Rohini Vrat Katha
Rohini Vrat is a sacred observance in the Jain community, although it is also celebrated with devotion by followers of other faiths. Married women observe this vrat for the long life, well-being, and prosperity of their husbands.
It is believed that worshipping Goddess Rohini removes hardships, poverty, and suffering from one's life. Since Rohini is one of the 27 lunar constellations (Nakshatras), this vrat is observed every month when the Moon transits the Rohini Nakshatra.
Rohini Vrat Story
Long ago, in the city of Champapuri, there lived a king named Madhava with his queen Lakshmipati, their seven sons, and their daughter Rohini.
One day, the king consulted a wise astrologer and asked whom his daughter would marry. The astrologer predicted that Rohini would marry Prince Ashok of Hastinapur.
After hearing the prediction, King Madhava arranged a Swayamvara for his daughter. During the ceremony, Princess Rohini chose Prince Ashok as her husband, and the two were married.
Some time later, Prince Ashok visited a forest near Hastinapur with his family, where they met a revered Jain monk named Shricharan Muni.
Ashok asked the monk why his wife Rohini was always calm, composed, and virtuous.
The monk replied by narrating a story from a previous birth.
In ancient times, there lived a king named Vastupal in Hastinapur, who had a close friend named Dhanmitra.
Dhanmitra had a daughter who constantly emitted an unpleasant smell. Because of this, she was named Durgandha.
Deeply worried about his daughter's condition, Dhanmitra once visited Amritsen Muni and asked him about the reason behind her suffering.
The monk explained that in a previous birth, there was a king named Bhupal who ruled near Mount Girnar. His queen was Sindhumati, who was extremely proud of her beauty.
One day, while the king and queen were travelling through a forest, they met a Jain monk. The king instructed the queen to prepare food for the monk.
Although she agreed outwardly, Queen Sindhumati was filled with anger. Out of resentment, she served the monk bitter and poisonous food (Tumbika).
After consuming the food, the monk died.
When the king learned about the incident, he banished Queen Sindhumati from the palace.
As a result of this grave sin, she was afflicted with leprosy, endured immense suffering, and eventually died.
After death, she was born in hell, suffered greatly, then passed through several animal births before finally being reborn as Durgandha, the daughter of Dhanmitra.
After hearing the entire story, Dhanmitra asked the monk if there was any way to free his daughter from the effects of her past karma.
The monk advised him to observe the Rohini Vrat with complete faith and devotion.
He instructed that on every day when the Moon entered the Rohini Nakshatra, they should worship Goddess Rohini, observe a fast, give up food, spend the day in prayer, charity, and religious activities, and continue this practice faithfully for five years and five months.
Dhanmitra and his daughter Durgandha observed the Rohini Vrat according to the prescribed rituals.
As a result of their sincere devotion, Durgandha attained heaven after her death and was later reborn as the virtuous Princess Rohini, who eventually became the queen of Prince Ashok.
This sacred story highlights the power of devotion, repentance, and the observance of Rohini Vrat in overcoming past karmas and attaining spiritual and worldly blessings.
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