5. The Story of King Tungadhwaja

One day King Tungadhwaja went out hunting. After walking a long distance he was
overcome by fatigue. He sat under a banyan tree. Some boys of the cowherd class were performing
the Vrata of Satya Narayana in the vicinity of the banyan tree. The boys came to know that a king
was resting under the tree. One of them respectfully took some prasad and placed it before the king.
The king did not want to attend the function, nor prostrate before the Lord. He did not take
the prasad either. In fact, he cast a look of disgust at the offering, and proudly returned to his capital.
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SATYA NARAYANA VRATA
The Lord wanted to teach the king a lesson. The king was given the news that his sons and
daughters died and his whole property was destroyed. He inwardly understood that this was due to
the disrespect he had shown to the Lord and His prasad. He repented very much for his wrong
doing.
With a sore but repentant heart, he made his way to the banyan tree where the boys had
worshipped the Lord. He himself now performed the worship with intense faith and devotion. Lord
Satya Narayana showered His Grace upon the king. He got back his lost property and his children.
The king thereafter regularly worshipped the Lord and lived happily.
He who observes this Vrata, which is even being observed by the gods themselves, with
faith, devotion and self-surrender; he who hears the sacred story of Lord Satya Narayana with faith
and devotion; he who attends the worship and eats the prasad—he certainly attains health, wealth
and joy. He is uplifted from the mire of worldliness and the clutches of death. He finally abides in
the Truth.
In the Kali Yuga, worship of Lord Hari through the Satya Narayana Vrata makes one happy,
peaceful and prosperous. This is the truth described in the ancient epics.