"In the context of Hinduism and Hindu mythology, vrata denotes a religious practice to carry out certain obligations with a view to achieve divine blessing for fulfillment of one or several desires. Etymologically, vrata, a Sanskrit word, means to vow or to promise.Vratas - self-control - form the core of the practices of Jainism. S\u0101dhus and s\u0101dhv\u012Bs (monastics) follow the five mahavratas \"great vratas\" while \u015Br\u0101vakas and \u015Br\u0101vik\u0101s (layfolk) follow the five anuvratas \"minuscule vratas\"."@en .