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Shri Satya Narayan Pooja: Introduction

According to the Hindu Sanatan Dharma, the source of all creation is the one and only Lord called Brahman and none another. Brahman, in unmanifested form, is changeless, timeless, and formless and attributes less.

The omnipresent, omniscient Brahman cannot be easily grasped by us, normal human beings. So, how do we worship the Brahman, the Parmeshwar? How do we invite Him/Her, who is everywhere? How do we give Him/Her a place to sit when He/She supports the whole universe? How do we show Him/Her light who lights the whole universe?

So, some people do Para Pooja with total concentration on the Brahman with no rituals , some do Manas Pooja who worship God with rituals only in their own minds and others do actual Murti Pooja with all the rituals.

The primary advantage of doing the Murti pooja is that we can actually see the God in some form and attributes and can do His worship with concentration, devotion and belief.

Any pooja, done with Bhakti fills the worshipper’s mind with optimism and calm and creates a feeling of modesty and gratitude for what God has given him or her.
Shri Satya Narayan:

The Supreme Lord Vishnu whose resting place ('Ayana') is ‘Naara’ (Water) is called Narayan. "Naara" also means the living entities (Jivas). Therefore, another meaning of Narayan is 'resting place for all living entities. Nara also means "human" and Ayana means "direction or goal". Hence Narayan refers the One that helps a human to reach his/her goal, i.e. towards Moksha. Shri Satya Narayan, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu represents the Ultimate Truth, the Brahman.

Pooja

Shri Satyanarayana is worshipped commonly in homes with family and friends. This pooja is conducted to request the Lord for health, wealth and happiness for all. But more importantly, this pooja is done regularly as a thanksgiving gesture for the good life one already has and for auspicious occasions like a marriage or moving into a new house.

The Satyanarayana pooja can be performed on any day, in the morning or in the evening. Poornima (full moon day) or Sankranti are considered to be most auspicious day for this pooja. One should fast until the pooja is completed.

After Shri Ganesh Pooja, Shri Satya Narayan is worshipped with His family which comprises of Varun, the God of water, the Sun, the eight planets and the eight Ashtadikpalas or Lokapalas who are guards of the eight directions and benefactors of mankind.

The Prasad for this vrata is known as Shira which is prepared thus: Take an equal measure of rava, Milk, Ghee, Banana, Sugar (the measure should be 1 1/4 or multiples thereof) cook it till all mix into a paste.
Shri Satya Narayan Katha

This story was originally told by Lord Vishnu himself to the sage Narada for the benefit of humankind. The Katha explains how to conduct the Vrata and its procedure. The various stories depict God as purveyor of rewards for good deeds and punishments for bad deeds. But in truth, the stories ask you to do your Dharma, speak the truth, respect all human beings from any caste, creed or religion, be grateful and humble and get rid of your ego.

Items for Shri Satya Narayan Pooja

  • Small metal Ganapati and Bal Krishna.
  • Vishnu-Lakshmi and Sarswati Photos if available
  • A low profile wooden platform (chowrang) for Pooja
  • Halad, Kunku, Udbatti, Neeranjan (diya or deep), sandalwood paste
  • A bucketful of variety of flowers
  • Bell, Conch, towels, Oil lamps (samai), matches
  • Betel Leaves- 15, Supaari (30), Mango or other fruit tree leaves ( 6-7) if available
  • Cotton bowls to make clothing ( vastra and yadnyopavit)
  • Coconuts (2), Metal Bowls (4), Stainless / Copper plates (4 small, 4 large)
  • Water Kalasha (2), Pali (Small ladle), and 4 spoons
  • Rice (half a pound), Fruits, Prasad (Shira), Panchamruta (Ghee, honey, sugar, yogurt, milk in separate small bowls)
  • Liquid ghee for Aarati, oil for lamps
  • Tulsi leaves and Durva, if available

General Guidelines:

1. It takes about half an hour to set up and an hour and half for the pooja itself.
2. Please identify a serene and comfortable setting in your home – preferably facing east – for the pooja.
3. All participants should have taken bath and be ready wearing appropriate clothes
for the pooja.
4. It is preferred that the person(s) doing the pooja fast until the pooja is complete.
5. The pooja should be done with complete devotion, dedication and belief in the Supreme. To minimize disturbances guests should come either before or after the pooja and talking on the phone, discussions or food preparations should be avoided during the pooja.
6. Please call me ahead of time in case you do not have specific items or if we cannot start the pooja at the time planned.
7. I encourage the host(s) to recite the Satyanarayana Katha.

 References:
Wilkipedia
Shri Satya Narayan Pooja by Jnana Prabodhini, Pune (http://www.gsbkerala.com/satyanar.htm)

For more information, please contact me at pgangatirkar@yahoo.com