Pradosh Fast Shukla Story

According to a story from the Skanda Purana, in ancient times, a poor Brahmin woman lost her husband and started begging to support her household. She used to go out with her son to ask for alms and return home by evening. One day, while returning, she saw a young boy lying injured near the riverbank. He was in great pain. The Brahmin woman felt very sad for him and brought him home out of compassion. The boy's name was Dharmagupt, a prince from Vidarbha, but the woman didn’t know this. She raised him like her own son and cared for him with love. The three of them—her, her son, and Dharmagupt—lived together happily. Some time later, they visited a temple where they met Rishi Shandilya. Rishi Shandilya told the woman that the boy she had taken in was actually the prince of Vidarbha. He explained that Dharmagupt’s kingdom was attacked by enemies. His father died in battle, and his mother passed away from grief. The enemies had thrown Dharmagupt out of his kingdom. The Brahmin woman was heartbroken after hearing this. Rishi Shandilya, seeing her pain, advised her to observe Pradosh Vrat, a special fast in devotion to Lord Shiva. Following the sage’s advice, the woman and both boys started worshipping Lord Shiva and observing the Pradosh Vrat. One day, while roaming in the forest, the boys saw some Gandharva (celestial) maidens. The Brahmin’s son returned home, but Dharmagupt met a Gandharva girl named Anshumati, and they started talking. They fell in love, and the girl invited Dharmagupt to meet her father. The next day, when Dharmagupt returned to meet them, the Gandharva king told him that he already knew Dharmagupt was a prince. Lord Shiva had appeared in his dream and ordered him to marry his daughter to Dharmagupt. Obeying Lord Shiva's will, the Gandharva king married his daughter Anshumati to Prince Dharmagupt. Later, with the help of the Gandharva army, Dharmagupt won back his kingdom. He made the Brahmin woman’s son the Prime Minister of his kingdom. As a result of observing Pradosh Vrat and listening to this sacred story, all three were freed from their sufferings. Message of the Story All devotees who listen to or observe the Pradosh Vrat with faith will always receive the blessings of Lord Shiva.