SATYA NARAYANA VRATA

YOU ARE all familiar with Narada Rishi. He is the Triloka Sanchari—the one who moves
about in the three worlds. When he once visited the earth plane, there was great misery. He was
unable to find a way to relieve human suffering. He at once approached Lord Narayana and related
to Him the sad state of affairs on earth.
Lord Narayana said to Narada, “O venerable Rishi, let people observe the Satya Narayana
Vrata in the evening of Shankranti or Purnima. Let them all hear the story (Katha) of Satya
Narayana. All miseries will come to an end. There is no doubt of this.”
Rishi Narada thereupon returned to earth and preached the glory of the Satya Narayana
Vrata. Many observed the vow without taking any food during the course of the day and attained
what they desired. All were happy and prosperous.
The observance of the Satya Narayana Vrata does not cost much. You need only give a
small gift to the pundit who comes to read the story and then distribute some prasad which also
need not be very costly. Some wheat flour and sugar will make up the prasad.Alittle curd and some
fruit are required. Even the poorest man can observe this Vrata.
In North India the vow is observed by the vast majority of people. It takes about three hours
to complete the whole observance. It is generally observed on the full moon day, particularly the
Kartik, Vaisakh, Sravan and Chaitra Purnimas and the Shankranti day. It can also be done on new
moon days.
Five stories are connected with this Vrata. They speak about the glory of Lord Narayana and
His Grace, His prasad, and of the incalculable benefit derived by observing the Vrata. He who hears
these stories with faith, devotion and one-pointedness of mind derives considerable benefit. The
first of these is the story of Narada, narrated above. The other stories have great moral lessons in
them concerning truthfulness, fulfilment of promises, etc