Hindu week days 2.

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2. Monday.

 

This story is connected with Monday fast. Monday fast is practiced to

propitiate Lord Siva. It has special significance in the month of

Shravana. Meals are taken only once a day, generally after midday. It is

believed that Monday fast results in happy family life and acquisition of

knowledge.

 

Once upon a time, there was a poor Brahman. He had nothing to sustain

his family. One day his wife said to him, " My Lord, can't you go

out for earning money? We are in need of food " . The Brahman said,

" It is my duty to feed you all. I have no income. I shall go out to

make some income. Give me my scintilla (brass pot) and string " .

 

The Brahman's wife gave him his Iota and string and he started on

his journey. There was a big peepul tree. It was beside a cross-road on the

path. He raised a small platform around the tree and meditated there for twelve

long years. The passers-by offered him food.

 

Lord Shiva was pleased with his prayers and Monday fasts. He disguised

himself as a Swami, an ascetic, with a dandam (staff) in his hand. He

came near the peepul tree where the Brahman was meditating. The Brahman opened

his eyes. A Swami with Dandam stood before him, blessing him with his raised

hands. The Swami said, " What is your desire? You can ask for some boon " .

 

The Brahman was overwhelmed and said, " I have nothing to support my

family. I need money " . The ascetic said, " Worldly possessions

are temporary. I shall give you a valuable Mantra. It will help you to

fulfill all your desires " . The Brahman said, " What is that

Mantra, O Swamiji? "

 

The Swami said, The Mantra is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,

Saturday and Sunday, all are related with one or the other deity. Lord

Shiva is the deity of Monday. Whosoever knows this secret gets nine

treasures of Kubera, the Lord of Wealth, as also all the Vruddhis and

Siddhis i.e. prosperity, wealth etc.

 

Having got the Mantra, the old Brahman was happy. His sister's

village was nearby. He thought of going to her. The sister was surprised to see

her brother. She said, " You have given me a pleasant

surprise. What brings you here? You have visited my house after a long

time " . The Brahman said, " Let us sit down and talk about our

family matters " .

 

The sister replied, " I have no spare time to sit and talk. There are

a lot of things to be done. I shall borrow handful flour from my

neighbor and cook food for you " . The brother said, " Clean and

plaster your house with the cow dung first and light the holy lamp.

Invite your neighbors. Put on new clothes, 1 shall tell you a valuable

Mantra " .

 

The old lady went from door to door to invite her neighbors. Many women gathered

there to listen to the valuable Mantra. The old Brahman said, Tuesday,

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are related with one or other

deities. Lord Shiva is the deity of Monday. Whosoever knows this secret gets

nine treasures of Lord Kubera, the lord of wealth, as also all Vruddhis and

Siddhis.

 

To the great surprise of all gathered there, as soon as the Mantra was

used, the Brahmans sister's house got filled with a variety of

household articles and enormous wealth. It was a pleasant surprise for

the Brahman also, because he had tested the Mantra for the first time.

 

The Brahmans sister was now happy. She said, Take your meals and have

some rest. The Brahman said, I will not take my meals in your house

because you are younger than me. I shall take my meals at my family

priest's house. On his way back home, he met his business friend. He

repeated the same Mantra there also. The businessman's house also

got filled with wealth.

 

The Brahman returned to his village. His wife was surprised to see him

empty-handed and said, " You are here after twelve long years and

still you have nothing with you. What is the matter " ? The Brahman

said, " I have learnt a valuable Mantra from a Dandam Swami. The

Mantra is more valuable than wealth " .

 

The Brahman's wife got infuriated but the Brahman made her listen to

the Mantra. As the Brahman recited the Mantra, by the grace of Lord

Shiva, his house got filled with wealth. The Brahmans wife was surprised to see

such an immense wealth. " What shall we do with all this wealth? " She remarked.

 

The Brahman replied. " This wealth should be spent for the good of

others. Let wells be dug all along the road-side to facilitate the

travelers quench their thirst. Let marriages of all the poor unmarried

girls be arranged by us " .