Satyanarayan Katha Chapter 1: Narada Asks Vishnu and the Vow Is Revealed

The first chapter of the Satyanarayan Katha tells how this vow came into the world.

The sages' question at Naimisharanya

Once at the holy Naimisharanya, eighty-eight thousand sages led by Shaunaka asked Suta ji: "Great sage, in the Kali age how will people without Vedic learning gain devotion to God, and how will they be saved? Tell us a practice that brings merit in little time and fulfils one's wishes."

Suta ji said: "O sages, the divine sage Narada once asked this very question of the Lord of Lakshmi. I will tell you the answer the Lord gave."

Narada's concern

Once Narada, wishing to do good to others, wandered through many worlds and came to the world of mortals, the earth. There he saw all people suffering in many ways according to their deeds. Thinking how their suffering might be removed, he went to Vishnu's realm, Vaikuntha.

There he saw Lord Narayana, white of complexion, four-armed, holding conch, discus, mace and lotus, wearing the forest garland, and praised Him: "Lord, You are beyond mind and speech, of infinite power, without beginning, middle or end, remover of Your devotees' sorrows; salutations to You."

The Lord's answer

The Lord asked: "Best of sages, why have you come?" Narada said: "In the world of mortals everyone suffers from their own deeds. Lord, if You are kind to me, tell me how their sorrows may be removed with little effort."

The Lord said: "Narada, you have asked a very good question for the good of the world. I will tell you the vow by which people are freed from delusion. In heaven and on earth there is a rare vow of great merit: the vow of Lord Satyanarayan. Keeping it properly, people enjoy happiness in this world and attain liberation at the end."

The method of the vow

When Narada asked the method, the Lord said:

• This vow removes sorrow and grief, increases wealth and grain, gives good fortune and children, and brings victory everywhere.
• On any day, with faith and devotion, in the evening, with Brahmins and relatives, devoted to dharma, worship Satyanarayan.
• For the offering take with devotion banana, ghee, milk and wheat flour (or flour of sathi rice if there is no wheat), in "one and a quarter" measure, with sugar or jaggery, and mix them into prasad.
• Hear the katha with relatives, then accept the prasad, give dakshina to the Brahmins and feed everyone.
• Then remember the Lord with devotion through song and dance.

The Lord said: "In the Kali age, on earth, this is the simplest means by which people's wishes are fulfilled."

What this chapter teaches

• True saints look for remedies when they see others suffer, as Narada did.
• The Satyanarayan vow is simple: a few ingredients, sincere faith and the company of family and friends.
• At its centre is truth: truth itself is Narayan.