Introduction Thursday (Guruvar) is dedicated to Brihaspati (the Guru of the Gods) and Lord Vishnu. Devotees wear yellow clothes and eat yellow food (avoiding salt). This fast is observed for wisdom, education, and wealth.

The Story (Vrat Katha) There was a wealthy King who was very charitable, but his Queen disliked giving alms. She asked the King to stop wasting money.

One day, Lord Brihaspati disguised himself as a Sadhu and came to the palace. The Queen said, “I am tired of this wealth; it is a burden to manage. Please take it away.” The Sadhu warned her, but she insisted. He told her a method to destroy her wealth (cleaning the house on Thursday, washing hair on Thursday, asking the King to shave on Thursday, etc.).

The Queen followed these “reverse” instructions. Within weeks, the King lost his wealth and kingdom. They became paupers.

The King went to a neighboring land to work. The Queen was left starving. She realized her mistake. She asked her sister, who was very religious, for help. Her sister taught her the Guruvar Vrat Vidhi (worshipping the Banana tree, offering Chana Dal and Munakka).

The Queen performed the Vrat with a pure heart. Lord Brihaspati was pleased. The King suddenly found a pot of gold in the other land, and their days of poverty ended. They regained their kingdom and lived charitably ever after.