Astha SangrahASTHA SANGRAHhttps://asthasangrah.comShri Shukra Pradosh Vrat Katha
Shukra Pradosh Vrat Katha is the story for the Trayodashi that falls on a Friday, of the misfortunes that befall a merchant's son, one of three close friends, for stubbornly bringing his wife home during the setting of Venus, and how they are resolved, presented here in full.
Chapter 1 · The Stubborn Departure During Venus's Setting
Sutaji said: this story is from ancient times. In a city there lived three close friends, one a prince, another a Brahmin's son, and the third a merchant's son. The three loved each other dearly, and were always together. Among them, the prince and the Brahmin's son were already married, but the merchant's son had only had his wedding, and the gauna, the formal homecoming, had not yet taken place. One day the three friends began talking among themselves about women, and the Brahmin's son, praising women, said, 'A home without a woman is like a haunt of ghosts.' Hearing this, a strong desire arose in the merchant's son's heart to bring his wife home, and at that very moment he resolved that he would have her sent for.
The merchant's son went home and told his parents of his decision. His parents tried to reason with him, saying, 'Son, Venus is presently in its setting, and it is considered most inauspicious to bring home a daughter-in-law or daughter at this time, when Venus rises again, it will be proper to bring your bride home at an auspicious hour.' But the merchant's son remained stubborn, and, heeding no one, went to his in-laws' home. When his parents-in-law learned of his arrival and his decision to take his wife away, they too tried hard to persuade him otherwise, but he would not listen, and at last, having no choice, they bade their daughter farewell.
Chapter 2 · The Misfortunes on the Road, and the Removal of Shukra Dosh
As the husband and wife were returning to the city, having taken leave of her parents' home, the wheel of their bullock cart broke on the way, and one of the bullocks' legs broke too. In this accident, his wife was also badly injured. Somehow they continued their journey, when robbers surrounded them on the road and looted all their wealth and goods. The merchant's son, weeping and wailing, somehow reached home with his injured wife. As soon as they reached home, another calamity struck, a venomous serpent bit the merchant's son. An uproar broke out in the family, and physicians were summoned. Examining him, the physicians said, 'This young man has only three days left, his death is certain.'
At that very time, the Brahmin's son heard this news, and went at once to his friend the merchant's house, and said, 'Friend, all these misfortunes have come because your son brought his wife home during the setting of Venus, if you send him, together with his wife, back to her parents' home once more, the effect of the Shukra dosha will be pacified, and your son may recover.' The merchant understood the Brahmin's son's words, and sent his son and daughter-in-law back to her parents' home once again. As soon as they arrived there, the merchant's son's health began to improve, and he recovered completely. After this, they never again violated religious propriety, and lived out their lives righteously and happily, attaining heaven after death.
How to Read Shri Shukra Pradosh Vrat Katha
The Pradosh vow that falls on a Friday is called Shukra Pradosh. On this day, Lord Shiva is worshipped together with Mother Parvati and their family, and the fast should be observed in the evening at the Pradosh hour, with this story heard without fail, or the vow is not considered complete. This vow is observed especially for the wish of having children.
About Shri Shukra Pradosh Vrat Katha
The Shukra Pradosh Vrat Katha is told across two chapters. In the first, the merchant's son, one of three friends, ignores the warnings of his parents and in-laws and brings his wife home during the setting of Venus. In the second, misfortune after misfortune follows on the road, an accident, a robbery, and a snakebite, until, on the Brahmin's son's advice, the wife is sent back to her parents' home and the Shukra dosha is removed.
This story is told for the Trayodashi that falls on a Friday. This page presents the full text of both chapters in plain Hindi, with adjustable text size and print support.
The Shukra 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 Friday, that is, Shukra Pradosh, traditionally presented as narrated by Sutaji, and 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 Shukra Pradosh Vrat observed?
When the Trayodashi tithi falls on a Friday, that day's Pradosh vow is called Shukra Pradosh.
Why is a wedding departure considered inauspicious during Venus's setting?
As the story shows, in astrological tradition the period when Venus is in its setting is considered unfit for auspicious events like a wedding departure, and disregarding this is said to bring on Shukra dosha, as illustrated in the merchant's son's story.
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 Shukra Pradosh story, the main 'Pradosh Vrat' overview page has links to all the weekdays.