Sri Sathyanarayana Swamy Vratham (Glory - Significance - Intricacies - Merits)

SRI SATHYANARAYANASWAMY VRATHAM

(Glory - Significance - Intricacies - Merits...)

Introduction...

India the birth place of Hinduism is rich in spirituality, religious cultures, faiths, austerities, customs and traditions that we don’t find anywhere else in the world. In the words of Mark Twain “India is the cradle of human race, the birth place of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition".

Bharatha Khanda (Indian sub-continent) is known as Karma Bhoomi which is unique with its significance for Vedic and religious culture and heritage which is Sanatana dharma.

Hinduism strongly believes in Puranas and Vedic principles which are the guiding force behind performance of various austerities and rituals.

Vrathas and austerities are an eternal and integral part of Hindu culture and tradition since yore.

Vratha means a niyama or a restriction and they play a significant role in the spiritual development of an individual when they are properly observed.

As long as one performs a sacred and pious act with full faith and devotion, it would definitely yield positive results and would bring pleasing rewards. They generate positive energy, help in acquiring control over wandering mind and bring discipline in life for self-uplift.

At the end of the day one should try to understand the concept, significance and intricacies of these Vrathas that motivates a person to follow and observe these austerities with full faith and devotion.

One such Vratha which is unique and highly rewarding is Sri Sathyanarayana Vratha which is widely performed throughout the country and even abroad by Hindus. It is so popular that we may not find any family or an individual who have not performed or heard of this vratha.

This vratha is performed in adoration of Lord Sathyanarayana. Before we comprehend the niceties of this meritorious vratha let us try to understand as to who is this Lord Sathyanarayana?

SATHYANARAYANA - The divine name (what does it indicate?)

Sathya + Narayana = Sathyanarayana.

Sathya is one of the several thousands of names associated with Lord Vishnu.

We find a reference to the word Sathya more than once in sloka # 12,23,31,56,80 and 93 of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram.

Sathya means truth.

Lord Sri ManNarayana is the truth and is eternal.

His concepts and creations are truth.

His avatharas (incarnations) are truth.

He is an embodiment of truth and

Sathya is his costume.

He is Sathya-dharma-parayana,

the custodian of truth, virtue and justice.

He always protects his true devotees.

He is a personification of Dharma and

His avatharas are always for protecting Sathya and dharma.

He is the ultimate reality for his devotees.

He is also known as Sathyanarayana.

Verily He is a true God, not an illusion.

Sathyanarayana is none other than Sri Maha Vishnu the primordial supreme God SriManNarayana - Hari Sarvottama;

Narayana is a highly popular name by which Lord Vishnu is called. It is the primordial form (Moola Roopa) of Bhagavantha.

He is the all pervading Supreme God. Several Vedic scripts and several puranas eulogize Lord Sri ManNarayana, his qualities, merits, magnificence and his supremacy.

nArAyaNAya paripUrNaguNArNavAya

vishvodayasthitilayonniyatipradAya |

j~nAnapradAya vibudhAsurasaukhyaduHkha

satkAraNAya vitatAya namo namaste ||

INTRICACIES OF SRI SATHYANARAYANA VRATHA

(Who-What-When-Where-Why etc...)

Having understood the concept and significance of Lord Sathyanarayana, let us try to understand the intricacies of Sri Sathyanarayana Vratham and its merits.

Who first initiated for this Vratha?

According to the story behind, it was Lord SriManNarayana himself in the guise of an old Brahmin who first directed a poor Brahmin living in Kaasi Kshethra to perform this sacred Vratha. Later through a dialogue between Lord Vishnu and Sage Narada it percolated down and from Pouranic prophet Sage Sootha it got unfolded into the world.

What is its uniqueness?

Generally, any vratha is performed targeting only the presiding Deity of that particular Vratha. Of course Lord Ganapathi will be worshiped invariably before commencement of any Vratha or Pooja.

But uniqueness of Sathyanarayana Vratha is that, it is the only ritual where we find the Presiding Deity Lord Sri Sathyanarayana is worshiped apart from Lord Ganesha along with Navagrahas and Ashta Dikkhpaalakas.

It only shows the supremacy of Lord Sathyanarayana who is none other than Lord Sri Hari who is worshiped as per protocols along with Parivaara Devatas. During this vratha Goddess Lakshmi is also worshiped.

Another uniqueness we find in this Vratha is that it is the only vratha which is performed by one and all irrespective of affiliations and is open for people of all Varnas.

WHEN - WHERE - WHY?

When to perform?

Generally, Vrathas are observed or performed only once in a year on the said day or thithi (Eg. Vinayaka Vratha, Anantha Vratha, Mangala Gouri etc.)

Whereas, to perform Sri Sathyanarayana Vratha there is no need for looking at the thithi, vaara and nakshathra. It can be performed on any day as per one’s sankalpa.

However, preferred days as per the Vratha Katha are Pournami (full moon day), Sankramana (Sun’s transit day), EkaAdasi.

Preferred lunar months are Vaisakha maasa, Karthika maasa & Maagha maasa.

Apart from this, we find people perform Sathyanarayana Vratha on specific occasions like marriage, Gruha-pravesam etc.

There is no restriction on the number of times that it can be performed.

We find people performing this Vratha every month and at certain places it is even performed every day.

It can be performed either in the day or in the evening. It can be performed individually or collectively.

When it is performed in the evening we find people observe fasting till completion of the Pooja.

When it is on Ekaadasi day, it is generally performed in the evening, fasting should be observed and we find people keeping vigil throughout night, break the fast on the next day (Dwaadasi) morning after repeating the pooja.

However, it should not be performed during the period of Asoucha, on the day of Pithru/Mathru thithi, on the eclipse days.

Where to perform?

Sathyanarayana Vratha can be performed at home, temples/mutts, offices, shops and establishments.

Performing this vratha on the banks of sacred rivers or pilgrim centers (theertha kshetras) will be highly auspicious and meritorious.

Sacred Naimisharanya the cradle of all Pouranic discourses and scripts is the most ideal place among the Theertha Kshetras to perform Sathyanarayana Vratha.

Why to perform?

This meritorious Vratha is performed for various purposes and fulfillment of various desires in mind. Some of the purposes for which this ritual is generally performed are,

for begetting progeny, facing obstacles in life, suffering from grief, ill-health, suffering from poverty, debts, success in ventures, prosperity and abundance in life, on the occasion of marriage, Gruha pravesam etc.

Significance of Vratha Katha

Any vratha or ritual would be incomplete without reading its legend behind (Vratha-Katha) especially the one like Sri Sathyanarayana Vratha which should not be missed out.

The story of Sri Sathyanarayana Vratha originated from the Reva-Khanda of Skandha Purana, one of the Ashtadasa Maha-Puranas composed by Lord & Sage Sri Veda Vyasa.

It was first narrated by Sage Sootha at the sacred Naimisharanya Kshethra in the backdrop of Sage Narada getting a direction from Lord Sri ManNarayana for his (Narada’s) query on the suffering of humanity.

Sri Sathyanarayana Vratha katha forms an integral part of this sacred vratha.

Great popularity behind this Vratha springs from the stories and legends behind and also from the experiences of devotees who performed it that stands as a testimony to the glory and significance of this sacred vratham. The story consists of five chapters.

First chapter is almost like a dialogue between Sage Narada and Lord Sri Vishnu. It narrates about when, where and why to perform this ritual, its merits and significance.

Second chapter narrates about who fist performed viz. a poor Brahmin and a poor wood-cutter and their experiences.

Third and fourth chapters narrate about the Mahatmya of Lord Sathyanarayana, glory of His worship, implications of ignoring him and also his benevolence.

Fifth chapter indicates significance of Prasada (offering to the Lord) and implications of ignoring it.

Merits of Sathyanarayana Vratha

Sri Sathyanarayana Vratha is considered as highly meritorious and result oriented one especially in Kaliyuga that acts as remedy for various natal as well as mundane sufferings.

Even witnessing the vratha, listening to the sacred story, taking Prasada (offering to God) is as meritorious as performing the Vratham itself.

It is a Kaamyaka Vratha the one that bestows and fulfills the desires of devotees be it materialistic or spiritual (JnyaAna, Bhakti & Vairagya)

Significance of Prasada

A special mention need to be made about Sathyanarayana Swamy Prasada another significant feature of this Vratha which is known as Saphaala Bhaksha.

Saphaala means equal parts and Bhaksha means the eatable. Saphaala Bhaksha means Naivedya (offering to God) prepared with ingredients mixed in equal proportions. The ingredients for the preparation of Prasada are Wheat Soji, Bananas, Cow Milk, Sugar (jaggery) and Cow Ghee.

Temples of Lord Sathyanarayana

We find temples of Lord Sathyanarayana across the country. Prominent among them is the one at Annavaram in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh about 45 km from Kakinada.

Lord Sri Sathyanarayana Swamy is believed to have manifested on the top of Rathnagiri hills on the banks of Pampa River.

Rarity of this temple is the Presiding Deity Sri Sathyanarayana Swamy appears with moustaches holding Dhanur-Baana (bow and arrows) in a standing posture along with Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Shiva on a common platform. Here the Lord is known by the name Veera Venkata Sathyanarayana Swamy.

Annavaram is believed to be the place that grants its devotees their desired boons. Annavaram is well connected by Rail located on the Vijayawada – Vizag line of Southern Railway and by road on the Chennai-Calcutta national highway. Nearest airport is Vizag about 3 hours distance from Annavaram.

MESSAGE FROM VRATHA KATHA

So far as the incidents narrated in the Vratha Katha are concerned; they have to be understood as Bhagawad Leela.

Lord did not become angry impulsively. Concerned had failed on several occasions to fulfill the promise (sankalpa) made (pratigna bhanga) of worshiping and performing His Vratha; ignored His existence (omnipresence) and superiority and craved for materialistic benefits, in spite of being blessed with progeny, marriage, wealth etc.

The individuals referred to are the portrayal of negative passions. Lord wanted to teach them a lesson and communicate a message to the society. If He is sought for materialistic benefits with ulterior motives, it results in anartha.

These negative characters prevent mankind from realizing the ultimate reality. When these negative passions overrule, egoism gets manifested which is the biggest enemy of humans. A man with egoism becomes self centered and ignorant of his surroundings.

Who has the capacity to understand Vishnu maaya?

All His actions are always purposeful, fruitful and meaningful. Even Brahmaadi Devathas cannot and could not understand it. We, ordinary human beings are no exception.

He is the one who cannot be grasped by our minor senses and beyond the reach of our sense organs and mind. There are no instances or evidences of anyone having fully understood or grasped the Supreme God.

Divine stories have to be interpreted correctly with proper understanding of its meaning and the message they carry to the society in general and to the individual in particular; otherwise there will be confusion and possibility of misapprehension.

Wise men will never misconstrue the supreme Lord Sri ManNaaraayana in whatever form He might be.

He is parama dayaalu, kshamaaSamdura, bhakta-vatsala,

bhaktaaparaadhasahisHnu 

Vanamaali gadee shaarngii shankhii chakrii cha nandakii

SrimanNaaraayano vishnur-vaasudevo-abhirakshathu

Sri KrushnaArpanamasthu

Hari Sarvottama - Vaayu Jeevottama

Sri Gururaajo Vijayate                      

Annexure

Pooja items required

Turmeric powder(Haldi) Kunkuma powder Sandalwood powder Areca-nuts(supari) Akshata (rice grains mixed with Kunkuma) Coconuts Wooden platform (preferably square) Mango leaves Two new cloth pieces Kalasha pot (silver/copper/brass) Photo & small idol (pratima) of Sri Sathyanarayana Swamy Ingredients for Panchamrutha

Ingredients for Prasadam Dry fruits Flowers Betel leaves Thulasi Fruits, Yagnopaveetham(janeu) Water Oil/ghee lamps Cotton wicks Akhanda Deepa Camphor Incense sticks Aarati plate Ghanta(bell) Nava Dhaanya (for Navagrahas)

Ingredients for Panchamrutha	Cow milk, curd, honey, sugar & ghee
Ingredients for Prasadam	Wheat Soji, sugar/jaggery, bananas, cow milk and cow ghee

Sri Sathyanarayana Pooja - Checklist

While performing Sri Sathyanarayana Swamy vratham following sequence is generally followed. It may vary as per one’s sampradaya and changes may be made in sequence, addition or deletion wherever applicable. Details of this schedule are nowadays available from the market in the form of books or CD/Cassettes. Just for ready reference the process flow is being provided in the form of a checklist.

Guru Vandana Vigneshwara Prarthana Aachamanam Praanayaamam Sankalpam Kalasha Pooja Ganapathi Pooja Navagraha Pooja Ashta Dikkhpaalaka Pooja (as per sampradaya) Sathyanarayana Pooja Prana Prathishta Dhyanam (Prayer) Aavaahanam Aasanam Arghyam Paadhyam Aachamanam Madhuparkam Snanam (Panchamrutha) Suddhodaka Snanam

Vasthram Yagnopaveetham Chandana Akshatha Samarpana Pushpa Pooja (with flowers) Athah-Anga Pooja Ashtottara Satha Nama Pooja Dhoopam Deepam Naivedyam Thamboolam Mangala Neerajanam Manthra Pushpam Pradakshina – Namaskara Arghyam Vaayana Daanam Prayer Sathyanarayana Vratha Katha Conclusion (Samarpana) Uttara (Punah) Pooja Udhwaasanam

               Ashta Dighpalakas

East Poorva Indra South-East Aagneya Agni South Dakshina Yama South-West Nyruthi Nirruthi West Paschima Varuna North-West Vaayuvya Vayu North Uttara Kubera North-East Eesaanya Eesaana

Navagrahas Surya Sukra Chandra Shani Kuja Rahu Budha Kethu Guru

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu