animal sacrifice was a very common practice. The Raj purohit suggested that each household in that village offer up one of their child as a sacrifice whenever the potter fired up his furnace.
Each time, one child from one of the village household was offered into the furnace and the kiln started firing up quite well. Then with turn, it was the number of this particular household in the village, where this old lady lived with only son. He was her only support during her old age. She did not have any other family members and was quite distraught about the impending fate of her only-child!
He tried to resolve his furnace-kiln problem by all means but to no avail! Finally out of desperation, he went to the King to seek his help.
The King consulted with the kingdom's Religion-Minister (called Raj Purohit) for a possible solution. This was back in the times where giving bali, i.e. offering human or animal sacrifice was a very common practice. The Raj purohit suggested that each household in that village offer up one of their child as a sacrifice whenever the potter fired up his furnace.
Each time, one child from one of the village household was offered into the furnace and the kiln started firing up quite well. Then with turn, it was the number of this particular household in the village, where this old lady lived with only son. He was her only support during her old age. She did not have any other family members and was quite distraught about the impending fate of her only-child!
It was the day of Sakat Chauth i.e. Chaturthi and the old lady was an ardent devotee of Goddess Sakat. She prayed to the Goddess for the safety of her son. Finally, when her son was getting ready to offer himself into the furnace, she gave her son a betel nut as a protective talisman. She asked him to hold on to the betel nut and pray to the Goddess Sakat as the kiln was getting fired up. She assured him that because of the grace of the Divine Mother, he would stay safe even when the kiln reached super high temperatures!
Her son did as per his mother's guidance and by the grace of the divine mother, he was absolutely unscathed. The villagers were shocked when he walked out of the hot kiln after all the pots were fired. Not only was he safe, but the villagers noticed that the Divine Mother had blessed all the other children who had previously been sacrificed, as well. They all came out of the kiln- safe and sound.
Everyone realized the immense love and grace of the Divine Mother and since then mothers in particularly pray to Maa Sakat (Divine Mother Goddess Sakat) for continued good health and wellbeing of their children.
Sakat Chauth is called by different names, depending on the region. It is called as Mahi Chauth, Mai Chauth and also as Tilkuta Chauth.
In addition, this day of Sakat Chauth, which happens to be the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon phase) of the Vedic lunar month of Magha, is traditionally considered an important day to pray to Lord Ganesh and is called as the Sankashti Chaturthi. Sakat Chauth is also called as Vakra-Tundi Chaturthi and Maghi Chauth in honor of Lord Ganesh. You can read more about Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat- Understanding the importance of Sankashti Chaturthi
On Sakat Chauth, Lord Ganesha is also worshipped along with Goddess Sakat. Worshipping Lord Ganesh on this day brings happiness and prosperity.
Her son did as per his mother's guidance and by the grace of the divine mother, he was absolutely unscathed. The villagers were shocked when he walked out of the hot kiln after all the pots were fired. Not only was he safe, but the villagers noticed that the Divine Mother had blessed all the other children who had previously been sacrificed, as well. They all came out of the kiln- safe and sound.
Everyone realized the immense love and grace of the Divine Mother and since then mothers in particularly pray to Maa Sakat (Divine Mother Goddess Sakat) for continued good health and wellbeing of their children.
Sakat Chauth is called by different names, depending on the region. It is called as Mahi Chauth, Mai Chauth and also as Tilkuta Chauth.
In addition, this day of Sakat Chauth, which happens to be the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon phase) of the Vedic lunar month of Magha, is traditionally considered an important day to pray to Lord Ganesh and is called as the Sankashti Chaturthi. Sakat Chauth is also called as Vakra-Tundi Chaturthi and Maghi Chauth in honor of Lord Ganesh. You can read more about Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat- Understanding the importance of Sankashti Chaturthi
On Sakat Chauth, Lord Ganesha is also worshipped along with Goddess Sakat. Worshipping Lord Ganesh on this day brings happiness and prosperity.
Continue reading...
- Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat- Understanding the importance of Sankashti Chaturthi
- Understanding the concept of Tithi in The Vedic Calendar (Panchang)
- What is Panchak Yoga and why is it inauspicious to start worldly activities during the Panchak kaal (period or phase)?
- Utilize the "Power of Light" to achieve your goals & ambitions
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