Shri Satyanarayan Vrat Katha - Third Chapter

Shri Suta Ji said:

"O great sages, I shall now narrate another story. In ancient times, there was a wise king named Ulkamukha. He was truthful and self-controlled. Every day, he visited temples and relieved the suffering of the poor by giving them wealth. His wife was beautiful, virtuous, and devoted. On the banks of the Bhadrashila River, both of them observed the Shri Satyanarayan Vrat.

A merchant named Sadhu saw the king performing the vow and asked, 'O King, what is this sacred observance that you are performing with such devotion? I wish to know about it.'

King Ulkamukha replied, 'O merchant, along with my relatives and family members, I am performing the worship and vow of the mighty Lord Satyanarayan to obtain a child.'

The merchant said, 'O King, please tell me the complete procedure of this vow. I too shall perform it according to your instructions. I have no children and firmly believe that by observing this vow, I shall also be blessed with a child.'

After learning the details of the vow from the king and finishing his business, the merchant happily returned home. He told his wife Lilavati about the vow that grants children and made a promise that when they were blessed with a child, he would perform the vow.

In due course, his wife Lilavati became pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful daughter. The child was named Kalavati.

Later, Lilavati reminded her husband of the vow he had promised to perform. The merchant replied, 'My dear, I shall perform this vow at the time of our daughter's marriage.'

After assuring his wife, he left again for business. Many years later, when he returned, he saw his daughter playing with her friends in the city. He immediately began searching for a suitable groom for Kalavati. He found a worthy merchant's son from Kanchan Nagar and happily married his daughter to him in the presence of relatives and friends.

Even at the time of the marriage, the merchant forgot to perform Lord Satyanarayan's vow. As a result, Lord Satyanarayan manifested His divine play.

The skilled merchant Sadhu, along with his son-in-law, set sail for trade and reached the city of Ratnasarapur near the sea. Both father-in-law and son-in-law began conducting business in the kingdom of King Chandraketu.

One day, by the divine will of Lord Satyanarayan, a thief stole the king's treasure and fled. Seeing the king's guards pursuing him, the thief secretly placed the stolen treasure in the merchants' boat and escaped.

When the guards discovered the king's treasure in the boat, they arrested the two merchants and brought them before the king, saying, 'We have captured these two thieves. Please command us.'

King Chandraketu ordered that they be imprisoned. Thus, by the king's command, they were thrown into a harsh prison and all their wealth was confiscated.

According to the divine play of Lord Satyanarayan, the merchant's wife Lilavati and daughter Kalavati also suffered greatly at home. Thieves stole all the wealth stored in their house.

One day, distressed by hunger, thirst, physical suffering, and mental anguish, Kalavati went to a Brahmin's house in search of food. There she witnessed the observance of the Shri Satyanarayan Vrat. She listened to the sacred story and accepted the prasad before returning home at night.

Her mother asked, 'My daughter, where have you been for so long, and what occupies your mind?'

Kalavati replied, 'Mother, I witnessed the worship and vow of Lord Satyanarayan.'

Hearing this, Lilavati immediately prepared to perform the worship of Lord Satyanarayan. Along with her family and relatives, she observed the sacred vow and prayed that her husband and son-in-law would soon return home safely. She also begged forgiveness for their mistakes.

Lord Satyanarayan was pleased with their devotion. He appeared in a dream to King Chandraketu and said, 'O King, the two merchants whom you have imprisoned are innocent. Release them at once in the morning.'

Having spoken these words, the Lord disappeared.

The next morning, King Chandraketu told his dream to the royal assembly and ordered his soldiers to free the two merchants and bring them before him.

Upon arriving, both merchants bowed respectfully before the king.

The king said, 'O noble men, by the force of destiny you have suffered greatly. Now you need not fear anything. You are free.'

The king then presented them with new clothes and ornaments and returned double the amount of wealth that had been taken from them. He respectfully sent them on their way.

Thus, both merchants departed happily for their homes.

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