Ravi Pradosh Vrat 15 September: According to Drik Panchang, today 15 September 2024, Sunday, is the Trayodashi date of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. Since Pradosh fast falls on Sunday, it will be called Ravi Pradosh fast. It is believed that Ravi Pradosh fast should be kept to get the blessings of long life and health. Today Ravi Pradosh will be kept in Sukarma Yoga. On the day of Pradosh fast, worshiping Lord Shiva in the evening has great importance. Two Ravi Pradosh will be kept in the month of September. First Ravi Pradosh will be kept today on 15 September and Pradosh fast will be kept on Sunday on 29 September. Therefore, the second Pradosh fast will also be called Ravi Pradosh fast. On the day of Ravi Pradosh, the story of Ravi Pradosh fast is heard along with the worship of Lord Shiva.
Ravi Pradosh Vrat Katha: Once a huge meeting was organized by the Rishi Samaj on the banks of the most sacred Bhagirathi river for the benefit of all living beings. Vyasji’s great disciple and Puranaveta Sutji Maharaj arrived in this meeting doing Hari Kirtan. Seeing Sutji coming, 88,000 sages and munis of Shaunakadi stood up and bowed down to him. The wise Sutji embraced the sages with devotion and blessed them. The learned sages and all the disciples sat on their seats.
The sages started asking with reverence that O most merciful one! In Kaliyug, by which worship can the devotion of Shankar be attained. Please tell us, because all the creatures of Kaliyug will remain averse to the Vedas and scriptures by doing sinful deeds. O great sage, in Kaliyug no one will be interested in doing good deeds. When the virtues will diminish, then the intellect of man will automatically be inspired towards bad deeds. Due to which the evil-thinking men will be destroyed along with their lineage. On this earth, the Supreme Lord is never pleased with the man who is knowledgeable but does not impart the teachings of knowledge. O great sage! Which is such a fast, by which the desired result is attained. Kindly tell me.
Hearing this, Sutji with a kind heart said that Shreshna Muni and Shaunak ji, you deserve thanks. Your thoughts are praiseworthy and commendable. You are the foremost Vaishnav, because the feeling of welfare of others is always present in your heart. Therefore, O Shaunakadi sages, listen – I will tell you about that fast, by observing which one gets freedom from all sins. It is a fast that increases wealth, destroys sorrow, gives happiness, gives children and helps in achieving desired results. I am telling you about this fast, which was once told by Bholenath to Sati ji and this supreme advice received from him was told to me by my revered Guruji. Which I will tell you in an auspicious time when I get time.
Sutji said that for longevity, growth and health benefits, observe Trayodashi fast. The method of this fast is as follows- take a bath in the morning and observe a fast without food. Meditate on Lord Shiva. Go to the Shiva temple and worship Bholenath. After the worship, wear Tripunda Tilak of Ardha Pund. Offer Bel leaves on Shivling. Worship with incense, lamp and rice grains. Offer seasonal fruits to Lord Shiva. Chant the mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ with a Rudraksha rosary. Feed Brahmins and give donations according to your capacity. After this, observe a silent fast. The person observing the fast has to speak the truth. Hawan aahuti should also be offered in this fast.
Shaunakadi Rishi said- O revered one, you told me that this fast is extremely confidential, auspicious and pain-relieving. Please tell me who observed this fast and what result did he get?
Shrisut ji said- You are the supreme devotee of Shiva, seeing your devotion I tell the story of the fasting men.
A very poor Brahmin lived in a village. His wife used to observe Pradosh fast and he had a son. Once his son went to take bath in Ganga. On the way, thieves surrounded him and they said that we will kill you, otherwise you tell us your father’s hidden treasure. The boy started saying in a piti (miserable) manner that we are very miserable. Where is the wealth with us? The thieves again asked what do you have tied in your bundle? Balan replied that my mother has made roti for me and tied it. The second thief said that brother, this is a very miserable heart, leave him. After listening to this, the boy started going from there and reached a city. There was a banyan tree near the city. The boy got tired and sat there and slept in the shade of the tree. The soldiers of that city were searching for the thieves and they came to the boy. The soldiers took the boy to the king thinking him to be a thief and the king ordered him to be imprisoned. On the other hand, the boy’s mother was observing Pradosh fast of Shankar ji. The same night the king had a dream that this boy is not a thief, release him as soon as morning comes or else your kingdom’s glory will soon be destroyed. At the end of the night the king asked the boy the whole story and Balan told the whole story. After listening to the boy the king sent a soldier to call the parents. When the king saw them scared he said that you don’t worry, your child is innocent. Seeing your poverty we are donating five villages. By the mercy of Shiva the Brahmin family started living happily. In this way whoever observes this fast gets happiness.
