FRIDAY VRAT

1. FRIDAY VRAT
2. Note:
3. * This fast is done to remove all obstacles
   * Fast till evening and have meals only at night.
   * Food should include white coloured food like rice pudding (kheer) or milk.
4.  Story related to this vrat:
5. Once upon a time there were three friends each belonging to different castes - Kayastha, Brahmin and Vaishya. They were married, however the Vaishya had not brought her wife home after wedlock. On the suggestion of his friends, the Vaishya one day decided to go and fetch his wife from his in-laws home. The Brahmin friend cautioned him that at this time the Friday was setting, this was not an auspicious period; he better wait and fetch her at the rise of Friday. However the boy was adamant and did not pay heed to the advice of friends and relatives and set forth.
   On seeing their son-in-law, the girl's parents were surprised, they tried to reason with him that it was inauspicious to leave during that period. The Vaish boy took his wife along and set for his journey back home. On the way he met with a few mishaps - firstly the wheel of his chariot broke injuring his wife, then the dacoits waylaid him and deprived him of all the valuables and cash. Moreover a short distance away from home, a poisonous snake bit him and he became unconscious.
   The wife was deeply grieved when she was informed that her husband would live for three days only. When the Brahmin friend came to know about the state of his Vaishya friend, he realised that this was all because of his friend's insistence to fetch his wife back during the inauspicious period. He sent the couple back to the in-laws house. No sooner had the couple reached the house the boy came back to his senses. Having realised their mistake, when the period was the rise of Friday, the couple were sent back home. Thereafter they enjoyed a happy and prosperous life.
6. There was once a Brahmin couple who used to remain depressed all the time for they had no children. They longed for a child and therefore worshipped Lord Hanuman and his wife kept a vrat on Tuesdays.
   Once the Brahmin went to the forests to worship Lord Hanuman leaving his wife behind. Once it so happened that for some reason she could not worship Lord Hanuman and therefore decided not to have meals. She fasted for 6 days following which she collapsed. The Lord , appreciating the sincerity in her devotion , presented himself before her and blessed her with a son.
   When the Brahmin returned, he saw a sweet boy playing in the courtyard. His wife narrated to him the entire story. The Brahmin thought otherwise and could not believe her words. He felt that his wife was one of a bad character and had given birth to an illegitimate son. One day the Brahmin went to the well to fetch water and took the boy along with him. He then pushed the boy into the well and returned home. When his wife inquired about the boy he kept mum. Suddenly the boy appeared at the door and the Brahmin was astonished to see him.
   That very night , Lord Hanuman came in his dreams and set aside all his doubts. The Brahmin felt very guilty and apologised. Thereafter both made it a routine to observe fast on Tuesday.
   It is believed that those who worship Lord Hanuman, narrate this story to others and observe fast on Tuesdays - Lord Hanuman will destroy all the evils and help them to lead a happy life.
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