
Learn the sacred story behind Balarama Jayanti Fast, where devotees celebrate the incarnation of Lord Balarama by fasting, praying, and performing rituals to seek strength, protection, and divine blessings.
Long ago, there lived a poor, pregnant milkmaid who earned her living by selling milk. As her delivery approached, she faced difficulty in traveling, but she continued her work because selling milk was essential for her household's survival. One day, while traveling to sell milk, she experienced unbearable labor pain. Distressed, she worried about losing her milk sales, which would leave her family without money. Struggling through the pain, she reached a nearby bush and gave birth to a baby boy. Leaving her newborn under the bush, she resumed her journey to sell milk in a nearby village. In the village, she noticed the people celebrating Hal Shashti, a vrat (fast) day when cow’s milk was avoided. Worried that no one would buy her milk, she lied, claiming it was buffalo milk. The villagers believed her and purchased all her milk. Meanwhile, near the bush where she had left her baby, a farmer was plowing his field. Suddenly, the farmer's bulls ran amok, and the plow struck the baby’s chest, killing him. When the milkmaid returned, she was devastated to find her child dead. Realizing her mistake, she decided to confess to the villagers. She returned to the village and revealed the truth about the milk, begging for forgiveness. The villagers forgave her, showing compassion. When she returned to the bush, she was astonished to find her baby alive and healthy. Overwhelmed, she prayed to Goddess Shashti, sought forgiveness, and vowed never to lie again. This is the story of Hal Shashti Vrat, which teaches the importance of truth and devotion. May Goddess Shashti and Lord Balarama bless you and your family.
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