Do’s and Don’ts of Brihaspati Puja/Vrat/Fast

Many people have malefic Jupiter in their horoscope that creates various obstacles in their life, prosperity and learning wise. Such people suffer at both personal and professional front. To appease Lord Brihaspati or Jupiter people observe fast on Thursdays. Fast observed on Thursday gives the person power to improve his health and strengthen his financial condition. Prayers are offered by people to BrihaspatiMahadev after reading Kathaa in the evening which completes the fast.

Fast on Thursday can be kept for life time. But people generally wish for 7, 11, 21, 40, 48, 51 or 108 times of fasting. On this day, people observing fast, should get up early morning. After completing morning rituals they should pray to Lord Brihaspati in the morning. One observing fast should not wash his head and men should refrain from shaving. On Thursday, it is advised to wear yellow coloured clothes and use sandalwood that is yellow coloured too. If you are fasting then food should be consumed just one time in the evening after offering prayers to Lord Brihaspati.

There are people who are not able to control hunger or because of work reasons, they can have simple food without salt twice a day. Food offered to god should also be taken by the fasting person. Chana dal skinless or yellow split skinless moong dal should be included in the food. On Thursday, people should do good deeds like they should donate food to poor people and donate money as per his/her financial condition. People on this day do a lot of charity which includes using yellow coloured things like yellow clothes, turmeric, salt, yellow pulses, rice and gold.

In the evening, one should face the east direction and read or listen to the Katha to complete the fast. While offering prayers yellow colour items, flowers of yellow colour and yellow rice should be used. One should offer some home-made sweet made of besan, turmeric or yellow coloured sweet to Lord Brihaspati. To appease Lord Brihaspati, people consider wearing yellow topaz or yellow sapphire in gold. They are one of the costliest stones and should be worn after chanting Brihaspatimantra only.

Women observe fast for prosperity of their family and seeking blessings from lord to get child. Fast should not be observed by women while she is undergoing her periods. One can continue from next Thursday. Even if someone is travelling they should not observe the fast, as offering prayer becomes difficult during travel and also many things are required for evening prayer. Fast should be kept with pious heart and one should keep chanting Lord Brihaspati mantra whole day to obtain best results. Once appeased, Lord Brihaspati offers his blessing to his/ardent followers.

Do's of Brihaspati Puja

• The person performing Brihaspati puja should wear yellow clothes while worshipping god.
• One performing the puja should only refer to the Brihaspati Puja story written in the book.
• Banana tree is also very important for the puja. Some people read 'Brihaspati Katha' near the banana tree.
• Prasad of this puja is usually made of 'chana dal' and jaggery (gudd).
• Some people prefer eating Banana on the day of fast but it is not preferred to eat banana on the day of Brihaspati puja. However, it completely depends on one's faith and belief.
• Those who keep Brihaspati fast, eat only one time a day that is in the evening.
• Married women performing the puja must not wash their hair on Thursday. However, unmarried women can wash their hair on Thursday as they perform this fast to get married soon.
• One can eat besan ka halwa in the evening.
• It is advised to avoid consuming salt in the food. If not possible then consume rock salt or 'sendha namak'.

DON'TS OF BRIHASPATI PUJA

• On Thursdays, do not use soap.
• Do not wash clothes on Thursdays.
• One performing Brihaspati Puja must not apply oil on head.
• The person following Brihaspati fast must not cut his/her nails on Thursday.
• Many people don't prefer even to swipe off the floor on this day.
• On the day of following Brihaspati puja, one must not shave.
• Consumption of onion, garlic and 'non-veg' food is strictly a 'no-no' on the day of Brihaspati puja.
• On the day of puja, don't give money to 'washer man' (dhobi).
• On this day, don't indulge in sexual intercourse.