Ramalakshmana Dwadashi Vrat Katha

Sage Durvasa says - "Just as the Parashurama Dwadashi Vrat is observed on Vaishakha Shukla Dwadashi, similarly the Shri Ramalakshmana Dwadashi Vrat is observed in the Shukla Paksha of the month of Jyeshtha. On this occasion, a person should worship the Supreme Lord, the Almighty, with various types of holy and fragrant flowers.

Worship both feet of the Lord while chanting 'Om Ramabhiramaya Namah'. Similarly, worship His waist with 'Om Trivikramaya Namah', His abdomen with 'Om Dhritavishvaya Namah', His heart with 'Om Samvatsaraya Namah', His throat with 'Om Samvartakaya Namah', His arms with 'Om Sarvastradharine Namah', and the head region of the Lord with 'Om Sahasrashirase Namah'. Worship the conch with 'Om Panchajanyaya Namah' and the discus with 'Om Sudarshanachakraya Namah'.

After worshiping in the above manner, establish a Kalash (pot) according to the rules and cover it with a cloth. Then, install golden idols of Lord Rama and Shri Lakshmana on the Kalash. Thereafter, perform their ritual Shodashopachara worship. A person desiring a son should donate those idols to Brahmins in the morning.

There is a story of earlier times that King Dasharatha, the ruler of Ayodhya, had no sons. Therefore, he used to remain very anxious because of this. Once, Dasharatha ji, with the longing for obtaining a son in his heart, went to the refuge of Maharishi Vashistha and after worshiping him in various ways, said to him - 'O great sage! I have come to your refuge with the desire to obtain a son in my heart. Please favor me by guiding me.'

Being moved by the pathetic prayer of Dasharatha ji, Maharishi Vashistha described in detail the procedure of the Jyeshtha Shukla Dwadashi Vrat before him. After receiving the instruction of the fast from Sage Vashistha, King Dasharatha completed the ritual of the Dwadashi Vrat according to the rules. As a result of this supreme meritorious fast, Lord Shri Hari himself took incarnation in the form of Lord Rama, the son of Dasharatha."

Durvasa ji says - "O great sage! At that time, the Supreme Person, Lord Shri Hari, divided Himself into four forms, who were established in all the worlds as Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna.

This is the fruit of this world; now listen to the glory of the Dwadashi Vrat in the other world. The person who follows this fast with devotion enjoys various types of luxuries in the heaven world until all the gods, including the King of gods Indra, reside in heaven. Thereafter, on the completion of the time period there, he takes birth again in the mortal world. Taking birth here, he is established as a king who performs a hundred sacrifices (Yajnas).

The devotee who follows this fast with a desireless (Nishkam) spirit, all his sins are destroyed. Besides, he attains the state of Kaivalya (liberation) of Lord Shri Hari, which is supremely holy and eternal."

|| Thus ends the glory of Shri Ramalakshmana Dwadashi Vrat described in Shri Varaha Purana ||