Madana Dwadashi Vrat Katha

Dharmaraja Yudhishthira said to Lord Krishna - "O Prabhu! Please describe that excellent fast by which Mother Diti, the mother of the demons, obtained the forty-nine Marudganas as sons. I am curious to know about that fast."

Lord Krishna said - "Maharaja! I am describing in detail the Madana Dwadashi Vrat which Rishis like Vashistha had described before Mother Diti in ancient times, please listen. On the occasion of the Dwadashi date of the Shukla Paksha of the month of Chaitra, the devotee should establish a pot (Ghat) without any hole, filled with rice and coated with white sandalwood paste. Place various types of seasonal fruits and pieces of sugarcane in front of the pot. That pot should be possessed of various types of food items and gold pieces should also be put in it as per capacity. Thereafter, establish a copper vessel filled with jaggery on top of the pot.

After that, on a banana leaf, establish Kamadeva and on his left part, Goddess Rati combined with sugar. Worship them with incense, lamp, and Naivedya and organize the story of Lord Vishnu along with singing and playing music. Again, after feeding Brahmins with devotion, consume salt-free food yourself and while offering Dakshina to the Brahmins, pray to the Lord in this way - "May Lord Janardana, who exists in the hearts of all beings and who is called Bliss, be pleased with this ritual of mine in the form of Kama."

In the above manner, Madana Vrat should be observed in every month. The devotee should consume Amalaka (Amla) fruit on the day of Dwadashi and sleep on the ground and on the day of Trayodashi, perform the ritual worship of Lord Vishnu. When the thirteenth month arrives, a bed complete with all materials including Ghritadhenu (cow made of ghee), a gold-made idol of Kamadeva, and a white-colored milch cow should be offered to the Brahmin deity. While worshipping the Brahmin deity along with his wife according to capacity, say - "May you be pleased."

Thereafter, that observer of the fast, while chanting the names of Kamadeva, should perform Havan with Havi made of cow's milk and white sesame seeds. Then, giving up stinginess, an organization of feeding Brahmins should be done and they should be satisfied by offering sugarcane, flower garlands, etc., as per capacity. He who performs the ritual of Madana Dwadashi Vrat in this way, enjoys the happiness of sons, grandsons, etc., in this world and at the end time, being free from all sins, attains equality with Lord Vishnu.

Upon Diti performing the ritual of this fast, Maharishi Kashyapa appeared before her and by his power of penance, the Maharishi restored Diti's youth and young state. Thereafter, Maharishi Kashyapa, expressing the intention to grant the desired boon to Diti, urged her to ask for a boon. Diti said - 'O Pati Parameshwara (Lord Husband)! Please be kind enough to grant me a son as a boon who is capable of killing Indra. He should be extremely invincible, powerful, and possessed of great willpower.'

Hearing the wish of Devi Diti, Maharishi Kashyapa said - 'Tathastu (So be it)! O Devi! It will be so.' The great sage says again - 'O Varanane! You will have to reside in this Tapovan for one hundred years and protect your womb with effort. O Varavarnini! A pregnant woman should not eat in the evening time. She should not sit at the root of a tree, nor should she go in front of it. She should not sit on household materials like pestle, mortar, etc. She should not bathe by entering water, she should not go into a deserted house, she should not argue with people, and she should not twist or turn her body.

A pregnant woman should not sit with her hair open, she should never remain impure, she should not sleep with her head towards the north or with her head down anywhere. She should not remain naked or with an agitated mind. Nor should she ever sleep with wet feet, she should not use inauspicious-indicating speech, and she should not laugh too loudly.

A pregnant woman should always remain ready in auspicious tasks and serve the elders and should bathe with lukewarm water containing excellent medicines for a pregnant woman described in Ayurveda. She should not converse with wicked women, should not take air with cloth. She should not sit near a 'Mritavatsa', i.e., a woman whose child dies. She should not go into others' houses, should not walk quickly, should not cross great rivers, and should not see terrible and ghastly scenes. She should not eat undigested food and should not do difficult exercise, etc. She should not keep a feeling of envy in her heart and should protect the womb with medicines.

The pregnant woman who follows the above rules faithfully, a religious, well-behaved, and long-lived son is born from her womb. Upon violating these rules, there is a risk of miscarriage. Therefore, O dear! You protect your womb with effort while following these rules faithfully. May you be blessed! Now I depart.'

Diti said - 'As you command Master, I will follow your command faithfully.' In this way, after giving instructions to Diti and upon her accepting the husband's command, Maharishi Kashyapa disappeared. Thereafter, Diti began to follow all rules and self-restraint faithfully as instructed. In the course of time, by the grace of the Lord, she obtained forty-nine sons who are famous as Marudganas in all worlds."

Lord Krishna says again - "O Rajan! Whichever woman follows the Madana Dwadashi Vrat according to this method, she will get the happiness of a great son and husband and after enjoying all the happiness in this world, she will attain the best state at the end time."

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