By Sanjay Parekh
NHSF Learning Team
11th October 2011 (15th Aashwin in the Hindu calendar)
Sharad Purnima, also known as ‘Kojaagari Punam’ is celebrated on the full moon of the last month in the Hindu calendar (Aashwin).
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth moves around the night sky searching for people who may be awake. ‘Ko Jaagari?’ in Sanskrit translates to ‘Who is awake?’ and it is to those that she bestows wealth.
Origin
The story of Kojaagari is cited in the Sanatkumar Samhita. Samhita Vaalkhil Rishi narrates of a poor Brahmin named Valit who lived in Magadhdesh, Bengal. He was a virtuous and learned man whereas his wife revelled in quarrels and went against his wishes. Once, on the day of his father’s ‘Shraddh’ (day of respect towards a deceased one), his wife threw the ‘pind’ into the sewage instead of the Ganga River. When Valit understood what she had done, he became infuriated and instantly renounced his home to search for wealth.
On his travels, in the forest, he met ‘Naagkanyas’, the girls of Kaliya Naag’s ancestry. They had been performing the ‘Kojaagari Vrat’ and were awake on Aashwin Punam. When Valit approached, they conversed and began gambling. Valit lost everything he owned. At the same moment, Lord Vishnu and consort, Lakshmi were passing by. Since Valit had incidentally observed ‘Kojaagari Vrat’, Lakshmi graced him with handsomeness. Now attracted to him, the Naagkanyas married Valit and gifted him their riches. Valit then returned home and was warmly received by his wife.
Samhita thus declared, those who remain awake on this Punam will be graced with wealth.
Celebrations
In Gujarat, a harvest festival is celebrated on this day of the full moon. The rainy season is over and the brightness of the full moon brings special joy. This is a traditional celebration of the moon and is also called Kaumudi (moonlight) celebration. Dudha-Pauva (parched rice soaked in milk) is also made and eaten as Prasad.
To remain awake on this day, people sit in the moonlight singing song and dancing. A fast from solid food is also observed and only fluids like coconut water or milk is taken.
Sharad Purnima is celebrated throughout India, especially by people residing in Maharashtra.