Rahu-Ketu Saturday Vrat Katha

It is an episode from some time ago. In the city of Avanti, a Kshatriya king named Dhansen used to rule. Dhansen was very glorious, religious, and a protector of his subjects, but there was a very serious agony in his life. He had four sons and all four sons died an untimely death at a young age. The King and Queen made many pilgrimages, charity, Yajna, planetary peace efforts etc., but no solution for the protection of children was obtained.

One day, by chance, a very accomplished yogi arrived in the city. The sight of that Yogi Maharaj was radiant with penance. The King politely placed the pain of his life before him. The Yogi became absorbed in meditation and said - "O King! In the past, Nagas were insulted by your ancestors. Both Rahu and Ketu are angry with you and your clan. Until they are pacified, children cannot get long life." Hearing the words of the Yogi Maharaj, the King asked being very worried - "O Yogiraj! Please guide us for the solution to this problem."

Yogi Maharaj said - "Worship Rahu-Ketu on Saturday and satisfy and please them. Do this fast for seven Saturdays with full faith. Offer milk to the Nagas, donate black sesame and urad and feed roti to a black dog. By fasting in this way, the defect of the shadow planets attached to your clan will be pacified. Rahu-Ketu Saturday fast is a fast that illuminates the dark period of life. By doing this fast with faith, self-control, forgiveness and good deeds, the peace of karma-born defects is also possible. The devotee who does this fast systematically obtains mental stability, health and protection from invisible powers in life."

The King and Queen followed the fast with devotion according to the instructions of the Yogi ji. They established the idols of Rahu-Ketu and observed the Saturday fast, wore black clothes, lit a sesame oil lamp and chanted the mantras of Rahu-Ketu. On the 7th Saturday, Rahu-Ketu appeared in a dream and gave darshan to the King and said - "O King! We are pleased with you. Now no obstacle will come in your clan. Your clan will be long-lived and glorious. Whoever does this fast will also obtain our grace."

In the course of time, by the meritorious influence of the fast, Dhansen obtained a fifth son. That son was long-lived and became a great brave emperor in the future. Inspired by the glory of the fast, the entire subjects also started doing this fast and in this way this fast of protection from the inauspicious influence of Rahu-Ketu became popular among the general public.

Rahu and Ketu are not only symbols of fear, but are also a medium of karmic balance and spirituality. Their Tamasic energy is pacified by worship, fast and charity, as a result of which the problems coming in life are solved. Saturday is also the day of Lord Shanidev, it is considered the best day for the peace of shadow planets.

॥ Thus ends the Shri Rahu-Ketu Saturday Vrat Katha ॥