Sawan Shivratri Fast Story

Shivratri holds great significance in Hindu scriptures, especially during the holy month of Sawan. Worshipping Lord Shiva on this day and listening to the fast story is believed to bring immense blessings. Here’s the tale: Long ago, there lived a hunter named Chitrabhanu, who supported his family by hunting in the forest. Chitrabhanu was heavily in debt to a moneylender. Unable to repay the loan, he was imprisoned in a Shiva temple by the angry moneylender. Coincidentally, it was the day of monthly Shivratri. Throughout the night, the temple was filled with devotional songs and prayers, which Chitrabhanu listened to with great attention. The next morning, the moneylender released Chitrabhanu after he promised to repay the debt soon. Hungry and exhausted, Chitrabhanu ventured deep into the forest to find prey but was unsuccessful. As sunset approached, he realized he would have to spend the night in the forest. He climbed a Bael tree near a pond to rest. Underneath the tree, hidden by leaves, was a Shiva Lingam. Distraught over his debt and hunger, Chitrabhanu began plucking Bael leaves and unintentionally dropped them onto the Shiva Lingam, performing Shiva’s worship unknowingly. Later, a pregnant deer came to drink water from the pond. Seeing it, Chitrabhanu aimed his arrow but was stopped by the deer’s plea. She promised to return after giving birth if he spared her. Moved by her words, Chitrabhanu let her go, unknowingly completing the first phase of worship. Over the night, he encountered two other deer, each requesting mercy for their unique circumstances. Chitrabhanu spared them as well. Each time he prepared to shoot, Bael leaves fell onto the Lingam, completing additional phases of worship. Finally, a stag appeared and explained he was the husband of the deer Chitrabhanu had spared. The stag asked Chitrabhanu to spare him so he could reunite with his family before returning. Touched by the animals’ devotion and honesty, Chitrabhanu let the stag go, completing the worship entirely. These events transformed Chitrabhanu’s heart, filling him with devotion toward Lord Shiva. He returned to the city, repaid his debt, and began a new life of honest work. Upon his death, Lord Shiva’s attendants came to take him to Shiva Lok, granting him liberation (moksha). This story highlights the power of devotion and worship, even when performed unintentionally, and the transformative blessings of observing Shivratri.