Somvar Vrat Katha

Somvar Vrat Katha

How the fast is kept
On Monday morning, bathe, wear clean clothes, think of Shiv ji and take the vow of the fast.
Offer water or milk on the Shivling with bel leaves, flowers and sandal paste, and light a ghee lamp.
Chant “Om Namah Shivaya” and read or listen to this story with a calm mind.
In the evening, do the aarti and share the prasad. As your health allows, eat one simple meal or only fruit that day.

The story
In a certain town there lived a rich merchant, a sahukar. He had plenty of wealth, but he had no child, and this made him very sad. Every Monday he kept a fast. In the evening he went to the Shiv temple, worshipped Shiv ji and Maa Parvati, and lit a lamp of ghee.

Seeing his true devotion, Maa Parvati said to Shiv ji one day, “Swami, this merchant is your true devotee. Please fulfil his wish.” Shiv ji replied, “Parvati, in this world every being receives the fruit of its own karma. A child is not in his fate.” But Maa Parvati kept asking again and again. At last, for her sake, Shiv ji gave the merchant the boon of a son. But he also said, “This boy will live only twelve years.”

The merchant had heard this conversation. So he felt neither great joy nor sorrow. He went on keeping the Monday fast and worshipping Shiv ji as before. After some time a beautiful son was born in his home. The family celebrated, but the merchant still worried about his son’s short life.

When the boy turned eleven, the merchant called the boy’s maternal uncle, his mama. He gave him a lot of money and said, “Take him to Kashi to study. Wherever you stop on the way, hold a yagya and give food and gifts to Brahmins.” So uncle and nephew set out for Kashi, holding yagyas and giving charity along the way.

On the way they reached a town. That day the king’s daughter was to be married. But the prince she was to marry could see with only one eye. The prince’s father was afraid the wedding would be called off if this came out. When he saw the merchant’s handsome son, he thought, “Why not make this boy the groom? After the wedding I will give him money and send him off, and take the princess home with us.” He spoke to the uncle, and the uncle agreed. The boy was dressed as a groom and married to the princess.

The merchant’s son was truthful and honest. He did not like this trick. As soon as he got a chance, he wrote on the edge of the princess’s chunari: “You have been married to me. But the prince you will be sent with can see with only one eye. I am going to Kashi to study.” The princess read the words and told her parents. The king did not send his daughter with that prince, and the wedding party went back.

Meanwhile the uncle and nephew reached Kashi, and the boy studied there with care. On the day he turned twelve, a yagya was going on there too. The boy said to his uncle, “Mamaji, I do not feel well.” His uncle said, “Go inside and rest.” Just as Shiv ji had said, within a short while the boy’s life left him. Seeing his nephew like this, the uncle broke down and wept.

At that very moment Shiv ji and Maa Parvati happened to pass that way. Hearing the crying, Maa Parvati said, “Swami, I cannot bear his grief. Please take away his pain.” Shiv ji went closer, looked, and said, “This is the son of that same merchant, to whom I gave a life of twelve years. His years are complete.” With a mother’s heart, Maa Parvati pleaded again: “Prabhu, give this boy more years, or his parents too will be broken by grief.” At her request, Shiv ji gave the boy the boon of life, and he sat up.

After finishing his studies, the boy set out for home with his uncle. On the way they came to the same town where he had been married. There too they held a yagya. The king recognised the boy. He took them both to the palace with honour and kept them for a few days. Then he sent his daughter with the boy, along with much wealth and clothes.

Back home, the merchant and his wife were waiting for their son. In their worry they had even stopped eating and drinking. When they heard that their son was alive and coming home with his bride, their joy knew no bounds. They went to the town gate to welcome their son and daughter-in-law.

That night Shiv ji appeared to the merchant in a dream and said, “O good merchant, I am pleased with your Monday fasts and your listening to this katha. That is why I have given your son a long life.” Knowing that his son would live long, the merchant’s heart filled with joy.

May Shiv ji keep faith and peace in every heart.
Bolo Shiv Shankar Bhagwan ki Jai! Har Har Mahadev!