The Karva Chauth mantra is a set of ritual invocations chanted by married Hindu women during the Karva Chauth vrata, a fasting observance dedicated to the longevity and well-being of their husbands. The festival falls on the fourth day (chauth) of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Kartika (October–November). The primary deities invoked are Goddess Gauri (a form of Parvati), Lord Shiva, and Chandra (the Moon god). According to the Karva Chauth Vrat Katha, a traditional narrative found in the Bhavishya Purana, the observance originated from a devoted wife who prayed to the moon for her husband's life.
The mantra often includes the beej-akshara 'Om' followed by the names of the deities, such as 'Om Gauri Namah' and 'Om Chandra Deva Namah'. The phoneme 'Om' is considered the primordial sound, representing the ultimate reality and invoking divine blessings. The purpose of the mantra is to seek marital harmony, protection from widowhood, and prosperity for the family. The chanting is traditionally performed during the puja rituals before sunrise and again at moonrise, when women view the moon through a sieve (chalni) and offer water (arghya) while reciting the mantra.
The recommended count is 108 repetitions using a rosary (mala), though the exact number may vary by family tradition. The ritual setting includes a sacred space with a karva (clay pot) filled with water, a thali (plate) with offerings, and the presence of married women (sumangalis). Cautions: The mantra should be chanted with full faith and devotion; it is not recommended for unmarried women or men, as the vrata is specifically for married women. The Karva Chauth Vrat Katha emphasizes the importance of sincerity and adherence to the fast.
While the mantra is not found in the Vedas, it is deeply rooted in local traditions and the Puranic literature, particularly the Bhavishya Purana and the Skanda Purana, which describe the story of Queen Veeravati and the moon god's boon.
Salutations to Goddess Gauri.