Govatsa Dwadashi Vrat Katha

Maharaja Yudhishthira said - "O Bhagavan! To attain the kingdom for me, eighteen Akshauhini armies have met their death. From the thought of this sin, a feeling of revulsion is arising in my mind. In that army, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, etc., all have died. I am experiencing extreme distress in my heart due to the deaths of Bhishma, Drona, Kalingaraja, Karna, Shalya, Duryodhana, etc. O Jagatpate! Please be kind enough to tell me a way to get freedom from these sins."

Lord Krishna said - "O Partha! There is an extremely merit-bestowing fast, which has been described as Govatsa Dwadashi."

Yudhishthira asked - "O Bhagavan! What is this Govatsa Dwadashi fast? What is the procedure for observing it and when and how did this fast become prevalent? O Prabhu! I am drowning in the ocean of hell, please protect me."

Lord Krishna said - "O Partha! In the Satya Yuga, on the beautiful peak named Tantavi of the mountain named Namavratadhara in Bharuch of the meritorious Jambumarga, crores of Munis were performing penance with the desire to have a vision of Lord Shiva. That Tapovan was resplendent with incomparable divine dense forests. There, the ashram mandala of Maharishi Bhrigu was shining. That place was coordinated with various types of deer and monkeys. All wild animals like lions used to live there together happily and fearlessly.

At one time, being pleased with those Rishis and Munis absorbed in penance, Lord Shiva decided to give them a vision and appeared in the guise of an old Brahmin to show grace to the Munis. Shiva ji, in the form of an old Brahmin with a frail body, came to that place where the Rishis were performing penance, trembling and holding a staff in his hand. At the same time, Mother Parvati, the mother of the universe, also appeared there taking the form of a beautiful cow with a calf (Savatsa Gau).

O Partha! Listen to the description of the form of the cow - in ancient times, at the time of the churning of the ocean of milk, five divine cows appeared along with the nectar, who are known by the names Nanda, Subhadra, Surabhi, Sushila, and Bahula. They have been called Lokmata (Mothers of the World) in the scriptures. Their descent happened for the welfare of the world and the satisfaction of the gods. The gods had given these five cows, who fulfill desired wishes, to Maharishi Jamadagni, Rishi Bharadwaj, Rishi Vashistha, Asit Muni, and Gautam Muni.

The six parts of the cows, namely Gomaya (cow dung), Rochana, Mutra (urine), Dugdha (milk), Dadhi (curd), and Ghrita (ghee) are considered extremely sacred and they are also means of purification. From Gomaya, the Bilva tree, dear to Lord Shiva, was born. In the Bilva tree, Goddess Shri Lakshmi with lotus in her hands resides, therefore it is also called Shri-Vriksha. From Gomaya itself, the seeds of the lotus were produced. Gorochana is extremely auspicious, it is holy and fulfiller of all purposes. From cow urine, Guggul was produced, which is extremely dear and fragrant. This Guggul is the food of all gods, especially Lord Shiva.

Whatever fundamental seeds are there in the world, they all have been produced from cow's milk. For the fulfillment of purpose, all auspicious substances have been produced from curd. From ghee, nectar is produced, which is the means of satisfaction of the gods. Brahmin and Cow are two parts of the same lineage. Veda mantras reside in the hearts of Brahmins and Havi (oblation) resides in the hearts of cows. Sacrifice (Yajna) proceeds from the cow itself and all the gods are established in the cow. All the Vedas including the six limbs are contained in the cow.

Brahma and Vishnu always reside at the base of the horns of the cows. In the tip of the horn, all moving and non-moving beings and all holy places are established. Mahadeva Shiva, the God of gods, remains present in the middle of the horn. Goddess Gauri resides in the forehead of the cow, Kartikeya in the nose, and two Nagas named Kambal and Ashvatar reside in both the nostrils. Ashvini Kumars in both ears, Moon and Sun in the eyes, the eight Vasus in the teeth, Varuna in the tongue, Saraswati in the hollow, Yama and Yaksha in the cheekbones, and both twilights in the lips, Indra in the neck, Rakshasa in the hump, Dyau in the heel part, and Dharma along with all four stages resides in the thighs. Gandharvas in the middle of the hooves, snakes in the front part, and Rakshasas reside in the back part.

Ekadasha Rudras reside on the back of the cow, Varuna in all joints, Pitris in the waist, Humans in the cheeks, and Shri is situated in the anus relying on the ornament in the form of Svaha. Aditya rays are established by being concentrated in the groups of hair. Ganga is present in cow urine and Yamuna is present in cow dung. Thirty-three crore gods are established in the hair of the cow. Earth along with forests and mountains is situated in the stomach. The four great oceans are situated in the four udders. Clouds, rain, and water drops are present in the streams of milk, Garhapatyagni in the stomach, Dakshinagni in the heart, Ahavaniyagni in the throat, and Sabhyagni is situated in the palate. Mountains are situated in the bones of the cows and Yajna is situated in the marrows. All the Vedas are also established in the cows.

O Yudhishthira! Goddess Uma, remembering the form of those Surabhis, herself also assumed the same form. Elevated from six places, low from five places, having eyes like a frog, having a beautiful tail, having red udders like copper, having a waist part bright like silver, having beautiful hooves and a beautiful face, white-colored, well-behaved, loving her son, having sweet milk, having beautiful udders, possessed of all auspicious marks, Lord Shiva in the form of an old Brahmin was happily grazing Goddess Uma who had assumed the form of a cow with a calf. O Partha! Slowly-slowly, Lord Shiva went to that ashram and presented that cow to Rishi Bhrigu to protect it for two days as a deposit in front of Kulapati Bhrigu.

While giving the cow, Lord Shiva in the form of a Brahmin said - 'O Muni! I will bathe here and proceed to Jambukshetra and will return after two days, until then you protect this cow.'

The Munis also assured him while promising to protect that cow in every way. Lord Shiva disappeared there. After some time, Lord Shiva appeared there in the form of a tiger and began to frighten the cow and its calf. The Rishis also began to make a cry of distress from the fear of the tiger and began to try to drive away the tiger as per their strength. From the fear of the tiger, that cow with the calf also began to low while jumping.

O Yudhishthira! Upon running being distressed from the fear of the tiger, the mark of the four hooves of the cow became imprinted in the middle of the rock. In the sky, the gods and Kinnars praised and worshipped the tiger, i.e., Lord Shiva, and the cow with the calf, i.e., Mother Parvati. That mark on the rock is clearly visible even at present. The place where that foot mark is present is the best pilgrimage place of Narmada ji. Here, whoever touches the Shivalinga of Shambhu Tirtha, he gets free from cow-slaughter. O King! By bathing in that Mahatirtha situated in Jambumarga, one gets freedom from sins like Brahmin-slaughter.

Upon the cow with the calf being frightened by the tiger, the Munis became angry and started ringing the bell which makes a terrible sound obtained from Brahma. From that sound of the bell, the tiger also left the cow with the calf and went away. Brahmins have named it Dhundhagiri. O Partha! Men who have a vision of it undoubtedly become of the form of Rudra themselves.

After a few moments, Lord Shiva, giving up the form of the tiger, appeared there in person. He was mounted on a bull (Vrishabha), Goddess Uma was seated in his left part and he was surrounded by Nandi, Mahakala, Shringi, Virabhadra, Chamunda, Ghantakarna, etc., along with Vinayaka and Kartikeya. Matrikas, Bhutaganas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Guhyakas, Gods, Danavas, Gandharvas, Munis, Vidyadharas, Nagas, and their wives were worshipping Lord Shiva. Sanaka and others were also worshipping him.

O King! On the Dwadashi date of the Shukla Paksha (according to another opinion, Krishna Paksha) of the month of Kartik, the Brahmavadi Rishis had worshiped Goddess Uma, who had assumed the form of a cow with a calf, with devotion by the name Nandini. That is why the Govatsa Dwadashi fast is observed on this day. From that time onwards, this fast became prevalent on the earth. Now you listen to how King Uttanapada propagated this fast in the world -

In ancient times, there was a Kshatriya king named Uttanapada. King Uttanapada had two queens, whose names were Suruchi and Shughni or Suniti. A son named Dhruv was born from the womb of Suniti. Suniti, handing over that son of hers to Suruchi, said - 'O friend! You protect this son. I will always remain ready in service myself.'

In this way, Suruchi used to always handle the housework and the devoted wife Suniti used to remain ready in the service of her husband. Due to co-wife jealousy, at one time, being under the influence of anger and envy, Suruchi killed the infant of Suniti, but by divine chance, he immediately became alive and sat in his mother's lap laughing. In the same way, Suruchi made many attempts to kill that child, but that child used to come alive again and again.

Seeing that child alive, being surprised, Suruchi asked Suniti - 'O Devi! What a strange incident is this and of which fast is this the fruit, what kind of Havan or ritual of fast have you performed? As a result of which your son comes alive again and again. Have you mastered the Mritasanjivani Vidya? Gem, great gem, or which specific knowledge is known to you, from which this miracle is happening, describe this truly.'

Suniti said - 'O sister! I have observed the Govatsa fast on the day of Dwadashi in the month of Kartik, by the merit effect of that, my son becomes alive again and again. Whenever I remember him, he comes right in front of me. Even while staying in travel, a son is obtained by the effect of this fast. O Suruchi! By observing this Govatsa Dwadashi fast, you too will get everything and your welfare will happen.'

On the suggestion of Suniti, Suruchi also observed this best fast. As a result of this fast, Suruchi also obtained a son, wealth, and happiness. The creator Brahma established Suruchi along with her husband Uttanapada and she is still rejoicing even at present. Dhruv, possessed of ten constellations, is still visible in the sky today. By having a vision of the Dhruv star, one gets freedom from all sins."

Yudhishthira said - "O Bhagavan! Please be kind enough to describe the procedure of this fast as well."

Lord Krishna said - "O Kurushreshtha! On the Dwadashi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik, after bathing in some water body with a resolve, a man should eat only at one time. Thereafter, at the time of noon, one should worship the cow along with the calf with scent, flowers, Akshat (unbroken rice), Kumkum, Alaktak, lamp, flower garlands, and Vadas (fritters) of Urad with the following mantra -

Om Mata Rudranam Duhita Vasunam Svasadityanamamritasya Nabhih. Pra Nu Vochan Chikitushe Janaya Ma Gamanagamaditim Vadhishtha Namo Namah Svaha.

After the worship, offer a morsel to the cow and while touching the cow with the following mantra, pray and ask for forgiveness -

Om Sarvadevamaye Devi Lokanam Shubhanandini. Matarmamabhilashitam Safalam Kuru Nandini.

After worshipping the cow in this way, sprinkle water on it (Paryukshana) and bow to the cow with devotion. On this day, one should not consume food cooked on a griddle (Tava) and while observing celibacy, one should sleep on the ground. A devotee who observes this fast with faith, enjoys all happiness throughout life by the merit effect of this fast and at the end time, resides in Goloka for as many years as there are hairs on the cow, there should be no doubt in this."

|| Thus ends the Govatsa Dwadashi Mahatmya described in the Uttara Parva of Bhavishya Purana ||