Soma Pradosha Vrat Katha

After listening to the story of Ravi Pradosha Vrat, Shaunakadi Rishi said - "O best among sages Sutaji! Now you kindly tell us the story of Soma Trayodashi Pradosha."

Sutaji said - "O Rishigan! Now I describe the glory of Soma Trayodashi Vrat. By doing this fast, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are pleased. After being free from daily morning activities like bath, worship them by meditating on Shiva-Parvati and offer Arghya. Chant the mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya' 108 times. Thereafter praise Shiva ji - 'O Bhagavan! I am diving in this world-ocean full of sorrow, I am suffering from the weight of debt and planetary positions, O merciful! protect me.'

Shaunakadi Rishi asked - "O Mahamuni! You have described this fast for the fulfillment of all desires, now who did this fast and what fruit was obtained from it, kindly describe this."

Sutaji said - "A Brahmani lived in a city. Her husband had died. She had no support. Therefore, as soon as it was morning, she used to go for begging along with her son and whatever alms were obtained, she used to nourish herself and her son with that.

One day the Brahmani was returning after begging, at the same time she found a child on the way, his condition was very miserable. The Brahmani felt pity for that child. She brought him home along with her.

That child was the prince of Vidarbha. The king of the neighboring state had attacked his father and captured his state. Therefore he was in such a miserable condition. The Brahmani, keeping him at her home, started nurturing that prince like her own son.

At one time that Brahmani's son and that prince were playing, at the same time Gandharva girls arrived there and they became fascinated with the prince. The Brahmin boy returned home but the prince was talking to a Gandharva girl named Anshumati at that place. The next day Anshumati brought her parents to introduce them to the prince. Anshumati's parents also were very impressed seeing the prince.

After a few days, Lord Shiva gave a vision in dream to Anshumati's parents and ordered them to marry their daughter to the prince. According to Shiva ji's order, they married Anshumati to the prince.

The Brahmani had this command from the sages that she should always perform Pradosha Vrat. As a result of that Brahmani's fast, the prince with the help of Gandharvaraj's army defeated the enemies of his state Vidarbha and after regaining his father's state started ruling happily. The prince made the Brahmin boy his prime minister.

Just as the time of the prince and the Brahmin boy changed by the observance of Pradosha Vrat by the Brahmani, in the same way Lord Shiva provides happiness and prosperity to his other devotees too. That is why Pradosha Vrat has great glory in the creation."

॥Iti Shri Soma Pradosha Vrat Katha Sampurnah॥