Brihaspati (Guruvar) Vrat Katha : How to and Story
Fast on Brihaspati Vaar (Thursday) is devoted to Brihaspati Dev - the planet Jupiter. It promotes greater learning and prosperity. Prayers must be offered to Brihaspateshwar Mahaadev, followed by reading or hearing the Katha. One must preferably wear yellow clothes and use yellow sandalwood. Food must be eaten only once. One must include yellow pulses in the meal - yellow split Moong Daal without skin, or yellow Chanaa Daal without skin.
According to Mahabharat Aadiparv, Lord Brihaspati is the son of Maharishi Angira and is the priest of Devas. Lord Brihaspati was a great devotee of Lord Shankar. He went to the Prabhas Tirth and prayed to Lord Shankar very deeply. Lord Shankar, pleased by Brihaspati's devotion, blessed him and gave the position of the 'Priest of Devas' and also included Him in the family of Devas.
According to Rigved, Lord Brihaspati was very handsome. Lord Brihaspati, when pleased by his devotees, blessed them with wealth, saved them from difficulties and exhorts them to live on right path. Lord Brihaspati travels on a Golden Rath driven by eight speedy yellow coloured horses. According to Rigved the weapon of Lord Brihaspati is a stick (Dand) made up of Gold. Lord Brihaspati had three wives, Shubha, Tara and Mamta. From Shubha, he had seven daughters and from Tara, seven sons and one daughter. The wife Mamta, bore him two sons - Bharadwaj and Kach. Brihaspati is the Lord of Dhanu and Meen rashi.
In the solar system, Guru, Brihaspathi or Jupiter as his popularly known occupies the second largest position after the Sun. Jupiter is revered as celestial preceptor of the Gods. Worship of Bhraspati or Guru (Jupiter) Devata results in a cure from ailments affecting the stomach and helps one to ward off his/her sins, helps him/her in gaining strength, valor, longevity etc. He grants the boon of father-hood to the childless, good education. Thursdays are considered to be the best day for the worship of Jupiter.
Download and read the katha (story) which is recited by the devotee, who is fasting and praying to Bhraspati Dev on Thursdays.