What is Jitiyā (Jīvitputrikā) vrat, and why is it so strict?

a three-day vrat by mothers in Bihar, eastern UP, Jharkhand and Nepal for their children’s life, with a nirjalā fast on Āśvina kṛṣṇa aṣṭamī.

Jitiyā is one of the toughest vratas kept by mothers. Day one, Nahāy-Khāy (Saptamī): a bath and a single pure meal, often with marua roti and noni sāg in Mithilā and fish in some families by custom. Day two (Aṣṭamī): the khar or nirjalā fast, without water, worshipping Jīmūtavāhana with a kuśa image, and hearing the kathā of the eagle and the jackal. Day three (Navamī): pāraṇa after sunrise, often with rice, marua and noni sāg.

Its strictness comes from the depth of the wish it carries: a mother’s prayer that her child lives long. Even so, the śāstric principle remains that the ill and pregnant are exempt, and many mothers now take water if their health requires it.

Timings for the fast and pāraṇa follow the local Mithilā or Banārasī panchang, which can differ by a few hours.

Tradition says the prince Jīmūtavāhana offered his own body to Garuḍa in place of a young nāga, and Garuḍa, moved, spared the nāgas; mothers pray to him as protector of children.

Three days: Nahāy-Khāy · nirjalā Aṣṭamī · Navamī pāraṇa · Source: Jīvitputrikā vrata-kathā; Mithilā tradition

Dharma Q&A — vratas, festivals & temples · Ask a Jyotishi your own question