Satyanarayana Vratam
There are two versions of Satyanarayana Vratakatha. One of these versions claims to be a part of the Revakanda of Skandapurana. It’s another version occurs in the Bhavishyapurana, thritiyabhaga Dvitiyakhanda. Bhavishyapurana deals with the same stories as mentioned in revakanda. Revakanda version has five chapters. The first chapter deals with the origin of Satyanarayana Vrata and also it has instructions on the mode of conducting the Vrata and the preparation of the prasada to be offered to the lord. The other four chapters deal with the stories. There are nine stories but the normal practice is to recite five stories.
Story of a Brahmin and Woodcutter
Satananda is a poor Brahmin. He lived in the city of Kasi. Once lord Vishnu met him in the form of a Brahmin and narrated to him the Satyanarayana Vrata to be performed. The Brahmin performed the Vrata with great devotion and enjoyed abundant riches and while it was being performed it was listened to by a woodcutter (Bhilla). The woodcutter also performed the Vrata and blessed with prosperity. In Bhavishyapurana a separate chapter deals with the wood cutter’s episode as Bhillakatha, and the woodcutter who used to sell fire wood happened to go to a Haridasa, from whom he came to know about this Vrata.
Story of a King and Merchant
Once there lived a king called ‘Ulkhamukha’. He was a Satyavadin, he had no children. At last he observed Satyanarayana Vrata with his wife ‘Bhadrasila’ on the Bank of a river. In the meanwhile there came a rich merchant by name ‘Sadhu’. He asked the king why he is performing the Vrata and the king told him that he is performing the Vrata with a desire to have a son. Knowing this, merchant also decided that he would also perform the said Vrata as he had no children. After coming back to his home he vowed that he would do the Vrata when he would get a child. After some years his wife was blessed with a female child called ‘Kalavathi’. Then the merchant thought that he would do the Vrata at the time of his daughter’s marriage but he forgot to perform it. Then the Lord get angry on the merchant.
After the marriage, the merchant went out on his business with his son-in-law. On the way,
when they came to ‘Ratnapura’ the capital of King ‘Chandraketu’, they were arrested by the king’s army on the ground of their being culprits of the royal theft and their wealth was confiscated and they were imprisoned. On account of the divine curse the merchant’s wife and daughter became very poor. One day Kalavati while roaming in the city happened to come across a brahmin’s house where the vrata was being performed and there she took prasada and went home. Kalavati’s mother recollected that the Satyanarayana Vrata was not performed till then and she performed the Vrata. As soon as the Vrata was performed the lord was pleased and told the king in the dream that the merchant and his son-in-law were innocentand instructed that they should be released immediately with all their wealth. Accordingly they were freed from imprisonment. Then they went to their native place.
When the merchant and his son in law were on the way to their home the Lord thought of testing them. Assuming the form of a recluse the Lord approached the merchant and asked him as to what his ship contained. The merchant with great pride told that the ship contained leaves foliage etc, and the Lord blessed to that effect. The merchant could not understand the wonderful metamorphosis of the contents. The son-in-law advised the father- in-law to beg his pardon. He did so and the lord was pleased. The merchant regained everything and performed the Vrata, then sailed to his city.
The merchant’s wife also performed the vrata and went out to receive her husband and son-in-law. But Kalavati went out without taking the prasada. The Lord was angry and she could not find her husband and the ship in which he was. The merchant felt that such a situation was due to Lord’s miracle and he decided to do the Vrata. At that time the Lord declared aerially that, Kalavati has not taken the prasada. She must go home and take it and she would get her husband. Then she took prasada and all were happy.
Vratavidhi
“Vrata masti mahatpunyam svarge martyeca durlabham                       Tava Snehamanya Vatsa Prakash Kryate dhuna”
It is Lord Narayana’s answer to Narada’s prayer, ‘o! Narada with abiding love and affection towards you I am revealing the sacred worship not known in the heaven or earth. This is the most pious ritual that cannot be obtained by all.
In the holy forest Naimisaranya sage ‘Suta’ narrated the Vrata to Saunaka and other sages as received from Narada who in turn had received it from Lord Vishnu. The ways and means of Satyanarayana Vrata has been fully explained by Lord Vishnu. This Vrata has to be performed in the month of Magha Vaisakha or Karthika. It is desirable to perform during every month, on the day of Suryasankramana, on the full moon day, during Ekadasi or any auspicious day either in the or in the evening. This Vrata can be performed in temples, in punyakshetras, at the banks of rivers or seas, in the gardens or in one’s own house.
A Vratam signifies an art of living in conformity with the rules of conduct and self control as laid down in Sastras and Puranas. The traditional sanctity that is attached to Satyanarayana Vrata is that it is the primary duty of Vrati (those who are performing vrata) to perform it as a symbol of discipline and devotion. It is customary to clean the area with cowdung for sanctity. A well bordered cloth is spread and above the cloth rice has to be poured. Apart from flowers, betel leaves, fruits, ghee etc. a vessel (Kalasa) made of silver, or copper or brass with a well bordered cloth on the top of it has to be kept. The replica of Satyanarayana is given a sacred bath with Panchamruta. Wheat flour, sugar, mixed nicely with ghee is given as Nivedana. It is important to inviteBrahmins, relatives and friends. Prasada has to be shared with all relatives and friends in the name of Lord Satyanarayana.
Satyanarayana Vrata has taken a deep root in the hearts of devotees because of the deep religious and divine significance involved in it. At every righteous and pious occasion invariably Satyanarayana Vrata has to be performed. Satyanarayana Vrata is said to be the Vrata of Lord Narayana. The Lord Vishnu is referred to as Narayana. It is the Vrata of Satya. There is more emphasis on Satya. ‘Satyam jnanam anantam brahma’ is vedic idea. Brahma is sat or Reality or unfailing truth. Satya is victory. A person who observes this auspicious for four full years on the full moon day will be blessed with wealth, prosperity and progeny and get liberated in the end.
“Chatarvarsham Vratam Kartva Adimadhya mathah param
Udayapanam rtam Ena sampurna phaladayakam”
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