Astha SangrahASTHA SANGRAHhttps://asthasangrah.comShri Budh Pradosh Vrat Katha
Budh Pradosh Vrat Katha is the story for the Trayodashi that falls on a Wednesday, the story of the trouble that befalls a newly married man for taking his wife's leave on a Wednesday, and its resolution through prayer to Lord Shiva, presented here in full.
Chapter 1 · The Wednesday Departure, and a Strange Trouble on the Road
According to the story of the Budh Pradosh Vrat, a man was newly married. Two days after the wedding, his wife went to her parents' home. After some days, the man went to fetch his wife. On a Wednesday, as he began to return with his wife, her family tried to stop him, saying that Wednesday was not an auspicious day for a departure. But he would not listen, and set out with his wife in a bullock cart. Left with no choice, his parents-in-law bade farewell to their son-in-law and daughter with heavy hearts.
On reaching the edge of the city, the wife grew thirsty. The man took a water-pot and went in search of water, while the wife sat down under a tree. After a while, the man returned with the water, and saw his wife laughing and talking with someone, and drinking water from his own pot. He grew angry. But as he drew near, his astonishment knew no bounds, for that man's face was exactly like his own. The wife too fell into confusion. The two men began to quarrel.
Chapter 2 · The Trouble Resolved Through Prayer to Shiva
Gradually a large crowd gathered there, and soldiers arrived too. Seeing the two identical-looking men, they too were struck with astonishment. They asked the woman, 'Which of these is your husband?' She was left utterly bewildered. Then the man began to pray to Lord Shankar, 'O Lord, protect us, I made a grave mistake in not heeding my in-laws' words and taking my wife's leave on a Wednesday, I shall never do such a thing again in future.'
As soon as his prayer was complete, the other man vanished. The husband and wife reached their home safely. From that day on, the couple began regularly observing the Budh Trayodashi Pradosh vow. So every person should observe the Budh Trayodashi vow.
How to Read Shri Budh Pradosh Vrat Katha
On whichever Trayodashi falls on a Wednesday, green-coloured items should be used in this vow, and Lord Shiva should be worshipped with incense, bel leaves, and the like. Observing the Budh Pradosh vow is said to fulfil all wishes.
About Shri Budh Pradosh Vrat Katha
The Budh Pradosh Vrat Katha is told across two chapters. In the first, a newly married man, ignoring his in-laws' warning, takes his wife's leave on a Wednesday, and runs into a strange trouble on the road, encountering another man who looks exactly like him. In the second, amid the confusion of a gathered crowd and soldiers, he prays to Lord Shiva for forgiveness, upon which the other man vanishes, and the couple reach home safely.
This story is told specifically for the Trayodashi that falls on a Wednesday. This page presents the full text of both chapters in plain Hindi, with adjustable text size and print support.
The Budh Pradosh Vrat Katha has no named author. The Pradosh vow falls on both Trayodashis of every month, and is known by whichever weekday it falls on, this is discussed in detail on the main 'Pradosh Vrat' overview page. The text presented here is a faithful adaptation of the traditional story associated with the Trayodashi that falls on a Wednesday, that is, Budh Pradosh, based on a text published on a Hindi devotional portal. This same basic plot, trouble arising from an improper Wednesday departure, also appears in some other Wednesday-related vrat stories, where the deity named is Budhdev rather than Shiva; this text keeps to Shiva, as given in its source. This story too has no single ancient original text, and other sources may use different wording.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Budh Pradosh Vrat observed?
When the Trayodashi tithi falls on a Wednesday, that day's Pradosh vow is called Budh Pradosh.
What colour items should be used in the Budh Pradosh Vrat?
As described in the puja vidhi, green-coloured items should be used in this vow.
Is this different from the main Pradosh Vrat Katha?
Yes, the Pradosh vow can fall on any of the seven weekdays, and tradition tells a different story for each. This page gives specifically the Budh Pradosh story, the main 'Pradosh Vrat Katha' page gives the Shani Pradosh story.