Satyanarayan Puja

History of Satyanarayan Puja

The Satyanarayan Puja, or Satyanarayan Vrata as it is commonly known, is an auspicious Hindu religious observance. A ritual that is performed by people on several major occasions like housewarming, marriage etc., and this puja can be done at home on any day regardless of reason. It is the first mentioned ritual in the Skanda Purana of Hindus. The Satyanarayan Puja is generally done on the day of Purnima, or Full Moon, which is believed to be really fortunate.

Popularity of Satyanarayan Puja

Sri Satyanarayan Puja is considered a traditional ritual in different parts of India, which includes Bengal, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Maharashtrians celebrate this ritual on Chaturthi or Ekadashi. The puja has special significance of the community of Chitpavan in Maharashtra.

In West Bengal, the puja is performed before housewarming or entering a new house.

In Andhra Pradesh, people have strong faith and belief towards Srimannarayan, supposedly an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. There is a famous and ancient temple at Annavaram, East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh that is dedicated to Sri Satyanarayan and witnesses thousands of devotees coming to the temple to offer their prayers. This vrata has been performed on a regular basis in Annavaram. Not only devotees, but their families also visit this temple and take part in the vrata, which is believed to be the most sacred way to offer prayers. Satyanarayan puja and vratanusthana is usually narrated in Skandapuana. This puja is performed in the evening to welcome good omen to the household and improve health of family members. It is also marked as a puja for fulfilment of heartfelt desires.

Satyanarayan puja is done in reverence to Lord Satyanarayan – a form of Lord Mahavishnu. In this form, the lord is considered to become the embodiment of truth. The puja is a ritual performed to make sure that abundance, prosperity, general happiness as well as wellbeing prevails in the family. The most vital offering to the lord during this puja is the apada nivedya, which is basically a sweet treat made of sugar, wheat rava, kadali banana, cow’s milk and ghee.

The belief of Satyanarayan puja started several thousand years ago. In the earlier times of Kalyug, a poor Brahmin boy having faith on God despite poverty was wandering in search of food. It was then that the Lord Satyanarayan appeared before the poor boy, in disguise of an aged person, and the story began. This is believed to be the Satyanarayan katha, which is read out to devotees as a part of the ritual. The belief is still strong and worshipped. Satya means Truth. Narayan means the one that abides in everything and everybody. Therefore, this puja, or the worship of Satyanarayan, a form of the Lord Vishnu, suggests that to overcome problems and difficulties in life caused either due to deeds of previous birth or similar factors can be overcome by worshipping the lord of Truth. Devoting time to the Truth and worshipping is a way of being truthful to oneself and being truthful to others. The more honest and trutful we come, the better we can worshop the Lord Narayan in ourselves as well as others.

Satyanarayan Puja Vidhi

The Satyanarayan puja is generally performed in reverence to the Lord Narayana, which is also a form of Lord Vishnu. In this form, the lord is considered to be the embodiment of truth. Performing the puja in the evening is often considered to be more appropriate. However, it can also be performed during the day, or early morning. On the decided day of the puja, devotees have to fast. After taking a bath, devotees can perform this puja on their own.

The Vidhi in Simple Terms

Take a bath to clean and purify the body, mind and soul

Prepare a Mandala and keep the image of the deity/idol of Lord Ganesha and Lord Satyanarayan ready

Perform the Ganesh Mantra jaap and puja

Perform the Satyanarayan puja vidhi along with aarti and mantra jaap

Recite all 271 verses of the famous Satyanarayan katha

Perform the homa (fire ritual)

Fast from dawn till prasadam

The Satyanarayan Katha – Story Behind the Ritual

The puja is performed from the Skanda Purana. The story is narrated by Sutha Puranik, a rishi, who is narrating the story to a group of rishis performing a thousand year yajna for the benefit of mankind. The rishis asked Sutha Pramanik as to how an individual with ethical and life-affirming desires could have his desires fulfilled.

Sutha further explained that this same question was also asked by Narada, another great rishi and the son of Lord Bramha or the creator. Narada is one famous character that pops up all through Vedic mythology as an instigator who could set everything in motion. He had the finest comic sense and mischief.

In this tale, Narada is shown travelling the entire universe before coming to the Earth, or Bhuloka. On earth, he found that many people have been suffering as they were living through their karma from the past life. That filled him with compassion for the ones suffering and he went to Lord Vishnu and asked if something could be done to help these people.

Narada and Lord Vishnu were great friends. Vishnu, in turn, asked Narada for suggestion. Narada then explained that there’s a puja that can be performed by everyone to eliminate sufferings from their life; it is called the Satyanarayan puja. He also added that this puja can be done by everyone; it is not necessary to have a priest, at any time without having to wait for an auspicious moment. Apart from this, there are other stories as a part of the Satyanarayan Katha, which makes this ritual a celebration.

Satyanarayan Puja Aarti in English

Om Jai Lakshmi Ramana, Swami Jai Lashmi Ramana |

Satyanarayan Swami, Satyanarayan Swami, Jan Patak Harana || Jai Lakshmi Ramana

Ratan Ja Rat Singhasan, Adhbut Chabee Rajey, Swami Adhbut Chabee Rajey |

Narad Kahat Niranjan, Narad Kahat Niranjan, Ghanta dhun bhajey ||

Jai Lakshmi Ramana .....1

Pragat Bhaye Kali Karan, Dwij Ko Daras Diya Swami Dwij Ko Daras Diya |

Budha Brahman Bankey, Budha Brahman Bankey, Kanchan Mahal Kiya ||

Jai Lakshmi Ramana .....2

Durbal Bhil Kathier, Jan Par Kripa Karey Swami Jan Par Kripa Karey |

Chandra Choor Ik Raja, Chandra Choor Ik Raja, Jinaki Vipat Hare ||

Jai Lakshmi Ramana......3

Vaishya Manorath Payo, Shradha Uj Dini Swami Shradha Uj Dini |

So Fal Bhogyo Prabhuji, So Fal Bhogyo Prabhuji, Fer Ustati Kini ||

Jai Lakshmi Ramana.......4

Bhav Bhakti Ke Karan, Chhin Chhin Roop Dharya Swami Chhin Chhin Roop Dharya |

Sharda Dharan Kini, Sharda Dharan Kini, Tin Ka Karj Sarya ||

Jai Lakshmi Ramana.......5

Gwal Bal Sang Raja, Ban Mein Bhagti Karey Swami Ban Mein Bhagti Karey |

Man Vanchit Fal Dino, Man Vanchit Fal Dino, Deen Dayal Harey ||

Jai Lakshmi Ramana.......6

Charhat Prasad Sawayo, Kadali Fal Mewa Swami Kadali Fal Mewa |

Doop Deep Tulsi Se, Doop Deep Tulsi Se, Raje Sat Deva||

Jai Lakshmi Ramana........7

Shri Satya Narayan Ji Ki Aarti jo koi gaa~vey Swami jo koi gaa~vey |

Kahat Shivanand Swami, Kahat Shivanand Swami Man Vanchhit Fal Pave ||

Jai Lakshmi Ramana........8

Om Jai Lakshmi Ramana, Swami Jai Lashmi Ramana |

Satyanarayan Swami, Satyanarayan Swami, Jan Patak Harana || Jai Lakshmi Ramana