Shri Satyanarayan Vrat Katha - Chapter II: What is it and What are the Benefits?
The Shri Satyanarayan Vrat Katha comprises five chapters. This second chapter recounts the following story. Read and enjoy this account of the second chapter of the Satyanarayan Katha, filled with devotion.
Suta said:
O Rishis! I recount the story of one who performed this ritual in the past. Listen attentively! In the beautiful city of Kashi, lived an extremely poor Brahmin. Hounded by hunger and thirst, he wandered the earth. The Lord, compassionate towards Brahmins, one day appeared before him disguised as a Brahmin. "O Vipra," he inquired, "Why do you wander the earth in perpetual sorrow?" The impoverished Brahmin replied, "I am a poor Brahmin. I wander in search of alms. O Lord, if you know a way, please tell me."
The elderly Brahmin replied that Lord Satyanarayan grants desires. Therefore, you should worship Him. Performing this ritual frees one from all suffering.
The disguised Lord Satyanarayan, appearing as an elderly Brahmin, explained the entire ritual to the poor Brahmin before disappearing. The Brahmin pondered inwardly, "I shall certainly perform the ritual as instructed by the elderly Brahmin." This resolve kept him awake all night. He arose early, resolved to perform the Satyanarayan Vrat, and went in search of alms.
That day, the poor Brahmin received abundant alms, with which he, along with his family and friends, completed the Shri Satyanarayan Vrat.
After completing the ritual, the poor Brahmin was freed from all suffering and became blessed with numerous riches. From that day forward, he performed this Vrat each month. Whosoever performs this Satyanarayan Vrat will be freed from all sins and attain liberation. Even listening to the Vrat story will deliver one from suffering.
Suta said: In this way, I have narrated to you the Shri Satyanarayan Vrat, as instructed by Lord Narayana to Narada. O Vipras, what more should I say?
The Rishis said:
O Munis, we wish to hear of others who performed this ritual after this poor Brahmin. Our hearts are filled with reverence.
Suta said:
O Munis! Listen to the stories of those who performed this ritual! Once, the same Brahmin, with his family and friends, prepared to perform the Vrat in accordance with his prosperity. At that time, an old woodcutter entered the Brahmin's home, placing his wood outside. Parched with thirst, he noticed the Brahmin performing the ritual and bowed down, asking him about the Vrat and its blessings.
The Brahmin explained that this was the Shri Satyanarayan Vrat, capable of fulfilling all desires. His family had prospered because of this Vrat's blessings.
The woodcutter, having learned about the Vrat, was overjoyed. He received the sacred water (Charanamrit), ate the Prasad, and went home. Determined to perform the Vrat himself, he took the wood to the market where wealthy people reside, intending to sell his wood. The woodcutter received a price four times more than his usual earnings.
The woodcutter happily brought the money back, purchasing ingredients like bananas, sugar, ghee, milk, curd, and wheat flour needed for the Vrat. He called his friends and family and performed the ritual with devotion. Because of this Vrat, the woodcutter was blessed with wealth, children, and ultimately achieved liberation, departing to Vaikuntha.
Thus concludes the second chapter of the Shri Satyanarayan Vrat Katha.
Shrimant Narayana-Narayana-Narayana.
Worship, O mind, Narayana-Narayana-Narayana.
Victory to Shri Satyanarayan!
