Buddha Purnima Vrat Katha | Legends of Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima Vrat Katha

Approximately two and a half thousand years ago from the present time, theft, murder, and violence against all living beings were increasing steadily across the Earthly realm. Due to the growing violence and Adharma on Earth, all creatures and human beings began to feel distressed. At that time, for the protection of living beings, Lord Buddha was born as the son of King Shuddhodana and Queen Mayadevi. According to the scriptures, It was Lord Vishnu Himself who incarnated as Lord Buddha for the welfare of the world. King Shuddhodana ruled righteously from his capital named Kapilavastu.

In childhood, Lord Buddha was named Siddhartha. Immediately after giving birth to Siddhartha, his mother Mayadevi passed away. After the untimely death of his mother, Siddhartha was raised by his stepmother Gautami Devi.

During Siddhartha's childhood, eminent astrologers had predicted that the prince would either become a Chakravarti King or renounce the world and work for its welfare. Due to this prophecy made by the astrologers, King Shuddhodana remained worried. He had an extremely grand and magnificent palace constructed for the prince. The king ensured that no information related to sorrow, disease, or death would reach the prince within the palace. The king feared that if the prince came to know about such sufferings, he might become detached.

In due course of time, Prince Siddhartha was married to Princess Yashodhara. At the appropriate time, a son was born to Princess Yashodhara, who was named Rahul.

Prince Siddhartha was very compassionate and kind-hearted. Once, he sought permission from his father to visit the city. The king granted him permission but ordered that arrangements be made throughout the kingdom so that the prince would not see any sorrowful or distressing sights anywhere in the city. However, who can avert the will of destiny?

While moving through the city, Prince Siddhartha saw an old man. Thereafter, he saw a sick person, and further along the way, he witnessed a funeral procession. Seeing all these sorrowful sights, Prince Siddhartha's mind became detached from all worldly pleasures.

Having developed dispassion towards worldly pleasures, Siddhartha resolved to seek a solution to the sufferings of disease, old age, and death, and to search for immortality. One night, at midnight, he left the royal palace, abandoning his wife and son in pursuit of this quest. Thereafter, he went to the forest and became absorbed in severe penance. In due course of time, because of his intense penance, he attained Atma Jnana, i.e., Self-realization and became established as Lord Buddha from Siddhartha.

Lord Buddha said - "This entire world is full of suffering. The desire to obtain worldly objects is the cause of suffering. The complete destruction of desire leads to the end of suffering. Only by renouncing attachment, hatred, and ego does a being attain liberation."

Truth, humility, good conduct, noble thoughts, virtues, right understanding, noble goals, and proper meditation, these eight means were described by Lord Buddha for the upliftment of human beings. He traveled across the world spreading the message of human Dharma. He opposed Pashu Bali, i.e., animal sacrifice in Yajnas and imparted the message of love, non-violence, and harmony towards all living beings. Even today, the teachings of Lord Buddha prove to be beneficial and guiding for all beings.