अहोई अष्टमी व्रत कथा
संतान की दीर्घायु हेतु माता का व्रत
अहोई अष्टमी कार्तिक मास के कृष्ण पक्ष की अष्टमी को, दीवाली से आठ दिन पूर्व आती है। माताएँ अपनी संतान — विशेषकर पुत्रों — की दीर्घायु, आरोग्य व समृद्धि के लिए सूर्योदय से निर्जल व्रत रखती हैं, अहोई माता (देवी का स्वरूप) की पूजा करती हैं, और संध्या को तारे (या चंद्र) देखकर ही व्रत खोलती हैं। यह कथा पूजा में सुनाई जाती है।
माता से हुई भूल
In a certain village there lived a woman who had seven sons. A few days before Diwali, wishing to renovate her house, she took her spade and went to the forest to dig clay. As she dug at the foot of a bank, the blade of her spade accidentally struck and killed the cubs of a syahu (a porcupine-like creature) sheltering there. Seeing what she had done, the woman was filled with sorrow and remorse, and returned home grieving.
From that time misfortune fell upon her household: within the year, one after another, her sons fell ill and died, until she was left desolate. Heartbroken, she confided her grief to the elder women of the village, confessing the killing of the syahu's young.
अहोई माता का व्रत
The wise elders told her that her suffering had come from the unintended sin, and that she should seek the forgiveness of Ahoi Mata, the Goddess who protects children. They instructed her to draw upon her wall the image of Ahoi Mata together with the syahu and her cubs, and on the Ashtami of Kartik to fast and worship Her with a repentant heart, praying for forgiveness and for the welfare of children.
The woman kept the Ahoi Ashtami vrat faithfully every year, worshipping the Goddess with deep devotion and pleading for mercy. Moved by her sincere repentance and steadfast faith, Ahoi Mata forgave her and bestowed Her grace; the woman's home was once more filled with children, who lived long and prospered. Since then mothers keep the Ahoi Ashtami vrat each year for the long life and well-being of their children. 'Jai Ahoi Maa.'
व्रत का फल
अहोई अष्टमी व्रत माताएँ अपनी संतान — विशेषकर पुत्रों — की दीर्घायु, आरोग्य व सफलता तथा सम्पूर्ण परिवार के कल्याण के लिए रखती हैं। संतान की कामना करने वाली स्त्रियाँ भी अहोई माता से संतान-प्राप्ति की प्रार्थना करते हुए यह व्रत रखती हैं।
इस पूजा के मंत्र व आरती
सामान्य प्रश्न
When is Ahoi Ashtami observed?
On the Ashtami (eighth day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik — eight days before Diwali and about a week after Karva Chauth, usually in October or November.
How is the Ahoi Ashtami fast broken?
Mothers keep a waterless (nirjala) fast through the day and break it in the evening after sighting the stars; in some regions the fast is broken after seeing the moon. The image of Ahoi Mata is worshipped and the katha is heard before breaking the fast.
Who is Ahoi Mata?
Ahoi Mata is venerated as a form of the Divine Mother (Parvati) who protects children. She is traditionally depicted on the wall with her own offspring and the syahu and her cubs, recalling the katha.