Satya Narayan Katha: Rituals, Story and Significance

      Satya Narayan Katha is very popular worship of lord Vishnu and arranged in Hindu houses on all auspicious occasions. Its celebration on Purnima (full moonlit night), on Sankranti, Amavasya or on Ekadashi, has a special importance. After bath and purification of the body, worship of Satya Narayan (Vishnu) is done with sandalwood, incense, lit lamp and oblations. Thereafter all stars are adored. God Shiva is also worshipped. Vishnu and his different names are enchanted, throughout the day. In the evening, before the rising of the moon, the legend pertaining to the importance of this fast and ritual is narrated by the priest. Image or a picture of Satya Narayan is placed on a platform, with four pillars made from banana trunks and leaves. Fire sacrifice (Havan) and Arti are done and the legend Vishnu is narrated in front of devotees.

Satya Narayan Katha

      Once there was a merchant and his wife Leelavati. Both were devotees of Satya Narayan. Their daughter Kalavati also participated in the fast and worship. After marriage, the husband of Kalavati and her father, set sail to a foreign country for the purpose of trading. The father, before the birth of Kalavati, had taken an oath that he would perform Satya Narayan Katha, on the birth of a child. This was neglected by him, even so much that he did not arrange the Katha, even after the marriage of wealth and planned returning home. On the return journey, they encamped at a place, where a theft had been committed in the king's palace and the thieves had hidden the stolen goods. The royal guards, suspecting the father and son in law to be thieves, arrested them and were put in the prison. Their goods were confiscated. In the prison, in desolation, the father realized his mistake of neglecting the performance of Satya Narayan Katha. He repented on his mistake, sought pardon from God, he worshipped Satya Narayan (Vishnu). The king in a dream was advised to set free the two merchants, which he did and restored their confiscated property. Then the two started towards their home. Nearing their home town, while they were still in a boat, news came to the house about their arrival. At that time the recitation of Satya Narayan Katha was in progress. Kalavati, on hearing the news and without caring for the katha, went running to the seashore. When she reached the bank, there was no boat, which evidently had gone under the water. She realized her mistake, went back to her house, listened to the katha (legend) till the end, partook the offering. When all was completed. She saw to her great merriment, that her father and husband had returned home, with bags full of jewels and riches.

      The legend illustrates that if you pray and are blessed, you must fulfil your promise or oath. A religious sermon is more important than a social earthly desire.