Som Pradosh Fast Story in English
Pradosh Vrat is an important fast according to Hindu calendar which is observed on Trayodashi Tithi of every month. Pradosh Vrat is observed in "Pradosh Kaal". Pradosh Kaal means evening time, 45 minutes before sunset and 45 minutes after sunset is Pradosh Kaal. Pradosh Vrat comes twice in every month - one on Trayodashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha and the other on Trayodashi Tithi of Shukla Paksha.
When Trayodashi Tithi comes on Monday, it is called Som Pradosh. Worshiping Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati in a proper manner during the evening on Som Pradosh day brings special blessings.
Importance of Som Pradosh Fast
By observing Som Pradosh Vrat, a person's health always remains good. One gets relief from stress. Spoiled work gets done. There is an increase in happiness, peace and wealth in the home and family. Worshiping Lord Shiva on Som Pradosh day removes Chandra Dosh from the horoscope. It is said in Shiva Purana that the person who observes Som Pradosh fast gets the blessings of happiness, respect, wealth and children.
Som Pradosh Fast Puja Method
On the day of Pradosh fast, wake up early in the morning and take a bath. After this, take a vow to fast while meditating on Lord Shiva. Pradosh fast is worshipped in the evening. In such a situation, start the worship in the auspicious time in the evening. Perform Abhishek of Shivling with ghee, honey, milk, curd and Ganga water etc.
After this, offer Belpatra, oleander flowers, cannabis, etc. on Shivling. Shiva mantras and Shiv Chalisa should be recited. After Bhajan Aarti, offering should be made to God and Prasad should be distributed among all the people. In this way, the person observing Pradosh fast gets virtue and all his wishes are fulfilled.
Som Pradosh Vrat Katha / Som Pradosh Fast Story in English
The Pradosh fast which falls on Monday is called Pradosh Som Pradosh fast. Monday is considered to be the day of Lord Shiva, so the importance of Pradosh fast increases even more by observing it on this day.
In ancient times, there lived a Brahmin woman. After the death of her husband, the Brahmin woman used to go for alms with her son and return in the evening. One day when she was returning after taking alms, she saw a beautiful boy on the bank of the river, who was the prince of Vidarbha country, Dharmagupta. The enemies had killed his father and usurped his kingdom. His mother had also died an untimely death.
The Brahmin woman adopted that boy and brought him up. When both the boys grew up, the Brahmin woman took both the boys to Rishi Shandilya's ashram. Where Rishi Shandilya, after finding out about the boy with his spiritual powers, said- O Goddess! This boy is the son of the king of Vidarbha Desh who was killed in the war and his mother was eaten by a crocodile.
Sage Shandilya advised the Brahmin woman to observe Pradosh fast. With the sage's permission, both the boys also started observing Pradosh fast. The Brahmin woman and the princes observed Pradosh fast with due rituals. One day, both the boys were roaming in the forest when they saw some Gandharva girls. The Brahmin boy returned home but prince Dharmagupta started talking to a Gandharva girl named "Ansumati".
Both of them started loving each other. The girl called the prince to meet her father for marriage. The next day when he again came to meet the Gandharva girl, the Gandharva girl's father told him that he was the prince of Vidarbha Desh. With the permission of Lord Shiva, Gandharvaraj got his daughter married to prince Dharmagupta.
After this, prince Dharmagupta regained control over Vidarbha Desh with the help of Gandharva army. The poor Brahmini was also given a special place, due to which all her sorrows ended. All this was the result of the Pradosh fasting of the Brahmini and Prince Dharmagupta, due to which they got wealth and prosperity in life. Just as the fortunes of the prince and the Brahmin-son changed due to the greatness of the Pradosh fast of the Brahmini, in the same way Lord Shankar also changes the fortunes of his other devotees. Therefore, all the devotees who observe the Som Pradosh fast must read or listen to this story.
According to Skanda Puran, the devotee who listens to or reads the Pradosh Vrat Katha with concentration after Shiva Puja on the day of Som Pradosh Vrat, never faces poverty for hundred births. There is an increase in happiness, peace and wealth in the home and family.
