Sujanam Dwadashi is celebrated on the Dwadashi of the Shukla Paksha in Posha month. This festival starts on the next day of the putrada Ekadashi ie. Dwadashi Tithi. On this day Lord Vishnu is worshipped. The importance of this fast increases when this Tithi falls on the day of Jyeshtha Nakshatra, so on this day observing fast, worshipping and performing all other things related to it will bring auspicious results for the devotee.
The Narayan Swaroop of Lord Vishnu is worshipped on the Dwadashi Tithi of Posha month and ‘Namo Narayan’ mantra should be chanted. The Narayan Swaroop of Lord Vishnu is mainly worshipped on this day.
Sujanam Dwadashi Mahatamaya
About Sujanam Dwadashi it is believed that out of all the fasts, the one that gives greatest & best results and is the means to attain welfare, then that is Sujanam Dwadashi fast. On this day, if a devotee worships Lord Vishnu after taking the bath, observes fast, and worships him during three times of the day, then the devotee gets all the results of this fast and attains my Dham. His all miss deeds and sins are also destroyed.
Lord Vishnu is equally worshipped on both Ekadashi & Dwadashi Tithi. Both these Tithis relate to Lord Vishnu. Both these dates are dear to Lord Vishnu and on this Tithi if Puja is done with all the formalities, then it is considered highly auspicious.
According to religious scriptures, to get the blessings of Lord Vishnu, Puja should be done on both these dates. If for any reason, the devotee is not able to observe fast on Ekadashi Tithi, then the devotee can also observe fast only on Sujanam Dwadashi to get the blessings of Lord Vishnu. It is also said that “ by observing fast on the Sujanam Dwadashi of Posha month and reciting the name of Lord Vishnu gives the native the benefits of Ashwamedha Yagya.
Every year, if a devotee observes Sujanam Dwadashi fast and follows this for 12 years, then he receives the ultimate blessings of Lord Vishnu. All the difficulties of the devotee are resolved & he also gets protection from diseases. If a devotee observes Dwadashi fast with pure heart, worships Lord Vishnu and offers him chandan, tulsi, dhoop etc., then he achieves the companionship of Shree Vishnu and also gets blessings from him.
Puja Vidhi of Sujanam Dwadashi
- The day should start by worshipping Lord Vishnu.
- After getting free from the daily chores, the devotee should bathe by putting Gangajal in water.
- The Lord should be worshipped with Shodashopachaar.
- Shri Narayan should be worshipped and his idol should be established.
- Chandan, Akshat, Tulsi & flowers should be offered to the Lord.
- The idol of the Lord should be bathed with ‘Panchamrit’ which contains milk, yoghurt, Ghee, honey & sugar. After that, the idol should be adorned with beautiful clothes after cleaning it.
- Deepak, Gandh, flowers & Dhoop should be offered to the Lord.
- After the Arti, prasad should be offered to the Lord and the devotee should ask for forgiveness for all the mistakes & seek his blessings for the whole family.
- The Naivedya of the Lord should be distributed amongst everyone. If possible, food and Dakshina should be offered to Brahmins according to the capability.
It is best to start the Sujanam Dwadashi fast from the date of Ekadashi. If possible, then you should start the fast on Dwadashi. After observing fast the whole day, Jagran should be performed during the night and on the next day, after bathing food & fruits should be offered to the Brahmins and Daan should be given according to the capability. In the end, the devotee should have food. The person who observes this fast with complete dedication gets closer to the Lord. He becomes a volunteer for Vishnu Lok. By observing this fast, all the misdeeds of the devotee are destroyed and he also enjoys all the worldly pleasures.
Sujanam Dwadashi Mantra
By reciting the mantras of Shree Narayan on Sujanam Dwadashi proves beneficial. The form of Shri Narayana is calm and blissful. He is the bearer of the world. By worshipping the Lord, all the problems of the devotee are solved and he achieves happiness. The following mantras should be recited on this day.
‘Om Narayanaya Namah’
‘Om Narayanaya Vidmahe. Vasudevaya Dheemi. Tanno Vishnu Prachodayat’
‘Om Namo Narayan. Shriman Narayan Narayan Hari Hari.’
Importance of Dwadashi fast
Dwadashi Pujan holds great importance according to Bhagavad & Vishnu Puran. Lord Krishna himself calls Dwadashi fast as Mahatamay. When asked about the benefits of Dwadashi fast, Lord Krishna replied ‘ hey Bhakt Vatsal, Dwadashi fast is supreme & beneficial out of all the fasts. The importance of Dwadashi fast which has been told to Narad, I am telling you the same thing, so kindly listen to it carefully. The person who worships me on Dwadashi Tithi gets the same benefits of different Yagyas combined, all the wishes of the devotee are fulfilled. Just as I love Ekadashi, I also love Dwadashi in the same way’.