SATYANARAYAN KATHA CHAPTER 3
(The tale of honest tradesman:
God’s punishment to promise breaker)
Sut Continued to say, "Now listen to one more story on this subject (of Satyanarayan pooja) that I want to tell you. An emperor named Ulkamukh once ruling on this earth. 1

He had mastered all the senses and always spoke the truth. He was faithful, intelligent and charitable. Every day he used to go to the temple and give donation to Brahmins and satisfy himself by make them happy. 2

His lotus faced beautiful wife was honest, extremely innocent (pure in her heart) and faithful. Her name was Bhadrasheela. This royal couple were performing Satyanarayan pooja on the river banks. 3

Around that same time a saintly merchant (Sadhu Vanik) was passing by. In his boat, he had lots of saleable items in stock for his business. 4

He saw the king performing a ceremony and so he anchored his boat on the banks of the river and proceeded to where the emperor (Ulkamukh) was performing this pooja. He asked the emperor politely: 5

Oh, King! I would like to hear what you are doing with such devotion. I want to know so please explain to me in complete detail. 6

The king said, "Dear Sadhu! Lord Vishnu is exquisitely bright and fulfils all the desires. I am performing this pooja with my relatives because I desire sons and fortune etc." 7

After listening to the king’s polite statement, Sadhu Vanik requested with respect, "Oh, King! Please explain this pooja in detail to me. And, I will follow your precise instructions. 8

Because I do not have any children, this pooja most certainly will benefit me from children." After learning the pooja details from the king, Sadhu Vani returned home with joy after trading. He informed his wife about this pooja which will bless them with kids. 9-10

Extremely honest Sadhu Vanik said to his wife Lilavati, “when we have a child, I will perform this pooja” 11

Lilavati was very religious and totally devoted to her husband. She lived very happily with her husband and so, with the grace of Satyanarayan one day she became pregnant. 12

A beautiful daughter was born on the tenth month. Every day she grew like the phases of the moon. 13

She was named Kalavati. Thereafter Lilavati asked her husband with very sweet voice, "Why are you not performing the pooja that you have previously resolved?" 14

Sadhu Vanik replied that he will perform the pooja (as well) at the time of their daughter’s wedding. 15

Thus, after persuading his wife (with deceit) he left for business towards city. Meanwhile, Kalavati grew up in her father’s house. 16

When Sadhu Vanik saw that his daughter had grown up, knowing his social and religious responsibilities, he consulted his friends from the city and sent for a messenger. 17

The messenger was instructed to that his (Sadhu Vanik’s) daughter had grown to be wed. That he ought to go and find a suitable groom. When so instructed, the messenger departed to a city known as Kanchannagar. 18

From that city, the messenger chose a merchant's (Vanik) son as a suitable match and returned home with the groom. Sadhu Vanik saw that this young man, a son of a merchant had all the qualities (to be his son-in-law). He was well disciplined, smart looking and not too old for his daughter. 19

Then with all his friends and relatives he happily gave his daughter in marriage to the merchant's son. He was extremely satisfied at the way the wedding had proceeded. 20

Unfortunately however, during the wedding Sadhu Vanik forgot to perform the pooja that he had vowed. Inevitably, the Lord Satyanarayan was enraged. 21

After some time, in accordance with his regular habit and successful at his work, Sadhu Vanik took off for business with his son-in-law. 22

Sadhu Vanik and his beloved son-in-law arrived for business at this beautiful city. On the banks of river Sindhu was located this city called Ratnapur. 23

Thus the beautiful city that they had come to was part of the kingdom belonging to king Chandraketu. 24

Having waited so long and still no sign of Sadhu Vanik fulfilling his promise had made Lord Satyanarayan enraged. He therefore cursed, “You will suffer the worst sufferings one could possibly think of. It will be equally perilous.” 25

One day, a thief stole some valuables from the king's palace. The thief reached the place where the two Vaniks’ were residing. 26

When the thief saw that the king's men were after him he was scared and left the valuables there and disappeared. 27

The king's soldiers reached where honest Vanik had stayed. They saw the king's valuables lying there. So they arrested both Vaniks and rushed them to the king. 28

Happily, the soldiers ran up to the king and proclaimed, "Oh, Master! We have arrested two thieves; please review their case and give us your instructions for their fate. 29

The king, without even glancing at them, gave his orders. The two were tied down and sent to the prison in the big, inescapable, castle. 30

Due to the illusion spread by Lord Satyanarayan, no one heard their pleas. What’s more, King Chandraketu confiscated their wealth as well. 31

On the home front, due to the curse from Satyanarayan, Sadhu Vanik's wife Lilavati also became very sad. The thieves stole all their wealth. 32

She was overwhelmed with lack of mental tranquillity together with physical illnesses. Acute pain afflicted due to thirst and hunger led to worries. She started to wander around the houses begging for leftovers. 33

His daughter also started wandering and begging. One day when she was really hungry, she walked into one Brahmin's house (so as to find some food). There she saw Lord Satyanarayan's pooja being performed. 34

She sat there, listened to story and conveyed her respects by way of a prayer, had some prasad (offerings) and went home late at night. 35

So her mother lovingly asked her, "My dear child! Where have you been so late at night? What was in your mind? What were you thinking?" 36

Kalavati immediately informed her mother, "O my dear mother, I saw observance of vows taking place at this Brahmin’s house that would fulfil your wishes. I had stopped to see this ceremony." 37

Upon hearing this statement from her daughter, Sadhu Vanik's wife started to prepare for Satyanarayan's pooja. 38

The husband loving and faithful wife gathered up (invited) her friends and relatives and performed the pooja. She prayed for an early return of her husband and son-in-law. She begged for forgiveness on behalf of her husband and her son-in-law. 39

That the Lord was appropriate in forgiving and should excuse any faults, mistakes or offences that they (her husband and her son-in-law) may have, knowingly or otherwise, incurred. 40

Lord Satyanarayan, pleased with this pooja, appeared in king Chandraketu's dream and informed him: 41

"Dear honourable King, release those two Vaniks from the prison in the morning and return all their wealth that you had confiscated. Should you fail to obey, I will destroy kingdom along with your wealth and sons." 42

After giving such instructions to the king, Satyanarayan disappeared from his dream. 43

Then in the morning, upon waking up, the king sat with his men in the assembly hall and talked about his dream. He then ordered his servants to free those two honest and unblemished Vaniks immediately. 44

The servants freed those two honest and unblemished Vaniks, brought them from the inescapable castle in front of the king and respectfully said: 45

"Oh King! We have freed these two Vaniks from their tight handcuffs and brought them to you.” 46

Then both, Sadhu Vanik and his son-in-law, bowed with respect to the king. Unfortunately, they remembered the last incident and therefore still fearful of any calamity, could not say any thing. 47

The king saw the two Vaniks and respectfully informed them, "You suffered these consequences due to Godly behaviour. However, you need no longer fear." 48

So saying, their handcuffs had already been removed, they were facilitated with a shave and given a decent bath. The king provided new clothes and ornaments to wear so as to satisfy them. 49

Then the Vaniks were offered front seats in the assembly hall. Sweet talked to them so as to help them forget the nasty incident; rewarded compensation and giving the wealth twice as much as previously confiscated. 50

The king then pleased them saying, "Dear honest people! You are free to go home." Then the two bowed to the king with respect and said that they would go home with his blessings. 51

Thus concluded herewith is the third chapter of Satyanarayan story from the REVA section of the epic, SKANDHAPURAN.
Praise be to Lord Shree Satyanarayan.





Chapter1    Chapter2    Chapter3    Chapter4    Chapter5