Vamana Dwadashi Vrat Katha

Sage Durvasa says - "In ancient times, there was a very famous king named Haryashva. King Haryashva had no son. Therefore, the king was performing Yajna (sacrificial fire) and penance to obtain the happiness of having offspring. While the process of Yajna ritual was going on, at that time Lord Shri Hari appeared at the Yajna site disguised as a Brahmin.

Lord Shri Hari, in the guise of a Brahmin, said - 'O King! For what purpose are you performing these Yajna etc. activities? What is the goal of this ritual of yours?'

King Haryashva said - 'O Brahmin! I am performing this Yajna-Havan etc. ritual with the objective of obtaining a son.'

The Brahmin Dev said - 'If there is a desire in your heart to obtain a son, then perform the ritual of Vamana Dwadashi Vrat with faith and according to the rules. By the merit of Vamana Dwadashi Vrat, your wish will certainly be fulfilled.' Saying this, Lord Vishnu, who had come in the form of a Brahmin, disappeared from there.

The king performed the Dwadashi Vrat ritual with devotion according to the words of the Brahmin Dev. Having completed the vrat, the king donated a gem-studded idol to a brilliant and Vedic scholar Brahmin and while praying to Lord Vamana, said - 'O Lord! On the prayer of the sonless Goddess Aditi, you yourself had descended from her womb in the form of a son. If this is true, then by your grace, may I also obtain the happiness of having offspring.'

Sage Durvasa said - 'O best of sages! Thus, by observing the Vamana Dwadashi Vrat and praying to the Lord, the king obtained a beautiful son who became famous in the world by the name of Ugrashva. In course of time, Ugrashva was established as a powerful sovereign (Chakravarti) emperor.

By the glory of Vamana Dwadashi Vrat, one who is sonless becomes blessed with a son, and a poor man becomes wealthy. By observing this vrat, a kingdom-less man obtains a kingdom. A person who observes the Vamana Dwadashi Vrat attains the abode of Lord Vishnu after death. Thereafter, having enjoyed bliss in heaven, in the next birth, he becomes a sovereign king like the wise Yayati, the son of Nahusha.'"

॥ Thus ends the Vamana Dwadashi Vrat Mahatmya described in Shri Varaha Purana ॥