Past and Reality

Mothers keep fast on the eighth day of the waning moon in the month of Kartik (October-November). Some mothers keep fast on this day for the welfare of their children and to maintain a good relationship between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. Once upon a time, there was a mother-in-law who sent her daughter-in-law to fetch some soft earth to clean their house on Ahoi Ashtami. The daughter-in-law dug some soft earth, but unfortunately, she killed some children of a porcupine who had made a hole in there. The mother of the porcupine was sad to see her children dead and cursed the lady that she will remain barren in her life. When the mother-in-law heard about the curse she asked her to leave the house as a woman without children was considered by some women as is a curse for the family. She made a small hut in the jungle and started living there with her husband. She saw a cow that was sick. She looked after the cow and when the cow got better she found out the curse of a porcupine ...

  Hinduism is a very wide subject and so are their fasts and festivals. Only an encyclopedia of Hindu fasts and festivals can cover these themes. The Hindus are bound to keep frequent fasts throughout the whole year. Age, infirmity, and diseases, in extreme cases, afford exemption from this duty. However, an attempt has been made to list the important ones. Observing fasts and performing ceremonies were and are a part of the Hindu way of life - leading to emancipation. Simple food, high thinking, listening to religious stories, and making these teachings a part of life was considered a goal of life. The stories connected with fasts have consoled fasting Hindus as each story presents some thought-provoking ideas and high moral values. Each day of the week brings a special message and stories connected with fasts have consoled millions of people. In this book, the authors have explained the significance and philosophy of important fasts. Some festivals especially reserved for married...