Hindu week days 4.

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4. Wednesday

 

The devotees who keep the fast on Wednesdays take their meals once a

day, generally in the afternoon. The use of green articles is preferred.

The fast is observed in the name of Lord Shiva. It is believed that it

promotes happiness in life and deepens love between husband and wife.

The devotees listen to this story before breaking the fast. Wednesday is

also connected with Planet Mercury.

 

Once there was a newly-wed. On a Sunday, he went to his

father-in-law's house to take his wife with him. It was the first

time after marriage. He was welcomed by the in-laws and was provided

with best food and bedding. His wife's friends cut jokes with him.

He enjoyed their jokes and conversation. He forgot the outside world as

he enjoyed the hospitality offered to him by his wife's younger

brothers and sisters.

 

Monday and Tuesday were spent in other pastimes. It was now Wednesday.

He told his mother-in-law, " I have an urgent piece of work today.

Please send your daughter with me immediately " . The mother-in-law

said " Today is Wednesday. Mercury is not favorable to girls on

Wednesday. It is considered inauspicious sending daughters to their

in-law's house. I shall not send my daughter today " .

 

" I do not care for the Mercury. He cannot harm me. Wednesday is very

favorable for the businessmen like me. I have also very urgent piece of

work at home " , said the son-in-law. The mother-in-law said " You

came here on Sunday. Monday was your hospitality day. The guest should

enjoy only one day's hospitality. You have over-stayed. This is not

our fault. How could we ask you to go away on Tuesday? It was for you to

decide. Now, please go tomorrow for heavens sake " .

 

The son-in-law was adamant. He insisted on leaving the same day. The

in-laws studied his mood and agreed to send their daughter with him.

They arranged a chariot for the couple. Soon, the couple reached near a

township. The girl was thirsty. She said to her husband, " I am very

thirsty. Please arrange some cold water for me " . The husband agreed

and went towards the township. Another Youngman resembling her husband

brought water for her. She could not distinguish between the two. She

took him for her husband and had a good chat with him.

 

In the meanwhile, her real husband appeared on the scene. He was

surprised to see his wife chatting and cutting jokes with someone else.

He was annoyed at her conduct. The wife also felt bemused when she saw

the like of her husband standing with a water pot in his hand. Both the

males quarreled among themselves and claimed the lady as their wife.

Incidentally a constable came there and wanted to know what the matter

was. He asked the lady, " Who is your real husband? "

 

The lady said, " I am in a fix myself. They resemble each other so

much " . The real husband felt sorry. He remembered his

mother-in-law's words. The constable took them to the king and told

the whole story. The king asked his minister to administer justice. The

minister said to the constable, " It is late evening. Lock them up in

separate cells. Arrange strict night watch. I will give my judgment

tomorrow " .

 

All the three were locked up in separate cells. It was dead of night.

Mercury had a Sound sleep. The real husband was very restless. He was

repentant. He uttered loudly, I am suffering for my pride and

disobedience to my in-laws. Oh God, forgive me this time. The guards

were marking all these uttering. The next morning the minister sent for

the guards. The guards narrated the behavior of one of the young men.

 

The minister said, " The man who had a restless night is the real

husband. His wife should be restored to him. He should be freed. Produce

the second person in my court " . The guards went to the prison cell.

They set free the real husband and his wife. They were happy to be

together again. The guards went to the other Youngman. His cell was

empty though locked from outside. They reported the matter to the

minister. He was astonished to know that the cell was empty though

locked from outside. He went to the senior minister and related the

whole story.

 

The senior minister smiled and said, " The missing prisoner is

Mercury. Mercury rules on Wednesdays. This man challenged Mercury's

authority. He felt offended and disguised himself as her husband to

teach him a lesson. Today is Thursday. Jupiter rules on Thursdays.

Mercury disappeared exactly at sunrise. Don't be afraid. The guards

are not at fault " .

 

The king was happy over his minister's judgment. The husband and

wife reached home and related the whole story to their near and dear

ones.