Rohini Vrat Katha

Since Rohini is one of the 27 Nakshatras (lunar constellations), this vrat is observed every month when the Moon transits the Rohini Nakshatra.

The Sacred Story

Long ago, in the city of Champapuri, there lived King Madhava with his queen Lakshmipati, their seven sons, and their daughter Rohini.

One day, the king asked a learned astrologer about his daughter's future marriage. The astrologer predicted that Princess Rohini would marry Prince Ashok of Hastinapur.

Following this prophecy, the king organized a Swayamvara, where Princess Rohini chose Prince Ashok as her husband, and the two were married.

Some time later, Prince Ashok visited a forest near Hastinapur along with his family to seek the blessings of the sage Shricharan Muni. During the meeting, Ashok asked the sage why his wife always remained calm and composed.

The sage replied by narrating a story from a previous birth.

In ancient times, there lived a king named Vastupal in Hastinapur. His close friend, Dhanmitra, had a daughter whose body constantly emitted an unpleasant odor. Because of this, she was named Durgandha ("the one with a foul smell"). Dhanmitra was deeply worried about his daughter's future.

One day, the revered sage Amritsen Muni arrived in the city. Dhanmitra took his daughter to the sage and asked about the reason for her condition.

The sage explained that in a previous birth, Durgandha had been Queen Sindhumati, the wife of King Bhupal, who ruled a kingdom near Mount Girnar.

Queen Sindhumati was extremely proud of her beauty. Once, while the royal couple was traveling through a forest, the king met a saint and requested his queen to arrange food for the sage. Although she agreed outwardly, she became angry within. In her anger, she served the sage a bitter and harmful meal. After consuming it, the sage passed away.

When the king learned about this sinful act, he banished the queen from the palace. As a result of this grave karma, she developed leprosy and endured immense suffering until her death. After death, she was reborn in hell, suffered greatly, then took birth in the animal kingdom, and eventually was born again as Dhanmitra's daughter, Durgandha.

After hearing the entire story, Dhanmitra asked the sage how his daughter could be freed from the effects of her past karma.

The sage advised that she should faithfully observe the Rohini Vrat with true faith and devotion. He instructed her to observe the fast every month on the day of Rohini Nakshatra, worship Goddess Rohini, abstain from food, and devote her time to religious practices, worship, charity, and righteous deeds. He further advised that this vrat should be observed continuously for five years and five months.

Following the sage's guidance, Dhanmitra and Durgandha observed the Rohini Vrat according to the prescribed rituals. After Durgandha's death, she attained heaven, was later reborn as a divine being, and eventually took birth as Princess Rohini, who became the queen of Prince Ashok.

This sacred story highlights the transformative power of Rohini Vrat, sincere repentance, and righteous living in overcoming the effects of past karma.

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