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Chapter I |  |
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OM SHRI SATHYANARAYANAYA NAMAH
Shounakaji and others now ask Suta Puranikji an important question. "When a man has a desire, how can he fulfill that ethically sound desire? By worshipping whom, by what vrata, or tapas? Please let us know." Sutaji was pleased to know that this question they asked, was for the benefit of the mankind and not for their personal benefit, for, they had abandoned their homes and all desires. Sutaji said " this question was also asked by Devarshi Naradaji once to Lord Narayana Himself; Let me tell you that story." Once Naradaji was traveling all over the worlds and finally came to Bhuloka, where he found almost everyone was suffering one-way or the other misery on account of their past Karmas and were not knowing how to extricate themselves from their untold miseries which were multiplying everyday on account of their ignorance. Being a Satjana his heart felt their agonies and immediately he reached Vaikunta, to Lord Narayana to find the right answer for getting the people out of their miseries. But when he sees the Lord, being a great devotee of the Lord, he forgets his purpose and starts praising the Lord. The Lord Narayana smiles at him and asks the purpose of his visit, knowing that normally Naradaji does not visit Him without a purpose. Naradaji tells Him what he saw and requests Him a solution for all such miseries. The Lord is now happy at this question of Naradaji because of Naradaji’s intention of benefiting the world by seeking the right answer. The Lord said: Yes, there is a vrata called Sri Satyanarayana vrata, which is not known to the inhabitants of the Bhuloka. This is a secret and yet since your interest is the benefit of the mankind, I shall narrate to you this vrata. This can be performed by anyone (anyone means it does not need an expert or a priest to worship the Lord - ANYONE of any caste, community, creed can worship the Lord directly) and very easily. One, who does this, will get all the benefits and the pleasures of this world and will eventually get Moksha too. Now Narada wants to know more details of this vrata. The Lord says, this can be done any day, in the evening. Gather friends and relatives and perform this vrata with faith and devotion. The prasad for this vrata is known as Sapaad which is prepared thus: Take an equal measure of rava, Milk, Ghee, Banana, Sugar ( the measure should be 1 1/4 or multiples thereof ) cook it till all mix into a paste. The night should be spent in Bhajans and praise of the Lord. All those attending Pooja should be given food and respect. Thus the performer will get all his wishes fulfilled. End of Chapter 1 OM SHRI SATHYANARAYANAYA NAMAH
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Shri
Sathyanaranayana katha is from Skandha purana, Reva kaanda. Sutha Puraanikji
was the narrator of these stories, in Neimishaaranya to the rishis lead
by Shounakji who were performing a 1000-year yajna for the benefit of
mankind. 