Thursday (Guruvar) Vrat Katha

In ancient times there was a very wealthy king who fasted every Thursday and gave generously to the poor. His queen disliked this practice. She neither fasted nor gave charity. One day, Brihaspati Dev came to the palace disguised as a sage. The king was at court, so the sage asked the queen for alms. The queen said she was tired of all this charity and asked for a way to destroy their wealth. Brihaspati Dev told her to plaster the house, wash her hair, wash clothes, and consume meat and liquor on Thursdays, and the wealth would vanish. The queen did exactly that. Soon all the king\'s wealth was destroyed. He became destitute. Their seven sons began to perish one by one. When the king asked the queen, she confessed everything. The king resumed observing the Thursday fast. He worshipped Brihaspati Dev with chana dal and jaggery, wore yellow clothes, and worshipped the banana tree. Brihaspati Dev was pleased and granted the king even greater wealth than before. His sons were also restored to health. Since then, the Thursday fast is observed for wealth, prosperity, and the attainment of knowledge.

Observe the fast on Thursday. Wear yellow clothes. Worship Brihaspati Dev with chana dal, jaggery, banana, and yellow flowers. Worship the banana tree. Listen to the katha and break the fast in the evening.

The Thursday fast is dedicated to Brihaspati Dev (Jupiter). It is observed for wealth, knowledge, and marital happiness.