सत्यनारायण की सत्य कथा

The true story of Satya Narayan
(Reva Khand, Skanda Purana)

In Bharat, since ancient times, people celebrate a religious ritual called ‘Satya Narayan Vrat’ with the belief that by performing this Vrat (vow), their sorrows and grieves will be eradicated, they will flourish with prosperity and that they will achieve success in all fields. During this vow, there is a custom of listening to the story of Satya Narayan Swami. It is said that this story was told by the great Saint ‘Suta’ to Shounika and other saints at the holy place ‘Naimisharanya’. But in this story, we neither find the true introduction of Satya Narayan Swami, nor his life history nor any description on how to perform the Vrat.
For example, in the first chapter of this story, it is said that one poor Brahmin by the name Sivananda attained wealth, peace and prosperity by listening to the story of Satya Narayana and performing this Vrat. In another story, it is said that one poor wood seller who could not even manage two square meals a day, was relieved from his poverty and sorrows and attained a high status in Vaikunth by listening to the story of Satya Narayana and performing this Vrat.
But nowhere it is described as to what is the actual story that they all listened to and become prosperous? It is also not described as to how they perform the Vrat? It only warns about the grave consequences of not performing the Vrat as intended. For example: if somebody promises to perform this Vrat but fails to do so or if someone does not accept the Prasadam (food offered to God) of this Vrat, he will suffer sorrows or face dangers in life.
One of the longest stories of this Vrat is narrated as below: A childless Vyshya thought that if he is blessed with a child, he would perform this Vrat. After some time, a girl child was born to him, and the girl was named as Kalavathi. But he did not perform the Vrat, as promised and postponed the idea of performing the Vrat and took another vow that he would perform the Vrat at the time of his daughter’s marriage. At the time of his daughter’s marriage, he totally forgot about his promise. Thus, Satya Narayan Swami got angry and cursed him. Thereafter, the entire situation got overturned. He was blamed for a robbery that occurred in the king’s palace. The Vyshya and his Son-in-law were arrested by the soldiers and were put in the prison. Praying for the welfare of her husband, Leelavathi (Vyshya’s wife) performed the Vrat. God appeared in the King’s dream and ordered him to release the Vyshya and his son-in-law.
After being released from the prison, these two Vyshyas came to their ship. Satya Narayan Swami in the disguise of an old Brahmin came before them and enquired, what were they carrying in their ship? Thinking that he wanted some donation from them, he replied that they only had waste leaves and grass in their ship. The old Brahmin blessed them, “Let it be so”. Immediately all the gold, money and valuables they had in their ship turned into leaves and grass. The Vyshya recognized the old Brahmin as Satya Narayan Swami. He repented for his mistake and prayed to the old Brahmin to pardon him. The old Brahmin reminded him of his promise of performing the Vrat and advised him to do it immediately. The Vysya assured Satya Narayan Swami that he would definitely perform the Vrat. Pleased by Vysya’s realization and assurance of performing the vrat he transformed all the leaves and grass again into their original form of gold, money and valuables. The Vysya and his son-in-law happily travelled in the ship and reached the shore of their city. Here, Vyshya’s daughter was performing the Vrat but on hearing the news of the arrival of her husband and father, she eagerly went to receive them without taking the prasadam. Due to this, the ship sank into the sea and her husband was not found. She heard from a Voice from Sky that all this happened because she had not taken the prasadam of the Vrat. After she took the Prasadam, her husband appeared before her. The ship which had sunk into the sea also came back onto the shore.

Spiritual Significance – In the story of this Vrat, the old Brahmin who advised the two Vyshyas to perform the Vrat is none other but the personification of Prajapita Brahma. The Supreme incorporeal God, Shiv Baba, incarnates into the body of Prajapita Brahma and narrates the true story of “How to become Sri Narayan?” and also teaches purity or the vow of Brahmacharya. By listening to this true story, insolvent Bharat will once again be transformed by Shiv Baba into the land of heaven. Just as the poor wood seller became a rich person, the poor Bharat will become a land of gold, wealth and prosperity. Just as the sunken ship of the merchants (Vyshyas) was saved, Bharat will also be rejuvenated by the Supreme God. In Satyug, Shri Narayan was full of divine virtues and complete in all 16 Celestial degrees. The same Sri Satya Narayan becomes Chandra Vanshi with 14 Celestial degrees in Tretayug. In the course of time, by becoming body conscious, he became Worshipper from Worship worthy. From being viceless he became vicious. By the end of Kaliyuga, the remaining Celestial degrees also diminished and almost completely disappeared. It is at this time that Shiv Baba incarnates into the body of an old person (84th birth of the soul of Sri Satya Narayan) and names him as Prajapita Brahma. Through him, Shiv Baba preached the true knowledge (Gyan) and taught the practice of Rajyoga. By practicing the same in his life, the soul of Satya Narayan once again became Pure, Perfect and Complete with all Divine Virtues. This alone is the real story of Sri Satya Narayan. Practicing Godly principles and Divine qualities and taking a strong vow to become an embodiment of those qualities is in the real sense means actually performing the Vrat. The Spiritual significance implies that those who follow the principles and listen to the story told by Shiv Baba, the Embodiment of Truth, transform themselves from ordinary human beings to deities.