Introduction to Satya Narayan Vrat:
Bhagwan Satyanarayan is the form of Lord Vishnu who is considered as the sustainer and protector of the World. In Hindu religion, God Satyanarayan is worshipped with devotion across the globe.
Different forms of Bhagwan Satyanarayan or incarnation of Lord Satyanarayan (Lord Vishnu) like God Krishna and God Badrinath or Badrivishal are worshipped by devotees with reverence.
In Hindu religion, the Satyanarayan Vrat Katha is considered sacrosanct and is read with devotion as per the rituals and customs.
The Satya Narayan Vrat Story
There are many stories associated with the divine power, grace and grandeur which extol the benevolent nature and prowess of Lord Satyanarayan.
The Satyanarayan Vrat Story unfolds in five chapters detailing the worship of the Lord Satyanarayan by devotees. The Satyanarayana Vrat Story is replete with various anecdotes regarding the magnanimity of the God Satyanarayan, a form of Lord Vishnu, the protector and sustainer of the World.
In a nutshell, the five chapters of the Satyanarayan Vrat Story broadly describe about the following subjects:-
(i) The First Chapter deals with the beginning of the custom of performing the Satyanarayana Pooja. It gives a fair account of the fact as to how Suta Maharshi told the Satyanarayan Vrat story to Saunaka Muni about performing 1000 year Yagya.
(ii) The Second Chapter gives an insight about the beneficial aspects of performing Satyanaryana Vrat Puja which were told by Lord Vishnu to a poor Brahmin, who overcame his tough times by performing Satyanarayan Vrat Story Poojan. Followed by the story of poor wood-cutter who got inspired by the brahmin performing pooja along with his family and he too became prosperous and wealthy.
(iii) The Third Chapter revolves around the story of the merchant who drew inspiration from king Ulkamukh to perform satyanarayan vrat katha upon being blessed with a child. He and his wife Leelawavati were later blessed with a daughter named Kalavati.
(iv) The Fourth Chapter further continues the story about the hardships faced by the merchant and his son-in-law, who were imprisoned and were subsequently released when their family members performed the Satyanarayana Pooja.
(v) The Fifth Chapter revolves around the story of a defiant king who disregarded the pooja and subsequently lost his kingdom, wealth, and family.
Fifth chapter also highlights about the devotees who religiously performed the satyanarayan vrat katha turned to be higher souls in their next birth.
In Hindu religion, listening to the Satyanarayan Vrat Story when Satyanarayan Vrat Story Pooja is being performed in accordance with Hindu rituals, customs and traditions, especially on Full Moon Day (Poornamasi) is considered auspicious and is believed to bring prosperity.
Anecdotes dealt with in 5 chapters of Satyanarayan Vrat Story:
The Satyanarayan Vrat Story deals with various anecdotes such as the visit of Narada Sage on mother earth, the merchant’s story, the story of a King and the story about a wood-cutter. The various anecdotes narrated in the Satyanarayan Vrat Story are as under:-
-The Satyanarayan Vrat story chapter narrating Narada Rishi’s visit mentions an anecdote relating to the visit of Sage Narada on mother earth. The story revolves around the relevance of performing Satya Narayan puja so as to alleviate their sufferings and hardships.
As per the story, a poor Brahmin performs the Satyanarayan Puja in accordance with the Hindu rituals, customs and traditions as advised by Narada Muni. By observing penance and performing the Satyanarayan Puja with devotion, he became prosperous, happy and content.
– Anecdote in the Satyanarayan Vrat story relating to a childless merchant who promised his wife about performing Satyanaryana Vrat Puja on being blessed with a child. The merchant was blessed with a daughter called Kalavati Kanya. The name Kalavati was christened for she grew rapidly like the different stages (Kala) of the Moon. Unfortunately, the merchant forgot to perform Satyanarayan Puja, then too.
Upon being reminded by his wife of the promise of performing Satyanaraya Puja, the merchant promised to do the same at the time of marriage of their daughter Kalavati. Unluckily, after solemnization of the marriage of their daughter, Kalavati, the merchant again didn’t perform the Satyanarayan Puja.
At this, the Lord Satyanarayan(Vishnu) became displeased with the merchant and, therefore, the merchant was subjected to undergo a trail of misfortunes of different magnitudes.
The merchant and his son-in-law were falsely implicated for committing theft and both of them were imprisoned by the King Chandraketu. Their property was also ordered to be confiscated.
The merchant’s wife, Lilavati was very much disturbed at the imprisonment or incarceration of her husband and son-in-law. She attended Satyanarayan Puja and the merchant and his son-in-law appeared in King’s dream and was instructed to order the release of both of them.
Next morning, the King discussed his dream with his Ministers and ordered their release from the prison. The King also ordered to return twice the money confiscated by the authorities.
They started their journey back home happily. They were coming back by boat. When the daughter, Kalavati came to know about their return journey, she left the prasad offered during Satyanarayan Puja and rushed to the seacoast to meet her husband and father. At this Lord Satyanarayan became angry and the boat was sunk at the shore.
Then the daughter realised her mistake, went back to her home and ate Prasad and came to the shore and found both her husband and father.
– Anecdote in the Satyanarayan Vrat story relating to an audacious King who showed utter disregard to the Satyanarayan Puja performance and didn’t accept the Prasadam offered by the locals to him.
As a result, the King lost his Kingdom and family. Realising his guilt, the King went to attend the Satyanarayan Puja and accepted the Prasad. He worshipped Satyanarayan Bhagwan with devotion. Then he got back his property and the Kingdom
-Anecdote in the Satyanarayan Vrat story relating to a poor woodcutter who performed the Sattyanarayan puja with his meager earnings and was rewarded with plenty of money, health and happiness.
The gist of the Satyanarayan Vrat Story:
The Satyanarayan Vrat story lays emphasis on regularly performing the Satya Narayan Vrat Pujan by devotees in accordance with their financial status.
The devotees need to perform Satyanarayan Vrat Puja with devotion and worship the God in accordance with the Hindu culture, traditions and customs.
Preparation involved in performing Satyanarayan Puja
The Satya Narayan Vrat Story is read according to Hindu religious rituals by first cleaning the place. Beautiful Om, Sathiya and octagonal(Ashtkon) shapes are made on the chowki (platform or the table) or on the floor with wheat flour, roli etc.
At the puja sthal, incense sticks, camphor, diya, dhoop are lit and the entire environment is made to emanate positive vibes.
Prasad offered to God Satyanarayan, a form of the Lord Vishnu
Prasad or the Bhog is offered to God Satayanarayan while performing the Puja of Satyanarayan Vrat Katha. Offering Prasad or food to the God symbolises unflinching faith and belief in God Satyanarayan who is believed to provide protection from adversities.
Offering of Prasad to Gods and Goddesses denote the eternal spiritual connect of the devotees with the deities. In Hindu religion, spirituality, yoga and meditation is a way of life.
Charanamrit with unboiled milk is prepared by adding resins(KIshmish), tulsi leaves(basil), Chironji, nicely cut Chuhara(Dried Dates) and dry fruits like Makhane, Cut almonds and sugar. During the Satyanarayan Puja, “sheera” or “shapath” is prepared with semolina (rava), ghee, sugar, milk, cardamom pods and bananas.
Kasar or Panjiri is also prepared with roasted wheat flour, and ghee. Prasad includes sweets, and fruits and offered with gratitude to Lord Satyanarayan.
Poori and sabzi of sweet pumpkin and potato is usually prepared and offered to God Satyanarayan or Vishnu Bhagwan and is later consumed by devotees.
According to the Hindu scriptures and texts, the Satyanarayan vrat Pujan can be performed on any of the auspicious days such as Purnima (Full Moon) and Ekadashi (11th day of lunar fortnight).
It is believed that performing Satyanarayan Vrat Pujan in the evening of Poornima or Purnamashi day is ideal to worship Lord Vishnu and is considered to have benefic impact.
Devotees also prefer to perform Satyanarayan vrat pujan on special occasions such as Griha pravesh(House warming), Namkaran ceremony of children(Christening of name), Next day of marriage, beginning of new ventures and birthdays etc.
Performing Satyanarayan Puja by reading all the 5 chapters or Adhyaya of Satyanarayan Vrat Story as per Hindu customs, traditions and rituals, is believed to bestow the devotees with strength and courage to cope up with difficulties and challenges with resilience and grace.
FAQs about Satya Narayan Vrat:
Q.1. When should I start Satyanarayan vrat?
Ans. Satyanaryan Vrat Pujan is usually performed on Poornamashi day in the evening and on Ekadashi day. The Satyanarayan Puja is also performed by devotees during housewarming ceremonies, birthdays, undertaking new ventures, the day following the marriage day.
Q.2. What to eat during Satyanarayan vrat?
Ans. Devotees during the fasting can have fruits (falahar). The prasad of Charnamrat prepared with milk and dry fruits, fruits like apples and bananas, Panjiri prepared with roasted wheat flour, Poori and Pumpkin sabzi and aloo sabzi offered to Lord Satyanarayan is later consumed by devotees.
Q.3. How many Katha are there in Satyanarayan Pooja?
Ans. There are five chapters in Satyanarayan Pooja in all which deal with different anecdotes extolling the grace, grandeur and magnanimity of Lord Vishnu.
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Q.4. How long does Satyanarayan Katha take?
Ans. It takes about 2 hours to perform Satyanarayan Vrat Pooja by reading the Satyanarayan Katha with Hindu rituals, customs and traditions.
