Bhauma Pradosha Vrat Katha

After listening to the story of Soma Pradosha Vrat, Shaunaka Rishi said to Sutaji - "Kindly now describe the story of Mangala Pradosha."

Sutaji says - "Now I describe the Mangala Trayodashi Pradosha Vrat according to rituals. Tuesday is the destroyer of diseases and ailments. In this fast, one should consume wheat and jaggery once. On this day, one should offer red colored flowers to Lord Shiva and should wear red clothes oneself. By following this fast, undoubtedly one gets freedom from all kinds of sins and diseases. Now I tell you the story of that old woman who observed this fast by the influence of which she attained salvation.

In ancient times, an old woman lived in a city. She also had a son whose name was Mangalia. The old woman was an exclusive devotee of Hanuman ji. She used to observe the fast of Hanuman ji every Tuesday and offer him bhog etc. according to complete rituals. Apart from this, that old woman neither plastered the house nor dug the soil on Tuesday.

In this way, that old woman continued to follow the fast continuously for a long time. At one time Hanuman ji thought of taking the test of this old woman's devotion. Hanuman ji assumed the guise of a monk and reaching the door of that old woman started calling out - 'Is there any Hanuman devotee here who can fulfill our wish.' Hearing the call, the old woman came out and asked what is the command Maharaj?

The monk-disguised Hanuman ji said - 'I am very hungry! I will eat, you plaster a little ground.' The old woman fell into a dilemma and requesting the monk said - 'O Maharaj! Apart from plastering and digging soil, whatever you command, I am ready to do that.'

After testing three times, the monk said - 'You bring your son, I will make him lie down and manifesting fire on his back, I will cook food.'

Hearing this, the old woman became distressed but she had given her word to the monk. Therefore, to fulfill her word, she handed over her son Mangalia to the monk Maharaj. But Hanuman ji in the form of a monk wanted to test that old woman further. Therefore, he made that old woman herself make Mangalia lie upside down with her own hands and kindled fire on his back.

After kindling the fire, with a distressed mind the old woman went inside her house. After cooking the food, the monk called the old woman and said - 'You also call Mangalia so that he can also come and have the offering.'

The old woman said with tearful eyes - 'By taking his name now you don't give more pain to my heart.' But the monk Maharaj started insisting the old woman to call her son. Seeing the monk not agreeing, the old woman called out to her son. As soon as she called, Mangalia immediately came running laughing and playing. Seeing Mangalia safe and sound, the old woman was extremely happy and surprised. She started bowing repeatedly at the feet of the monk Maharaj.

The monk-disguised Hanuman ji gave the old woman a vision of his real form. Seeing Hanuman ji directly before her, the old woman started considering her life blessed. In this way, due to the result of Mangala Pradosha Vrat, that old woman was blessed."

॥Iti Shri Bhauma Pradosha Vrat Katha Sampurnah॥