Sharad Purnima Vrat Katha

According to ancient belief, there once lived a wealthy merchant in a town who had two daughters. Both daughters observed a fast on every Purnima (Full Moon). However, the younger daughter never completed the fast properly, while the elder daughter observed it with complete devotion, discipline, and faith.

In time, both sisters got married.

After marriage, the elder sister, who sincerely observed the Purnima fast, gave birth to healthy and beautiful children. In contrast, the younger sister suffered repeated sorrow. Either she was unable to conceive, or if a child was born, the baby would not survive for long.

Deeply distressed, she and her husband sought guidance from learned Brahmins. They examined her horoscope and explained that her repeated misfortunes were the result of performing the Purnima Vrat incompletely in the past.

The Brahmins advised her to observe the Sharad Purnima Vrat in the month of Ashwin according to the prescribed rituals and with complete devotion.

Following their advice, she faithfully observed the fast. Later, she gave birth to another child, but sadly, the baby survived only for a few days.

Heartbroken, she placed the lifeless infant on a wooden seat (pidha) and covered the child with a cloth. She then invited her elder sister to visit and asked her to sit on that very seat.

As soon as the elder sister's clothes touched the covered child, the baby suddenly came back to life and began to cry.

The elder sister was shocked and exclaimed,

"Did you want people to blame me for your child's death? What if something had happened while I was sitting here?"

The younger sister replied with folded hands,

"The child was already lifeless. It is only through the power of your sincere observance of the Purnima Vrat that my baby has been revived."

This miraculous event spread throughout the town, and people realized the immense spiritual power of observing the Sharad Purnima Vrat with complete faith and proper rituals.

From that day onward, the king ordered a public proclamation encouraging everyone in the kingdom to observe the Sharad Purnima Vrat with full devotion and according to the prescribed traditions to receive the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and attain prosperity, happiness, and family well-being.