Budha Pradosha Vrat Katha

After narrating the story of Mangala Pradosha Vrat, Sutaji says to Shaunaka and other sages, "Now I describe the story of Budha Trayodashi Pradosha, all of you listen attentively -

In ancient times, a man lived in a village. His marriage ceremony was completed a short while ago. After marriage, after a few days, that man reached his in-laws' house to bring his wife for Gauna. He reached to bid farewell to his wife on Wednesday. His mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and other relatives told him that bidding farewell to the wife on Wednesday is considered inauspicious, but that son-in-law said to the mother-in-law - 'Nothing like that happens, all this is superstition. I will take my wife home only on Wednesday.'

Even after repeated explanations, the son-in-law did not leave his stubbornness, due to which eventually being forced, his mother-in-law and father-in-law bid farewell to their daughter with him on Wednesday itself.

Those both newlywed couple were going towards home by bullock cart. Just after moving a little away from a city, his wife felt thirsty on the way. The husband went to get water for her with a vessel. When he returned, he saw that an unknown person has brought water in a pot for his wife and his wife, drinking it, is laughing and joking with that person.

Seeing this scene, her husband became extremely angry and while being angry with that person, he went near him. But as soon as he reached near that person, the husband was surprised because the form, color and physical structure of the unknown person was exactly same as that husband. As if he was his own reflection.

Both of them started fighting there and seeing them fighting, a crowd of travelers gathered there. At the same time, soldiers also came there and started asking that woman - 'Tell which of these men is your husband?'

Seeing two identical persons, that newlywed fell into a state of religious crisis and dilemma and became anxious. Seeing his wife in this situation in the middle of the way, that man also became distressed and started praying to Lord Shiva in his heart - 'O Mahadeva! You protect me and my bride, I have done an improper act by bidding farewell to my wife on Wednesday itself. O Bhole-Shankar! I will never commit such a crime in future, please forgive me Bhagavan.'

Lord Shiva accepted his prayer and immediately that unknown person vanished from there. Thereafter, that husband reached his home safely with his bride. After that sequence of events, both husband and wife started following the fast of Wednesday Pradosha with full rituals and devotion."

॥Iti Shri Budha Pradosha Vrat Katha Sampurnah॥