What is called Wednesday fasting?
Among the nine planets, Wednesday fasting is observed to pacify and please Lord Mercury (Budha). Mercury (Lord Budha) is considered very intelligent and rules one's intellect. Many students observe Wednesday fasting for good knowledge and wisdom. Lord Budha also bestows growth and fortune in business ventures and helps to run a peaceful familial life.
What is the significance of fasting on Wednesday?
Fasting means staying away from food as a prayer or a mark of tribute to the divine. Fasting offers observers both physical and spiritual benefits and also provides an opportunity to connect with one’s favourite deity. Fasting can purify both the internal and external impurities. This cleansing process helps improve one’s body metabolism.
Lord Budha governs the Heart chakra (Anahata Chakra), the centre of the seven chakras and the area for transcendence. By observing a Wednesday fast and praying to Lord Budha, an individual can be bestowed with the qualities of love, kindness, and forgiveness.
Which deity is worshipped during the Wednesday fasting?
Generally, fasting on Wednesday pleases planet Mercury. Since Lord Budha (Mercury) is associated with Wednesday fasting, intelligence, communication, analytical skills, wealth, career growth, and business growth, he bestows all these on the fasting observers.
People from some regions also worship Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, or Lord Krishna while observing a Wednesday fast.
What is the procedure for Wednesday fasting?
Wednesday fasting starts at dawn and continues the whole day. Some people take a single meal, while some observe complete fasting by drinking water, milk, tea, or coffee. In some families, both husband and wife observe a fast for the wellness of their family.
Individuals constantly pray, chant hymns such as Vishnu Sahasranamam, sing Bhajans, read and hear spiritual stories and offer Tulsi (basil) leaves. People offer green cloth, green gram, grapes, green vegetables, cooked rice, curd, jaggery, and sweets to Lord Budha during the Wednesday fasting. Some people feed cows, whereas some feed the poor.
When should I begin Wednesday fasting?
People generally begin Wednesday fasting on the first Wednesday of Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase) and continue for 7/11/21 consecutive Wednesdays. Chaitra, Vaishakha, and Margashirsha are the best months to start the Wednesday fasting.
When Mercury is afflicted in one’s horoscope and during Budha Mahadasha, one can observe Wednesday fasting. Consulting an astrologer can help individuals choose the correct time to start the fast.
What are the benefits of fasting on Wednesday?
There are several benefits of fasting on Wednesday, as follows:
• Wednesday fasting brings good prosperity.
• Being anxious, insecure, intense, and afraid of dying young due to the malefic effect of
Mercury can be removed with the help of observing Wednesday fasting.
• Wednesday fasting provides mental clarity and increases concentration.
• Mercury, the planet of intelligence and communication, can improve one’s communication through Wednesday fasting.
• Bestows good education and helps achieve goals.
• Wednesday fasting helps to remove blocks related to academics.
• Praying Lord Budha grants wealth, fortunes and a good family life.
What are the Mantra(s) chanted during Wednesday fasting?
Budha Beej Mantra
||Om Bum Budhaya Namah||
Meaning of the Budha Beej Mantra
“I bow to Lord Budha (Mercury), the giver of intelligence and wisdom.”
Budha Gayatri Mantra
||Om Gajadhwajaya Vidmahe
Sukha Hastaya Dhimahi
Tanno Budhah Prachodayat||
Meaning of the Budha Gayatri Mantra
“We meditate upon the one with the elephant banner, who blesses with happiness; may Budha inspire and guide our intellect.”
Wednesday fasting holds great significance in astrology and in Hindu mythology. By observing it with complete devotion and faith, people can receive Lord Budha’s blessings for wisdom, prosperity, and a peaceful life. This Budhwar Vrat can offer innumerable benefits to its followers.
