Bhadrapada Purnima rituals of moon worship and charity said to remove negativity
Bhadrapada Purnima falls on Saturday, with traditions of moon worship and charity believed to remove negativity and bring Lord Vishnu's blessings.
The month of Bhadrapada holds special significance in Hindu tradition, marked by worship of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi along with the practice of offering "arghya", or water, to the moon. Bhadrapada Purnima falls on Saturday this year. The Purnima tithi will begin at 11:06 pm on Friday, September 25, and end at 10:18 pm the next day, September 26.
On Bhadrapada Purnima, devotees observe traditions such as worship, prayer, charity and spiritual practice. They worship Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings for the happiness, peace and prosperity of their families. The day is also linked to the moon god, so devotees offer arghya to the moon after sunset. According to belief, worshipping Lord Vishnu and the moon god on this day involves three special traditions said to help remove negativity from life.
It is believed that viewing the moon on Bhadrapada Purnima not only removes negativity but also brings divine blessing. Among all the full moons of the year, the Bhadrapada Purnima moon is considered especially significant. Hindu scriptures also state that this was the same Purnima moon that Maharaja Parikshit once viewed in ancient times. He had been cursed to die within 60 days of the Bhadrapada Purnima, and to free himself from that curse, he had taken the support of the Srimad Bhagavatam on this very day. It is believed that performing three special acts on Bhadrapada Purnima brings the blessing of Lord Vishnu and fosters positive thinking.
Viewing the moon on Purnima is believed to protect a person from negative influences. It is believed that when the moon is at its brightest, the effect of positive energy increases considerably, so arghya should certainly be offered to the moon on the night of Purnima. After viewing the moon, devotees are advised to worship the moon god by offering clean water, milk and flowers. Following this, they should meditate on Lord Vishnu and pray for the happiness, peace and wellbeing of their family. They are also advised to chant the name of God for some time in the moonlight on the night of Purnima.
Charity holds great importance in Sanatan Dharma. According to scriptures, the value of charity is determined not by the money spent but by the sentiment behind it. For this reason, food donation to the needy is considered important on Purnima. On Bhadrapada Purnima, people are advised to donate food with devotion, as much as possible, in the belief that doing so ensures one never faces a shortage of food in life.
Satyanarayan Puja in Hindu tradition is a form of worship dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is regarded as the embodiment of truth. This puja can be performed on any day, but performing it on Purnima is considered especially significant. According to mythology, the month of Bhadrapada is very dear to Lord Vishnu, and performing Satyanarayan Puja on the Purnima of this month is believed to bring good fortune and sustained happiness and prosperity in the home.
