Guruvara Vrata (गुरुवार व्रत), the Brihaspativara Vrata, is the Thursday vrata of Brihaspati, the guru of the devas, for removing the ill effects of Guru when he is placed badly. The Vratraj gives it, as its editor added it, from the Jayasimha Kalpadruma: it is begun on a Thursday with Anuradha nakshatra and kept for seven naktas.
How to keep the vrata
Place a gold image of Brihaspati in a gold vessel with two yellow cloths and a yellow sacred thread, with sandals, shoes, an umbrella and a kamandalu.
Worship with yellow flowers, kumkuma, incense, a lamp, fruit, sandal and rice, and offer sweets of khanda sugar, praying: धर्मशास्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञ ज्ञानविज्ञानपारग।
Offer homa with ghee and sesame, 108 or 28 samidhs of pippala dipped in honey, ghee and curd.
The 25-name stotra of Brihaspati, recited at dawn, pleases even an adverse Guru.
When to eat
Nakta: one meal at night, on each of the seven days. The meal is taken in Pradosha; each day's Pradosha time is shown with the dates above.
"Knower of the truth of the Dharmashastras, master of knowledge and wisdom, remover of the gods' distress, beyond thought: O teacher of the gods, salutations to you."
Prayer of the Brihaspati Vrata (Vratraj)
विषमस्थे गुरौ कार्या जीवशान्तिरियं नृभिः।
viṣamasthe gurau kāryā jīvaśāntir iyaṃ nṛbhiḥ.
"When Guru is badly placed, people should do this pacification of Jiva (Brihaspati)."
Jayasimha Kalpadruma, Brihaspati Vrata (Vratraj)
बृहस्पते अति यदर्यो अर्हाद्द्युमद्विभाति क्रतुमज्जनेषु।
bṛhaspate ati yad aryo arhād dyumad vibhāti kratumaj janeṣu.
"O Brihaspati, (give us) that which shines brightest among men, worthy of the noble, full of wisdom."
Rig Veda 2.23.15; the Vedic mantra of Guru in this vrata
Tradition & Practice
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Jayasimha Kalpadruma
Added to the Vratraj by its editor from the Kalpadruma; to be kept when Guru is badly placed.
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Anuradha Thursday
It is begun on a Thursday that has Anuradha nakshatra.
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Seven naktas
Kept for seven days with one meal at night.
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Fruit
Lakshmi, contentment, strength and radiance; sins destroyed and the ill effects of Guru removed.