गुरूवार या वीरवार को भगवान बृहस्पति की पूजा का विधान है. बृहस्पति देवता को बुद्धि और शिक्षा का देवता माना जाता है. गुरूवार को बृहस्पति देव की पूजा करने से धन, विद्या, पुत्र तथा मनोवांछित फल की प्राप्ति होती है. परिवार में सुख तथा शांति रहती है. गुरूवार का व्रत जल्दी विवाह करने के लिये भी किया जाता है.

गुरूवार व्रत की विधि : Bhraspativar (Guruvar) Vrat

लेकिन गुरूवार की पूजा करते समय यह ध्यान रखना चाहिए कि पूजा विधि-विधान के अनुसार हो. व्रत वाले दिन प्रात: काल उठकर बृहस्पति देव का पूजन करना चाहिए. वृ्हस्पति देव का पूजन पीली वस्तुएं, पीले फूल, चने की दान, पीली मिठाई, पीले चावल आदि का भोग लगाकर किया जाता है. इस व्रत में केले का पूजन ही करें. कथा और पूजन के समय मन, कर्म और वचन से शुद्घ होकर मनोकामना पूर्ति के लिये वृहस्पतिदेव से प्रार्थना करनी चाहिए. दिन में एक समय ही भोजन करें. भोजन चने की दाल आदि का करें, नमक न खा‌एं, पीले वस्त्र पहनें, पीले फलों का प्रयोग करें, पीले चंदन से पूजन करें. पूजन के बाद भगवान बृहस्पति की कथा सुननी चाहिये .

गुरूवार व्रत की कथा Bhraspativar (Guruvar) Vrat Katha

प्राचीन समय की बात है. किसी राज्य में एक बड़ा प्रतापी तथा दानी राजा राज्य करता था. वह प्रत्येक गुरूवार को व्रत रखता एवं भूखे और गरीबों को दान देकर पुण्य प्राप्त करता था परन्तु यह बात उसकी रानी को अच्छा नहीं लगता था. वह न तो व्रत करती थी और न ही किसी को एक भी पैसा दान में देती थी और राजा को भी ऐसा करने से मना करती थी.

एक समय की बात है, राजा शिकार खेलने को वन को चले गए थे. घर पर रानी और दासी थी. उसी समय गुरु वृहस्पतिदेव साधु का रूप धारण कर राजा के दरवाजे पर भिक्षा मांगने को आए. साधु ने जब रानी से भिक्षा मांगी तो वह कहने लगी, हे साधु महाराज, मैं इस दान और पुण्य से तंग आ गई हूं. आप कोई ऐसा उपाय बताएं, जिससे कि सारा धन नष्ट हो जाए और मैं आराम से रह सकूं.

बृहस्पतिदेव ने कहा, हे देवी, तुम बड़ी विचित्र हो, संतान और धन से कोई दुखी होता है. अगर अधिक धन है तो इसे शुभ कार्यों में लगाओ, कुवांरी कन्याओं का विवाह कराओ, विद्यालय और बाग़-बगीचे का निर्माण कराओ, जिससे तुम्हारे दोनों लोक सुधरें, परन्तु साधु की इन बातों से रानी को ख़ुशी नहीं हुई. उसने कहा- मुझे ऐसे धन की आवश्यकता नहीं है, जिसे मैं दान दूं और जिसे संभालने में मेरा सारा समय नष्ट हो जाए.

तब साधु ने कहा- यदि तुम्हारी ऐसी इच्छा है तो मैं जैसा तुम्हें बताता हूं तुम वैसा ही करना. बृहस्पतिवार के दिन तुम घर को गोबर से लीपना, अपने केशों को पीली मिटटी से धोना, केशों को धोते समय स्नान करना, राजा से हजामत बनाने को कहना, भोजन में मांस मदिरा खाना, कपड़ा धोबी के यहां धुलने डालना. इस प्रकार सात बृहस्पतिवार करने से तुम्हारा समस्त धन नष्ट हो जाएगा. इतना कहकर साधु रुपी बृहस्पतिदेव अंतर्ध्यान हो गए.

साधु के कहे अनुसार करते हुए रानी को केवल तीन वृहस्पतिवार ही बीते थे कि उसकी समस्त धन-संपत्ति नष्ट हो गई. भोजन के लिए राजा का परिवार तरसने लगा. तब एक दिन राजा रानी से बोला- हे रानी, तुम यहीं रहो, मैं दूसरे देश को जाता हूं, क्योंकि यहां पर सभी लोग मुझे जानते हैं. इसलिए मैं कोई छोटा कार्य नहीं कर सकता. ऐसा कहकर राजा परदेश चला गया. वहां वह जंगल से लकड़ी काटकर लाता और शहर में बेचता. इस तरह वह अपना जीवन व्यतीत करने लगा. इधर, राजा के परदेश जाते ही रानी और दासी दुखी रहने लगी.

एक बार जब रानी और दासी को सात दिन तक बिना भोजन के रहना पड़ा, तो रानी ने अपनी दासी से कहा- हे दासी, पास ही के नगर में मेरी बहन रहती है. वह बड़ी धनवान है. तू उसके पास जा और कुछ ले आ ताकि थोड़ा-बहुत गुजर-बसर हो जाए. दासी रानी के बहन के पास गई. उस दिन बृहस्पतिवार था और रानी की बहन उस समय बृहस्पतिवार व्रत की कथा सुन रही थी. दासी ने रानी की बहन को अपनी रानी का सन्देश दिया, लेकिन रानी की बड़ी बहन ने कोई उत्तर नहीं दिया. जब दासी को रानी की बहन से कोई उत्तर नहीं मिला तो वह बहुत दुखी हुई और उसे क्रोध भी आया. दासी ने वापस आकर रानी को सारी बात बता दी. सुनकर रानी ने अपने भाग्य को कोसा. उधर, रानी की बहन ने सोचा कि मेरी बहन की दासी आई थी, परन्तु मैं उससे नहीं बोली, इससे वह बहुत दुखी हुई होगी. कथा सुनकर और पूजन समाप्त कर वह अपनी बहन के घर आई और कहने लगी- हे बहन, मैं बृहस्पतिवार का व्रत कर रही थी. तुम्हारी दासी मेरे घर आई थी परन्तु जब तक कथा होती है, तब तक न तो उठते हैं और न ही बोलते हैं, इसलिए मैं नहीं बोली. कहो दासी क्यों गई थी.

रानी बोली- बहन, तुमसे क्या छिपाऊं, हमारे घर में खाने तक को अनाज नहीं था. ऐसा कहते-कहते रानी की आंखे भर आई. उसने दासी समेत पिछले सात दिनों से भूखे रहने तक की बात अपनी बहन को विस्तारपूर्वक सूना दी. रानी की बहन बोली- देखो बहन, भगवान बृहस्पतिदेव सबकी मनोकामना को पूर्ण करते हैं. देखो, शायद तुम्हारे घर में अनाज रखा हो. पहले तो रानी को विश्वास नहीं हुआ पर बहन के आग्रह करने पर उसने अपनी दासी को अन्दर भेजा तो उसे सचमुच अनाज से भरा एक घड़ा मिल गया. यह देखकर दासी को बड़ी हैरानी हुई. दासी रानी से कहने लगी- हे रानी, जब हमको भोजन नहीं मिलता तो हम व्रत ही तो करते हैं, इसलिए क्यों न इनसे व्रत और कथा की विधि पूछ ली जाए, ताकि हम भी व्रत कर सके. तब रानी ने अपनी बहन से बृहस्पतिवार व्रत के बारे में पूछा.

उसकी बहन ने बताया, बृहस्पतिवार के व्रत में चने की दाल और मुनक्का से विष्णु भगवान का केले की जड़ में पूजन करें तथा दीपक जलाएं, व्रत कथा सुनें और पीला भोजन ही करें. इससे वृहस्पतिदेव प्रसन्न होते हैं. व्रत और पूजन विधि बतलाकर रानी की बहन अपने घर को लौट गई.

सातवें रोज बाद जब गुरूवार आया तो रानी और दासी ने निश्चयनुसार व्रत रखा. घुड़साल में जाकर चना और गुड़ बीन लाई और फिर उसकी दाल से केले की जड़ तथा विष्णु भगवान का पूजन किया. अब पीला भोजन कहां से आए इस बात को लेकर दोनों बहुत दुखी थे. चूंकि उन्होंने व्रत रखा था इसलिए गुरुदेव उनपर प्रसन्न थे. इसलिए वे एक साधारण व्यक्ति का रूप धारण कर दो थालों में सुन्दर पीला भोजन दासी को दे गए. भोजन पाकर दासी प्रसन्न हुई और फिर रानी के साथ मिलकर भोजन ग्रहण किया.

उसके बाद वे सभी गुरूवार को व्रत और पूजन करने लगी. बृहस्पति भगवान की कृपा से उनके पास फिर से धन-संपत्ति हो गया, परन्तु रानी फिर से पहले की तरह आलस्य करने लगी. तब दासी बोली- देखो रानी, तुम पहले भी इस प्रकार आलस्य करती थी, तुम्हें धन रखने में कष्ट होता था, इस कारण सभी धन नष्ट हो गया और अब जब भगवान गुरुदेव की कृपा से धन मिला है तो तुम्हें फिर से आलस्य होता है. बड़ी मुसीबतों के बाद हमने यह धन पाया है, इसलिए हमें दान-पुण्य करना चाहिए, भूखे मनुष्यों को भोजन कराना चाहिए, और धन को शुभ कार्यों में खर्च करना चाहिए, जिससे तुम्हारे कुल का यश बढ़ेगा, स्वर्ग की प्राप्ति हो और पित्तर प्रसन्न हो. दासी की बात मानकर रानी अपना धन शुभ कार्यों में खर्च करने लगी, जिससे पूरे नगर में उसका यश फैलने लगा.

गुरुवार को बृहस्पति भगवान का व्रत रखने से घर में हमेशा सुख-संपत्ति की बहार रहती है.

An ill-placed Sun could also lead to difficulties in health, relating to heart or blood pressure/ blood circulation. In such a case, it is advisable to recite Surya Japa or Dhyan Mantra. After planning to perform the Surya Puja, one should wear clean red clothes on Sunday and offer lotus flower to the God, facing the east direction.

People keep fast on Sundays in the name of Surya Narain or the Sun God. They take food only once a day, generally fruit, before sun-set. Saltish and fried items are avoided. It is believed that a fast on a Sunday saves one from skin diseases like leprosy, ringworm, and eye sores. Sun God is worshipped with red sandalwood and red flowers.

This story…

These Seven rays, viz. 1. Red 2. Orange 3. Yellow 4. Green 5. Blue 6. Indigo 7. Violet, are the seven horses of Surya. We also see the same colours in the Rainbow.

The system of curing the diseases with the different colours of cosmic rays and its benefits are detailed.

The neighbours lady was constantly jealous. She thought of a plan to deprive her of the wonder cow. She went to the king and said, My Lord, a poor old lady in our neighbourhood has a divine cow. The cow gives gold dung. It would be befitting for your graciousness if this cow Is with you. She keeps it inside her room. No one can have even its glimpse. The king was a greedy person. He told his courtier, Go immediately and bring the cow.

The old lady was about to offer food to the Sun Gods idol when the courtier reached her house. He untied the rope from peg and took away the cow. The lady prayed and wept, but all in vain. The old lady missed her meals that day. She prayed to her God for the safe return of the cow. She could not sleep at night. The king on the other hand, was highly pleased to have that divine cow. That night, he had a dream. The Sun God was there who said, I offered this cow to the old lady as a token of my affection for her worship of me. You do not deserve this cow.

::- Do not take Salt and Oily food in your meal.

Benefit from this Vrat:

Somvar Vrat, or Monday fasting, dedicated to Lord Shiva too has numerous stories. Among the several myths, three have gained popularity – the first is the story of a poor Brahmin gaining wealth due to Monday fasting, second is the story of a rich merchant begetting a son after long wait and the subsequent death of the son and his rebirth due to the grace of Lord Shiva and Parvati and the third story is the most famous involving the game of dice played between Shiva and Parvati.

The merchant’s son and the kings daughter were married around the holy fire. At the time of departure, the merchants’ son picked his brides scarf and wrote; now we are husband and wife. I am not the son of a king. I am the son of a rich merchant. I was on way to Kashi for spiritual studies. Your real bridegroom is blind of one eye.

The bride noticed her bridegroom writing something on the scarf. She could not read his message at that time. When the marriage party was about to depart, the bride read the message. She was shocked to know the reality. She refused to accompany with the one-eyed bridegroom. The marriage party returned without a bride.

The merchants’ son reached Kashi and devoted himself fully to the spiritual studies. His maternal uncle arranged devotional gatherings and gave donations everyday for the well-being of his sisters’ son. On the last day of the twelfth year, the merchants’ son felt pain in the chest. His maternal uncle was performing the religious rites as per his routine. As he went inside the room, he found the boy dead. He was full of grief, but kept silent as the Brahmans would not accept food from such a house. With courage, he completed his routine. When his routine was over, he started crying. Many people gathered around him and shared his grief.

Fortunately, Lord Shiva and Parvati were also passing by that house. When Parvati heard the cries and beating of breast, her motherly compassion got aroused. She was a mother, after all. Having known the facts, she said to Lord Shiva, My dear Sire, please ask Yama to return his life. Yama is always at your command. Please do this favour to me. You are the protector of all creatures.

Lord Shiva agreed and sprinkled Ganga water on the dead body. The boy got up as if he was making an excuse for sleep. The spiritual education of the merchants’ son was over. They started their journey homeward. They arranged spiritual discourses and distributed aims among the needy throughout their way.

Now, they were back in the city where this boy was married. The king recognized the boy immediately. He took him to his palace with full honour and on an auspicious day, he arranged to happy departure for his daughter. He also gave adequate dowry. The merchants son reached his city along with his bride.

His father could not believe it. He was sitting on the roof of a big mansion with his wife, waiting for his son. They had decided that they would not come down until their son supported them himself; otherwise they would commit suicide by jumping down the roof. So the merchant’s son along with his bride went up to the roof. They touched their feet. The merchant and his wife were very happy to see the couple.

Once Lord Shiva and Parvati again visited that temple. Parvati was surprised to see the priest. He was his normal self. She enquired about this feat and the priest narrated the whole story. Parvati was happy; she also decided to observe Monday fasts for sixteen weeks. Incidentally, on the seventeenth Monday, when she broke her fast, her beloved son Kartikeya, who was displeased with her, appeared and said, 0 dear mother what is that power with which you have called me? What is the mystery? Parvati said, 0 my dear son, all this miracle is due to observing Monday fasts for sixteen weeks without interruption. Kartikeyas Brahman friend had been in a foreign land for quite some time. Kartikeya said, I shall observe Monday fasts for sixteen weeks for happy reunion with my friend. He observed the 16 weeks fasts as per rules and to his great surprise his friend returned hale and hearty. The friend enquired about the miracle and Kartikeya told him the modalities to be observed for Monday fast. The Brahman friend was very curious about his marriage. He decided to observe the Monday fasts for sixteen weeks.

On the seventeenth Monday, the Brahman friend went to a city. The ruler of the city decided to marry his daughter to a person on whose neck his well-decorated elephant would put the garland. The Brahman joined the show. Incidentally, the elephant garlanded him. The ruler of the city gave him his daughter and also a lot of money. The couple departed the next day and were back in their home. On the honeymoon night, the bride said, 0 my dear, how is it that the elephant ignored all the princes and garlanded you? How did you succeed on the auspicious moments? The bridegroom said, I observed fasts on sixteen Mondays. Monday is Lord Shivas day. It is due to his blessings that I got a beautiful wife like you. My friend Kartikeya revealed this secret to me. The bride too decided to observe fasts on sixteen Mondays for a beautiful son full of knowledge. Her devotion bore fruit and she gave birth to a beautiful son. As the son grew up, he said to his mother, 0 my dear mother, what is the mystery behind my birth? Please reveal it to me. The mother told him how she observed Monday fasts. The son also decided to observe the fasts to gain a kingdom for his parents. Incidentally, an old kings messengers from a nearby State came there in search of a beautiful and learned bridegroom for the princess. They proposed the princess hand for him and he readily agreed.

The king expired after sometime and the boy became the king. The newly-made king continued his fasts for the next sixteen Mondays. On the seventeenth Monday, he arranged a large prayer party at a temple. All the arrangements were made well in advance. The king requested the queen to accompany him to the temple for breaking the fast after taking prasaad from the priest. The queen refused to go with him. The king had to go alone. The king heard an oracle who echoed, 0 king, turn out the queen from the palace or destruction will fall upon you. The king returned to his palace. He summoned a conference of his ministers and told about the oracle. All of them were taken aback, as it was due to that princess that he became the king of the state. They agreed to his proposal only with a heavy heart. The queen was ultimately turned out. The queen left the palace bare footed and in worn-out clothes. She was thirsty and fatigued. She met an old lady who had a load of spinned spindles on her head. She was going to the city. She felt pity on her and asked to help her in selling the yarn because she did not know the art of selling. The queen took that load on her head. Incidentally, strong wind blew away the spindles which disappeared in the dusty wind. The queen felt sorry and the old lady asked her to go away. The queen went to an oilmans house and sought shelter. The oilman obliged her, but as she stepped in, all of his oil pots developed cracks and the oil began to flow on the ground. The oilman immediately turned her out. The queen was now disheartened. She went to the bank of a river to quench her thirst. As she touched the water, the water dried up. She then went to a deep jungle and saw a tank of water. As she went down the stairs and touched the crystal dear water, it became muddy. She cursed her fate and put a few drops of the muddy water in her mouth. She was now tired and wanted to take rest under a shady tree. As she went near the tree its leaves began to fall and soon it became leafless. The cowherds saw this incident and told the whole story to the priest of a nearby temple. The priest called for the woman. He was surprised to see that the woman had royal features. He consoled her and provided her with all the facilities. But after some days, he also got fed up with her because whatever the woman touched became impure — may it be milk, food or water. One day, the priest said, 0 lady, what curse has fallen upon you? You reveal the mystery.

The woman told him how she rejected a proposal to attend Monday fast prayer. The priest understood the whole thing. He knew it was Shivas curse. He said, 0 dear lady, you observe fasts on sixteen Mondays and Lord Shiva will absolve you of your sins. The woman realised her mistake and observed the Monday fasts for sixteen Mondays. On the seventeenth Monday, the king said to himself, My queen left my palace long ago. Her condition must be very miserable. He called for his courtiers and ordered them to search out the queen. The courtiers reached the temple where the queen was residing. The priest refused to hand over the queen to them and said, Let the king himself come to receive her. The courtiers went to the king and related the whole story.

The king was happy to hear the news. He went to the temple and requested the priest to return his queen to him. The king admitted that he deserted the queen to avoid Lord Shivas wrath. The priest trusted the kings words and the queen returned to the palace. She was given a royal welcome. The king distributed money among the needy and arranged food for the hungry. The king and queen now regularly observed fasts on sixteen Mondays each year and lived a very happy life. After their death they found abode in Lord Shivas city, Shivapuri. Since, then it is believed that a person who observes fasts on sixteen Mondays, gets all pleasures and enters Shivapuri after his death.

The Shiva Purana states that one undertakes fasting on Pradhosha will be blessed with wealth, children, happiness and honor. The fasting and worship is specially undertaken by women who long to have children. It is said that those praying to Shiva during the auspicious time of Pradhosha will be freed from sins.

There are numerous legends associated with the Pradhosha Vratam. It is believed that Lord Shiva drank the Halahala poison that was churned up from the Ocean of Milk (Samudra Manthan) during Pradosham.
Another myth indicates that Lord Shiva and Parvati, the divine couple, are in a propitious mood during the evening twilight on the Trayodashi day and hence are easily pleased and grants whatever that a sincere devotee asks.

Offering Bael or Bilva leaves during the period to Lord Shiva is considered auspicious. There are Shiva devotees that observe fast on both Pradosha days in a month. Some only fast during the waning phase of moon. Staunch devotees opt for water only fasting and will only eat the ‘prasad’ offered in the evening. Such devotees only eat cooked from next day morning.

Another method of fasting is by eating fruits and such devotees eat cooked food on the day after the evening prayers. The strictness of the Pradosha fasting is usually decided by the devotee.

Some devotees do not fast but worship Shiva during the period or visit temples.

Once upon a time, there was one widow living with her son. She lefts home daily with her son to gather food for her son and herself.

One day she found one young man who running from his enemy. She gave shelter to that man. She bring her at home and find out that he was Rajkumar(prince) of ex-king.

One day she allowed her son and Prince to go out in the city to collect the food. In the evening only her son comeback home without Prince. Worried Brahmin woman asked about prince. Her son said he is with Gandharwa Kanya (Lady).On other side the father of Gandharwa Kanya found that his daughter is in love with unknown young man. He send his army to find out the reality of that young man. After investigation he has find out that he is actually a son of the King.

Soon after he arranged marriage with his daughter. After some days with the help of his father-in-law’s army he defeated the enemy and became king. He also appoint the bramin woman’s son, the main Mantri (Diplomate adviser) of his kingdom.This is all happened because of that Brahmin woman’s Somwar Pradosh Vrat.

Planet Budh is known as planet Mercury too.Lord Budh has four hands. Sword, Thaal, Gada and Varmudra are seen in his hands. Lord Budh has golden crown on his head and wears ornaments of yellow flowers and yellow clothes. According to the Atharv Ved, Budh was born to Chandrama and Tara. Since the child was very intelligent, Lord Brahma gave the name Budh to him. According to one story of Mahabharat, King Manu got married his daughter Ila to Budh Dev. King Pururva was son of Ila and Budh. According to Sreemad Bhagwat, the place of Budh Grah is higher by 2 lakh Yojan than Shukra Grah. Normally, Budh Grah is associated with good things. But when it crosses the way of Surya Grah, there is a possibility for Strong Wind (Cyclone), Flood and Drought. According to Matsyapuran, Budh Grah is yellow in colour, The Rath is white in colour and is glowing with bright light, drove by ten speedy horses. Budh Grah is the Lord of Mithun and Kanya rashi.
Budh Pooja is recommended to reduce the tribulations caused due to malefic position of MERCURY in the horoscope.

Budh Puja is to appease the planet Mercury. Budh Puja is very useful & beneficial puja, since it’s worship strengthens benefic Mervury & increases its positive influence and pacifies malefic effects of the planet & neutralizes its negative effect. Budh Puja is recommended for those having malefic Budh or wrong placed Bhudh as per horoscope.

The planets are to propitiated against their evil influences, to ward off them, the Budh Puja is done with faith to ward off all evils of Budh as per the horoscope.

Once there was a newly wed. On a Sunday, he went to his father-in-laws house to take his wife with him. It was the first time after marriage. He was welcomed by the in-laws and was provided with best food and bedding. His wife’s friends cut jokes with him. He enjoyed their jokes and conversation. He forgot the outside world as he enjoyed the hospitality offered to him by his wife’s younger brothers and sisters.

Monday and Tuesday were spent in other pastimes. It was now Wednesday. He told his mother-in-law, I have an urgent piece of work today. You send your daughter with me immediately. But today is Wednesday. Mercury is not favorable to girls on Wednesday. It is considered inauspicious sending daughters in their in-laws house. I shall not send my daughter today, said the mother-in-law.

I do not care for the Mercury. He cannot harm me. Wednesday is very favorable for the businessmen like me. I have also very urgent piece of work at home, said the son-in-law. The mother-in-law said. You came here on Sunday. Monday was your hospitality day. The guest should enjoy only one day’s hospitality. You have over-stayed. This is not our fault. How could we ask you to go away on Tuesday? It was for you to decide. Now, please go tomorrow for heaven sake.

The son-in-law was adamant. He insisted on leaving the same day. The in-laws read his mood and agreed to send their daughter with him. They arranged a chariot for the couple. Soon, the couple reached near a township. The girl was thirsty. She said to her husband, I am very thirsty. Please arrange some water for me. The husband agreed and went towards the township. Another young man resembling her husband brought water for her. She could not distinguish between the two. She took him for her husband and had a good chat with him.

In the meanwhile, her real husband appeared on the scene. He was surprised to see his wife chatting and cutting jokes with someone else. He was annoyed at her conduct. The wife also felt bemused when she saw the like of her husband standing with a water pot in his hand. Both the males quarreled among themselves and claimed the lady as their wife. Incidentally a constable came there and wanted to know what the matter was. He said to the lady, who is your real husband?

The lady said, I am in a fix myself. They resemble each other so much. The real husband felt sorry. He remembered his mother-in-laws words. The constable took them to the king and told the whole story. The king asked his minister to administer justice. The minister said to the constable, it is late evening. Lock them up in separate cells. Arrange strict night watch. I will give my judgment tomorrow.

All the three were locked up in separate cells. It was dead of night. Mercury had a Sound sleep. The real husband was very restless. He was repentant. He uttered loudly; I am suffering for my pride and disobedience to my in-laws. Oh God, forgive me this time. The guards were marking all these uttering. The next morning the minister sent for the guards. The guards related one of the youngmen’s behaviors.

The minister said, the man who had a restless night is the real husband. His wife should be restored to him. He should be freed. Produce the second person in my court. The guards went to the prison cell. They set free the real husband and his wife. They were happy to be together again. The guards went to the other young man. His cell was empty though locked from outside. They reported the matter to the minister. He was astonished to know that the cell was empty though locked from outside. He went to the senior minister and related the whole story.

The senior minister smiled and said the missing prisoner is Mercury. Mercury rules on Wednesdays. This man challenged Mercury’s authority. He felt offended and disguised himself as her husband to teach him a lesson. Today Is Thursday. Jupiter rules on Thursdays. Mercury disappeared exactly at sunrise. Don’t be afraid. The guards are not at fault.

The king was happy over his minister’s judgment. The husband and wife reached home and related the whole story to their near and dear ones.

Benefit from Vrat:

If you are suffering by Skin desease or if you stutter or if you have trouble with langaugae or pronounciation, this is the best Vrat(fats).

Ritual:
Hindu devotees who fast on Wednesdays take a single meal in the afternoon. The ritual fast, i.e., ‘vrat’ or ‘upvaas,’ is observed by couples – the husband and the wife together. ‘Budhvar Upvaas’ or Wednesday Fastis believed to be auspicious for leading a peaceful family life. People start new business or enterprise on Wednesdays as the planet Mercury or Budh is believed to augment new projects. This day is also lucky for students and they pray for success in education.

Budhwar (Wednesday) Vrat Katha (Story) : बुधवार व्रत कथा