Shri Satyanarayan Vrat Katha - Fourth Chapter

Shri Suta Ji said:

The merchant and his son-in-law began their journey after performing auspicious rituals and set out toward their hometown. After they had traveled some distance, Lord Satyanarayan appeared before them in the disguise of a wandering ascetic carrying a staff and asked the merchant, "O merchant, what do you have in your boat?"

The proud merchant laughed and replied, "O holy man, why do you ask? Do you wish to take some wealth? My boat is filled only with leaves and creepers."

Hearing these harsh words, the Lord in the form of the ascetic said, "May your words come true."

After saying this, He went a short distance away and sat on the seashore.

When the ascetic had departed, the merchant completed his daily duties and then noticed something unusual about the boat. Looking inside, he found that it was indeed filled with leaves and creepers. Shocked and devastated, he fell unconscious to the ground. Upon regaining consciousness, he began lamenting deeply.

His son-in-law then said, "Do not grieve. This is the result of the holy ascetic's curse. We should seek his refuge, and only then will our wish be fulfilled."

Hearing these words, the merchant approached the ascetic, bowed with devotion, and said, "Please forgive me for the false words I spoke to you."

Saying this, the merchant began to weep.

The Lord in the form of the ascetic replied, "O merchant, because you turned away from my worship, you have repeatedly suffered sorrow by my divine will."

The merchant then prayed, "O Lord, even great deities such as Brahma cannot fully comprehend Your divine form because of Your supreme Maya. How then can an ignorant person like me understand You? Please be pleased with me. I shall worship You according to my ability. Protect me and restore my boat with wealth as it was before."

Hearing these sincere and devoted words, Lord Satyanarayan became pleased. He granted the merchant's wish and then disappeared.

The merchant and his son-in-law returned to the boat and saw that it was once again filled with wealth. They worshipped Lord Satyanarayan and then continued their journey home.

As they approached their city, the merchant sent a messenger ahead to inform his family.

The messenger arrived at the merchant's house, bowed before his wife, and said, "Your husband and son-in-law have arrived near the city."

At that time, Lilavati and her daughter Kalavati were engaged in the worship of Lord Satyanarayan. Hearing the joyful news, Lilavati completed the worship and said to her daughter, "I am going to see your father. Complete the remaining rituals and come quickly."

However, Kalavati left immediately to see her husband without completing the worship and without accepting the sacred prasad.

As a result, she was unable to see her husband. The boat appeared to have sunk, and she began to cry in despair.

Seeing this, the merchant became deeply distressed and prayed, "O Lord, forgive whatever mistake has been committed by me or my family."

Hearing his humble prayer, Lord Satyanarayan became pleased.

Then a divine voice from the heavens proclaimed, "O merchant, your daughter came here without accepting the sacred prasad. Because of this, her husband has become invisible. If she returns home, partakes of the prasad, and then comes back, she will surely see her husband again."

Upon hearing the heavenly voice, Kalavati returned home, completed the worship properly, accepted the prasad, and then came back. Immediately, she was reunited with her husband.

Afterward, the merchant performed the worship of Lord Satyanarayan with all his relatives according to the prescribed rituals. He enjoyed all the happiness of this world and, at the end of his life, attained the heavenly realm.

Thus ends the Fourth Chapter of the Shri Satyanarayan Vrat Katha from the Revakhand of the Skanda Purana.