SATYANARAYAN KATHA CHAPTER 4
(The tale of honest tradesman:
Continued the benefits of egoism and
consequences of disregard for Satyanarayan’s offerings)
Sut continues: Then Sadhu Vanik offered monatory gifts to Brahmins and got ready to proceed homewards with Hymns of Praise (Manglacharan). 1

In order to test him, Lord Satyanarayan appeared as an old monk as soon as Sadhu Vanik had travelled a short distance and asked, “Hay Sadhu! What resides in your boat?” 2

Intoxicated with their wealth the two Vaniks joked, "Hay Dandiswami! (Monk with a walking stick) Why do you ask? Why, you want to take away our money? 3

But, our boat only consists of shrubs, leaves, sea weeds etc. (so there is nothing you can take from us!)” 4

After listening to this deadly cynical and arrogant answer, Dandiswami in the form of Lord Satyanarayan said, "Your statement so be it, as you said," and moved away. He went and stood by the river bank. 5

So after Dandiswami had gone, Sadhu Vanik carried on with his routine on the boat. However, he was very much astonished for noticing just how much his boat had reduced in weight. 6

Upon closer examination he fainted when he saw that the boat actually had shrubs, leaves and sea weeds etc. only. Afterwards when he regained consciousness, he started to worry. 7

At that time his son-in-law said this to him, "Sir, why do you feel so sorry? This must be due to the curse from that Dandiswami. 8

Therefore there is no doubt that only Dandiswami can reverse the situation. So, let us go and surrender to him. Only he can fulfil our intense desire." 9

After listening to his son-in-law, Sadhu Vanik immediately went to see Dandiswami. With utmost regret he bowed and humbly requested: 10

"Sir, please forgive me for my offence of being cynical and arrogant." Then he bowed to Dandiswami time and again showing his deep sorrow. 11

Seeing him lamenting Lord Satyanarayan disguised as Dandiswami made this statement: "O Sadhu Vanik, do not cry; but listen to what I have to say. You have drifted away from my pooja, hence O ill fated human, by repeatedly insulting my intelligence you have suffered through your own makings. 12

Listening to Lord’s statement, Sadhu Vanik sang Hymns of Praise. 13

Sadhu Vanik said with utmost remorse, “O Lord! Other Gods including Brahma are under the influence of your illusion. Hence, even they cannot understand you or your qualities such as your surprised different forms or appearances. Then I am only but your humble foolish servant influenced by your illusion. How can I understand you? 14

O Lord! Please have mercy on me. I will perform your pooja according to my ability. So please return my wealth considering that I am so humbly begging for my earned wealth." 15

With this reasoning and praises, Lord Vishnu was delighted with him. 16

Thereafter he received his required boon from the Lord who disappeared thereof. Then when Sadhu Vanik came to his boat and climbed in, he saw that the boat was full of lost wealth. 17

“My wishes are fulfilled with the grace of Lord Satyanarayan." So saying he performed the Satyanarayan pooja ceremony in detail with his local friends and relatives. 18

With the grace of Satyanarayan he was very happy and felt complete within himself. Then he carefully prepared his boat and moored it towards his home city. 19

When his city came closer, Sadhu Vanik said to his son-in-law, "Look, we are approaching my Ratnapur, my city." Thus said, he sent his servant, the one who was guarding his wealth in the boat, to go home with a message. 20

The messenger went to the city and saw Sadhu Vanik's wife. He put his hands together as a mark of respect, (Namaskar) and relayed the message that she had so eagerly been waiting to hear. 21

"Together with the son-in-law, the friends and relatives, Sadhu Vanik was fast approaching city limits with a lot of wealth." 22

Listening to he messenger Sati Lilavati felt jubilant, she performed Satyanarayan pooja and informed her daughter: 23

“I am dying to see your father, Sadhu, and so I am on my way. I suggest you follow me as well.” Listening to mother’s statement even she performed Satyanarayan pooja. However, in a rush to go and see her husband, she forgot to take the offering. 24

Thus having ignored to take God’s offerings, Lord Satyanarayan was displeased. He immediately confiscated her husband, the ship and its contents including all the wealth and made them sink. 25

Not seeing her husband there, Kalavati started to cry with grief and fainted on the ground. 26

Sadhu Vanik saw the condition of the ship and saw that his daughter was extremely sad. He became very worried and scared wondering what had happened. 27

All the other sailors also started to wonder as to what was happening. 28

Then Lilavati began to worry upon seeing her daughter's condition. She became very upset and began wailing and asked her husband, 29

"How is it possible that the ship and our son-in-law disappeared in a short space of time? I do not understand as to which one of the Lords’ had we upset for them to have cast their curse and confiscate our ship? 30

Or else who knows the glory of Lord Satyanarayan?” so saying, Lilavati lamented with her family members. 31

Then Lilavati held her daughter near her and started to cry with sorrow. As she thought that she lost her husband, Kalavati also started to grieve. 32

She got hold of her husband’s sandals and decided to follow her husband. 33

Sadhu Vanik was astonished with his daughter’s behaviour and conferred to his wife with utmost sorrow as to why this was happening. Sadhu and his wife started to wonder as to which part of their duty they had not performed. 34

"Almost certainly, Lord Satyanarayan must have confiscated all this. I must have fallen under His spell of illusion. I must therefore perform Satyanarayan pooja to the best of my ability.” 35

Having decided to do so, he invited his friends and relatives and informed them of his mammoth task, kneeling on the ground crying and begging for Lord Satyanarayan to forgive him. 36

The protector of the unfortunate and lover of his devotees, Lord Satyanarayan felt satisfied that he (Sadhu Vanik) had learnt his lesson felt sorry for him and proclaimed: 37

“Your daughter came to see her husband without having taken my offerings. It is for this reason that her husband cannot be seen. This is for certain. 38

Therefore Sadhu Vanik, if your daughter goes home, accepts my offerings and returns, she will be able to see her husband. There is absolutely no doubt about that.” 39

Kalavati heard this voice from the sky and immediately went home and had some prasad. 40

When she came back, she was rewarded by her husband’s sight. Kalavati said to her father, "Let’s go home. There is no further need for any delays." 41

Sadhu Vanik was very happy to hear to his daughter wanting to go home. 42

He performed complete Satyanarayan pooja and continued his journey home-bound with his relatives and wealth. 43

Thereafter, every month on full moon day, on every religious or festive day and on Sankranti day he made sure of performing Satyanarayan pooja. Thus he lived a happy life on earth and in the end he earned his place at Satyanarayan's abode. 44

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





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