What you are referring to is known in the Puranas as Ananta Phala Saptami (the Saptami that grants “infinite fruits” or merit), though it is most popularly celebrated today as Santan Saptami or Muktabharana Saptami.
Observed on Bhadrapada Shukla Saptami (the seventh day of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadrapada, typically in August/September), this is one of the most powerful vows undertaken by parents—specifically mothers—for the protection, long life, and prosperity of their children.
The Significance of Ananta Phala
The name Ananta Phala (Infinite Fruit) comes from the belief mentioned in the Bhavishya Purana and Chaturvarga Chintamani. According to the texts, worshipping the divine on this specific Saptami yields endless spiritual and material rewards, wiping away past-life karmic debts that might be causing obstacles in having or raising healthy children.
While Saptami is traditionally dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) for health and vitality, the primary deities worshipped during the Santan Saptami Vrata are Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, combining the Sun’s life-giving energy with the protective, parental energy of Shiva and Shakti.
Traditional Observances
The rules for this Vrata are distinct, particularly in its offerings and the use of a sacred thread:
-
Morning Sankalpa: The observer takes a bath in the morning and makes a vow (sankalpa) to fast for the well-being of their children. The fast is generally observed until the afternoon or evening puja is complete.
-
The Sacred Thread (Kalava): A key ritual involves taking a cotton thread (usually Kalava/Mouli) and tying seven knots in it. This thread is placed before Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati during the puja to absorb their protective blessings.
-
Offering of Sweet Puas: The traditional Naivedya (food offering) for this vrata consists of sweet Puas or Malpuas (fried sweet wheat cakes) made with jaggery and ghee. Usually, seven or fourteen of these are offered to the deities.
-
Tying the Thread: After the puja and listening to the Santan Saptami Vrat Katha (the traditional legend of the vow), the mother ties the consecrated, seven-knotted thread around her own wrist or directly onto the wrist of her child as a spiritual shield.
-
Breaking the Fast: The fast is broken by consuming the blessed sweet Puas.
The Legend of Queen Chandramukhi
The traditional story recited during this Vrata involves Queen Chandramukhi and her Brahmin friend Rupmati. In a previous life, both had failed to complete the Ananta Phala/Santan Saptami vow properly.
In their rebirth, Rupmati remembered her past life’s mistake, observed the Vrata with strict devotion, and was blessed with eight healthy, successful children. Queen Chandramukhi forgot the vow and suffered immense grief regarding her offspring. Only after Rupmati reminded the Queen to observe the Santan Saptami Vrata with true devotion did the Queen finally achieve the blessing of healthy children.