Pradosh Fast Krishna Story

According to a story in the Skanda Purana, there once lived a Brahmin family in a city called Vikramnagar. The head of the family passed away suddenly, leaving the Brahmin woman to take care of her family by begging for food. She had a son, and both of them would go out to beg each day and return home in the evening. One evening, as they were returning, the Brahmin woman saw a young boy injured and in pain by the riverside. Feeling compassion, she brought him home. This boy, named Dharmagupta, was actually a prince of Vidarbha, but the Brahmin woman was unaware of this. She cared for him like her own son. Later, when she visited a temple with the two boys, they met a sage named Rishi Shandilya. The sage revealed Dharmagupta's true identity and tragic past: his kingdom was attacked, his father was killed in the war, his mother passed away in grief, and the enemy soldiers had exiled Dharmagupta. Hearing this saddened the Brahmin woman. Rishi Shandilya advised the Brahmin woman to observe the Pradosh fast to overcome her difficulties. Following his guidance, she and the two boys began worshipping Lord Shiva and observing the Pradosh fast. Soon after, while wandering in a forest, the two boys came across some celestial maidens (Gandharva girls). The Brahmin's son returned home, but Dharmagupta conversed with one of the girls, Anshumati. They fell in love, and she invited him to meet her father to seek his approval for marriage. The next day, Dharmagupta visited Anshumati and her father. Lord Shiva appeared in the Gandharva king's dream, instructing him to marry his daughter to Dharmagupta. Following this divine command, the Gandharva king arranged their wedding. With the help of the Gandharva army, Dharmagupta regained his kingdom of Vidarbha. He also appointed the Brahmin woman’s son as the prime minister of his kingdom. Thus, by observing the Pradosh fast, all three overcame their hardships and attained happiness and prosperity. This story shows the transformative power of devotion and fasting on Pradosh fast. Observing it is believed to bring Lord Shiva's blessings and remove life’s difficulties.