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Satyanarayan Puja: Meaning, Procedure and Source Text

Pooja · 9 verses · original in Sanskrit

About Satyanarayan Puja

In the Pratisarga Parva of the Bhavishya Purana, Lord Vishnu tells Narada that in the Kali age Satyanarayana gives visible fruit, and describes his worship: a morning bath and vow; at dusk, a place decorated with banana stems and five kalashas, a Shaligram bathed in panchamrita, a prasada of wheat flour, chanting of the mantra, hearing the story and sharing out the prasada. The procedure here is taken from these verses.

Text: Bhavishya Purana (Pratisarga Parva, Khanda 2, ch. 24–26) (Puranic)

Meanings and summaries are editorial, written for this library from the cited edition.

Practical guidance

Objective

Benefits

How to do it

  1. In the morning clean your teeth, bathe and be pure, wear a sprig of tulasi blossoms, and meditate on Hari established in truth (the meditation verse is verse 3 below). Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 24, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74736, Pratisarga Parva 2.24.25-26
  2. Make the vow in your mind (verse 4): that you will keep the vow, worship at dusk, and take the prasada after hearing the story; then hold the worship at dusk. Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 24, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74736, Pratisarga Parva 2.24.27-28
  3. Decorate the place with an archway of banana stems, set up five kalashas and five flags, have a fine altar made in the middle, install the Lord's stone form (Shaligram) on it together with some gold, and worship with fragrance and the rest, with love and devotion. Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 26, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74740, Pratisarga Parva 2.26.15-16
  4. Make panchamrita from cow's milk, curd and ghee, Ganga water and honey, and bathe the Shaligram in it. Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 25, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74738, Pratisarga Parva 2.25.25-26
  5. Worship with fragrance, flowers, food offerings, Vedic recitation, incense, lamps and betel; offer sweets, drinks, fruits and seasonal flowers with devotion. Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 25, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74738, Pratisarga Parva 2.25.27-28
  6. Prepare the offering: wheat flour (the amount is given in the source's old units), mixed with the same measure of milk and with sugar and the like, with ghee; this is dear to Hari. Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 25, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74738, Pratisarga Parva 2.25.24-25
  7. Chant the mantra (verse 5) 108 times and offer a tenth of that number into the fire (homa); do tarpana and marjana, then listen to Hari's story. Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 24, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74736, Pratisarga Parva 2.24.30-31
  8. With brahmins and your own people around you, listen with faith to the story, including the accounts of the king, the Bhils and the merchant; at the end of the story bow with devotion. Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 25, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74738, Pratisarga Parva 2.25.29-30
  9. Divide the prasada properly: the first share to the officiating teacher (acharya), the second to your family, the third to the listeners and the fourth for yourself. Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 24, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74736, Pratisarga Parva 2.24.32-33
  10. Feed brahmins, and eat your own meal in silence. Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 24, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74736, Pratisarga Parva 2.24.34
  11. Many families hold this puja at home on Purnima, or on happy occasions such as moving into a new home or a wedding, often with a priest; the prasada is commonly a sweet of wheat flour or semolina with banana, milk, ghee and sugar. This is common practice, not what the verses above state. (common practice)

What to keep in mind

What not to do

Sourced items paraphrase the cited verses in plain language. Items marked "common practice" are editorial notes written for this library.

Text and meaning

Bhavishya Purana 3.2.24.17

कृते त्रेतायुगे विष्णुर्द्वापरेऽनेकरूपधृक् ।। कलौ प्रत्यक्षफलदः सत्यनारायणो विभुः ।। १७ ।।

kṛte tretāyuge viṣṇurdvāpare'nekarūpadhṛk || kalau pratyakṣaphaladaḥ satyanārāyaṇo vibhuḥ || 17 ||

In the Krita and Treta ages he is Vishnu, in the Dvapara he takes many forms, and in the Kali age the all-pervading Lord Satyanarayana gives visible fruit.

Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 24, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74736, Pratisarga Parva 2.24.17

Bhavishya Purana 3.2.24.18

चतुष्पादो हि धर्मश्च तस्य सत्यं प्रसाधनम् ।। सत्येन धार्यते लोकः सत्ये ब्रह्म प्रतिष्ठितम् ।। १८ ।।

catuṣpādo hi dharmaśca tasya satyaṃ prasādhanam || satyena dhāryate lokaḥ satye brahma pratiṣṭhitam || 18 ||

Dharma stands on four feet, and truth is what accomplishes it. The world is upheld by truth, and Brahman is established in truth.

Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 24, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74736, Pratisarga Parva 2.24.18

Bhavishya Purana 3.2.24.26

नारायणं सांद्रघनावदातं चतुर्भुजं पीतमहार्हवाससम् ।। प्रसन्नवक्त्रं नवकंजलोचनं सनन्दनाद्यैरुपसेवितं भजे ।। २६ ।।

nārāyaṇaṃ sāṃdraghanāvadātaṃ caturbhujaṃ pītamahārhavāsasam || prasannavaktraṃ navakaṃjalocanaṃ sanandanādyairupasevitaṃ bhaje || 26 ||

I worship Narayana, radiant and dark like a dense rain-cloud, four-armed, wearing precious yellow garments, with a gracious face and eyes like a fresh lotus, attended by Sanandana and the other sages.

Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 24, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74736, Pratisarga Parva 2.24.26

Bhavishya Purana 3.2.24.27

करोमि ते व्रतं देव सायंकाले त्वदर्चनम् ।। श्रुत्वा गाथां त्वदीयां हि प्रसादं ते भजाम्यहम् ।। २७ ।।

karomi te vrataṃ deva sāyaṃkāle tvadarcanam || śrutvā gāthāṃ tvadīyāṃ hi prasādaṃ te bhajāmyaham || 27 ||

O Lord, I undertake your vow: at dusk I will worship you, and after hearing your story I will partake of your prasada.

Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 24, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74736, Pratisarga Parva 2.24.27

Bhavishya Purana 3.2.24.30

ॐनमो भगवते नित्यं सत्यदेवाय धीमहि ।। चतुःपदार्थदात्रे च नमस्तुभ्यं नमोनमः ।। 3.2.24.३० ।।

oṃnamo bhagavate nityaṃ satyadevāya dhīmahi || catuḥpadārthadātre ca namastubhyaṃ namonamaḥ || 3.2.24.30 ||

Om, salutation to the Lord Satyadeva; we ever meditate on him. To you, giver of the four aims of life, salutations again and again.

Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 24, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74736, Pratisarga Parva 2.24.30

Bhavishya Purana 3.2.24.22

निर्धनोपि धनाढ्यः स्यादपुत्रः पुत्रवान्भवेत् ।। भ्रष्टराज्यो लभेद्राज्यमन्धोऽपि स्यात्सुलोचनः ।। २२ ।।

nirdhanopi dhanāḍhyaḥ syādaputraḥ putravānbhavet || bhraṣṭarājyo labhedrājyamandho'pi syātsulocanaḥ || 22 ||

The poor become rich, the childless have a son, one who lost his kingdom regains it, and even the blind gain good sight.

Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 24, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74736, Pratisarga Parva 2.24.22

Bhavishya Purana 3.2.24.23

मुच्यते बंधनाद्बद्धो निर्भयः स्याद्भयातुरः ।। मनसा कामयेद्यंयं लभते तं विधानतः ।।२३।।

mucyate baṃdhanādbaddho nirbhayaḥ syādbhayāturaḥ || manasā kāmayedyaṃyaṃ labhate taṃ vidhānataḥ ||23||

One in bondage is set free and the frightened become fearless; whatever one wishes for in the mind, one obtains by worshipping as prescribed.

Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 24, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74736, Pratisarga Parva 2.24.23

Bhavishya Purana 3.2.25.21

हरिस्तमाह मधुरं सस्मितं विश्वमोहनः ।। पूजायां मम विप्रेन्द्र बहु नापेक्षितं धनम् ।। २१ ।।

haristamāha madhuraṃ sasmitaṃ viśvamohanaḥ || pūjāyāṃ mama viprendra bahu nāpekṣitaṃ dhanam || 21 ||

Hari, who enchants the world, said to him sweetly with a smile: "Best of brahmins, my worship does not call for much wealth."

Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 25, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74738, Pratisarga Parva 2.25.21

Bhavishya Purana 3.2.25.22

अनायासेन लब्धेन श्रद्धामात्रेण मां यज ।। ग्राहग्रस्तोजामिलो वा यथाऽभून्मुक्तसंकटः ।। २२ ।।

anāyāsena labdhena śraddhāmātreṇa māṃ yaja || grāhagrastojāmilo vā yathā'bhūnmuktasaṃkaṭaḥ || 22 ||

"Worship me with whatever comes without strain, with faith alone, just as the one seized by the crocodile (the elephant king) and Ajamila were freed from danger."

Source: Bhavishya Purana 3 (Pratisarga Parva), Khanda 2 ch. 25, Sanskrit Wikisource, revision 74738, Pratisarga Parva 2.25.22

Frequently asked questions

What is the objective of Satyanarayan Puja?
To worship Satyanarayana (Vishnu), who in the Kali age gives visible fruit. The source says the world rests on truth, so the Satyanarayana vow is held to be the best.
How to do Satyanarayan Puja?
1. In the morning clean your teeth, bathe and be pure, wear a sprig of tulasi blossoms, and meditate on Hari established in truth (the meditation verse is verse 3 below). 2. Make the vow in your mind (verse 4): that you will keep the vow, worship at dusk, and take the prasada after hearing the story; then hold the worship at dusk. 3. Decorate the place with an archway of banana stems, set up five kalashas and five flags, have a fine altar made in the middle, install the Lord's stone form (Shaligram) on it together with some gold, and worship with fragrance and the rest, with love and devotion. 4. Make panchamrita from cow's milk, curd and ghee, Ganga water and honey, and bathe the Shaligram in it. 5. Worship with fragrance, flowers, food offerings, Vedic recitation, incense, lamps and betel; offer sweets, drinks, fruits and seasonal flowers with devotion. 6. Prepare the offering: wheat flour (the amount is given in the source's old units), mixed with the same measure of milk and with sugar and the like, with ghee; this is dear to Hari. 7. Chant the mantra (verse 5) 108 times and offer a tenth of that number into the fire (homa); do tarpana and marjana, then listen to Hari's story. 8. With brahmins and your own people around you, listen with faith to the story, including the accounts of the king, the Bhils and the merchant; at the end of the story bow with devotion. 9. Divide the prasada properly: the first share to the officiating teacher (acharya), the second to your family, the third to the listeners and the fourth for yourself. 10. Feed brahmins, and eat your own meal in silence. 11. Many families hold this puja at home on Purnima, or on happy occasions such as moving into a new home or a wedding, often with a priest; the prasada is commonly a sweet of wheat flour or semolina with banana, milk, ghee and sugar. This is common practice, not what the verses above state. (common practice)
What are the benefits of Satyanarayan Puja?
The poor become rich, the childless have a child, one who lost his kingdom regains it, the blind gain sight, one in bondage is freed and the frightened become fearless; whatever one wishes for is gained by worshipping as prescribed. The vow calms sorrow and grief, increases wealth and grain, brings good fortune and children, grants success everywhere and pleases Vishnu, the lord of Lakshmi. One who performs this worship with faith and devotion gains the wishes he longs for in this very life. Those who worship in this way enjoy fine blessings with children, grandchildren and wealth, reach the Lord's presence at the end, and the observant gains whatever he wishes for.
What should you keep in mind on Satyanarayan Puja?
The Lord says his worship needs little wealth: worship with whatever comes without strain, with faith alone. He is satisfied not by goods but by devotion alone. The puja may be done on any day; the source says to hold it as night begins. In the story, King Chandrachuda duly worshipped Satyadeva on the full moon (Purnima) every month. Many people fast until the puja and break the fast with the prasada. Look after your health before fasting; anyone who is pregnant, ill, diabetic, elderly or on regular medication should seek medical advice. (common practice)
What should you not do on Satyanarayan Puja?
Accept the prasada you receive with respect and eat it; do not hesitate over it or question it. Do not neglect the prasada: in the story Kalavati left it untouched to hurry to her husband, and at that moment her husband's boat sank. Do not forget a worship you have vowed: in the story the merchant Sadhu promised worship if he was granted a child, then forgot it, and as a result fell into hardship.

Sources and licence

The verses are copied character for character from the source pages, including number forms such as "3.2.24.30" and run-together spellings such as "ॐनमो". The popular Satyanarayan katha booklet usually follows a different text printed under the name of the Skanda Purana (Reva Khanda); this is the Bhavishya Purana text, so some names and events differ from the booklet. The source gives the prasada quantity (25.24) in old units, "pādārdha" and "seṭaka"; no modern equivalent is added here. IAST is generated by a fixed rule.

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