Upcoming Festival-When is Kartik Purnima in the Year 2021

Satya Narayana Vrat is observed on all full moon days or on Kartik Purnima.

 

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Satyanarayana Vrat Details :

 

Narada Rishi is the Triloka Sanchari—the one who moves about in the three worlds. When he once visited the earth plane, there was great misery. He was unable to find a way to relieve human suffering. He at once approached Lord Narayana and related to Him the sad state of affairs on earth.

Lord Narayana said to Narada, “O venerable Rishi, let people observe the Satya Narayana Vrata in the evening of Shankranti or Purnima. Let them all hear the story (Katha) of Satya Narayana. All miseries will come to an end. There is no doubt of this. ”Rishi Narada thereupon returned to earth and preached the glory of the Satya Narayana Vrata. Many observed the vow without taking any food during the course of the day and attained what they desired. All were happy and prosperous.

 

Kartik Purnima is closely associated with Prabodhini Ekadashi which marks the end of Chaturmas, a four-month period when Vishnu is believed to sleep. Prabodhini Ekadashi signifies the awakening of the god. Chaturmas penance ends on this day.

Many fairs that begin on Prabodhini Ekadashi end on Kartik Purnima, Kartik Purnima usually being the most important day of the fair. Fairs that conclude on this day include Prabodhini Ekadashi celebrations at Pandharpur and Pushkar Fair. Kartik Purnima is also the last day to perform Tulsi Vivah ceremony that can be performed from Prabodhini Ekadashi.

 

In North India the vow is observed by the vast majority of people. It takes about three hours to complete the whole observance. It is generally observed on the full moon day, particularly the Kartik, Vaisakh, Sravan and Chaitra Purnimas and the Shankranti day. It can also be done on new moon days.

 

Many stories are connected with this Vrat. They speak about the glory of Lord Narayana and His Grace, His prasad, and of the incalculable benefit derived by observing the Vrat. He who hears these stories with faith, devotion and one-pointedness of mind derives considerable benefit.

The first of these is the story of Narada, narrated above. The other stories have great moral lessons in them concerning truthfulness, fulfilment of promises, etc.

 

1. The Story of a Poor Brahmin :

 

There was a very poor Brahmin. He was living on alms. Lord Narayana appeared before him in the form of an old Brahmin, asked him to observe the Satya Narayana Vrata and gave him His word of assurance that he would be free from poverty, by observing this Vrat. The Brahmin acted accordingly. All his desires were fulfilled.

 

 

The same Brahmin then did the Vrat on a grand scale. A poor wood-cutter entered the compound of the Brahmin to drink some water. The Katha of Satya Narayana was going on. The wood-cutter, attracted only by the skill of the story-teller, sat down and heard it with rapt attention. He also was inspired to observe the Vrata in his house. He took some prasad and ate it.

 

Then he went to the market-place and sold his bundle of fuel. He received double the usual amount for his fuel. He immediately purchased the things that were necessary for the Vrat and observed it along with his family members, with intense faith and devotion. All his desires were fulfilled. He enjoyed everything that was possible on this earth plane. After death he attained the supreme abode of Satya Loka where Truth alone prevails.

   

 

One day King Tungadhwaja went out hunting. After walking a long distance he was overcome by fatigue. He sat under a banyan tree. Some boys of the cowherd class were performing the Vrat of Satya Narayana in the vicinity of the banyan tree. The boys came to know that a king was resting under the tree. One of them respectfully took some prasad and placed it before the king.

 

The king did not want to attend the function, nor prostrate before the Lord. He did not take the prasad either. In fact, he cast a look of disgust at the offering, and proudly returned to his capital.

 

The Lord wanted to teach the king a lesson. The king was given the news that his sons and daughters died and his whole property was destroyed. He inwardly understood that this was due to the disrespect he had shown to the Lord and His prasad. He repented very much for his wrong doing.