Among the Vrata Kathas that are prevalent in India, Shri Satyanarayana Vrata Katha is the most popular. It is the easiest and most inexpensive way of self-purification and self-surrender in the lotus feet of `Hari`. One who observes the Vrata with full devotion and faith is sure to fulfill his heart`s desire. The Katha is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his manifestation as Lord Satyanarayan. `Satya` means truth, `Nar` means a man and `Ayan` means place. Thus a place where truth resides in man is called Satyanarayan. The Satyanarayan katha and Vrata help to overcome vices like lust, anger, greed, attachments and ego. The Hindu Shastras state that during `kalyug`, the result that one gets by hearing Satyanarayan Katha is enormous.

It is believed that Narada Rishi was a divine saint who used to move in the three world of universe (Triloka Sanchari). When he visited the earth there was great misery among common people. Unable to find a way to relieve human suffering, Narada at once approached Lord Narayana and described him the wave of sadness in earth. Lord Narayana or shri Vishnu said to Narada " O venerable rishi, let people observe the Satya Narayana Vrata in the evening of Sankranti or Purnima. Let them all here the story (katha) of Satya Narayana. All their miseries will come to an end. There is no doubt of this." Rishi Narada then returned to earth and advocated the glory of Satya Narayana Vrata.


Many Hindus observe the vow without taking any food during the day. They attain their desires and become happy and prosperous. The observance of Satya Narayana Vrata does not cost much. The observer needs to give only a small gift to the priest, who reads the Vrata-Katha and distribute some prasad which are not very expensive. A little curd and some fruits are required along with some wheat flour and sugar to make the Prasad. Even the poorest man can observe this Vrata. In North India this Vrata is observed by majority of people. It takes about three hours to complete the observance. It is generally observed in the full moon day and in Sankrantis particularly in the months of Karthik, Vaisakh, Sravan and Chaitra.

There are several stories connected with this Vrata, which speaks about the glory of Lord Narayana and the enormous benefit derived by observing this Vrata. He who hears the stories with faith, devotion and one-pointed ness of mind derives considerable benefits. The first of the stories was the story of Narada and Lord Vishnu narrated above and the other stories also have great morals concerning truthfulness and fulfillment of promises.

The Story of a Poor Brahmin- There was a poor Brahmin who used to live on alms. Narayana appeared before him in form of an old Brahmin and advised him to observe Satyanarayana Vrata and assured him that he will be free from his poverty. The poor Brahmin acted accordingly and all his desires were fulfilled.

The Story of a Wood-cutter-- the same Brahmin then started doing this Vrata in a grand scale. One day a poor woodcutter entered the garden of the Brahmin to drink some water and heard the Katha of Satya Narayana with rapt attention. He was also inspired to observe the Vrata in his house. He took some prasad and ate it. When he went to the market place and sold the wood he got double price than the usual amount. He immediately purchased the things that were necessary for the Vrata and observed it with intense faith and devotion along with his family members. All his desires were fulfilled too. After his death the woodcutter attained the supreme abode of Satya Loka where truth alone prevails.

The Story of a Merchant : Once king Ulkamukha and his queen , who were very pious devotee of lord Satya Narayana was observing fast and performing Vrata on the bank of holy river Bhadrasheela. A merchant named Sadhu was passing by. He came to know about the Vrata from the King. When the merchant went home he narrated it to his wife Lilavati. Both took the resolution to observe the vrata and soon were blessed by a girl child. The merchant couple brought up their daughter, whose name was Kalavathi. Sadhu and his wife thought that they will postpone the Vrata till their daughter was married. In course of time Kalavathi got married but Sadhu forgot his resolve. He went to foreign countries for business with his son-in-law. Lord Narayana felt that it was high time to remind them of their resolve. One night Sadhu and his men were suddenly arrested and imprisoned by the royal police as they were suspected to be thieves. At the same time thieves have stolen all properties of Sadhu in his native place. Now Leelabathi and Kalabathi were leading miserable life in the streets. One day Kalabathi went to get alms and received the prasad of Lord Satyanarayana from a temple. She came home and persuades her mother to start observing the Vrata of Satyanarayana.The very day, the king of Ratnasarpur dreamt that Sadhu and his party were not guilty and they should be released immediately, otherwise he would be destroyed along with his families. The king at once released Sadhu and his son-in-law and other men from the prison giving them double values of the merchandise. Sadhu was way back to his village when Lord Satyanarayana appeared before him in the guise of a mendicant and asked him what he has in the boat. Sadhu thought that the mendicant will ask for money, so he answered that there were only bundle of leaves in the boat.The mendicant replied "Your words will come true, O merchant!". That night Sadhu found that all his contents in a boat, including the jewelries,has turned into leaves.He realized that it was due to uttering false to the mendicant. He quickly went out to search the friar and found him in a secluded spot. Sadhu begged his pardon. The mendicant reminded him of his promise to observe the Vrata. Then Lord revealed his true identity to the merchant, gave him words of consolation and disappeared. Sadhu came back to his boat and found the bags contained jewels again. He thanked god with intense faith and devotion.

After five days Sadhu reached his native place. He sent a messenger to inform his wife and daughter about his arrival. At the time when messenger arrived the two women were hearing Satyanarayana Katha. When they finished worshipping, they went to meet Sadhu and his son-in-law in a great hurry. Thus they forgot to take the prasad of the lord. Lord Satyanarayana again wanted to point out their carelessness in not taking the Prasad. The boat with its wealth along with the son-in -law sank. He was struggling in desperation for his life. A divine voice was heard in sky: "Kalavathi has not taken my Prasad, so this has happened." Kalavathi went to home hurriedly and took the prasad. When she returned she found that both her father and husband were saved miraculously. Even the boat with the jewelries was saved. Sadhu narrated what had happened during their travel and how the lord saved him when he was in distress. Thereafter, Sadhu and his family regularly observed Satyanarayan Vrata during Purnima and Sankranti and happily lived everafter. They attained the blissful abode of Lord Narayana.

The Story of King Tungadhwaja- One day the king Tungadhwaja went out for hunting. After walking for a long distance he became tired and took rest under a banyan tree. Some boys of cowherd class were performing the Vrata of Satya Narayana nearby. They offered him the Prasad but the king refused to neither take it nor prostrate before the lord. When he returned to his kingdom he got the news that his sons and daughters died and the whole property was destroyed. The king at once realized that this was due to the disrespect he had shown to the lord and his Prasad.In a repented heart, the King returned to the banyan tree and performed the worshipping of Lord Satyanarayana with great faith and devotion. Lord satyanarayana showered his grace on the king. The king got back his kingdom and children. Thereafter he observed the Vrata regularly and happily led rest of his life.

The person, who sacredly attends the Satyanarayana Vrata and eats the prasad with devotion, finally abides the truth and his life becomes happy, peaceful and prosperous.