In the town of Amarpur lived a wealthy merchant whose trade extended far and wide. He was highly respected in the town, yet deeply sorrowful because he had no son. Constantly troubled by the thought of who would handle his wealth and business after his death, he began observing a fast and worshipping Lord Shiva every Monday with devotion, praying for a son.
Seeing the merchant’s unwavering devotion, Goddess Parvati once requested Lord Shiva to fulfill his desire. Lord Shiva replied that everyone must face the results of their karma. Still, due to Parvati’s persistent plea, Lord Shiva agreed and said, “I will grant him a son, but the child will only live until the age of 16.”
That night, Lord Shiva appeared in the merchant’s dream and gave him the boon of a son, also informing him of the son's short lifespan.
The merchant was happy to receive the boon, but also saddened knowing the child wouldn’t live past 16. Still, he continued his Monday fasts with full devotion. Soon after, a beautiful son was born, and the family celebrated his birth with great joy. However, only the merchant knew of his limited lifespan. The learned Brahmins named the boy Amar, meaning “immortal.”
When Amar turned 12, the merchant decided to send him to Varanasi to study. He asked his brother-in-law, Dipchand, to accompany Amar. On their journey, they reached a town where the king's daughter was getting married. The town was lavishly decorated.
However, the groom was blind in one eye, and his father feared that the king would cancel the marriage if he found out. Spotting Amar, the groom's father had an idea. He convinced Dipchand to dress up Amar as the groom and marry him to the princess in exchange for wealth. Greedy for money, Dipchand agreed.
After the marriage, while leaving, Amar couldn’t hide the truth. So, he wrote a message on the edge of the princess’s scarf, saying that she was actually married to him and that he was on his way to Varanasi to study. He also warned that the real groom was blind in one eye.
When the princess read the message, she refused to go with the blind groom. The king, upon learning the truth, kept the princess with him. Meanwhile, Amar reached Varanasi and began his studies.
When Amar turned 16, he performed a yajna (ritual) and gave food and clothes in charity to Brahmins. That night, as destined, Amar passed away in his sleep. In the morning, Dipchand found him lifeless and began wailing. Hearing the cries, locals gathered, mourning the untimely death of such a young and noble boy.
As fate would have it, Lord Shiva and Parvati were passing by and heard the lamentation. Moved by the sorrow, Parvati requested Lord Shiva to intervene. Lord Shiva reminded her of the boon – that Amar’s life span was only until 16.
But Parvati insisted, saying that Amar’s parents were devoted worshippers and would die of grief. Touched by her compassion, Lord Shiva relented and gave Amar his life back. Amar awoke, alive and well.
After completing his education, Amar and Dipchand began their journey back home. On the way, they passed through the same town where Amar’s marriage had taken place. There, he again organized a yajna. Seeing him, the king recognized Amar and took him to the palace.
The king kept Amar and Dipchand at the palace for a few days, then joyfully sent his daughter with Amar and gifted them many riches. Dipchand sent a messenger to inform the merchant of their arrival.
The merchant and his wife had locked themselves in a room, having stopped eating in grief, preparing to give up their lives if they received news of Amar’s death. But the news of his return and marriage brought them immense joy.
The merchant rushed to the town gates with his wife and friends to receive Amar. That night, Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and said, “Because of your sincere Monday fasts and deep devotion, I am granting your son a long life.”
From that day on, happiness returned to the merchant’s home.
The scriptures say that whoever observes the Monday fast with proper rituals and listens to this story with faith will have all their wishes fulfilled.
