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Notes: All timings are represented in 12-hour notation in local time of Lancaster, United States with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
According to the Hindu Panchang, the Ashoka Ashtami Vrat is observed on the Shukla Paksha Ashtami Tithi of the Chaitra month. Descriptions of this Vrat are found in scriptures such as the Kurma Purana and the Krityaratnavali. According to Puranic tradition, it was on this very day that Lord Hanuman discovered Mata Sita in the Ashoka Vatika during His search for Her. Seated beneath the Ashoka tree, Mata Sita received from Hanuman the sacred ring sent by Lord Rama, along with His reassuring message.
In the Vrat Parichaya, this observance is referred to as the Ashoka Kalika Prashana Vrat, as it involves the ritual consumption of tender buds or leaves of the Ashoka tree. According to another belief, drinking the extract of Ashoka buds on this day eliminates physical ailments and promotes good health. Therefore, the Ashoka Ashtami Vrat is regarded as highly beneficial for physical well-being and longevity.
Early in the morning, after completing daily ablutions, devotees should worship the Ashoka Vriksha, the sacred Ashoka tree, also known as Ashapala. Offer prayers to the tree and collect eight tender buds or leaves from it. Use these to worship Lord Shiva with devotion.
While consuming the eight buds, the following Mantra should be recited -
त्वामशोक नमाम्येन मधुमाससमुद्भवम्।
शोकार्तः कलिकां प्राश्य मामशोकं सदा कुरु॥
Tvamashoka Namamyena Madhumasasamudbhavam।
Shokartah Kalikam Prashya Mamashokam Sada Kuru॥
Meaning - "O Ashoka tree, born in the spring season, I bow to you. Suffering from sorrow, I consume your sacred buds! May you bless me with everlasting freedom from grief."
By observing this Vrat in the prescribed manner, one is freed from sorrow and mental afflictions. If Ashoka Ashtami coincides with a Wednesday or with the Punarvasu Nakshatra or both the devotee is believed to remain free from sorrow throughout life. Thus, as described in the Vrat Parichaya, the observance of the Ashoka Ashtami Vrat brings about complete peace, happiness and relief from all forms of grief.
