The Karva Chauth Vrat Mantra is a set of prayers recited during the Karva Chauth festival, observed by married Hindu women in North India, particularly in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. The festival involves a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise, undertaken for the longevity, prosperity, and well-being of the husband. The mantras are drawn from regional traditions and the Karva Chauth Vrat Katha, a narrative that explains the origin and significance of the vow. The primary deity invoked is Goddess Gauri (Parvati), along with Lord Shiva and the Moon (Chandra). The central mantra is 'Om Chandraya Namah', a simple salutation to the moon god, recited while offering water (arghya) to the moon through a sieve.
This practice is rooted in the belief that the moon grants blessings of marital bliss and long life. The beej-akshara 'Om' is the primordial sound, and 'Chandraya' invokes the lunar deity, while 'Namah' signifies surrender. According to the 'Mantra Mahodadhi', moon mantras are prescribed for pacifying lunar afflictions and enhancing emotional harmony. The 'Devi Mahatmya' extols the power of Goddess Gauri, who is worshipped for marital felicity. The recommended chanting context is during the evening moonrise, after a day-long fast.
Women gather in groups, perform the puja with a karva (clay pot), a sieve, and a thali, and recite the vrat katha. The mantra is chanted 108 times or until the moon is sighted. Cautions include maintaining purity of mind and body during the fast, and not breaking the fast before moonrise. The mantras are considered highly effective for strengthening marital bonds and ensuring the husband's long life, as per traditional beliefs. No specific scriptural prohibitions exist, but the vow should be undertaken with sincere devotion and adherence to regional customs.
Salutations to the Moon god.