By Pt. Sanjeev Sharma
A tale of devotion, blessings and ancestor’s grace showing how faith and fasting can transform life.

Ashadha Amavasya is the final day of the dark fortnight in the month of Ashadha. It is regarded as a sacred day devoted to ancestral peace, charity purification and the upliftment of the mind and spirit. Rituals performed on this day remove negativity, calm ancestral afflictions and bring prosperity and harmony into the family. According to Vedic astrology the union of the Sun and Moon on this date generates a powerful spiritual current that supports inner awakening and blessings from the ancestors.
Long ago in a prosperous town lived a Brahmin and his devoted wife. Their home had no shortage of wealth, food or comfort yet their hearts carried a deep sorrow. They were childless and yearned for the joy of holding a child in their arms. They prayed to the Divine for many years yet their destiny remained unchanged.
The Brahmin decided to perform intense penance for the blessing of a child. Leaving his home he journeyed into the forest and began his austerities beneath a banyan tree. Years passed and his body weakened but his longing remained. One day overcome with despair he resolved to end his life. As he fastened a noose to the tree a divine radiance descended.
From this radiance emerged Goddess Sukha Amavasya. She looked upon him with compassion and said that though his destiny held no children for seven lifetimes yet his penance had moved her. She granted him the boon of two daughters. She instructed that his wife should perform the Sukha Amavasya fast for one year and offer a bowl of rice every Amavasya.
The Brahmin returned home and shared the divine instruction. His wife devotedly observed the fast and performed charity with sincerity. In due time she gave birth to two beautiful daughters whom they named Amavasya and Purnima.
As the girls grew Amavasya became gentle, devout and inclined towards service. Her home radiated harmony and abundance. Purnima on the other hand was drawn to luxury laziness and worldly pleasures which brought unrest and lack into her home.
One day Amavasya learned that her sister was living in sorrow. She visited her with gifts and told her the greatness of the Sukha Amavasya fast. Inspired Purnima observed the fast with devotion. Soon peace and prosperity returned to her life and she was blessed with a son.
The story teaches that steadfast devotion, sincere worship and charity have the power to transform destiny and bring the grace of the ancestors.
Patience and faith bring divine help.
A vow performed with purity and discipline yields miraculous results.
Offerings to ancestors bring peace, harmony and protection.
Guiding others towards the right path is an act of virtue.
Service, charity and devotion can dissolve all difficulties.
Observe the Amavasya fast with sincerity.
Donate rice, sesame clothes and food.
Perform tarpan and offer water to the ancestors.
Serve the needy and maintain purity at home.
Practice prayer meditation and austerity.
Avoid tamasic foods, meat and alcohol.
Avoid lies, anger, harsh speech and disputes.
Do not break the rules of the fast.
Do not indulge in laziness or impurity.
• Can the Sukha Amavasya fast be observed by any woman
Yes this fast is considered auspicious for all women.
• Can men perform rituals on this day
Yes men can perform charity bathing and ancestral offerings.
• Is rice donation essential for the fast
Yes, rice donation is an important part of this observance.
• Can tarpan be performed at home
Yes when done correctly it gives complete benefit.
• Is this day suitable for new beginnings
No it is meant for purification charity and ancestral remembrance.
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