Astha SangrahASTHA SANGRAHhttps://asthasangrah.comShri Ravi Pradosh Vrat Katha
Ravi Pradosh Vrat Katha is the story for the Trayodashi that falls on a Sunday, of a poor Brahmin's only son, who escapes robbers, is wrongly imprisoned by a king, and is proven innocent through his mother's devotion to Shiva, presented here in full.
Chapter 1 · The Boy Escapes Robbers, and Is Imprisoned by the King
There lived a most poor Brahmin in a village, whose devout wife used to observe the Pradosh vow, and they had but one precious son. Once, that son went to bathe in the Ganga. Unfortunately, on the way, robbers surrounded him, and said, 'We shall not kill you, just tell us about your father's hidden wealth.' The boy said humbly, 'Friends, we are most sorrowful and poor, where would we have any wealth?' The robbers then said, 'What is tied up in this bundle of yours?' The boy said without hesitation, 'My mother has given me some rotis.' Hearing this, the robbers said to their companions, 'Friends, this is a most poor and sorrowful person, so let us rob someone else.' Saying this, the robbers let the boy go.
Walking on from there, the boy reached a city. Near the city stood a banyan tree, and the boy fell asleep in the shade of that very banyan tree. At that same time, the soldiers of that city, searching for robbers, arrived near the banyan tree, and, mistaking the boy for a thief, took him captive and brought him before the king. The king ordered him to be locked in prison.
Chapter 2 · Release Through the Pradosh Vow, and the King's Favour
When the Brahmin woman's son did not return home, she grew greatly worried for her son. The next day was the Pradosh vow, and the Brahmin woman observed the Pradosh vow, praying within her heart to Lord Shankar for her son's safety. Lord Shankar accepted the Brahmin woman's prayer, and that very night Lord Shankar commanded the king in a dream that the boy was not a thief, and that he should be released at dawn, or else his entire kingdom and glory would be destroyed.
At dawn, the king, as Shiva had commanded, freed the boy from prison. The boy told the king his whole story, and hearing the whole account, the king sent his soldiers to the boy's home and summoned his parents to the royal court. His parents were greatly afraid, and the king, seeing their fear, said, 'Do not be afraid, your son is innocent.' The king gave the Brahmin five villages as a gift, so that they could live out their life in comfort. In this way the Brahmin came to live happily, and by Shiva's grace his poverty was removed. So whoever observes the Ravi Pradosh vow lives out their whole life in comfort and good health.
How to Read Shri Ravi Pradosh Vrat Katha
On whichever Trayodashi falls on a Sunday, worship Lord Shiva in the evening at the Pradosh hour, observe the fast, and be sure to hear this story. The Ravi Pradosh vow is observed especially for good health and a happy life.
About Shri Ravi Pradosh Vrat Katha
The Ravi Pradosh Vrat Katha is told across two chapters. In the first, the only son of a poor Brahmin narrowly escapes robbers, but is then mistaken for a thief and imprisoned by soldiers in a city. In the second, his mother observes the Pradosh vow and prays to Lord Shiva, who commands the king in a dream that the boy is innocent, and the king frees and rewards him.
This story is told specifically for the Trayodashi that falls on a Sunday. This page presents the full text of both chapters in plain Hindi, with adjustable text size and print support.
The Ravi 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 Sunday, that is, Ravi Pradosh, based on a text published on a Hindi devotional portal. This story too has no single ancient original text, and other sources may use different wording.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Ravi Pradosh Vrat observed?
When the Trayodashi tithi falls on a Sunday, that day's Pradosh vow is called Ravi Pradosh.
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 Ravi Pradosh story, the main 'Pradosh Vrat Katha' page gives the Shani Pradosh story.
What benefit does the Ravi Pradosh Vrat give, according to the story?
As the story describes, whoever observes this vow lives out their whole life in comfort and good health.