The planet Mercury rules the Wedness day. It is also observed as the day of Lord Shiva. The devotees who observe fasting on Wedness day or Budhbar generally take their meals once in the afternoon. It is believed that it brings happiness to the life and deepens love between husband and wife. The devotees listen to the story before breaking the fast.

Once there was a newly wed bridegroom who went to his father-in-laws house to take his wife with him. He received a great welcome there and was provided with best food and bedding. His wife`s friends and brothers and sisters had fun with him. He enjoyed the hospitality very much and forgot about the outside world.

The groom spent Monday and Tuesday as pastimes. Wedness day morning he remembered that he had an urgent work and must return home. He asked his inlaws to arrange for their journey immediately. The mother in law said that it was not favorable day for the girls to go to their in-laws` house. She requested him to wait for one more day. But the son-in-law insisted. Then the mother-in-law replied that the groom came there on Sunday and had overstayed for two days instead of one day. They could not ask him to go on Tuesday, now he must decide to go on Thursday.

But the son-in-law was adamant. He thought Wedness day was good for businessmen and Mercury could do no harm on him. He repeatedly insisted for leaving the same day. The in-laws had to agree finally and they sent their daughter at that inauspicious moment.

The couple started their journey in a chariot. Soon they reached near a township. The girl felt thirsty and asked her husband to arrange some drinking water for her. The husband agreed and went towards the township. After a while another person came to the woman in the guise of her husband. She could not recognize him and thought him to be her husband and had a good chat with him.

When the real husband returned he found his wife chatting and joking with another man. The wife was also baffled to see the men looking the same. The males started quarrelling between them and claimed the lady as their wives. Soon a constable came into the scene and asked the lady who was her real husband. The lady was confused, as the two men resembled each other very closely.

The real husband remembered his mother in laws` words and felt sorry. The constable took the two men to the king. The king asked his minister to solve this problem. The minister asked the guards to lock them in separate cells and arrange for a strict night watch. He said that he would give his judgment on the next day.

The two men were imprisoned separately. Mercury in the guise of the husband slept peacefully. But the real husband was repentant. He said loudly that he was suffering for disobeying his in-laws and asked god to forgive him for what he has done. The next morning the guards described the behavior of the prisoner to the minister. The minister understood that the man who was restless at night was the real husband. He ordered to set him free and he was happy to be together with his wife again.

Then the minister ordered to bring the other young man. The guards went to his cell and found it empty though it was locked from outside. They reported the matter to the minister. The minister was astonished to know it. He went to the senior minister and related him the whole story. The senior minister assured him that this was not the fault of the guards. He smiled and said that it was the Mercury who ruled on Wedness day. The young man challenged Mercury`s authority. So he felt offended and appeared in the guise of the husband to teach him a good lesson. He disappeared along with the arrival of Thursday in the time of sunrise.

The king was happy with the minister`s ability to judge. The couple reached home and related the story to the friends, neighbors and relatives.