Pradosh Vrat

Pradosh Vrat is an auspicious and fruitful fast. The term "Pradosh" refers to the evening time. During Pradosh, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped, and the deities' virtues are praised. This fast is observed on the thirteenth day, where one fasts throughout the day and breaks the fast only after performing an evening puja dedicated to Lord Shiva. Worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is an essential part of this fast. By observing this fast diligently, one can appease Lord Shiva, and their wishes may be fulfilled.

Procedure for Observing Pradosh Vrat:

During the Pradosh period, it is important to worship the linga form of Lord Shiva, known as Lord Sadashiva. After taking a bath, perform the puja of Lord Shiva using sesame seeds, Indian gooseberry (amla), fragrances, flowers, and fruits. Subsequently, during the Pradosh time, perform puja to the stationary Shiva Linga according to the prescribed rituals. It is considered inauspicious to directly bathe in a well or pond without using a container to draw water. Instead, use a rope to lower a vessel into the well or pond and then perform your bath.

Similarly, when bathing in ponds, use a vessel to pour water over yourself. Bathing in a river is considered the most auspicious, and if you have access to a large river, it is even more favorable. Among all the sacred rivers, bathing in the Ganges is considered the best. Maintain silence after taking a bath during the Pradosh period. Light a thousand lamps near Lord Shiva during Pradosh, or if that's not possible, light a hundred or thirty-two lamps to illuminate his presence. If that's not feasible, lighting lamps with clarified butter (ghee) will suffice. Lighting lamps with ghee is considered pleasing to Lord Shiva.

Similarly, offer fruits, incense, food, fragrance, and flowers as part of the sixteen rituals (shodashopachara) during the Pradosh time while worshipping the linga form of Lord Shiva, who fulfills all desires. If possible, circumambulate Lord Shiva a hundred and eight times after the puja, and offer your prayers with devotion. This way, by observing the Pradosh Vrat and following the rituals, one can keep Lord Shiva pleased. Afterward, recite the hundred and eight names of Lord Rudra with due respect.

The story of Pradosh Vrat:

In the land of Vidarbha, there was a renowned king named Satyarath, who was deeply devoted to all virtues, wise, virtuous, and committed to truth. He spent a significant portion of his life following the path of righteousness and was content. However, the kings of the Salva kingdom attacked the city of Vidarbha. King Satyarath engaged in a fierce battle, defeating many of the Salva warriors, but he was also slain in the process.

At that time, Queen Satyarath was pregnant. Overwhelmed with grief, she left the royal palace and headed westward. She eventually reached the banks of a lake, seeking shade under a banyan tree. In this sorrowful state, she gave birth to a son. Immediately after the birth, driven by extreme thirst, she descended into the lake. Sadly, as she was drinking, a large crocodile seized and devoured her. With the king's death and now the queen's tragic end, the newborn child was left orphaned.

In due course, a destitute widow Brahmin woman named Uma arrived at the same spot. She was astonished to see the child and could not comprehend where he had come from and which lineage he belonged to. Although she felt a strong urge to care for him, fear held her back.

Then, a great sage named Shandilya happened to visit the place. He saw Uma and the two orphaned children and remarked, "The strength of devotion is truly wondrous. This child, despite being born in a royal family, has chosen to live as an orphan under the care of another mother. His actions reflect the virtues of a Brahmin, even though he is a Kshatriya by birth."

Upon hearing this, Uma paid her respects to the sage and expressed her desire to know more about the child's origins. The sage explained that the child was the son of King Satyarath of Vidarbha, who had tragically perished in battle. He also shared the heartbreaking tale of the queen's death by a crocodile.

Deeply moved by this story, Uma decided to adopt and raise the child as her own. She brought both children to her humble home and began caring for them. One day, as a destitute Brahmin woman, she went begging for alms at the divine temple. There, she encountered the great sage Muni Shandilya, who was amazed by her devotion and the story of the orphaned child who chose a life of austerity and simplicity despite being born a king.

Muni Shandilya told Uma that the child, despite his Kshatriya lineage, had embodied the virtues of a Brahmin through his actions. This revelation filled Uma with awe and respect. She expressed her desire to learn more about the child's destiny and sought guidance from the sage.

The sage explained that the child was the son of King Satyarath, the ruler of Vidarbha. He recounted the tragic events surrounding the deaths of the child's parents. Upon hearing the story, Uma was deeply moved and filled with wonder. She then asked the sage to reveal the path that would lead to the end of the children's suffering.

The sage said, "In a previous life, this prince's father was the king of the Pandya kingdom. They were well-versed in all the scriptures and were ardent followers of dharma. One day, during the Pradosh period, the king was performing a puja dedicated to Lord Shiva. At that moment, a great commotion arose in the city. Hearing this commotion, the king abandoned his puja midway and left. During this time, the king's minister, who was an enemy of his, captured the king and brought him to his presence. This minister was also a local ruler under King Satyarath's reign. The king, filled with anger, beheaded the minister as he believed him to be a threat. Having killed the minister, the king, in his wrath, forgot about the Shiva puja and returned home, where he ate and went to sleep.

Due to this, the king's happiness in this life remained incomplete, and he met his end. In this life, his son was reborn due to the unfulfilled worship of Lord Shiva. However, due to a past life's transgression, his mother had deceitfully killed another woman, and as a result, in this life, she was consumed by a crocodile.

Your son from a previous life was a virtuous Brahmin, and that's why he spent his entire life begging for alms. He has not performed righteous deeds like Yajnas and other virtuous actions, which is why he is experiencing poverty now. To overcome these difficulties, you should take refuge in Lord Shiva and observe the Pradosh Vrat.

Verified from puran.........

Writer :- Ruchi Tewari