Kokila Vrat Katha

Dharmaraja Yudhishthira asked Lord Krishna - "O Lord! Please be kind enough to describe such a fast, by performing which the mutual pure love and harmony of noble women towards their husbands may always remain continuous."

Responding to this question for world-welfare asked by King Yudhishthira, Lord Shri Krishna said - "O Dharmaraja! On the holy bank of Yamuna, an extremely divine and beautiful city named Mathura is situated. Lord Shri Rama had established his brother Shatrughna as the King of Mathura. Shatrughna's wife's name was Kirtimala. She was extremely devoted to her husband. One day Kirtimala, while respectfully bowing to her family-guru Rishi Vashistha Ji, said - 'O best among sages! Please tell me some such fast, by which my eternal fortune (Akhanda Saubhagya) may increase.'

Vashistha Ji said - 'O daughter Kirtimala! I describe an extremely great fast, you listen carefully. A woman desiring welfare should make the following resolution on the Purnima Tithi of Ashadha month in the evening that - "Throughout the month of Shravan, I will perform daily bath, night meal and sleep on the ground." Thereafter, in the morning, taking materials, one should go to a river, lake etc. After brushing teeth there, for the first eight days, one should perform bath according to the rules after applying a paste of fragrant substances, sesame and gooseberry (Amla). Thereafter, for the next eight days, one should take a bath after applying the paste of Sarvaushadhis i.e., Kut, Jatamansi, yellow and black turmeric, Mura, Shilajit, Sandalwood, Vacha, Champak and Nagarmotha. These have also been called Dashaushadhi. Then for eight days, one should take a bath after applying the paste of Vacha. For the last six days, one should take a bath with the powder of sesame-amla and the water of Sarvaushadhis.

According to the procedure described in the Bhavishya Purana, for the first eight days with fragrant substances, sesame and amla paste, for the next eight days with Sarvaushadhi paste and for the remaining days with Vacha paste, one should take a bath. After that, one should meditate on Lord Surya. After meditation, an image of a Kokila bird should be made with sesame powder. Thereafter, it should be worshipped with red sandalwood, Champa flowers, leaves, incense, lamp, Naivedya, sesame, unbroken rice (Akshata), Durva grass etc. Naivedya of sesame and rice should be offered. After worship, prayer should be made with the following mantra -

Tilsahe Tilsaukhye Tilvarne Tilpriya। Saubhagyadravyaputranshcha Dehi mein Kokila Namah॥

Meaning - 'O Kokila Devi, who endures sesame! You are of black complexion like sesame. You obtain happiness from sesame and sesame is extremely dear to you. May you provide me fortune, wealth and the happiness of a son. Salutations to you.'

After completing the worship in this way, one should come home and take a meal. Observing the fast for one month by the above method, in the end, making a Kokila from Tilpishta i.e., sesame powder, putting gem-like eyes and golden wings on it and decorating it with clothes and ornaments, place it in a copper vessel (Tamra-patra). Thereafter, it should be donated along with clothes, grain, jaggery and Dakshina to mother-in-law, father-in-law, astrologer, priest, soothsayer or a Brahmin. Any woman who performs the Kokila Vrat with faith by the above method remains eternally fortunate for seven births and after enjoying the happiness of a husband who nourishes with love in this world, at the end time, mounted on an excellent celestial vehicle, goes to Gauri-loka, i.e., the abode of Mother Parvati.

Hearing the procedure of the fast from the holy mouth of Sage Vashistha, Kirtimala performed the observance of Kokila Vrat according to his instructions. As a result of the fast, she obtained eternal fortune, son, happiness-prosperity and also obtained the special affection, love and grace of Shatrughna Ji. Whichever other women observe this fast with faith, devotion and consistency, they also obtain happiness-fortune etc. by the grace of Mother Gauri.' In this way, the Kokila Vrat described in the Bhavishya Purana is completed.

॥ Thus ends the Kokila Vrat Katha ॥