Shukra Pradosha Vrat Katha

Sutaji said - "It is a matter of ancient times that three friends lived in a city. There was extreme closeness between the three friends. Among those friends, one was a prince, the second was a Brahmin's son and the third was a rich man's son. The prince and the Brahmin's son were married and the rich man's son was married but the Gauna (ceremony of bringing the bride home) had not taken place.

One day the three friends were discussing about women. The Brahmin's son, praising women, said - 'Only a woman makes a building a home and a womanless home is the abode of ghosts.' The rich man's son found the Brahmin's son's words appropriate and he immediately decided to bring his wife home. On reaching home, he also told his decision to his parents. His parents said - 'Currently, the Shukra Deva (Venus) is set, it is not auspicious to bring daughters-in-law during this period, so bring your wife after Shukra rises.'

Despite much persuasion by the parents, the rich man's son did not leave his stubbornness and reached his in-laws' house to get his wife. At the in-laws' house, his mother-in-law and father-in-law also requested to bid farewell to the daughter after Shukrodaya, but he did not listen to anyone and remained firm on his decision. Finally, being forced by the stubbornness of their son-in-law, they bid farewell to their daughter with him.

After leaving the in-laws' house, both the husband and wife had just gone some distance from the city limit when suddenly the wheel of their bullock cart broke and a bull's leg broke. Due to this accident, both of them fell down and his wife was also seriously injured. Even after this accident, that rich man's son continued his journey with his wife. He had just proceeded a little further that on the way a group of dacoits surrounded them and looted all their wealth etc. After the looting, the rich man's son reached his home wailing with his wife. As soon as he reached home, a snake bit him there. His father called best physicians for his son's treatment. The physicians observed his son's condition and said - 'He will die in the next three days.'

At the same time, the information of this incident was received by the Brahmin's son. He said to the rich man - 'You send your boy back to the daughter-in-law's house with his wife and take a vow of Shukra Pradosha fast. All these obstacles have arisen because your son has brought his wife during Shukraast (Venus setting), if he reaches there, his life will be saved.'

The rich man found the Brahmin's son's advice appropriate and he sent back his son and daughter-in-law. Upon reaching the in-laws' house, the rich man's son's condition started improving. Thereafter, by the grace of Lord Shiva, both the husband and wife spent the rest of their lives happily and joyfully and in the end attained the supreme abode."

The worship method of Friday Trayodashi Pradosha fast is the same as Soma Pradosha, in this fast white color and substances like Kheer etc. are consumed.

॥Iti Shri Shukra Pradosha Vrat Katha Sampurnah॥