Karva Chauth Vrat Katha

## The story Long ago there lived a young queen named Veeravati, who returned to her parents' home for her first Karva Chauth. From sunrise she kept a strict fast — no food, no water — waiting for the moon. By evening she had grown so weak that her brothers, unable to bear her suffering, lit a lamp behind a peepal tree and called her to break the fast, pretending the moon had risen. Veeravati broke her fast — and at that very moment received word that her husband had died. In grief she set out to her in-laws. On the way, Mata Parvati appeared and explained what had happened. The brothers' deceit had cost her the fast's blessing. Veeravati prayed without food or water for an entire year, observing every Karva Chauth and every Sankashti with full devotion. Pleased by her steadfastness, the gods restored her husband's life. ## How the fast is observed today 1. **Sargi** — the mother-in-law sends a pre-dawn meal of fruits, dry fruits, sweets, and parantha. Eaten before sunrise. 2. **Nirjala vrat** — no food or water from sunrise until moonrise. 3. **Evening puja** — gather in a circle, place the Karva (clay pot) before Mata Gauri, and listen to the Vrat Katha. 4. **Arghya to the moon** — when the moon rises, offer water through a sieve, look at the moon and then at your husband's reflection, and accept water from his hands. ## Spirit of the observance Though the rituals focus on the husband, the deeper meaning is *sankalpa* — the strength of mindful intent. Many unmarried women keep this fast for a future life partner, and modern observance includes husbands fasting in solidarity.