Vedic Drishti
  1. Home
  2. Devotion library
  3. Pradosh Vrat

Pradosh Vrat: Meaning, Procedure and Source Text

Vrat · 3 verses · original in Sanskrit

About Pradosh Vrat

Pradosh is the evening of the trayodashi (13th) tithi. According to the Pradosh-mahatmya of the Skanda Purana, those seeking its fruit should worship Mahadeva at that time, and should regularly perform worship, japa, homa, recitation of his stories and hymns of praise. (This summary is limited to the quoted verses; details such as fasting rules, materials or exact timings are not taken from this source.)

Text: Skanda Purana (Brahma Khanda, Brahmottara Khanda, ch. 6) (Puranic)

Meanings and summaries are editorial, written for this library from the cited edition.

Practical guidance

Objective

Benefits

How to do it

  1. Keep a fast (no food) on the trayodashi of both fortnights, Shukla and Krishna. Source: Skanda Purana 3 (Brahma Khanda), Brahmottara Khanda ch. 7, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 68379, Brahmottara Khanda 7.2
  2. Bathe three ghatis before sunset (one ghati is 24 minutes, so about 72 minutes before sunset). Source: Skanda Purana 3 (Brahma Khanda), Brahmottara Khanda ch. 7, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 68379, Brahmottara Khanda 7.2
  3. Wear white clothes, stay silent and disciplined, complete the evening sandhya and japa, then begin the worship of Shiva. Source: Skanda Purana 3 (Brahma Khanda), Brahmottara Khanda ch. 7, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 68379, Brahmottara Khanda 7.3
  4. In front of the deity, clean the ground with fresh water and make a fine mandala; decorate it with washed cloth, a canopy, fruits, flowers and fresh sprouts; draw a lotus in five colours; then, clean and with every item of worship ready, sit on a steady seat. Source: Skanda Purana 3 (Brahma Khanda), Brahmottara Khanda ch. 7, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 68379, Brahmottara Khanda 7.4-6
  5. The source then gives an Agamic sequence: self-purification, three pranayamas, nyasa, meditation on Shiva with Parvati at his left, then worship with fragrance and the other offerings in order. Source: Skanda Purana 3 (Brahma Khanda), Brahmottara Khanda ch. 7, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 68379, Brahmottara Khanda 7.7-25
  6. At home many people perform a simpler worship: bathing the Shiva linga with water or milk, offering bilva leaves and a lamp, and chanting "Om Namah Shivaya". This is common practice, not what the verses above state. (common practice)
  7. After worshipping at Pradosha in this way, feed brahmins and satisfy them with gifts (dakshina). Source: Skanda Purana 3 (Brahma Khanda), Brahmottara Khanda ch. 7, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 68379, Brahmottara Khanda 7.71
  8. At the end of the worship, hear or recite the Pradosha account. Source: Skanda Purana 3 (Brahma Khanda), Brahmottara Khanda ch. 7, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 68379, Brahmottara Khanda 7.162

What to keep in mind

What not to do

Sourced items paraphrase the cited verses in plain language. Items marked "common practice" are editorial notes written for this library.

Text and meaning

Skanda Purana 3.3.6.5

त्रयोदश्यां तिथौ सायं प्रदोषः परिकीर्त्तितः ।। तत्र पूज्यो महादेवो नान्यो देवः फलार्थिभिः ।। ५ ।।

trayodaśyāṃ tithau sāyaṃ pradoṣaḥ parikīrttitaḥ || tatra pūjyo mahādevo nānyo devaḥ phalārthibhiḥ || 5 ||

The evening of the trayodashi tithi is called Pradosha. At that time, those who seek its fruit should worship Mahadeva and no other deity.

Source: Skanda Purana 3 (Brahma Khanda), Brahmottara Khanda ch. 6, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 68267, Brahmottara Khanda 6.5

Skanda Purana 3.3.6.7

प्रदोषसमये देवः कैलासे रजतालये ।। करोति नृत्यं विबुधैरभिष्टुतगुणोदयः ।। ७ ।।

pradoṣasamaye devaḥ kailāse rajatālaye || karoti nṛtyaṃ vibudhairabhiṣṭutaguṇodayaḥ || 7 ||

At Pradosha time the Lord dances in his silver abode on Kailasa while the gods praise his qualities.

Source: Skanda Purana 3 (Brahma Khanda), Brahmottara Khanda ch. 6, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 68267, Brahmottara Khanda 6.7

Skanda Purana 3.3.6.8

अतः पूजा जपो होमस्तत्कथास्तद्गुणस्तवः ।। कर्त्तव्यो नियतं मर्त्यैश्चतुर्वर्गफला र्थिभिः ।। ८ ।।

ataḥ pūjā japo homastatkathāstadguṇastavaḥ || karttavyo niyataṃ martyaiścaturvargaphalā rthibhiḥ || 8 ||

Therefore people who seek the four aims of life should regularly perform his worship, japa, homa, his stories and the praise of his qualities (at this time).

Source: Skanda Purana 3 (Brahma Khanda), Brahmottara Khanda ch. 6, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 68267, Brahmottara Khanda 6.8

Frequently asked questions

What is the objective of Pradosh Vrat?
To worship Mahadeva in the evening of the trayodashi tithi (Pradosha); the source says that at that time Mahadeva alone is to be worshipped by those who seek its fruit. The source calls Shankara's worship at Pradosha a "great vow" and the best means to dharma, wealth, desire fulfilled and liberation.
How to do Pradosh Vrat?
1. Keep a fast (no food) on the trayodashi of both fortnights, Shukla and Krishna. 2. Bathe three ghatis before sunset (one ghati is 24 minutes, so about 72 minutes before sunset). 3. Wear white clothes, stay silent and disciplined, complete the evening sandhya and japa, then begin the worship of Shiva. 4. In front of the deity, clean the ground with fresh water and make a fine mandala; decorate it with washed cloth, a canopy, fruits, flowers and fresh sprouts; draw a lotus in five colours; then, clean and with every item of worship ready, sit on a steady seat. 5. The source then gives an Agamic sequence: self-purification, three pranayamas, nyasa, meditation on Shiva with Parvati at his left, then worship with fragrance and the other offerings in order. 6. At home many people perform a simpler worship: bathing the Shiva linga with water or milk, offering bilva leaves and a lamp, and chanting "Om Namah Shivaya". This is common practice, not what the verses above state. (common practice) 7. After worshipping at Pradosha in this way, feed brahmins and satisfy them with gifts (dakshina). 8. At the end of the worship, hear or recite the Pradosha account.
What are the benefits of Pradosh Vrat?
For those afflicted by sorrow, grief and fear, worshipping Parvati's lord at Pradosha is auspicious; whoever worships at Pradosha is freed from calamities. Through Shiva's worship, poverty, sorrow and a mountain-like burden of debt are cast off and the person is honoured with prosperity. The source describes this worship of Shiva as destroying all sins, removing all poverty and granting every desired boon. Whoever hears or recites this account at the end of the Pradosha worship will, the source says, not suffer poverty for hundreds of lives.
What should you keep in mind on Pradosh Vrat?
Pradosha is the evening of the trayodashi tithi, so check both the trayodashi in the Panchang and the local sunset time. Pradosh is commonly kept on the day when trayodashi is current at sunset. A Pradosh on a Monday is called Som Pradosh, and one on a Saturday is called Shani Pradosh. (common practice) The fast is commonly broken after the evening worship. (common practice) Look after your health before fasting. Anyone who is pregnant, ill, diabetic, elderly or on regular medication should keep a strict or waterless fast only on medical advice; such people commonly keep a lighter rule, such as fruit only or a single meal. (common practice)
What should you not do on Pradosh Vrat?
Do not worship another deity at Pradosha time; the source says Mahadeva alone is to be worshipped then. Do not eat on the trayodashi, and do not speak during the worship. Do not take what belongs to Shiva (temple funds or property). The source says this worship removes every other sin, but names no expiation for this one.

Sources and licence

The verses are copied character for character from the source page; the space in "फला र्थिभिः" (verse 8) is in the source.

Related