Ravi Pradosh Fast 15 September: According to Drik Panchang, today, Sunday 15 September 2024, is the Trayodashi date of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. Since Pradosh Vrat falls on Sunday, it will be called Ravi Pradosh Vrat. It is believed that to get the blessing of long life and health, Ravi Pradosh fast should be observed. Today Ravi Pradosh will be kept in Sukarma Yoga. Worship of Lord Shiva in the evening on the day of Pradosh Vrat has great importance. Two Ravi Pradoshas will be kept in the month of September. First Ravi Pradosh, Pradosh fast will be observed today on 15th September and on 29th September also on Sunday. 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 fast story: Once a huge seminar was organized by the Rishi Samaj on the banks of the Most Holy Bhagirathi in the interest of all living beings. In this meeting, Puranaveta Sutji Maharaj, the great disciple of Vyas ji, came performing Hari Kirtan. Seeing Sutji coming, 88,000 sages of Shaunkadi stood up and paid obeisance to him. The great sage 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, O Most Merciful! Through which worship will devotion to Shankar be achieved in Kalikaal? Please kindly tell us, because all the living beings of Kalyug will remain away from the Vedas and scriptures by remaining in sinful activities. O great sage, no one will be interested in good deeds in Kaliyuga. When virtues diminish, man’s intellect will automatically be inspired towards evil deeds. Due to which ill-conceived men will be eliminated along with their descendants. The Supreme God is never pleased with the man who is knowledgeable and does not teach knowledge on this earth. O great sage! Which is the fast which gives desired results? Please tell me.
Hearing this, Sutji started saying with a kind heart that Shreshna Muni and Shaunak ji deserve our thanks. Your thoughts are commendable and commendable. You are a pioneer in Vaishnavism, because the feeling of altruism is always present in your heart. Therefore, O Shaunakadi sages, listen – I tell you about that fast, by observing which one gets freedom from all sins. It is a fast that increases wealth, removes sorrow, brings happiness, gives birth to children and helps in achieving the desired results. I am narrating this fast to you, which was once recited by Bholenath to Sati ji and this best advice received from her was recited to me by my respected Guruji. Which I will tell you at an auspicious time when I get time.
Sutji started saying that one should fast on Trayodashi for longevity, growth and health benefits. The method of this fast is as follows – take bath in the morning and observe fast. Meditate on Lord Shiva. Go to Shiva temple and worship Bholenath. After the puja, wear Tripund Tilak of half a pound. Offer Belpatra on Shivalinga. Worship with incense, lamp and Akshat. Offer seasonal fruits to Lord Shiva. Chant the mantra ‘Om Namah Shivay’ with Rudraksh rosary. Provide food to Brahmins and give donations as per your capacity. After this keep a fast of silence. The devotee has to speak the truth. Havan offering should also be made during this fast.
Shaunkadi Rishi said – O revered one, you have told that this fast is extremely confidential, auspicious and relieves pain. Please tell who observed this fast and what results did he get?
Shrisut ji said – You are a great devotee of Shiva, seeing your devotion, I tell the story of fasting men.
A very poor Brahmin lived in a village. His wife observes Pradosh Vrat and had a son. Once upon a time his son had gone to take a bath in the Ganga. On the way, he was surrounded by thieves and they said that they will kill you, otherwise you will reveal your father’s secret wealth. The child started saying in a humble tone that we are very sad and poor. Where do we have the money? The thieves then asked, what do you have tied in the bundle? Balan replied that my mother has tied me after making roti. The second thief said, brother, he has a very poor and sad heart, leave him. Hearing this, the child started leaving from there and reached a city. There was a banyan tree near the city. The child got tired and sat there and slept in the shade of the tree. The policemen of that city were searching for thieves and they came to the child. The soldiers considered the boy a thief and took him to the king and the king ordered him to be imprisoned. On the other hand, the child’s mother was observing Pradosh fast of Lord Shankar. The same night the king had a dream that this child is not a thief, leave him as soon as morning comes, otherwise the glory of your kingdom will soon be destroyed. At the end of the night, the king asked the boy the whole story and Balan told the whole story. Hearing the words of the child, the king sent a soldier and called the parents. When the king saw them scared, he said, don’t worry, your child is innocent. Seeing your poverty, we donate five villages. Due to the mercy of Shiva, the Brahmin family now started living happily. In this way, whoever observes this fast attains happiness.
