Paush Purnima Fast Story

In the Dwapar Yuga, once Yashoda Mata asked Shri Krishna, "You are the protector of the whole world. Please tell me about a ritual or fast that would prevent women from the fear of widowhood and fulfill all human desires." Shri Krishna replied, "Mother, you have asked a beautiful question. To achieve blessings and good fortune, women should perform the fast of 32 Full-Moons. By observing this fast, all their wishes will be fulfilled, and they will be blessed with fortune. Let me narrate a story related to this fast." Once upon a time, on Earth, there was a famous city named "Katika," ruled by a great king named Chandrahās. In this city lived a Brahmin named Dhaneśwar and his wife, a very virtuous and beautiful woman. They lived happily and had no shortage of wealth or food. However, they were deeply saddened by the lack of children. One day, a saintly yogi came to the city. He avoided taking alms from Dhaneśwar's house, which made Dhaneśwar upset. He asked the yogi why he refused alms from his home. The yogi replied, "Alms from a childless household are considered impure. Since you are childless, I cannot accept alms from you." Deeply troubled, Dhaneśwar pleaded with the yogi, asking for a way to have a child. The yogi advised him to worship Goddess Chandī. Dhaneśwar shared this with his wife and went to the forest to meditate and worship the goddess. After 16 days of fasting and worship, Goddess Chandī appeared in Dhaneśwar's dream and told him, "You will have a child, but the child will pass away at the age of 16. To prevent this, you and your wife must observe the fast of 32 Full-Moons. Worship Lord Shiva with wheat flour lamps and follow this fast properly." Dhaneśwar followed the instructions, and with the goddess's blessings, he and his wife were finally blessed with a son named Devīdās. Devīdās grew up to be a brilliant and virtuous boy. As the 16th year approached, Dhaneśwar and his wife became worried about their son's fate. They sent him to Kashi for studies, accompanied by his uncle, while they continued their worship and fasting. Eventually, Devīdās faced challenges that could have ended his life. However, due to the power of the 32 Full-Moon Fast, he was saved by divine intervention. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati blessed him with life, ensuring his safety and longevity. Devīdās returned home, reuniting with his family, and the city celebrated his safe return. Shri Krishna explained that observing the 32 Full-Moon Fast grants blessings, fulfills desires, and protects women from widowhood, ensuring lifelong good fortune. Devīdās's parents decided to send him to Kashi (Varanasi) to study for a year. They wanted someone to accompany him, so they called his uncle and asked him to ensure that Devīdās would return safely after a year. After making all arrangements, they sent Devīdās on a horse, accompanied by his uncle. Back home, Dhaneśwar and his wife continued praying to Goddess Durga for their son’s long life and performed the 32 Full-Moon fast with devotion. Their prayers were sincere. While traveling, Devīdās and his uncle stopped overnight in a village. Coincidentally, a Brahmin family in the village was celebrating the wedding of their beautiful, virtuous daughter. However, during the wedding ceremony, the groom fell seriously ill with a disease that bent his body like a bow, making it impossible for him to participate. The groom's father, seeing Devīdās's handsome appearance, proposed to make him the temporary groom for the ritual. Devīdās's uncle agreed on the condition that all the gifts meant for the groom would go to Devīdās. The arrangement was made, and the wedding rituals were completed that night. After the ceremony, Devīdās felt uneasy and wondered about the bride's nature. While he sat alone, thinking and upset, the bride noticed his sadness and asked what was wrong. He explained the entire situation. The bride, however, firmly declared that she had married Devīdās in front of divine witnesses and considered him her rightful husband. She refused to accept anyone else. Devīdās warned her about his short lifespan and urged her to reconsider. She replied, "Whatever happens to you will happen to me as well. You are my husband, and I will not leave you." She then encouraged him to eat and rest. The next morning, Devīdās gave her a ring and a handkerchief as keepsakes. He advised her to create a flower garden and plant a jasmine plant. He told her to care for it daily. When the flowers wilted, it would mean he had passed away, but if they bloomed again, it would mean he was alive. With these words, he departed. Time passed, and one night, a deadly snake tried to bite Devīdās. However, the protection of the 32 Full-Moon fast kept him safe. Later, when the god of time, Kāla, tried to take his life, Devīdās fell unconscious. At that moment, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared. Parvati pleaded with Shiva to save the boy, reminding him of the fast observed by Devīdās's mother. Moved by her words, Shiva granted Devīdās his life back. Meanwhile, Devīdās’s wife, observing the garden, noticed the flowers had wilted and later bloomed again. She joyfully informed her father that her husband was alive and asked him to search for him. Shortly after, Devīdās returned with his uncle, and the family was reunited. The bride recognized Devīdās, and the villagers celebrated their union. Lord Krishna concluded the story by saying that the 32 Full-Moon fast brings blessings, fulfills desires, and prevents widowhood. Women who observe this fast are granted lifelong good fortune and the blessings of Lord Shiva.