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Satyanarayan Vrat Katha 2023 Meaning, Benefits, And Purpose You Must Know
Ritual devotion of Lord Sathyanarayana is a special procedure of Thanksgiving to the Hindu trinity god. This worship is done on the Poornima or the moon day of each month, either on any special ceremony or whether you have achieved something or fulfilled your wish.
According to the Hindu calendar, the month of Kartik, Baisakh, Shravan, and Chaitra are the ideal months for this ritual worship.
People belonging to the Hindu culture chant the name of Shri Satyanarayana, who is a descendant of Lord Vishnu, and worship by hearing Satyanarayana’s Moral story with an intent to fulfill their special desires in their life. Moreover, you will learn about the main purpose and benefits of the Sathyanarayana Vrat.
But before we jump deeper into it, let’s understand the meaning of the Sathyanarayana Vrat and What are the dates for Satyanarayan worshiping.
Meaning Of Satyanarayan Vrat
Satyanarayana is a Sanskrit word in which Satya means Truth, and Narayan is the name of Lord Vishnu, a man who stays or floats on water. Again, the word Narayan is made of “Nar,” which means Male person, and “Ayan” means to belong to water or Float on water. Therefore, Lord Krishna, a descendant of Lord Vishnu, is often called Narayan, which means one who abides in everything and everybody.
Satyanarayan Vrat is a kind of Vrat done by Hindu communities in the devotion of Lord Narayan to fulfill their desires or attain a peaceful and prosperous life. It’sIt’s a way to get closer or connected with the Lord Vishnu or Narayan. This Vrat has a special significance in the Hindu community, which is done on several occasions like birthdays, marriages, Grih Pravesh, or any important events. Most people also have this Vrat when they suffer from severe diseases or face financial issues.
Purpose Of Satyanarayan Vrat
Satyanarayan Vrat Katha is very popular among Hindu devotees and is performed in almost every Hindu household with great devotion. It’s one of the virtuous examples of sincerity, devotion, and good faith. For this, only your intention must be true and pure to get the blessings of Lord Satyanarayan that will fulfill your purpose if you do it with complete rituality on the day of Ekadashi or Purnima.
However, you can do it on any day with the help of your purohit (Brahmin man) to fulfill any purpose, which includes :
● Opening a new startup.
● You are doing a Grih Pravesh.
● If you have got any special blessings like getting selected for the job, marriage, or completing any complicated and paused work.
● Want to overcome the financial crisis.
● You want a good, prosperous, and healthy life.
● Property disputes.
● Family problems.
● It brings mental peace and relieves devotees of their anxiety and worries.
● It removes negativity and obstacles.
● It also brings happiness to your life.
● Provides Moksha in the afterlife.
Benefits Of Satyanarayan Vrat
Satyanarayana Vrat Katha has a very special significance in Hindu culture. People worship lord Satyanarayan to lead a fruitful life. It is believed in Hindu mythology that people who listen to Satyanarayan Katha never get disappointed in their life.
There are many benefits of worshiping Lord Satyanarayana. Some of them are listed below :
– People who listen to the moral story of lord Satyanarayan have relaxed thoughts and attain mental peace by removing all the stress in their life. So people never wander from their path and always head toward their goal and positivity.
– It is believed that all the problems and obstacles from your life are removed from the worshiper so that they can aspire to be glorious and successful.
– The almighty lord Vishnu creates a protective shield around his devotee body, protecting them from their enemies and all evil.
-Most people do Satyanarayan worship to take blessings if going to start something new, either purchasing a new home or starting a new business.-Many people pray to lord Satyanarayan asking to provide a son, wealth, or prosperity. When they achieve their Boon, they start listening to Satyanarayan Katha every month on the Purnima.
What Are The Ingredients Used In Satyanarayan Vrat Katha
* A picture or statue of Lord Satyanarayana
* A small tool or Table on which you will establish the statue.
* Cow dung
* A small pot full of water and small stem and leaves of the mango tree to make a Kalasha.
* Akshat, a small amount of rice mixed with turmeric powder.
* Offering materials like fruits, flowers, Panchamrit (mix of milk, tulsi leaves, sugar, etc.)
* Piece of clothes as an offering
* Aarti material such as camphor, incense stick, matchbox, etc.
* Nuts and Betel leaves
* Some coins for offerings
* Rava Kesari
* Dry Fruits
* Yogurt- 1 can
* Honey- 1 bottle
* Ghee- 1 small bottle
* Dates- 1 packet
* Sugar- 1 packet
* Deepam
What Is The Worship Method Of Satyanarayan Vrat Katha?
Any worship in mythology starts with the prayer of Lord Ganesha by chanting Ganesha aarti and offering flowers and fruits etc., after burning deep and incense sticks. You can add Ganesha’sGanesha’s Favorite sweet Modak (Laddu) in your offerings after showering the petals and sepals of flowers.
Once lord Ganesha’sGanesha’s prayer is completed, the purohits start chanting mantras in recall of the nine planets, including the Sun and the Moon, Rahu, Ketu, and the god of the snake.
As the Navagraha prayer is completed, then Satyanarayana Vrat Katha starts after showering flowers, coins, and offerings near the statue of the god and showing incense sticks, and spraying water droplets with the mango leaves.
The purohit starts telling the moral story of the Lord Shri Satyanarayana, people around the purohit concentrate on listening to the particular story by joining their hands together. Once the story ends, the procedure Aarti starts followed by the distribution of the offering, and the Vrat is completed.
What Are The Benefits Of Satyanaryan Vrat Katha?
It is believed that Worshiping Lord Satyanarayan can absolve all sins deed in the previous days of our lives. Then the people’s lives change into virtuous and enlightened beings faithful to the Lord and righteousness.
Having the ultimate belief and great devotion to Satyanarayan brings you closer to the god and enhances the possibility to achieve Moksha in the after life.
Satyanarayan Vrat
The Meaning:
- Satya means” truth” and Narayan means the Lord Vishnu the Protector and Provider, in other words, the highest being, who is the embodiment of truth.
- Vrat means to worship the Lord by observing fast and seek his blessings before doing any good deed. Auspicious results of this fast have made it special.
- Apart from Lord Satyanarayana, Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Krishna, and Ganesha are also worshipped during this fast. Therefore, one also gets the auspicious blessing of all these deities.
The Purpose:
This Vrat has originated from the scriptures of Skanda Purana and formed a part of the Hindu religion. The purpose of the Satya Narayan fast is to appease the almighty Lord Vishnu, to provide one solace from sufferings and to fulfill one’s desires for prosperity and happiness in life.
The Satyanarayan Vrat puja is done to seek blessings from the Lord of health, wealth, prosperity and education. It is also done for relief from troubles and sickness, for success in career and business. Further, this Puja is performed during auspicious occasions such as marriage, house warming ceremony, naming of children, etc.
The Story:
The basic lessons have 170 shlokas in Sanskrit which is divided into five lessons. In each of these, there are short stories through which have moral. Predominantly the stories conclude that those who don’t believe in truthfulness suffer in many ways.
We should obey the universal laws with utmost grit and commitment. Whatever is written in the scriptures should be followed and human beings should practice truthfulness. Those who don’t follow and are disgraceful towards Lord ultimately suffer setbacks on every front.
Chapter one:
The Satyanarayana Katha comes from Skanda Purana, Reva Khand. For the benefit of humanity, this Puja was being performed by Rishis. Suta Maharishi is narrating this story to Sanuka Muni in Naimisharanya. This Puja ritual itself was narrated to Rishi Narada by the Lord Himself.
Chapter Two:
This chapter tells us about the benefit of this Puja. A poor Brahman performed this Puja on the advice of the Lord himself, who had come to visit poor Brahman in disguise. Once the poor Brahman performed the puja with full devotion, he started leading a blissful life. A woodcutter who noticed the Brahman doing the Puja and leading a prosperous life. He also followed the Brahman’s footsteps, performed the Puja and gained prosperity.
Chapter Three:
This chapter narrates about the mishaps that one encounters when one vows to do the Puja but forgets later on. The chapter talks about a merchant who took a vow to do Puja on childbirth but later postponed it till the marriage of his child. On forgetting the vow the Lord decided to teach the merchant a lesson. The merchant’s business gets confiscated by the King and he goes bankrupt. When tragedy strikes the merchant’s wife that they are suffering because they had not fulfilled their vow to perform Satyanarayan Puja on childbirth. The couple then complete puja and life get back on track.
Chapter Four:
This chapter tells us about the blessings of the Lord and the importance of Prasad. When the merchant’s wife goes on to perform Puja, the merchant sits through the Puja but refuses the Prasad in haste. This is equivalent to disrespecting the Lord. Consequently, the merchant loses all his merchandise, thereby bearing the complete loss. Eventually, the merchant realizes his folly and seeks forgiveness from the Lord.
Chapter Five:
This chapter focuses on the importance of the Puja. A group was performing Puja, the King shows no respect for the Puja and discards the offerings thereby invoking the wrath of Sri Satyanarayana. As a result, loses his kingdom, then he realizes his folly and seeks forgiveness from the Lord. The King performs the Puja with all the offerings and his kingdom gets restored.
Procedure for Puja:
Invite friends and relatives and abstain from worldly pleasures. Remember Sri Satyanarayana every moment. Prepare yourself for the Puja mentally. Take a bath early in the morning, wear a clean dress. This Puja should be performed by both by the husband and the wife. Decorate your front door with mango leaves and clean the place where Puja is to be performed. Both should observe fast on that day.
The Altar should be placed in an east-west direction. A new white cloth should be spread on the altar. Devotees should sit with their face towards the east. A Kalash is placed in the middle of the altar (Kalash Sthapna). A picture of Lord Satyanarayana is placed on the altar at height and is decorated with flowers and garlands.
First of all, Lord Ganesha is worshipped, then Lord Rama and Sita, Radha and Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma are worshipped.
Materials Required for Satyanarayan Vrat
Branches of banana tree, Kalasha, Panchratna,coins,Dry dates, rice, camphor, Dhoop,or incense sticks, wreath of flowers, Shrifala, Ritufala, clothes, Naivedya, Kalava, mango leaves, rose flowers,Haldi, Kumkum Deep, Tulsi leaves, Paan, Panchamrit(milk, curd, Ghee, Honey, Sugar),a ghee lamp, Kesar, Bandhanwar, Chowki(small wooden bed), picture of Lord Satya Narayana.
Prasad for Puja:
Prasad can be anything from rice and Dal to Puri and Bhaji. The main Prasad is generally Panjiri or Sheera. The main Prasad can be offered with fruits or any other food item. Along with that Panchamrit made of milk, Ghee, yogurt, honey, and sugar should be offered.
Benefits:
Benefits of performing Satyanarayana Puja are many as it bestows peace and harmony in one’s family, protects one from the evil eye of the enemy and negative energy. It helps to overcome the hurdles they come across in life and helps fulfill their desires of a happy life.
It will bring stability in personal and professional life. The person observing the fast resolves to worship Lord Satyanarayana with full faith and seeks fulfillment of his/her wishes. Satyanarayana Puja is generally performed on Purnima generally but it can be performed on any day.
After that, read or listen to the saga of Lord Satyanarayana. Perform the Aarti of all deities after worship, take Panchamrit and distribute the sweets. Offer Dakshina and clothes to the Purohit. After giving food to the Purohit, take his blessings.
Lord Satyanarayana Names
Lord SatyaNarayana is another form of Lord Vishnu who is commonly worshipped by Hindus, usually on a full moon day of the month. A Narayan form of Lord Vishnu is considered an embodiment of truth.
In the puja called Satyanarayana Pooja, people worship by reciting the gracious story of Lord Satyanarayana. Many people carry out this puja immediately after or along with an auspicious occasion or any success in life.
Sri Satyanarayana puja is a very popular ritual in many parts of India including Gujarat, Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. In Maharashtra, Satyanarayan Puja is not done on Ekadashi or Chaturthi.
108 Names Of Lord Satyanarayana
1 Om Satyadevaya Namaha
2 Om Satyatmane Namaha
3 Om Satyabhuutaya Namaha
4 Om Satyapurushhaya Namaha
5 Om Satyanathaya Namaha
6 Om Satyasakshine Namaha
7 Om Satyayogaya Namaha
8 Om Satyagyanaya Namaha
9 Om Satyagyanapriyaya Namaha
10 Om Satyanidhaye Namaha
11 Om Satyasambhavaya Namaha
12 Om Satyaprabhuve Namaha
13 Om Satyeshvaraya Namaha
14 Om Satyakarmane Namaha
15 Om Satyapavitraya Namaha
16 Om Satyamangalaya Namaha
17 Om Satyagarbhaya Namaha
18 Om Satyaprajapataye Namaha
19 Om Satyavikramaya Namaha
20 Om Satyasiddhaya Namaha
21 Om Satyachyutaya Namaha
22 Om Satyaviraya Namaha
23 Om Satyabodhaya Namaha
24 Om Satyadharmaya Namaha
25 Om Satyagrajaya Namaha
26 Om Satyasantushhtaya Namaha
27 Om Satyavarahaya Namaha
28 Om Satyaparayanaya Namaha
29 Om Satyapurnaya Namaha
30 Om Satyaushadhaya Namaha
31 Om Satyashashvataya Namaha
32 Om Satyapravardhanaya Namaha
33 Om Satyavibhave Namaha
34 Om Satyajyeshthaya Namaha
35 Om Satyashreshthaya Namaha
36 Om Satyavikramine Namaha
37 Om Satyadhanvine Namaha
38 Om Satyamedhaya Namaha
39 Om Satyadhishaya Namaha
40 Om Satyakratave Namaha
41 Om Satyakalaya Namaha
42 Om Satyavatsalaya Namaha
43 Om Satyavasave Namaha
44 Om Satyameghaya Namaha
45 Om Satyarudraya Namaha
46 Om Satyabrahmane Namaha
47 Om Satyamritaya Namaha
48 Om Satyavedangaya Namaha
49 Om Satyachaturatmane Namaha
50 Om Satyabhoktre Namaha
51 Om Satyashuchaye Namaha
52 Om Satyarjitaya Namaha
53 Om Satyendraya Namaha
54 Om Satyasangaraya Namaha
55 Om Satyasvargaya Namaha
56 Om Satyaniyamaya Namaha
57 Om Satyamedhaya Namaha
58 Om Satyavedyaya Namaha
59 Om Satyapiyuushaya Namaha
60 Om Satyamayaya Namaha
61 Om Satyamohaya Namaha
62 Om Satyasuranandaya Namaha
63 Om Satyasagaraya Namaha
64 Om Satyatapase Namaha
65 Om Satyasinhaya Namaha
66 Om Satyamrigaya Namaha
67 Om Satyalokapalakaya Namaha
68 Om Satyasthitaya Namaha
69 Om Satyadikpalakaya Namaha
70 Om Satyadhanurdharaya Namaha
71 Om Satyambujaya Namaha
72 Om Satyavakyaya Namaha
73 Om Satyagurave Namaha
74 Om Satyanyayaya Namaha
75 Om Satyasakshine Namaha
76 Om Satyasanvritaya Namaha
77 Om Satyasampradaya Namaha
78 Om Satyavahnaye Namaha
79 Om Satyavayuve Namaha
80 Om Satyashikharaya Namaha
81 Om Satyanandaya Namaha
82 Om Satyadhirajaya Namaha
83 Om Satyashripadaya Namaha
84 Om Satyaguhyaya Namaha
85 Om Satyodaraya Namaha
86 Om Satyahridayaya Namaha
87 Om Satyakamalaya Namaha
88 Om Satyanalaya Namaha
89 Om Satyahastaya Namaha
90 Om Satyabahave Namaha
91 Om Satyamukhaya Namaha
92 Om Satyajihvaya Namaha
93 Om Satyadaunshtraya Namaha
94TR Om Satyanashikaya Namaha
95 Om Satyashrotraya Namaha
96 Om Satyachakase Namaha
97 Om Satyashirase Namaha
98 Om Satyamukutaya Namaha
99 Om Satyambaraya Namaha
100 Om Satyabharanaya Namaha
101 Om Satyayudhaya Namaha
102 Om Satyashrivallabhaya Namaha
103 Om Satyaguptaya Namaha
104 Om Satyapushkaraya Namaha
105 Om Satyadhridaya Namaha
106 Om Satyabhamavatarakaya Namaha
107 Om Satyagriharupine Namaha
108 Om Satyapraharanayudhaya Namaha
Shri Satyanarayan Swami Puja Aarti
- Om Jai Lakshmi Ramana, Swami Jai Lashmi Ramana |
Satyanarayan Swami, Satyanarayan Swami, Jan Patak Harana ||
Jai Lakshmi Ramana - Ratan Ja Rat Singhasan, Adhbut Chabee Rajey, Swami Adhbut Chabee Rajey |
Narad Kahat Niranjan, Narad Kahat Niranjan, Ghanta dhun bhajey ||
Jai Lakshmi Ramana - Pragat Bhaye Kali Karn, Dwij Ko Daras Diya Swami Dwij Ko Daras Diya |
Budha Brahman Bankey, Budha Brahman Bankey, Kanchan Mahal Kiya ||
Jai Lakshmi Ramana - Durbal Bhil Kathier, Jan Par Kripa Karey Swami Jan Par Kripa Karey |
Chandra Choor Ik Raja, Chandra Choor Ik Raja, Jinaki Vipat Hare ||
Jai Lakshmi Ramana - Vaishya Manorath Payo, Shradha Uj Dini Swami Shradha Uj Dini |
So Fal Bhogyo Prabhuji, So Fal Bhogyo Prabhuji, Fer Ustati Kini ||
Jai Lakshmi Ramana - Bhav Bhakti Ke Karan, Chhin Chhin Roop Dharya Swami Chhin Chhin Roop Dharya |
Sharda Dharan Kini, Sharda Dharan Kini, Tin Ka Karj Sarya ||
Jai Lakshmi Ramana - Gwal Bal Sang Raja, Ban Mein Bhagti Karey Swami Ban Mein Bhagti Karey |
Man Vanchit Fal Dino, Man Vanchit Fal Dino, Deen Dayal Harey ||
Jai Lakshmi Ramana - Charhat Prasad Sawayo, Kadali Fal Mewa Swami Kadali Fal Mewa |
Doop Deep Tulsi Se, Doop Deep Tulsi Se, Raje Sat Deva||
Jai Lakshmi Ramana - Shri Satya Narayan Ji Ki Aarti jo koi gaavey Swami jo koi gaavey |
Kahat Shivanand Swami, Kahat Shivanand Swami Man Vanchhit Fal Pave ||
Jai Lakshmi Ramana - Om Jai Lakshmi Ramana, Swami Jai Lashmi Ramana |
Satyanarayan Swami, Satyanarayan Swami, Jan Patak Harana ||
Jai Lakshmi Ramana
Shri Satyanarayan Swami Slokas
- Sashankha chakram, sakireet kundalam, Sapeeta vastram sarasiru hekshanam,
Sahaara vaksthala kaustubha sriyam, namaami vishnum shirasa chaturbhujam. - Acyutam Keshavam Rama-Narayanam, Krishna-Damodaram, Vasudevam Harim,
Shridharam Madhavam Gopikavallabham, Janakinayakam Ramachandram bhaje. - Shantakaram bhujagashayanam, padmanabham suresham,
vishvadharam gaganasadrisham, meghavarnam shubhangam, Lakshmikantam kamalanayanam,
yogibhir dhyanagamyam, vande Vishnum bhavabhayaharam, sarvalokaikanatham. - Mangalam Bhagavan Vishnu, mangalam Garuraddhvajah;
mangalam Pundarikaksho, mangalayatano Harih.
Satyanarayana Fast is celebrated on the day of Purnima every month. However, at times this fast is also celebrated on Chaturthi Tithi. Chandra Udaya and Pradosh Vyapini Purnima should be used for fasts. Donations, charities and baths in holy rivers are considered to be very important on this day. Lord Satyanarayana or Vishnu is worshipped on this day. A fast should be kept for the whole day. In the evening, Lord Vishnu should be worshipped and Satyanarayana Katha should be organized. Food can be consumed once you have worshipped Lord Vishnu.
Lord Satyanarayana is another form of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu incarnated as Lord Satyanarayana to shatter Lord Indra’s pride. Lord Satyanarayana offered austerities in Badrinath to enlighten himself with the truth (Satya). Thus, he came to be known as Lord Satyanarayana. This has been clearly explained in Skanda Purana. A person worshipping Lord Satyanarayana should keep a fast for the whole day.
Lord Satyanarayana’s idol should be placed at the place of worship. First of all, you should worship Lord Ganesha. After this, Lord Krishna and Lord Satyanarayana should be worshipped. After worshipping Lord Satyanarayana, Goddess Laxmi should be worshipped, followed by Lord Mahadev and Lord Brahma. Aarti of all Devas should be performed. Charnamrit and Prasad should be offered among devotees. Donations should be offered to Brahmanas. Clothes and food should be offered. After this, you can consume food.
Shri Satyanarayan Puja is performed to seek blessing of God Narayan which is one of the forms of Lord Vishnu. The Lord in this form is considered an embodiment of truth. Although there is no fixed day to perform Satyanarayan Puja but doing it during Purnima or Pournami is considered highly auspicious.
Devotees should observe the fast on Puja day. The Puja can be done in the morning as well as in the evening. However performing Satyanarayan Puja in the evening is considered more appropriate as devotees can break the fast with Prasadam in the evening.
Puja rituals consist of worshipping Lord Satyanarayan which is an extremely benevolent form of Lord Vishnu. Panchamritam (a mixture of milk, honey, ghee/butter, yogurt and sugar) is used to clean the deity, usually Saligram, which is divine stone of Maha Vishnu. Panjiri, which is sweet roasted flour of wheat, banana and other fruits are used as Prasad. Tulasi leaves are added into Prasad to make it sacred.
Another requirement of the Puja is that the story of the Puja, also known as Katha, is listened by those who are participating as well as by those who are observing the fast. The Satyanarayan Katha involves the origin of the Puja, the benefits of the Puja and the potential mishaps that might occur if one forgets to perform the Puja.
The Puja concludes with an Aarti, which consists of revolving a small fire ignited with Kapoor in the vicinity of an image or deity of the Lord. After Aarti participants and Vrat observers are required to consume the Panchamritam and the Prasad. Vrat observers can consume Prasdam after breaking the fast with Panchamritam.
Satyanarayan is the combination of two words – ‘Satya’ meaning truth and ‘Narayana’ meaning the highest being. So Satyanarayan signifies ‘the highest being that is the embodiment of truth’. Satyanarayan puja is the worship of the Narayana form of Lord Vishnu in order to attain self-purification and blessings. It is the easiest and most inexpensive way to worship the lord and attain his blessings. This puja is usually performed before an auspicious occasion like marriage, inauguration of house etc. in order to bring happiness, prosperity and well-being for the family. The ceremony originated in Bengal as Satya Pir and was later adapted into Satyanarayan puja. It’s a popular ceremony in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Bengal, Orissa, Maharashtra, Assam and Goa.
Satyanarayan Puja Samagri
- Turmeric Powder- 1/4 lb
- Kumkum- 1 Packet
- Sandal Wood Paste/Powder- 1 Packet
- Agar Bathi(Incense Sticks) – 1 Packet
- Camphor- 1 Packet
- Beetle Leaves and nuts- Approx. 30
- Flowers- 4 Bunches
- Fruits- 12 Bananas and 5 other Varieties
- Coconuts- 9
- Rice- 2 lb
- Kalasa Vasthram – 1 Towel or 1 Yard Fabric
- Coins (Quarters)- 20
- Prasadam
- Rava Kesari
- Asirvatham Dress
- Dry Fruits
- Kalkandu (Sugar Candy)- 1 Packet
- Milk- 1/2 gallon
- Yoghurt- 1 can
- Ghee- 1 small bottle
- Honey- 1 bottle
- Sugar- 1 packet
- Dates- 1 packet
- Navadhanyam- 1 packet
- Deepam (Lamp)/Oil for Deepam/Match Box/Cotton Wick for Deepam Kalasam
- Panchapathra Udharini- Small Trays 2, Big Trays 2, Small Cups 5
Satyanarayan Puja Vidhi
The puja starts by a prayer to Lord Ganesha. This puja is done in order to remove all obstacles that may occur as a result of incorrectly performing the puja. This is done by chanting all the names of Lord Ganesha and offering prasad (a food offering, that usually consisting of one of Lord Ganesha’s favorite foods – modak, a sugar and coconut mixture, or laddu) and the showering of flower petals. After the offering is done a prayer is conducted to worship the Navagraha’s – the nine important celestial beings in the universe. They consist of Surya or the Sun, Chandra or the moon, Angaaraka/Chevaai or Mars, Budha or Mercury, Guru aka Bruhaspati or Jupiter, Shukra or Venus, Sani or Saturn, Rahu and Ketu, the head and tail of the Demon snake.
After the Navagraha puja is performed worshipping of Satyanarayan begans. First “panchamritam” is used to clean the place where the idol of lord Vishnu is placed. After placing the deity in the correct position, Satyanarayan swami is worshipped. The names of Satyanarayan are chanted. During the chanting offering of a variety of Prasad which includes a mixture of milk, honey, ghee/butter, yogurt, sugar and flower petals is made. The story or the Satyanarayan katha is performed which is required to be heard among all those observing and partaking in the puja. The story involves the origin of the puja, the benefits of it, and the potential mishaps that may occur with the forgetting performance of the puja. The prayer gets over with an Aarti, which consists of revolving a small fire-lit-lamp in the vicinity of an image of the Lord. After the puja is over, participants and observers of the puja are offered prasadam which has been offered to and blessed by Lord Vishnu. ( Listen to Satyanarayan Aarti )
Importance of Satyanarayan Puja
- It relieves people of their worries and anxiety.
- Brings peace.
- Brings prosperity and wealth.
- Removes obstacles.
- Brings happiness to life.
- Removes negativity.
- And provides liberation (moksha)
Symbolism of Satyanarayan Puja
Lord Satyanarayan is depicted as the being of truth. The true worship of Satyanarayan involves practice of truth and commitment to truth in all aspects of life. It is a promise to god to live life truthfully and honestly because that leads to liberation. Truth should be practiced spiritually and physically through rituals. The Satyanarayan puja is an embodiment of this- to be true to yourself and live truthfully. Being false leads to darkness, ignorance and suffering. Being truthful leads to light, wisdom and eventually liberation. Hence, Satyanarayan puja is not about a ritual to remove problems. It is about practicing the truth as it is a purifier and leads to happiness and peace.
Satyanarayan Katha
The Satyanarayan katha has a total of five parts. Here is a short summary of all the chapters in the katha –
Chapter 1
One Naradi, while traveling all over the world came to Bhuloka. He found all the people suffering due to their past Karmas and didn’t know how to be free. So he immediately went to Lord Narayana to find the solution for freeing the people from their problems. He told him the problem and asked him a way to relieve the miseries of mankind. The Lord told him that a Vrat called Sri Satyanarayan Pooja will have to be performed. The Vrat could be performed by anyone and will provide them the pleasures of the world as well as liberation. It could be done any day in the evening and all the desires of the observer will be fulfilled.
Chapter 2
Shri Narayana tells Narada the further story-
An old and poor Brahman lived in Kashi. He was very poor and always begged to fill his stomach. Narayana loved Brahmans and hence he disguised himself and went to the Brahman and asked him- what ails you old Brahman? The Brahman said- I am old and poor and I want a way to remove my poverty. So the lord told him to observe Satyanarayan Vrat and explained him the procedure. The Brahman performed the Vrat the next day using the things he earned in his begging’s. Soon he became very rich and started performing the Vrat every month. He attained all the pleasure of life and eventually reached liberation.
The puja spread through this incident-
The Brahman was performing Shri Satyanarayan Pooja, when a woodcutter saw it. He asked the Brahman who told him that the puja fulfilled all the desires when it was performed. So the woodcutter performed the Puja the next day according to the procedure said by the Brahman. His worries disappeared and he became happier after that.
Chapter 3
Once there was a noble king called Ulkamukh. He was just and true. He always helped the needy. Once while performing the Satyanarayan puja on the banks of the river, a merchant came in his ship with valuable goods. Upon asking the king about the puja, the king told him everything. So the merchant went home and performed the puja and later he and his wife Lilavathi were blessed with a girl. But after the birth he did not perform the Vrat saying that he will do it the day his daughter gets married. When that day came he postponed it again. So the lord decided to teach them a lesson. One day the merchant and his son-in-law went to town. On the way they rested under a tree. At that time two thieves stole from the king’s palace and ran away. They saw the merchant under the tree and kept what they stole near him. The king’s soldiers thought that the merchant and his son-in-law were the thieves and threw them in the jail. The true thieves stole everything from the merchant’s house making his wife and daughter poor. The merchant and the wife realised their mistake and the wife performed the Satyanarayan puja. After this the king had a dream that the merchant was innocent and he was released and given a lot of wealth as compensation.
Chapter 4
After the release the merchant was returning home when the lord appeared before him the form of a Sanyasi. He asked the merchant what he had in the ship and the merchant lied and said dried leaves. The Sanyasi said Tathasthu. When the merchant went to his ship he found dried leaves and realized his mistake. He went back to the Sanyasi and asked forgiveness. The lord forgave him. When he was returning home on his ship his wife asked her daughter to complete the puja and went to the dock. The daughter in her haste to see her husband, did not take the Prasad and went like that. They waited for the ship to arrive but it did not. The Lord then revealed himself and told them about not keeping the Prasad. So the daughter ran home and completed the puja by keeping the Prasad. After that the family regularly performed the puja and lived happily. The reached Satyalok upon death.
Chapter 5
There lived a King called Angadwaj who was kind and righteous. Once he was returning from a hunt. He rested under a tree for a while. A group of cowherd boys had gathered near there to perform Shri Satyanarayan Pooja. They did not have anything except their daily bread. They offered the prasad to the king who, because of his ego left it untouched. Soon all his wealth was lost and his hundred children died. He realised that it was all due to his insulting the children’s puja. Immediately the king went to that very spot and performed the Satyanarayan Puja with full devotion and belief. The king was relieved of all his losses.
It is said that the one who reads or listens to this story will get rid of his anxieties and worries.
January Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Paush Purnima)
February Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Magha Purnima)
March Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Phalguna Purnima)
April Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Chaitra Purnima)
May Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Vaishakha Purnima)
June Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Jyeshtha Purnima)
July Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Ashadha Purnima)
August Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Shravana Purnima)
September Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Bhadrapada Purnima)
October Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Ashwin Purnima)
November Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Kartik Purnima)
December Shri Satyanarayan Vrat (Margashirsha Purnima)
Satyanarayan Katha: Procedure and Significance
“Shri Satyanarayan Katha bears great fruit in this Kalyug. Lord Satyanarayan means Lord Vishnu. The one who takes care of the world. Please give us good thoughts and make us be the persons who do their duty properly. Show us the path of truth and duty.”
This is the prayer that is performed to worship Lord Satyanarayan. The word Satyanarayan is a compound word made of two words Satya and Narayan. The word when broken means the presence of the Narayan in all things and everyone and is the Supreme of all. It shows that the Almighty, who is Lord Narayan, has created the world. So, it signifies the existence of the almighty who created life and created the world.
Satyanarayan Katha-Its Importanc
Can Satyanarayan Pooja Be Done Alone?
This Pooja is very simple and can be done by anyone. The primary instructions given is to invite as many friends, relatives and neighbours to attend the ceremony. Feed them and offer them as many fruits as you can offer them. They should be well-fed, and consumption of fruits should be there.
Best time for Satyanarayan Pooja
- Satnaryan Bhagwan Katha can be performed on any day at any time.
- It is performed before any special occasion such as the marriage ceremony, housewarming party etc.
- People even do the Shri Satyanarayan Katha when they want to thank God for their achievements, promotion etc.
- Special occasions like childbirth, godbharai, birthdays are celebrated by doing this pooja.
- This pooja is even performed by the individuals who have been suffering for a long time due to any physical issues or due to any financial problems or when they are not getting jobs etc.
- It is said that performing Satyanarayan puja on ekadashi is more auspicious.
- It is said that the best Satyanarayan Katha Time is in the evening, but it can be performed during any part of the day.
- Sankranti day or the day of the Solar eclipse is also the auspicious day for Satyanarayan Katha.
How to Do Satyanarayan Pooja At Home?
- Foremost the devotees have to do Satyanarayan Vrat. From the morning,they will fast until the time when the pooja is finished. They will break their fast by having the Prasadam.
- It’s a pooja that is done to bring peace to the family. In this pooja not only the family members but relatives far and near and friends are called.
- The Satyanarayan Puja List consists of items Prasadam consists of Panchamrut, a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar, fruits, suji ka halwa and tulsi leaves are kept.
- The Satyanarayan Pooja list consists of many things. Asoka leaves to be hung at the entrance door.
- The platform is to be placed in the East- North direction of the house.
- It has to be decorated with flowers and banana leaves. A new cloth needs to be placed at the altar.
- A kalash is placed at the centre of the altar and Shrifal covered with red cloth and the red thread tied around the Shrifal and on the Kalash along with Ashoka leaves.
- Place a betel leaf and the idol of Lord Satyanarayan on that. It should be placed in front of the kalasham.
- Fresh flowers, Kumkum, abir and rose powder, are offered to Lord Satyanarayan.
- Devotees should sit facing the altar.
- A small turmeric Ganesha is prepared and placed on the plate, and a piece of jaggery is placed as naivedyam. And the Satyanarayan pooja story begins with the prayer of Lord Ganesha
- After Ganesh Puja, Navgraha Pooja and then Kalash Pooja is done.
- With the Satyanarayan Vrat Katha or the Story of Lord Satyanarayan starts the main pooja of Lord Satyanarayan.
- The Satyanarayan pooja sahitya consists story is of five parts. The pooja describes the benefits and the experiences of the pooja attained by others.
- The katha also included the repercussions of the offences done by individuals towards Lord Satyanarayan or the offences done by them during the pooja. The katha even describes the effects of it on the individual’s present birth and the next birth.
- The invited persons should be present during the Katha, and it should be chanted or heard carefully and peacefully.
- In the Pooja all the devotees bow in front of Lord Satyanarayan and ask for the forgiveness of sins and blessings.
- After the Katha, Aarti is done,and then Prasadam is distributed among devotees,and the fast is broken by having it.
What is Satyanarayan Pooja?
Satyanarayan Puja is a very significant and auspicious ritual in the Hindu culture. People perform this to worship and seek the blessings of Lord Satyanarayan. Satyanarayan is an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Additionally, devotees perform this puja, particularly in households, on auspicious occasions such as birthdays, weddings, housewarmings, or festivals like Purnima or Ekadashi.
It serves as a way to express gratitude, seek blessings, and strengthen one’s faith in the divine. The puja also brings families and communities together. Therefore, it is a great time to cultivate unity, harmony, and spiritual connection. This makes the entire family seek the lord’s blessings together.
Significance of Satyanarayan Puja
The Satyanarayan Katha is a famous Hindu ritual. This puja holds great significance in Hindu culture. It involves reciting a story that highlights the glory of Lord Satyanarayan. You can receive many divine blessings by performing the Satyanarayan puja and vrat.
People conduct the puja with devotion, faith, as well as gratitude. This puja brings prosperity, well-being, and spirituality to you. During the puja, people offer prayers, bhajans, as well as aarti to God. The puja concludes with the distribution of prasad among family and friends.
People perform the Satyanarayan katha on special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries as well as housewarmings. Devotees usually conduct this puja during auspicious days like Purnima, Ekadashi, or Vaishakha Purnima. Conducting the Katha during these times boosts satyanarayan katha benefits.
Why Satyanarayan Puja is Done?
Performing the Satyanarayan Katha brings blessings and prosperity to the devotees and their families. Therefore, one should offer prayers and perform the puja with devotion and sincerity. If you seek the blessings of Lord Satyanarayan, he will give you overall well-being, success, and happiness.
The Satyanarayan Katha purifies and cleanses one’s mind, body, and soul. Devotees can wash away their sins by listening to or reciting the divine story. They can also remove negative energies and gain purity.
Satyanarayana Puja Rituals
Satyanarayana Pooja can last from a few hours to an entire day. To get the maximum benefits from this Pooja, you can follow these steps:
1. Preparation of Puja
The devotees clean and decorate the puja area or a space in their home. Afterwards, they gather the necessary items for the puja. These include a picture or idol of Lord Satyanarayan, a puja thali, flowers, incense, a lamp, fruits, sweets, rice, coins, and other offerings.
2. Satyanarayan Vratam
People keep a fast to honour the god Satyanarayan. Therefore, devotees seek blessings from lord Satyanarayan by keeping the Satyanarayana Vratam. They fast for the entire day and break their fasts after the puja by offering arghya to the moon. This is why many recommend conducting the pooja in the evening.
3. Ganesha Worship
The puja begins with the invitation of Lord Ganesha. This is because he is the Vighn Harta that is the one who removes obstacles. Devotees also worship other deities by chanting mantras and offering prayers. Before any auspicious event, we worship Lord Ganesha first to seek his blessings. Therefore, we pray for him to remove any obstacles that may disturb the successful completion of the puja.
4. Kalash Sthapana
Kalash Sthapana is another important procedure in various Hindu traditions. We keep a copper or brass pot with water in the puja area. This is the Kalash. Afterwards, we decorate the kalash with mango leaves. Furthermore, we place a coconut on top of it and tie a red Mauli around it. We also put tilak using kumkum and draw swastika on the Kalash.
5. Satyanarayan Katha
The priest or the head of the household narrates the Satyanarayan Katha. It is the most important step of the Satyanarayan puja. Satyanarayan katha is a sacred story that brings the greatest benefits to those who read and listen to it. If you read Satyanarayan Katha at home, you will eliminate negativity, and all your tasks will succeed.
6. Aarti
After the Katha, people perform aarti. Therefore, they sing devotional songs to praise Lord Satyanarayan. People offer prayers to express gratitude and seek blessings for the family’s welfare, prosperity, as well as success.
7. Distribution of Prasad
The prasad consists of fruits, sweets, and other items. Devotees offer the prasad to lord Satyanarayan. Afterwards, they distribute it amongst their family and guests. This prasad can also be Panchamrit. Panchamrit is a mix of five holy ingredients which is widely prepared prasad during the Satyanarayana pooja procedure.
Satyanarayan Katha
The Satyanarayan Katha is the most essential part of the Satyanarayan Pooja procedure. It teaches us many lessons of faith as well as devotion. During the Satyanarayan Katha, family, as well as friends, gather together to read and listen to the story. Reading the Satyanarayan Katha at home before any auspicious occasion like marriage can give the blessings of the god to the family. It is split into five parts or Adhyays.
1. Part One
This part of the story tells about Narad Muni’s trip to Earth. He was visiting all three Lokas. When Narad Muni reached Earth, he saw great misery. People were suffering, and there was sadness all around. Therefore, Narad Muni went to the devlok and asked lord Satyanarayan for a solution. Upon which, the god told him the importance of Satyanarayan Puja and vrat.
2. Part Two
The second part of the story tells the tale of a Brahmin. The Brahmin begged for food and for survival. This made Lord Satyanarayan pity the Brahmin. Therefore, he visited the Brahmin as another Brahmin. Then, he told the importance of Satyanarana Vratham and how to perform the puja. This made the Brahmin gain the blessings of lord Satyanarayan. Furthermore, a woodcutter also benefited by observing and performing the pooja himself.
3. Part Three
The third part of the Satya Narayan ki katha talks about a merchant. Once, he saw a king perform the Satyanarayan puja and asked about it. Therefore, the kind told him the importance of the puja. The merchant took a vow to perform the puja after the birth of his son. But he forgets to do so. This angers lord Satyanarayan, and hence, the merchant faces various difficulties. His wife performs the pooja and completes his vow. Therefore, he is now free from all the obstacles.
4. Part Four
The fourth adhyaya of the Satyanarayan katha talks about the importance of Prasad. In this part, a daughter forgets to eat prasad after conducting the pooja. She does so because her father and husband arrive while she is doing the pooja. This makes her face severe problems. Afterwards, the daughter eats the prasad and sincerely completes the pooja to receive Satyanarayan Katha benefits.
5. Part Five
Part five is the final part of the Satyanarayan Katha. In this part, we learn about the various teachings of the stories we have read so far. It also tells us about a King who saw a group of people performing the puja. Therefore, he did not accept Prasad from them and threw Prasad away. God got furious at the king’s ego and taught him a lesson. Upon this, the king realised what he did was wrong and worshipped the god with devotion.
In conclusion, Satyanarayan Puja is a significant Hindu ritual that connects devotees with Lord Satyanarayan. It is an opportunity to show our gratitude, faith, as well as devotion to the divine. The puja brings families together. Therefore, it promotes harmony and a sense of spiritual connection. Through its rituals and the recitation of the Satyanarayan Katha, it purifies the mind and body. Therefore, giving us many blessings of lord Satyanarayan. At InstaAstro, we have our dedicated Pandits to help you with the puja, making it a meaningful occasion. Visit our website and download the app!
Satyanarayan Puja, Rituals, and Importance
The story of Lord Satyanarayan can be done on any day with devotion, but the full moon date is considered to be the best for it. This story is recited for the couple who are bound in their first married life. Apart from this, the ritual of this fast is also done on the full moon date of every month to get rid of sorrows and increase happiness. If someone is not getting freedom from sorrows, then with the help of a learned and cultured pundit, while worshiping on every full moon day for a year or more, listen to the story of Lord Sri Satyanaran Vrat, then he will get miraculous results.
Importance of Satyanarayana Puja
Satyanarayana Puja is performed in reverence of the Narayan form of Lord Vishnu. In this form, God is believed to be the existence of truth. This puja is conducted to ensure abundance in the lives of the people. It is a ritual performed by the devotees on any important occasion like marriage, home entry ceremony, etc.
Rituals of Satyanarayan Puja
- Purnima fast is considered the most auspicious. The devotees who keep the full moon fast, should wake up early and take a bath.
- Install the idol of Satyanarayana, offer flowers, vermilion, and kumkum, keep an urn filled with water, and light a lamp.
- Devotees should offer Panchamrit which is a mixture of five things (milk, curd, honey, sugar, and ghee), and offer it to Lord Vishnu by putting Tulsi leaves in Panchamrit.
- Devotees who want to please Lord Vishnu must offer Tulsi leaves and it is believed that worship is incomplete without Tulsi leaves.
- The prasad offered to Lord Vishnu is made from roasted wheat flour, sugar, bananas, and tulsi leaves are added to this mixture.
- During Satyanarayan Puja, the Katha is narrated to all those present in the Puja.
- Aarti is recited after completing the Satyanarayan Katha.
- Devotees should offer water to the moon to pay respect to the deity.
- Devotees can break their fast by eating sattvic food.
It is believed that the devotees who observe Shree Satyanarayan Vrat on every full moon, Shree Satyanarayana blesses them with happiness, and prosperity and fulfills all the wishes of the devotees. Devotees should chant or listen to Shri Hari Stotram to remove obstacles from their lives.
Puja of Satyanarayan
Those who take a vow to worship Satyanarayan should observe a fast throughout the day. According to the method of worship, first, make a rangoli at the place of worship. After this, placing a puja post on top of it, plant a banana leave near its four feet. Install the idol of Shaligram or Thakurji or Shri Satyanarayana on this chowki. Now before starting the worship, first of all, worship Lord Ganesha. After this worship Indradi, lord Dashdikpal, Panch Lokpal, Rama along with Sita, Lakshmana, and then Radhakrishna. After worshiping them, one should worship Thakur Ji and Satyanarayana. Then worship Lakshmi Mata and finally Mahadev and Brahmaji. After worship, perform aarti of all the gods and distribute prasad by taking Charanamrit. Donate Dakshina and clothes to Pandit Ji as well as provide food. The person should take food only after taking blessings from the Pandit after the meal.
Satyanarayana Pooja is one of the most popular rituals performed to appease Lord Vishnu and receive his blessings. The word “Satya” means Truth and “Narayana” means The Highest Being. Together they mean “The highest being who is the embodiment of truth”.
Hindus perform Sri Satyanarayan Vrat & Pooja for getting blessings of health, wealth, prosperity and relief from troubles and sickness. It can also be performed to get success in business or career and also during social functions like marriages, house-warming ceremonies, naming of the children and so on.
It is believed that the Satyanarayana Pooja was performed by Kings, Merchants, Traders, and Businessmen to appease Lord Vishnu and to increase their financial stability. Though the Pooja is performed by Hindus all over India, it is especially popular in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamilnadu, and Karnataka.
Who should perform Satyanarayana Pooja?
- A person beginning a new venture in life or a new business should perform the Satyanarayana Pooja to receive Lord Vishnu’s blessings. As a result, the Pooja is extremely popular during marriages, Gruha-Pravesh and at the beginning of higher studies.
- Satyanarayana Pooja is also performed by the parents of the infant at his/her naming ceremony.
- This Pooja is also performed when someone in the family is in ill-health.
Satyanarayana Pooja Benefits
Here are the benefits of performing Satyanarayana Pooja:
- It is believed that by performing the ritual, one achieves peace and prosperity in his or her life. The devotee is blessed with general happiness and family bliss.
- The Satyanarayana Pooja also clears negativity surrounding oneself and grants optimism and a positive approach towards life in general.
- The Pooja is also believed to bless the devotee with good health.
When should I perform Satyanarayana Pooja?
Best days for performing Satyanarayana Pooja are:
The day of Chitra Pournami (in the month of April) is considered to be highly auspicious for performing the Satyanarayana Pooja. It is believed that Satyanarayana Pooja can be performed at any time on a full moon day. However, the Pooja must not be performed by the devotee on a New Moon.
The Satyanarayana Pooja is performed on important occasions like weddings, Graha-Pravesh (Housewarming) and birthdays.
Satyanarayana Pooja Procedure
Here is how to do Satyanarayana Pooja:
Materials required for Satyanarayana Pooja
The basic materials required for the Satyanarayana Pooja are the photo or the idol of the deity, two brass lamps, Karpoor, Kumkum, Chandan, and Haldi. Flowers, copper or silver Kalasa, conch, tulsi leaves, and garland, betel leaves and nuts, Banana and Banana leaves, Coconuts, and Mango leaves are also required for the setting up of the Pooja.
For the Pooja Ahuthi purpose, Panchamrutham including Milk, Curd, Honey, Yoghurt, and Sugar are required. The Prasad should also be prepared. It should either be a Rava or Sooji Halwa or a Semolina Payasam or Kheer.
Where to perform Satyanarayana Pooja?
The Satyanarayana Swamy Temple located at Annavaram, Andhra Pradesh is one of the most popular temples where this elaborate ritual is performed in detail and with utmost reverence. Besides the famous temple, the Pooja can also be performed at other world-famous temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu like Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple, and the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam.
Requirements for the Pooja
1. Wooden seats – 3
2. Kumkum
3. Haladi – Turmeric powder
4. Rangoli / Megulu
5. Incense
6. Betel leaves – 40
7. Betel Nuts – 20
8. Coconut
9. Tulasi leaves ( if available )
10. Mango or Ashok leaves
11. Urns ( Kalashas ) – 2
12. Metal plates 3, Spoons 3
13. Mixture of milk, yogurt, ghee, sugar, honey (Panchamrit)
14. Sandalwood paste
15. Akshata : Rice grains mixed with slight Kumkum
16. Rice grains : 1/ 2 kilo
17. Warm water
18. The Holy Bell
19. The Holy coonch
20. A small piece of new cloth – handkerchief size
21. Oil Lamp stand ( Samai )
22. Oil lamp ( Neeranjan )
23. Sacred thread
24. A pudding of ground wheat, milk, ghee, banana, and sugar ( each 1.25 unit )
The arrangement of the Chapel :
( In Hindu tradition, betel nuts represent the deities. The worshipper provides seats of rice grains to these deities and installs them on the seats. The following should be the arrangement made on a raised wooden seat. Betel nuts representing deities are kept on betel leaves.)
Satya Narayana – Shaligram or Balakrishna is installed in the centre on a metal plate filled with rice grains. Five to six mango or Ashok leaves should be half immersed in the Kalasha, and spaced around its mouth, their tips outside the Kalasha. The metal plate is kept on an urn ( Kalasha ) filled with water. The inner circle of 8 betel nuts represents eight planets. The sun and Varuna are installed on the plate with Satya Narayana. The outer circle represents 8 benefactors guarding eight directions. Ganapati is installed in front of the Satya Narayana.
The worshipper sits facing the east and the priest sits facing the north. All the present participate in the pooja by chanting the mantras.
The worshipper touches the feet of his parents, elders and the priest, and then takes his seat for worship.
Here commences the pooja
Priest : Let us commence this Satya Narayana pooja by a purifying gesture. Sip water from your right palm each time you take the name of god.
Priest and the participants :
( Achaman )
Priest : Now when you utter the fourth name, let the water pass from your right palm to the metal plate you have in front of you.
Priest and the participants :
( Udak )
Priest and the participants :
Priest : A person may be impure, pure or in whatever state, if he remembers god he is pure inside out.
Let us now purify the place of worship.
Priest and the participants :
Priest : May the evil spirits residing in this place and the powers that obstruct the auspicious undertaking vacate this place by the command of Lord Shiva. May all the evil powers vanish from this place. With the blessings of all benefactory powers. I commence the worship of Shri Satya Narayana.
It is a custom to recite Gayatri Mantra in the beginning of this pooja. In Gayatri Mantra we pray the earth, the space, the sun, millions of suns, our galaxy, millions of glalxies and the Supreme that presides over this expansion of the universe. We pray him for inspiring our intellect.
Priest and the participants :
Harihi Om
Om
Om
O Earth
O Space
O Sun
O Millions of suns
O Galaxy
O Infinite galaxies
O Truth
We contemplate the divine luster of that Truth. May he inspire our intellect?
Priest : Lord Ganapati is also worshipped in the beginning of all auspicious ceremonies as he removes the obstacles in the accomplishment of the pooja.
Priest and the participants :
Priest : We venerate the great Ganapati May he bless the worship and let it be accomplished.
Priest and the participants :
On this earth, on……continent, in the country called…….., in the city/town/village called ……., in the month of…., in the……, half of the lunar month, on……(date), on…….day, under the star constellation called……., with the available material for worship, according to the best of my knowledge, I worship Shri Satya Narayana for the health, prosperity, well-being of my family and for the fulfillment of all our desires. As a part of this worship, I pray the urn, the holy conch, the holy bell and the lamp.
Priest : Let us imagine that the pious water of the seven holy rivers in India is in this urn, and now let us worship the urn.
Priest and the participants :
Priest : O holy Ganga, Jamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri, may your holy waters enter this urn.
Offer sandal-wood paste, Akshata and flowers to the urn.
Now we worship the holy coonch.
Priest and the participants :
Priest : O Panchajanya, you are the superior among conches. You were born in the ocean. Shri Vishnu holds you in his hand. All gods bow before you. I too bow before you.
Offer sandal-wood paste, flowers and Akshata to the holy conch.
Now we worship the holy bell.
Priest and the participants :
Priest : To beckon the gods and to drive away the evil spirits, I ring this holy bell. I offer sandal-wood paste flowers and Akshata to the holy bell. Before it.
We now worship the oil lamp, which symbolizes light energy.
Priest and the participants :
Priest : O lamp, you are the Energy. You are the master of all luminous things. Please bring me health, and fulfill my desire for progeny and wealth. I offer sandal-wood paste, Akshata and flowers to the lamp. After this worship of the urn, the conch the bell and the lamp, we come to the principal deity of worship, Satya Narayana, and the deities that accompany him Varun – god of water, and the sun are also installed near Satya Narayana.
We beckon the eight guards of eight directions, eight planets of our solar system, and the sun and Varuna to reside in the betel nuts kept in their places and request them to accept our offerings.
Priest and the Participants :
I invite Varuna – the god of water – and offer him sandalwood paste, Akshata and flowers.
Priest and the participants :
I beckon the eight guards of the eight directions and offer sandalwood paste, Akshata and flowers to them.
I invite the sun and the eight planets of our solar system and offer sandalwood paste, Akshata and flowers to them.
Priest and the participants :
Priest : I contemplate Shri Satya Narayana. He is the ultimate Truth. He is beyond the three basic dispositions viz. Sattva, Rajas, and tamas. Still he assimilates these in his manifest forms. He reigns the three worlds He is adorned by the scintillating jewel called Kaustubha. His complexion is blue he wear a golden garment. On his heart is the footprint of the sage Shrivatsa. He is the joy of Gokul where he was brought up. He is worshipped by all gods like Brahma and others. I, too contemplate upon his glory.
Priest and the participants :
I venerate Shri Satya Narayana, and offer him Akshata for a seat.
I bow before Shri Satya Narayana and wash his feet.
I revere Shri Satya Narayana and offer scented water to wash his hands.
I venerate Shri Satyanarayana, and give him water to sip ( Offer a spoonful of water.)
I revere Shri Satya Narayana, and offer him warm water for bath.
I venerate Shri Satya Narayana, and offer him the bath of Panchamrit i.e. milk, yogurt, honey, sugar and ghee.
I bow before Shri Satya Narayana and bathe him with pure water.
I worship Shri Satya Narayana, and offer him sandalwood paste, Akshata, Tulasi leaves, Haladi, Kumkum and new cloth.
I revere Shri Satya Narayana and offer him incense, waive the lamp and consecrate this Panchamrit and other sacrificial food ( coconut, pudding etc.) to him.
Priest and the participants :
I revere Shri Satya Narayana and offer him prayer.
The prayer :
Meaning : I do not know how to invite you and venerate you. O God, forgive me for that. I lack devotion, the knowledge of rites and do not know the mantras. Yet, O Satya Narayana, I worship you. May this pooja be accomplished To the one who has easily created this world; I offer my reverences again and again. O God, give me pleasant appearance, victory and success. Give me progeny and wealth. Keep my enemies away and fulfill all my desires. I bow before the infallible that is Achyuta. Recalling and uttering his name, make devotional rites become flawless.
Priest and participants :
May, by this worship, god Satya Narayana be pleased.
( After this, all stand up for Aarati.)
Meaning : O God Shri Satya Narayana, we offer our services to thee and sing thy glory We listen to the stories of your greatness. We get rid of the worries of our life by praying you and receiving the sacrificial food.
Those who worship you single-mindedly get peace and happiness. You wave off their anxieties. Please fulfill the desires of your devotees for progeny and wealth, and give them shelter at your feet.
Even gods like Brahma cannot describe your grandeur, nor the four Vedas. Truth, Piety and Beauty are your real nature.
O God, please accept this little service (prayer) of poet Swananda.
After Aarati – prayer – the priest starts telling the stories of Shri Satya Narayana,
Stories of Shri Satya Narayana
(These stories appear in the chapter called Revakhanda of the Skanda Purana, an old mythological script.)
Chapter one gives the backdrop of the stories. The sages staying in a forest called Naimisha ask the great sage Soot, ‘What kind of penance or observance fulfills the desires of human beings ?’ Soot answers, ‘O sages the same question was asked by Narada to Shri Vishnu. Shri Vishnu told Narada the Vrata (a religious observance) of Shri Satya Narayana. He said, ‘This Vrata drives away pain and sorrow, and brings happiness, wealth and progeny to the worshipper. Usually this worship is to be offered after sunset. A pudding (Halua) of ground wheat, milk, ghee, sugar and bananas is offered to Shri Satya Narayana. He is worshipped with Haldi, Kumkum, Sandalwood paste and other available material. Such a worship passifies all yearnings in the heart and fulfills the wishes of the worshipper.
In the second chapter Shri Satya Narayana takes the guise of an old Brahmin and explains the Vrata to a poor Brahmin. The poor Brahmin observes the Vrata and attains wealth and spiritual felicity. A wood-cutter learns the Vrata from the Brahmin and he, too by performing it, becomes prosperous.
In the third chapter, Sadhu, a merchant, learns the Vrata from a king named Ulkamukha. He and his wife Leelavati observed the Vrata and obtained riches. They gave birth to a daughter called Kalavati. When Kalavati reached the age of marriage, he married her to a worthy young man. He had vowed to perform Shri Satya Narayana pooja at the time of his daughter’s marriage, but he forgot everything about it after marriage.
When he went on a tour for trading with his son-in-law, the king’s men accused him of theft. Both, Sadhu and his son-in-law put to jail. But when Kalavati came to know about this, she worshipped Shri Satya Narayana and, as a result, her father and her husband were freed from the jail.
In the fourth chapter, Sadhu and his son-in-law start for their hometown carrying gold and other things by sea on ship. Shri Satya Narayana takes the form of a hermit and asks Sadhu, ‘What do you have on your ship?’ Sadhu says jocularly, ‘We have only creepers and leaves on it !’
All of a sudden , the ship starts floating lightly on the water. The valuables on the ship are turned into creepers and leaves. Ten Sadhu, the merchant offers apologies to Shri Satya Narayana, worships him and Shri Satya Narayana turns the creepers and leaves into valuable things again.
When Sadhu and his son-in-law reached the shore of their native place, Kalavati was worshipping Shri Satya Narayana. When she heard that her father and her husband had come back, she hastened to see them without eating the sacrificial food offered to Shri Satya Narayana.
But then, she could not find her husband and the ship. She was taken over by great sorrow. Then the divine voice of Shri Satya Narayana is heard saying ‘Kalavati, you rushed to the shore without having Prasad – the sacrificial food’ Kalavati realized her mistake and went back home, had Prasada and returned to the shore. To her great delight, she found her husband there.
The fifth chapter tells us the story of the kind Angadhwaja who rejected the Prasada of Shri Satya Narayana and, as a result, lost his sons along with riches and fortunes. When he started worshipping Satya Narayana regularly, everything that was lost was restored to him.
Comments : What is the gist and the lesson of these stories ? The author seems to suggest that one should not boast of his wealth and achievements, and forget the Supreme power that gives us these things. One should be grateful to the Supreme in pleasure and happiness, and never forget him. Absence of humility, devotion and gratitude lead to all kinds of peril and pain.
Thus the Satya Narayana stories depict god as a purvey or of rewards and punishments.
Some may feel that these stories encourage fatalism. But what is important is the moral of the story. In place of the story of Sadhu – the merchant, any other story of gods, saints, or god men can tell on this occasion. Even stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata can be told. The purpose is to remember God and be grateful to him. Whichever way that impresses this moral is welcome.
May the Ultimate Truth, worshipped as Shri Satya Narayana, bring enlightenment to those who worship him.
Satyanarayan Puja is a meaningful ritual in many Hindu traditions where devotees worship Lord Vishnu as he’s the supreme God of tranquility. In general, Satya means ‘truth‘ and Narayan means ‘highest power‘. It is the most sacred ritual in the Hindu religion. It also keeps away all evil and wickedness at bay.
Nevertheless, there comes a time when you face some challenges and hurdles in life. To make happiness and peace exist in our lives, you perform this puja. Also, social gatherings, childbirth or to embark on any positive journey people observe this puja. Also, Hindu mythology believes that this puja is beneficial in bringing peace and harmony in life.
History of the Puja
According to Hindu legends, Lord Narad Muni once gave a visit to Mrityulok that is earth. He saw the immense sadness of humans sufferings. He approached Lord Vishnu and asked the almighty to end their pain. Lord Vishnu suggested that whosoever performs the holy Vrat, and the Satyanarayan ritual all his sufferings will come to a halt.
Significance of Satyanarayan Puja
You already know that Satya means truth, so this puja ensures honesty and prosperity. Further, it blesses a family with wealth and growth. Anybody can perform this ritual, irrespective of gender or age. Lord Vishnu is the good lord personified as the soul being of truth. So basically people worship him before commencing on a new jaunt.
The priest reads the Shree Satyanaryan Katha and endows the house with positive energy. Furthermore, in Bengal, people call it Satya Pir. The people there honor the god before entering a new house or before starting a new business. Whereas in Maharasthra, a community in the name Chitpavan has deep faith in Lord Satyanarayana. Also in Andhra Pradesh, the Sri Satyanarayana Swamy at Annavaram is the most religious temple. It is in dedication to Lord Vishnu. People from all parts of the country visit the temple and offer their prayers.
According to ancient texts, the kings and wealthy men use to conduct the puja to overcome any obstacles. Also, one should invite as many friends and relatives will yield a great result.
How to perform the Puja
Anyone can perform the ritual but only on a full moon day. The ideal time for the Satyanarayan Puja is in the morning or evening after taking a bath. Also, one should fast until the whole ritual gets over. First, the puja starts with the devotee offering prayer to Lord Ganesha the God of abundance. A special Prashad is prepared for the devotees. The holy Panchamrit consists of milk, honey, sugar, yogurt, and ghee. However, apart from Lord Vishnu and Ganesha, the nine planets in astrology are also worshipped.
Further, the pouring of the sacred Pnachamrit on the image of Lord Vishnu takes place. The chant of Satyanaryan is repeated 1008 times during the ritual. A special Yagya is set and flowers and other fruits are put as an offering in the fire. The priest reads the Satyanaryan Katha and everyone listens to it carefully. However one should hire a good purohit for performing these rituals.
After the five-part story ends, everyone takes part in the Aarti. The lightning of the aarti is most important, it spread the positive energy in the house. After all the necessary customs are over the devotees observe the auspicious Prashad.
Lord Satya Narayan
Satya Narayan is one of the manifestations of Narayan or Lord Vishnu and He is considered as the embodiment of truth. He is commonly worshipped by all Hindus who want to fulfil their desires; and worshipping Him brings respite from sufferings. However, the Puja must be performed in the manner prescribed and as per religious rites to be effective.
Benefits of Satyanarayan Puja
- Removes sorrow and suffering
- Grants wealth, prosperity and abundance
- Blesses one with progeny, healthy child
- Harmonious marital life
- Victory in all endeavours and against enemies
Science behind Satyanarayan Puja
Satya means truthfulness, for example: Satyamev Jayate (Truth Alone Triumphs) and Sat Chit Anand (True Bliss Consciousness). Again, Satya, Tap (Penance or Austerity), Pavitrata (Purity), Daya (Compassion) and Daan (Charity) are the limbs of Yoga. Similarly, the Mool Mantra or basic prayer in Sikhism is made up of five words: Ekonkar, Satnam, Kartapurkh, Nirbhau, Nirvair, which embody the Sikh belief in one God, Truth, Creative Power of God, Fearlessness, and Compassion.
Satya basically is the central concept of any dharma. It means whatever we think, do and say are the same and all our sensory organs are in unison. To practice Satya, we perform Satyanarayan Katha, which means on that day we wilfully don’t utter a lie. It is usually performed on the day of full moon, which affects the water retention in our body. Full moon also affects our thoughts and emotions, often shrouding them with turmoil, ups and downs. This heightens our negative aspect, to overcome which we fast during this day and seek divine blessings.
It is a day when we purify ourselves by not telling lies, refraining from non-verbal communication, and by not making complaints or holding grudges. We need to be in a loving and kind mode, distribute food and gifts to everyone. We also attract positive energy by detoxifying ourselves with the Holy Water and by accepting Panchamrit, which control the pitta dosha in our body. It is a day-long detoxification of the body, a shift from rajasic and tamasic to satvic existence, to a parasympathetic state.
When to perform Satyanarayan Puja ?
This Puja can be performed on:
- The Sankranti of each month, i.e., whenever the sun’s transit takes place.
- Full Moon as per the lunar position of each month.
Materials required for this Puja
- Idol or image of Satya Narayan
- Lamp or diya
- Incense
- Rangoli
- Mandap, banana plant, mango leaves
- Vermillion
- Raw rice to spread
- Yellow cloth and rick
- Sandalwood paste, kumkum
- Flowers, fruits
- Wheat powder and other materials to make Prasad
- Materials to make Panchamrit
- Wooden pieces if Havan is being performed
How to perform this Puja
First, take a bath. Remember that you have to observe a fast until the completion of the Puja. Since this Puja has to be performed with a pure mind and body, you need to pledge, ‘O Lord Satya Narayan, to receive your blessings, I am performing this ritual with full devotion and concentration.’
Clean the puja place and decorate it with a colourful rangoli. You can make a mandap by tying banana plants in the corners and lay down the yellow cloth as an aasan. Then pour the rick on the cloth; a kalash filled with water should be placed on the rice. Spread one more cloth and place the Satya Narayana idol or image on it. The mandal can be made of any material you can afford. Offer Panchamrit (the five nectars – milk, curd, ghee, sugar, and honey).
Method to perform the Puja:
- Sankalpam: Tell the Lord that you are performing this Puja to fulfil your wishes or desires and seek His permission to conduct it successfully.
- Vigneshwara Puja: Start by worshipping Lord Ganesha, requesting Him to give you the courage to fulfil this Puja without any obstacle. If you want to learn about Ganapati Yagna click here .
- Prarthana: Chant Gayatri Mantra and take permission from the Lord to do this powerful Puja.
- Pranayamam and Sankalpam: This involves purifying your breath and taking a vow to please Lord Ganesha.
- Kalash Puja: This involves extending an invitation for the worship to Lord Satya Narayan, represented by the kalash.
- Ganapati Pancha Loka Puja: Pray to the Lords of the five worlds – Ganesha, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Parvati.
- Navagraha Puja: Invite all the planets by invoking their names respectfully and offer akshadai (made of rice and haldi) and flower. Invoke the planets for their blessings to conduct this Puja.
- Indradi Ashtadikpala Puja: Invite and worship Lord Indra and the other Lords of the eight directions.
- Satyanarayana Puja: Offer flower on His feet by praising the Lord. Establish Pran Pratishtha, which is filling a divine object with ‘prana’ or life force, by chanting His 108 names and offering flowers at His feet. After that, take flowers in your hands and invoke the Lord to fulfil your wishes and bless your family with prosperity and abundance.
For Yagna (Optional):
After you have invoked Lord Satya Narayan, you can prepare the Havan Kund. Chant the Lord’s name while offering wooden pieces and applying ghee to the fire. Once the Havan or Yagna is done, recite five chapters from the Satyanarayan Katha.
What does each chapter of Satyanarayana Katha contain?
- Chapter 1: It is about the origin of Lord Satya Narayan.
- Chapter 2: Engages with the benefits of performing this Puja.
- Chapter 3: Talks about the misfortune that might occur if you break your vow / pledge.
- Chapter 4: It narrates the importance of performing this Pooja and consuming the Prasad.
- Chapter 5: It highlights the importance that must be paid to the Puja.
Who can worship Satya Narayan?
Lord Satya Narayan can be worshipped by people of any caste and religion; can be attended by everyone irrespective of age and gender. The Puja can be performed in the evening or even in the day. It is important to remember that after worshipping the Lord, it is mandatory to distribute the offering which is made of ghee, sugar, wheat, and banana. On this day, one must also listen to the story of Satya Narayan and end the Puja by performing Lord Satya Narayan Arti, post which you can have a feast and enjoy.
History Of Satyanarayan Puja:
The Satyanarayana Vrata is a Hindu religious observance. The Satyanarayan Puja is performed in reverence to the Narayan form of Lord Vishnu. The Lord in this form is considered an existence of truth. This puja is conducted to ensure abundance in ones life. It is a ritual performed by devotees on any important occasion like marriage, house warming ceremony etc. It can also be performed on any day for any reason. Satyanarayan Puja is first mention in Skanda Purana. The Satyanarayana Puja is usually done on the Purnima day of every month or any day you wish to do it. It is also done on good occasions and during times of achievements as an offering of gratitude to the Lord Vishnu. In addition, it is said that a devotional performance of this puja will bear children to couples trying to start a family.
Sri Satyanarayana puja is an essential ceremony in lot of places in India including Gujarat, Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Satyanarayan Puja is originated in Bengal as Satya Pir and it was later adapted into Satyanarayan puja and Bengali people will celebrate satyanaran Puja Before entering into new house. In Maharashtra, Satyanarayan Puja is not done on Ekadashi. This puja has a special importance for the Chitpavan community of Maharashtra. Almost all Hindus in Andhra Pradesh have strong faith, belief, and devotion towards Satyanarayan, an embodiment of Vishnu. There is a very famous temple for Sri Satyanarayana Swamy at Annavaram, East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. (near Visakhapatnam ), India. This vratam is performed daily in Annavaram. Large numbers of devotees, many with families, visit the temple, offer prayers, perform this Vrata there, right in the temple.
Significance Of Satyanarayan Puja:
Significance Of Satyanarayan Puja
Shree Satyanarayan Puja is a puja or worship which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (the Preserver), one among the great Hindu trinities. The word “Satyanarayan” is an amalgamation of two words, ‘Satya’ means truth, ‘Narayan’ means the highest and ultimate form of being or the supreme man; that means Lord Vishnu is the personification of the truth.
Lord Satyanarayana is the form of lord Mahavishnu. The Lord in this form is considered to be the embodiment of the truth. This puja is performed to ensure the prosperity , abundance, general happiness and well being of the family members. The ritual seemed to have gained popularity in modern times also. It is considerd to have beneficial effect upon those who perform it with reverence and sincerity. According to the legends associated with the ritual, several kings and merchants used to perform it in the past to overcome adversity, and earn the grace of Satyanarayan swami, a benevolent form of lord Vishnu.
Satyanarayana means the lord of truth or the truth itself. ‘Satya’ means. Lord Narayana is the almighty who is beleived to have created this world. So collectively it signifies the existence of almighty who created life, who created nature.The ritual worship of Lord Vishnu or Sri Satyanarayan Puja is generally performed on a full moon day or Purnima of every month or on any special occasion such as achieving a milestone or fulfilling a wish, as a special thanksgiving to the Godhead of the Hindu Trinity. The months of Kartik, Vaisakh, Shravan and Chaitra in the Hindu Calendar are ideal for this ritual. It can also be observed on new moon day or on a Sankranti — the beginning or end of a Hindu month.
Satya means “truth” and Narayana means “The highest being” so Satyanarayan means “The highest being who is an embodiment of Truth”. The Satya Narayana Vratam and Puja are very popular all over India. There is a temple for Sri Satyanarayana Swami at Annavaram, near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh where this vratam is performed every day.
This puja is first mentioned in Skanda Purana, Reva Kanda by Suta Puranik to the rishis in Naimisharanya. The details are part of the Katha/”Story” that is usually read along with the puja.
This puja is usually performed on the Purnima day of every month. It is also performed on special occasions and during times of achievements as an offering of gratitude to the Lord. These occasions could include marriage graduation, start of a new job, and the purchase of a new home to name a few. In addition, the performance of this most auspicious puja generally confers a child to couples trying to start a family.
The Satyanarayan puja can be performed on any day except on New-Moon. It is not a puja confined to any festivities, but Purnima (full moon day) is considered specifically auspicious for this puja. Performing this puja in the evening is considered more appropriate. However one can perform this puja in the morning as well.
History of Satyanarayan Pooja
The Satyanarayan Puja, or Satyanarayan Vrata as it is commonly known, is an auspicious Hindu religious observance. A ritual that is performed by people on several major occasions like housewarming, marriage etc., and this puja can be done at home on any day regardless of reason. It is the first mentioned ritual in the Skanda Purana of Hindus. The Satyanarayan Puja is generally done on the day of Purnima, or Full Moon, which is believed to be really fortunate.
Belief of Satyanarayan Puja
Satyanarayan puja and Vratanusthana is usually narrated in Skandapuana. This puja is performed in the evening to welcome good omen to the household and improve health of family members. It is also marked as a puja for fulfilment of heartfelt desires.
Satyanarayan puja is done in reverence to Lord Satyanarayan – a form of Lord Mahavishnu. In this form, the lord is considered to become the embodiment of truth. The puja is a ritual performed to make sure that abundance, prosperity, general happiness as well as wellbeing prevails in the family. The most vital offering to the lord during this puja is the apada nivedya, which is basically a sweet treat made of sugar, wheat rava, kadali banana, cow?s milk and ghee.
The belief of Satyanarayan puja started several thousand years ago. In the earlier times of Kalyug, a poor Brahmin boy having faith on God despite poverty was wandering in search of food. It was then that the Lord Satyanarayan appeared before the poor boy, in disguise of an aged person, and the story began. This is believed to be the Satyanarayan katha, which is read out to devotees as a part of the ritual. The belief is still strong and worshipped.
Benefits of Satyanarayan Puja
Benefits
- Performing Satyanarayan puja at home can bring in success. People who do this puja can achieve their goals and fulfil their aspirations.
- It can also improve physical and mental health of individuals drastically.
- It can help devotees enjoy a fulfilling material life and increases overall familial prosperity too.
- It can remove all sins from the past life.
Procedure of Satyanarayan Puja
The Satyanarayan puja starts by offering a prayer to Lord Ganesha so that all obstacles that could probably occur if the puja is performed incorrectly is removed successfully. This can be achieved by chanting different names of Lord Ganesha and offering him prasada (food served to Lords that consist of their favourite foods). Lord Ganesha is fond of modak, which is a mixture of coconut and sugar, or he may be offered laddoo too. Showering the lord with flower petals is the final procedure.
Another important part of this prayer involves praying to the Navagraha – or the nine significant celestial beings in this universe. They consists of the following names:
- Surya – The Sun
- Chandra – The Moon
- Angaraka – Mars
- Buddha – Mercury
- Brihaspati – Jupiter
- Suka – Venus
- Sani – Saturn
- Rahu – North Node, or the head of Svarbhanu
- Ketu – South Node as the body with the tail of Svarbhanu
The remaining ritual consists of offering prayers and worshipping Satyanarayan, one of the most benevolent forms of Lord Vishnu. The first step is to clean the place where the deity is to be placed. Once the deity is placed in correct position, Satyanarayan Swami can be worshipped. Names of Lord Satynarayana can be chanted along with various offerings like prasadam in the form of fruits, sweets etc.
Another important requirement for this puja is the story of Satyanarayan, which is to be heard by all devotees taking part in this puja. This story entails the involvement and origin of the ritual, potential mishaps that could occur if any step is forgotten, and the benefits of this puja. Stories on Satyanarayan Vrat, provided in detail from the next page onwards.
The prayer is concluded with Arati, a ritual consisting of revolving a fire-lit lamp within close vicinity of Lord Satyanarayan’s image. Followed with Pooja, all assembled join singing bhajans, chanting glories of the Lord. Finally, everyone present there are asked to ingest the prasada that was offered to the Lord and seek Lord’s blessings.
Satyanarayan Katha
Part 1
Shri Sathyanaranayan katha is from Skandha puran, Reva kaanda, Suta Puranikji narrated these stories to the rishis, in Nimisha Aranya, who were performing a 1000 year yajna for the benefit of mankind,lead by Sage ShounaK. Shounakaji and others asked Suta Puranikji, If a man has some desire, how can he fulfill it? Whom he has to worship and by which pooja ?
Sutaji said once the same question also asked by Devarshi Narad to Lord Narayan and he started narrating that story. Once Naradji making round all over the worlds, stepped into Bhuloka. Found to his dismay everyone suffering on account of their past Karmas and alas! they all ignorant on getting relief out if this un-ending plight. Without any further delay he reached Vaikuntha and approached Lord Narayana to find the right answer for getting the people out of their problems.
As he saw the grace of the Lord, he forgot his purpose and started praising the Lord. Pleased by the devotion of Naradji, Lord Narayana asked the purpose of his visit. Naradaji explained him the facts and asked the way to get relief to the misseries of mankind.
The Lord was happy to notice Naradaji’s concern for the welfare of the universe and ready to provide the right answer. The Lord said: Yes, there is one Vrat by name ‘Sri Satyanarayana Vrat Katha’ which by then not known to the the Bhuloka and I shall narrate you this Vrat Katha. This can be performed by anyone.
One who does this, will get all the benefits and the pleasures of this world and will eventually get liberation (Moksha) too. Now Narada eager to know more about this Vrat.
The Lord says, this can be done any day, any time. Invite friends, relatives and perform this Vrat with faith and devotion. Followed by Pooja, all in unison should sing glories of the Lord. Finally all attendees should be given food and Prasada with love. Thus not only the host but all who attend this Vrat Katha will get benefits with desires duly fulfilled.
Part 2
Shri Narayana continues telling story to Narada –
There lived an old and poor Brahmin in the city of Kashi. He was a man of virtue and yet extremely poor and was always begging for meals. Lord Narayana with compassion and loving heart, he came in the guise of an old Brahmin and asked him what ailed him?”.
The brahmin explained, “I am an old and very poor man and I shall be grateful if you can tell me how to get rid of my poverty which does not seem to diminish”. The Lord advised him to observe Satyanarayan Vrat and also explained him the procedure.
The poor man now with a sincere wish to do that Vart and went to bed. He could not sleep on account of these thoughts. Again in the morning he had same thoughts and he says to himself, “whatever I earn today thru begging, shall use it to perform the Vrat”. The same day, he earned good sizable amount from beggings and purchased the Pooja items and performed the Vrat.
Very soon he became rich and had all the things in the world which was eluded him before. Thereafter he started performing the Vrat every month and had slowly all the pleasures of the world. Finally he attained the ultimate, Moksha. Shaunakji and other rishis wanted to know how this Vrat spread all over the world and how the listeners of the story were benefitted.
Sutaji replied –
Once the brahmin was performing Shri Satyanarayan Pooja, a woodcutter watching it and asked him about it. The brahmin said, this is Shri Satyanarayan Pooja and whatever desires you have in your mind will be fulfilled by performing this Vrat.
On hearing this, the woodcutter decided to perform the pooja the next day. He thought in his mind, “Whatever amount I get from the sale of the wood tomorrow, I will use it for the Vrat-Pooja”. Accordingly he performed the pooja and was relieved of all his worries and became happy.
Part 3
Suta Puranikji continues –
Once there was a noble king called Ulkamukh. He was married to truth and sense- control. He always helped the needy people. Once he was performing Shri Satyanarayan Vrat on the banks of a river, one rich merchant arrived at the scene with valuable goods just off-boarded from a ship.
He asked the king about the pooja and its fruits. The king told him that he was worshipping Mahavishnu and explained him everything on the same. The merchant urged, “Please guide me the details on this Vrat, so that I can also perform and wish for a child as I am desperately seeking for the same for a long long time”. The king told him all about the Vrat and then merchant came home. He and his wife performed the pooja and soon his wife Lilavathi delivered a baby girl.
Lilavathi reminded her husband about the Vrat but he was postponing it, till his daughter was ready to be married. Later on he got his daughter married and still postponed the pooja-vrat. The Lord now wanted to teach him a lesson.
The merchant and his son-in-law went to a city called Ratnasara and rested under a tree. There was a theft in the palace of the king and the burglars were chased by the police. The eloping burglars saw these two merchants under the tree, so they left the booty next to them and ran away.
The police caught the two merchants with the stolen booty and sent them to the jail. The merchant suddenly realized that it happened because of his breaking the promise to the Lord. At the same time, at home both his wife and daughter Kalavati, lost all their belongings due to thefts and became beggers.
Kalavati while begging for food saw Shri Satyanarayan Pooja being performed at one house. She heard the story and told her mother about it. Lilavathi came to know their mistakes which created all those problems. The very next day she performed the pooja and apologised the God. The king had a dream that the merchants were innocent and he released them after inquiry by giving them lot of wealth.
Part 4
Suta Puranik continues –
On release from the jail, the merchants were returning home when they reached the outskirts of their town. The Lord appeared there in the form of an old Sanyasi and inquired about the contents of the ship. The merchant lied that it contained dried leaves.
The sanyasi said “Tathasthu”(be it so). When the merchant returns to the ship he found dried leaves there. On regaining his consciousness he realized that those were the blessings of the Sanyasi whom he had given a lie. He traced him soon and begged for apology.
The God again forgave him. Then the merchant sent a message to Lilavathi to let her know that they are on their way home. Lilavathi told her daughter to complete the Satyanarayan poola and go meet her husband. Kalavathi performed the pooja, but forgot to take the prasada, in a hurry to meet her husband.When she approached the anchorage, she saw neither the ship nor her husband. It looked to her that they both drowned and decides to die.<
The merchant felt that due to some fault, the Lord had punished them and he performed pooja and apologised. The Lord soon revealed to him that it was the daughter’s oversight in not accepting the prasad that has created this problem and now if she goes and takes the prasad, everything would be all right.
Kalavathi returned to the altar and took prasad with all faith and reverence. And her husband returned and from then onwards, they all performed Shri Sathyanarayan Pooja regularly till the end of their life and finally after death, they reached Satyalok.
Part 5
This chapter is important to us as we too tend to behave like the King in this story, in respect of pooja/worship/religion of other people. In the woods of Nmisharanya, Suta Puranikji continued the story narrating the greatness of this Vrat to Sage Shounak and other Rishies. In ancient times, there lived a King called Angadwaj who was kind and righteous. Once he ignored the prasad of Shri Satyanarayan Pooja and had to suffer very severely.
Once the king was returning from a hunt. He rested under a tree for a while. A group of cowherd boys had gathered near there to perform Shri Satyanarayan Pooja. They did not have anything except their daily bread. One of them became their priest and they performed the pooja. They offered the prasad to the king who, because of his ego left it untouched.
Soon all his wealth was lost and his hundred children died. He realised that it was all due to his insulting the children’s pooja. Immediately the king went to that very spot and performed the Satyanarayan Pooja with full devotion and belief. The king was relieved of all his losses.
Suta now tells the Rishis that this Vrat is especially effective in Kaliyug. This Lord of Lord is called Ishwara, Satyadev, Shri Satyanarayan and by many other names. He alone has taken names and forms. One who reads this story or hears it, will get rid of all anxieties and difficulties in life.
Thus ends the Satyanarayan Katha.
May all beings live happily forever.
“Samasta lokah sukhino bhavantu”
Worshipping of Lord Satyanarayan has Many Advantages:-
- The performance of the puja at home is said to bring in lots of success. Those who do this puja are able to achieve what they desire and their wishes are fulfilled.
- Performing the puja of Lord Satyanarayan is said to usher in the overall well being of a person and hence the mental and physical health of any person improves.
- It helps the devotees to fulfil their desires regarding improvement in wealth, finances and prosperity.
- It is said to ward off every kind of evil, including evil eye.
- It helps remove the sins of the past life.
Normally this Puja is performed at home. This puja can be done with pooja items which can be easily procured. In this case the Puja begins by invoking Lord Ganesha, who is the remover of every kind of hindrances. After offering Prasad to Ganesha, which is normally Modak, the puja of Lord Satyanarayan begins. This puja is mostly performed by the damily members and not by the priest.
The Different Steps Involved in the Worship include: –
- Taking a bath by the one to do the pooja, as well as all the members of the family who would be a part of the pooja
- Preparing the place of worship by installing the image or idol of Lord Ganesha and Lord Satyanarayan.
- Perform the invocation pooja of Lord Ganesha
- Perform the pooja of Lord Satyanarayan alongwith aarti and jaap of mantra
- Reciting the 271 verses of the Satyanarayan Katha
- Performing the Homa
- Distribution of Prasad
The one doing the pooja observes a fast from dawn till the distribution of Prasad. The fast is broken after Prasad distribution.
These days most of the items required for is available online and all one has to do is search for ‘satyanarayan puja samagri online ‘ and there would be a number of options available online.
Some of the Chief Items Required for the Pooja include:-
- Kumkum powder
- Turmeric powder
- Rangoli powder
- Camphor
- Lamp – both oil and ghee
- Incense sticks
- Bell
- Conch Shell
- 2 jars (copper)
- 2 plates (copper)
- Betel Nuts – 30
- Betel Leaves- 30
- Coconuts- 2 + 6
- Almonds- 5
- Tulsi Leaves -1000
- Flowers for offering and garlands
- Shawl
- Banana tree for making canopy
- Akshat
- Raw Rice
- Panchamritam
All these are essential requirements for Satyanarayan puja. These days there are also facilities for premium puja kits online which has all the puja requirements in a kit. This is ideal for those who are working and may not have much time to procure the items one by one.
Done with devotion, Lord Satyanarayan fulfils all the wishes and helps families wade out of troubles.
Shri Satyanarayan Puja Vidhi
Lord Vishnu is worshipped with all sixteen rituals along with chanting of Puranik Mantras during Satyanarayan Puja and other ocassions related to Lord Vishnu. Worshipping Gods and Goddesses with all 16 rituals is known as Shodashopachara Puja (षोडशोपचार पूजा).
1. Dhyanam (ध्यानम्)
Puja should begin with the meditation of Lord Satyanarayan. Dhyana should be done in front of Satyanarayan image or idol in front of you. Following Mantra should be chanted while meditating on Lord Satyanarayan.
Dhyayet Satyam Gunatitam Gunatrayasamanvitam।
Lokanatham Trilokesham Kaustubhabharanam Harim॥
Nilavarna Pitavastram Shrivatsapadabhushitam।
Govindam Gokulanandam Brahmadyairapi Pujitam॥
2. Avahanam (आवाहनं)
After Dhyana of Lord Satyanarayan, one should chant following Mantra in front of the Murti, by showing Avahan Mudra (Avahan Mudra is formed by joining both palms and folding both thumbs inwards).
Damodara Samagachchha Lakshmya Saha Jagatpate।
Imam Maya Kritam Pujam Grihana Surasattama॥
Shri Lakshmi Sahita Shri Satyanarayanaya Avahayami।
3. Asana (आसन)
After Lord Satyanarayan has been invoked, take five flowers in Anjali (by joining palm of both hands) and leave them in front of the Murti to offer seat to Lord Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Nanaratna Samakirna Kartasvaravibhushitam।
Asanam Devadevesha! Prityartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Asanam Samarpayami।
4. Padyam (पाद्यम्)
After Asana offering, offer water to Shri Satyanarayan to wash the feet while chanting following Mantra.
Narayanah Namasteastu Narakarnavataraka।
Padyam Grihana Devesha! Mama Saukhyam Vivardhaya॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Padayoh Padyam Samarpayami।
5. Arghyam (अर्घ्यम्)
After Padya offering, offer water to Shri Satyanarayan for head Abhishekam while chanting following Mantra.
Vyaktavyaktasvarupaya Hrishikapataye Namah।
Maya Nivedito Bhaktya Arghyoayam Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Arghyam Samarpayami।
6. Achamaniyam (आचमनीयम्)
After Arghya offering, offer water to Shri Satyanarayan for Achamana while chanting following Mantra.
Mandakinyastu Yadvari Sarvapaapa Haram Shubham।
Tadidam Kalpitam Deva Samyagachamyatam Vibho॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Achamaniyam Samarpayami।
7. Panchamrita Snanam (पञ्चामृत स्नानम्)
After Achamaniya offering, give a bath with Panchamrita (the mixture of milk, curd, honey, Ghee and sugar) to Shri Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Snanam Panchamritairdeva Grihana Surasattama।
Anathanatha Sarvajna Girvana Pranatapriya॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Panchamrita Snanam Samarpayami।
8. Shuddhodaka Snanam (शुद्धोदक स्नानम्)
After Panchamrita Snana, offer bath to Shri Satyanarayan with pure water while chanting following Mantra.
Nanatirthasamanitam Sarvapaapa Haram Shubham।
Tadidam Kalpitam Deva Snanartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Shuddhodaka Snanam Samarpayami।
9. Vastram (वस्त्रं)
After Shuddhodaka Snana, now offer new clothes to Shri Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Shitavatoshna Samtranam Lajjayah Rakshanam Param।
Dehalankaranam Vastra Prityartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Vastra Yugmam Samarpayami।
10. Yajnopavitam (यज्ञोपवीतं)
After Vastra offering, offer holy thread to Shri Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Brahmavishnumaheshena Nirmitam Sutramuttamam।
Grihana Bhagawan Vishnu Sarveshta Phalado Bhava॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Yajnopavitam Samarpayami।
11. Chandan (चन्दन)
After Yajnopavita offering, offer sandalwood paste or powder to Shri Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Shrikhanda Chandanam Divyam Gandhadhyam Sumanoharam।
Vilepanam Surashreshtha Chandanam Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Chandanam Samarpayami।
12. Pushpa (पुष्प)
After Chandan offering, offer flowers to Shri Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Malyadini Sugandhini Malatyadini Vai Prabho।
Maya Hritani Pushpani Pujartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Pushpam Samarpayami।
13. Dhupam (धूपम्)
After Pushpa offering, offer Dhupa to Shri Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Vanaspatirasodbhuto Gandhadhyo Gandha Uttamah।
Aghreyah Sarvadevanam Dhupoayam Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Dhupam Aghrapayami।
14. Deepam (दीपं)
After Dhupam offering, offer enlightened earthen lamp of pure Ghee to Lord Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Sajyam Cha Varti Samyuktam Vahnina Deepitam Maya।
Deepam Grihana Devesha Mama Saukhyaprado Bhava॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Deepam Darshayami।
15. Naivedyam (नैवेद्यं)
After Deepam offering, wash your hands and offer Naivedya. It should include different type of fruits and sweets and offer this to Lord Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Ghritapakvam Havishyannam Payasam Cha Sasharkaram।
Nanavidham Cha Naivedyam Grihininva Surasattama॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Naivedyam Nivedayami।
16. Tambula (ताम्बूल)
After offering Naivedyam, offer betel leaf (Tambula) to Lord Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Lavangakarpurasamyutam Tambulam Sura Pujitam।
Eladichurna Samyuktam Prityartham Pratigrihyatam॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Tambulam Samarpayami।
17. Phala (फल)
After offering Tambulam, offer fruits to Lord Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Idam Phalam Maya Deva! Sthapitam Puratastav।
Tena Me Saphalavaptirbhavejjanmani Janmani॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Phalam Samarpayami।
18. Aarti (आरती)
After offering fruits, offer Aarti with lit camphor in Puja Thali to Lord Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra. After chanting following Mantra sing Shri Satyanarayan Aarti in praise of Lord Satyanarayan.
Chaturvarti Samayuktam Goghritena Cha Puritam।
Arartikyamaham Kurve Pashya Me Varado Bhava॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Mangala Aartim Samarpayami।
19. Pradakshinam (प्रदक्षिणम्)
After Aarti, now offer symbolic Pradakshina (circumambulate from left to right of Shri Satyanarayan) with flowers in hand while chanting following Mantra.
Yani Kani Cha Papani Janmantara Kritani Cha।
Tani Tani Vinashyantu Pradakshina Pade Pade॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Pradakshinam Samarpayami।
20. Mantra Pushpanjali (मन्त्र पुष्पाञ्जलि)
After Pradakshina, offer incantations and flowers to Lord Satyanarayan while chanting following Mantra.
Yanmaya Bhakti Yuktena Patram Pushpam Phalam Jalam।
Niveditam Cha Naivedyam Tad Grihananukampaya॥
Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Janardana।
Yatpujitam Mayadeva Paripurna Tadastu Me॥
Anaya Pujaya Shrivishnuh Prasidatu॥
Om Shri Satyanarayanaya Namah Pushpanjalim Samarpayami।
Satyanarayan Puja
Shri Satyanarayan Puja is conducted to seek the blessings of Lord Narayan. It is performed every Purnima or Poornima also known as Pournami (full moon). Narayan is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. When Shri Satyanarayan Puja / Satyanarayan Katha is organized, especially on a Poornima, it makes him happy enough to bless his devotees.
On the day of puja, devotees have to observe fast. Puja can be performed in the morning and in the evening. Evening Puja is more suitable for devotees as they can break their fast by obtaining Prasadam.
A set ritual is followed in worshipping Lord Satyanarayan, a very generous incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Here is the vidhi (procedure) to perform it and seek his blessings:
- A sacred mixture of five things: milk, honey, ghee, yogurt and sugar, popularly known as Panchamrutham, is used for purification of the Shaligram, the divine stone of Lord Vishnu.
- Prasad is made of roasted wheat flour, sugar, banana and other fruits. Sacred Tulsi leaves are added to the Prasad.
- During the course of puja, the story of Satyanarayan, also called Katha, is narrated to all those present. The Katha spells out the origin of Puja, its benefits, and the possible disasters a person faces on account of not performing the Puja.
- The Puja culminates with the chanting of an Arti, a process of carrying a small fire lit with the help of Kapur or Camphor in front of an image or idol of Lord Vishnu.