Hartalika Teej Vrat Katha – Goddess Parvati’s Ideal Devotion

Описание: Princess Parvati, the daughter of King Himalaya, had resolved since childhood to marry Lord Shiva. To achieve this, she began intense penance on the banks of the Ganges. She stood in freezing waters and performed meditation amidst fires during the scorching summer. Seeing her struggle, King Himalaya grew worried. Meanwhile, Sage Narada arrived and informed the King that Lord Vishnu wished to marry Parvati. The King happily agreed. When Parvati heard this, she was devastated because her heart belonged only to Shiva. She confided in her close friend, who then took her to a hidden cave deep within a dense forest to protect her from the unwanted marriage. There, Parvati fashioned a Shiva Lingam out of sand and observed a strict fast without food or water. On the third day of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadrapada, she stayed awake all night singing hymns. Moved by her devotion, Lord Shiva appeared and accepted her as his consort. The next day, she immersed the ritual items and broke her fast. The fast is called 'Hartalika' because her friend 'Harat' (kidnapped) her to the forest to help fulfill her vow. Today, married women observe this fast for the long life of their husbands, and young girls do so for a virtuous partner. It stands as a testament to the power of unwavering love and determination.