Hindus worship Sri Hayagreeva and Sri Sarasawathi for enrichment of knowledge and education. Children and Students in particular are highly encouraged to pray for Lord Hayagreeva for success and excellence in education. Legends state that Sri Maha Vishnu bestowed Sri Saraswathi, wife of Sri Brahma, the power of knowledge and wisdom to bless the devotees. The following Sanskrit Sloka extracted from Hayagreeva Stothram clearly sums up the significance of the knowledge enrichment power of Lord Hayagreeva. Gyaanaananda mayam devam nirmala sphatikaa kritim Aadhaaram sarva vidyaanaam hayagreevam upaasmahe We meditate and pray to Lord Hayagreeva, the Supreme One; who is the embodiment of Gyaana (divine Knowledge) and Ananda (Bliss); The Lord that possesses a form that is “blemish less” and is clear like a crystal; The God who is the abode and authority and stands out on the “Top” for education and all Vidyaas (branches of Learning).

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Katha

There was an old woman, she had seven sons. Six of them were working hard and one was lazy and not working. The old woman would make food and feed the six sons; whatever remnants were there she would serve the seventh son. The younger son was innocent and was not aware of this.

One day he told his wife – “See, how much my mother loves me?” She said – “Why not, she gives you the remnants of everyone to eat.” He said, “What, how can such a thing be? Till the eyes see, I cannot believe what you say. The wife laughed and said, ” Will you believe once you see yourself?”

After a few days there was a festival in the house. Seven types of food and laddu [sweet dish] were prepared. To check out the truth he made an excuse of headache and went to the kitchen and laid down covering his face with a thin cloth, through which he was watching everything. The six brothers came into the kitchen for food. He saw his mother had spread beautiful seats for them and served them the seven varieties of foods. She was serving them the food with love. He kept on watching. The six brothers ate their food and got up. The mother took from their plates the leftovers and from the pieces of the laddu, made a laddu out of it.

After clearing the leftovers, the mother called out to the son- ” Get up son, the six brothers have eaten and gone. You are left, get up. When will you eat?” He started saying, “Mother I do not wish to have food. I am going out of the country.” The mother said, “If you are planning to go tomorrow go today.” He said, “Yes, Yes. I am going today only.”

Saying this he left the house. While leaving the house he remembered his wife. She was in the cow stable making cakes of cow-dung. He went there and said, “I am going away to another country for some time. You stay in peace and do your duty.” She said, ” Go in peace do not worry about me. I will stay in the care of Lord Rama; Lord be with you. Give me something of yours to remember, in all your worries and work do not forget me.”

He said, ” I have nothing, only this ring. You take this and give me something of yours as a remembrance.” She said, ” What do I have? I have only this hand full of cow-dung.” Saying thus she put her hands filled with the cow-dung as a mark on his back. And he went away.

Thus, walking he reached a far land where he reached the shop of a merchant. Going there he said, ” Brother, keep me as your servant.” The merchant needed one so he asked him to stay. The boy asked him. “How much salary he would give?” The merchant replied, “You will be paid after I see how you work.”

He used to work from morning 7am to 2pm in the afternoon. In a few days, he managed the transactions, accounts, selling of the items to the customers and managed all the work. The merchant had seven to eight servants and they were all astonished. He was very intelligent. The businessman seeing his work made him his partner sharing 50% of the profits within 3 months. In 12 years, he became a famous businessman and the owner left all the work on his shoulders and went out of the country.

Now what happened to the daughter-in-law, kindly listen?

The mother-in-law and father-in-law started troubling her a lot. The complete household burden was put on her and she was also sent to collect wood from the forest. During this time, the grain from which the roti’s [chapati] are made- the husk [bhoosa] was removed and the roti was made and kept for her and in the broken coconut shell water was kept. This way the days passed by.

One day, while when she was going to collect the wood on the way, she met many women who were doing the Santoshi Mata Vrata. She stood there and heard the story, then she asked them, “Sisters, you are doing this fast for which God, and doing this fast-what fruit do you achieve? What are the rules to perform this fast? If you can explain to me the steps to perform the rituals of this fast, I would be highly obliged to you.”

Then one of the women said to her, -“Listen, this is the vrata of Santoshi Mata. From this calamity, poverty is wiped out. Wealth comes in. All worries are removed. If there is happiness in the house, the mind is happy and peaceful. Barren woman begets a child. If the husband has gone out, he will return immediately. Unmarried girls get their own choice of husbands. Court cases which are going on for long time would be resolved fast. If there are quarrels in the house, there will be peace and happiness, prosperity will be there in the house, money and land will be got, sickness would go away and thus whatever desire you have in the mind this Santoshi Mata’s blessings will fulfill them. There is no doubt about it.”

She then started asking, “How is this fast kept? Could you please explain to me? I would be very grateful to you.”

The woman began explaining- “Buy 1 ¼ Anna jaggery and grams (olden days we had Anna’s and 16 Anna’s made a rupee). If you desire you can buy for 5 ¼ Anna’s or 1 ¼ rupee as per your capacity you can buy, without any botheration as per your devotion and love you should buy. Right from 1 ¼ paise to 5 ¼ Anna’s up to your capacity of strength and devotion you can buy. Every Friday, keep a fast – do not eat food and listen or read this story. There should be no break, continuously follow the rules and keep the fast. If you do not get anyone to listen to the story, then light a lamp with ghee or keep the vessel with water in front of you and read the story but see that the rule is not broken. Continue for 16 weeks. On the fulfillment of the desire do the Udapan (final day).

Within 3 months the mother fulfills the desire – even if one’s stars (astrological) is not favorable, then too the mother fulfills the desire. On the fulfillment of the desire only should the Udapan be done, not in between. On the Udapan day one should make 2 ½ kg grounded cashew, kheer and gram curry. You must feed 8 boys with this food. As far as possible let the boys be from the close- immediate family members that is elder/younger brother-in-law’s son, relatives and family. If they are not there, then you can get other relatives or from the neighbor’s son can be invited. Give them food and as per your capacity give them gifts and complete the rules of the rituals of the Mata. On that day no one should eat sour items in the house.

After hearing this old woman’s daughter-in-law went away. On the way she sold the wood she had collected and with that money she purchased jaggery and grams and prepared for the Mata’s vrata. Walking along she saw a temple and she started inquiring “Whose temple is this?” Everyone started saying, “This is the temple of Santoshi Mata (Mother).” Hearing this, she went in and fell at the feet of the Mother.

She started praying very sadly. “Mother, I am an ignorant woman, I do not know the rules to perform this vrata. I am very unhappy. Hey Mother! Goddess of the world please remove my unhappiness; I have come to your shelter.”

Mother listened to her prayers, one Friday passed and the next Friday somebody brought a letter from her husband and the third Friday she received the money sent by him. Seeing this, the elder brother-in-law and his wife made faces. In so many days so much money has come, what is so great? Boys started taunting her, “Money has started coming, now respect Kaki (brother’s wife) will increase, brother!”

“Letter comes, money comes it is good for all of us.” Saying thus with eyes full of tears she went to the Santoshi Mata’s temple and at the feet of Mateshwari (Goddess Mother) she started crying. “Mother! When did I ask for money? What work do I have from money? I have only work with my husband. I have prayed to see my husband again and serve him.”

Then the Mother being pleased said, “Go daughter! Your husband will come.” Hearing this she became happy and returned home and started doing her work.

Now Mother Santoshi started thinking, ” I said this to the innocent woman. But from where will her husband come? He does not even remember her in his dreams! I will have to go to him to remind him.” In this way, Mataji went in the dreams of the old woman’s son and began saying:

“Wealthy man’s son, are you sleeping or awake?” He replies, “Mother I am neither sleeping nor awake. Kindly tell me what do you wish to instruct to me?” Mother started saying, ” Do you have a family – Yes or No?” He replied, “I have everyone, Mother! Mother-father, wife I have nothing less.” Mother said, “Innocent son! Your wife is taking lots of trouble, your father – mother is giving her plenty of trouble. You should inquire about her.”

He said, “Yes, Mataji, I know about it but how do I go back? This is another country, there is no limit of buying and selling transactions, there is no road for going which I can see.” Mother started saying, listen to me, “In the morning after taking a bath, take the name of Santoshi Mata, burn a lamp with ghee. Then go and sit in the shop. Slowly your liabilities will be over. Your items in the store will be sold. By evening heaps of wealth will be formed.”

Now he got up early and shared his dream with his friends. They all told him, “Do any dreams come true?” One old man said, ” Listen to me, instead of doubting the truth or falsehood of the dream, following what God has instructed what will you lose? After bathing, pray to Santoshi Mata, light a lamp of ghee, and go and sit in the shop.”

In a short while what does he see, the borrowers started returning the money and the lenders started taking back their money? People started buying the stocks in cash only. By evening he had collected plenty of wealth. In his mind he continuously took the name of Mata and watched the miracle. Being happy he purchased jewelry, clothes and things to take home. Having completed the work here he immediately left for his hometown.

The wife had gone to the forest to collect wood, while returning she rested at the Santoshi Mata Temple. This was her regular everyday place of to rest. Seeing the dust flying from far she asked Mataji, ” Oh Mataji, why is this dust flying? ” Mother says to her, ” Oh daughter! Your husband is coming. Now make three bundles from the wood. One you keep on the bank of the river, one in the temple and the third keep on your head. Seeing the bundle of wood your husband will have desire and he will stop at the temple, eat some snacks. And then go to see his mother”. Then carrying the burden of wood remove it from your head and in the center of the court yard cry out three times loudly, ” Take, mother-in-law! Take the bundle of wood, give me the roti made from husk and in the coconut, shell give me water! Today who has come?”

The daughter-in-law said, “Ok, Yes Mother!” Then happily made three bundles from the wood. She kept one at the bank of the river, one in the temple of Mataji and at that time one traveler reached there. Seeing the dried wood, the desire to rest and take some food came in his mind. After resting he went to the village. He met everyone with love.

At the same time the wife comes along with the bundle of wood. Keeping the heavy bundle of wood in the court yard, she cried out loudly, “Take mother-in-law, take the bundle of wood, give me the roti made out of husk, give me in the broken coconut shell some water. Today who has come?”

Hearing this the mother-in-law to hide her trouble says, “Daughter-in-law! Why do you say thus? Your Lord (husband) has come. Come in have sweet rice meal, wear clothes and jewelry!”

Meanwhile hearing her voice, the husband comes out and seeing the ring gets astonished. He asks his mother, ” Mother, who is this lady?” The mother says, “son, she is your wife. Today 12 years have passed, from the time you left she roams about like an animal in the whole village. She does none of the household chores. Four times she comes and eats, seeing you she is asking for husk roti and water in the coconut shell.”

Being ashamed he said, ” It’s alright mother! I have seen her and seen you also. Now give me the keys of the other house so I can live there.” Then the mother said, “It’s alright son! As you wish.” Here is the bundle of keys, which she threw forcefully on the floor.

He picked the keys and went to the next house. Opening the room on the third floor he kept all the things. Within one day the house was decorated like a King’s palace.

Now what happens? The wife started enjoying happiness; meanwhile the next Friday comes. She told her husband, ” I want to do the Udapan of Santoshi Mata Vrata.” Her husband said, ” Very good! Do it happily.”

Immediately she started preparing for the Udapan. She went to invite the sons of her elder brother-in-law’s for lunch. She accepted the invitation but the other middle sister-in-law teaches her son, ” See! All of you ask for sour item by which her Udapan would not be completed.”

The boys came for the lunch; they ate and Kheer was offered, they remembered the words of their mother and began saying, “Give us something sour, we do not like eating Kheer. Seeing it we are feeling uneasy.” The daughter-in-law started saying, ” No one will get any sour item. This is the prasad of Santoshi Mata.” The boys stood up and said, “Give money!” The innocent daughter-in-law did not understand and gave them money. The boys at that moment stubbornly purchased imli (tamarind) and started eating.

Seeing this the Mother cursed the daughter-in-law. The soldiers of the King arrested her husband and took him away. The brothers and sister-in-law started falsely making statements, “Always looting, he has collected this wealth.” The soldiers of the King took him away. Now everything will be known once he gets beating in the jail. The wife could not bear to hear this statement. Crying she went to the temple of Mataji.

She began saying, ” Mother! What is this you did? Why did you make me cry?” Mother said, “Daughter, you have done the Udapan and spoiled the Vrata. So soon you forgot all the talks.”

She started saying, “Mother I have not forgotten, nor committed any sin. The boys made me forget and forgetting I gave them money, forgive me Mother!” Mother said. ” Does one forget thus?” She said,”Mother please forgive me, I will do your Udapan again.” Mother said, ” Now make no mistake”. She says, ” Now no mistake will be committed. Mother please tell me now how will he come.” Mother said, ” Go daughter, you will find your husband coming on the way.”

She went from there and on the way, she found her husband. She asked him, “Where did you go?” Then he started saying, ” He had earned so much of wealth so the King wanted him to pay the taxes, he had gone to pay the taxes.” Being happy she said, “Good thing happened, let’s go home.”

They went home.  After few days once again Friday came, she said to her husband- “I want to once again do the Udapan of Mataji.” The husband said, “Do it.”

She again went to invite the sons of her elder brothers-in-law. The sisters-in-law taunted her and started teaching the sons, ” You all in the beginning only ask for sour item.” The boys started saying, ” We do not like eating Kheer, we get uneasy, give us something sour to eat.” She said, “You will get no sour item, if you desire then eat only.” Then she got the Brahmin’s sons and started feeding them. As per her capacity in place of money she gave each one fruit. This pleased Santoshi Mata.

With the blessings of the Mother in the New Year she got a moon-like son. Taking her son everyday she went to the Mataji’s temple. Mother thought, “She is coming every day, today why should I not go to her house and see her on this pretext.” Thus thinking, Mata made a fearful form. With jaggery and gram made a thin face and on top made horns and mosquitoes were hovering around. Putting her foot on the doorstep the mother-in-law shouted. “See, some wicked witch is coming. Boys drive her away, otherwise she may eat anyone.” The boys got frightened and started closing the windows.

The daughter-in-law saw through one peephole. Happily, in a maddening voice she was screaming. ” Today my Mataji has come to my house.” Saying thus she moved her child whom she was feeding milk. Meanwhile the mother-in-law got angry.

She said, ” Prostitute, why are you getting excited?” She banged the child. Meanwhile with the aura of the Mother everywhere there were boys standing. She said, ” Mother, the fast which I am keeping this is the same Santoshi Ma”. Saying thus she opened all the doors and windows of the house. Everyone caught the feet of Mataji and prayed to her, “Hey Mata, we are fools, sinners, we do not know the rules of your fast, spoiling your fast we did very big mistake. Hey Jagatmata- Forgive our mistake.” This way the Mother became happy.

Say Santoshi Mata Ki Jai.

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Once, Narad Muni while travelling the three worlds, reached Mrityaloka (Planet Earth), he saw human beings suffering immensely. To alleviate this suffering and bring them salvation, he travelled to Vishnu Loka. There he met Lord Vishnu with four arms having Shankha, Chakra, Gadha and Padma wearing Tulsi Mala around his neck. Narad Muni requested the Lord, “Oh Lord, you are the supreme power, you are the savior of the destitute, sufferings and sorrows.” Even though the Lord knew why he (Narad Muni) had come, He asked Narad Muni, “why have you come here?  What do you want so that I can fulfil your wishes?” To which Narad Muni replied, “Oh Lord, I just went to Mrityaloka, where people are suffering due to their previous karma. Please bestow thy grace and reveal to me as to how they can be helped.” The Lord replied “Oh Narada, to free themselves from all the sorrows, man-kind can perform Satyanarayana puja.

This puja when performed with devotion, will bring happiness, peace of mind and salvation. This puja can be performed any month on a full-moon day. One must gather their family and friends to perform this puja. One must offer fruits, ghee, milk, curd, wheat flour, sugar and honey to Lord Satyanarayana. All present should take the prasad so that all their wishes will be fulfilled. In this Kaliyuga, this vratha gives the boon very quickly and brings contentment.”

Story #2

After telling the sages about Satyanarayana puja, Maharishi Sootha continued addressing the rishis who were assembled, “O great ascetics, I will now tell you who all observed this puja in the past.

Once there lived a very poor brahmin in the city of Kasi. Plagued by acute hunger, he wandered about in search of food. Lord Vishnu took the form of an old man, appeared before the poor brahmin and asked, “Friend, why are you wandering aimlessly?” The poor Brahmin replied, “Sir, I am very poor man.mUnable to bear the pangs of hunger, I beg for alms. Sir, if you know a way out of this misery, please let me know.”  The old Brahmin (Lord Vishnu) replied, “O Brahmin, Lord Satyanarayana grants his devotee’s wishes and removes their sorrows. So, you should perform His puja, by which all your sufferings will be removed.” Saying this The Lord explained the details of how to perform the puja and disappeared.

The poor Brahmin resolved immediately to perform the Satyanarayana puja. After having a restless night, he got up early the next morning and went to beg for alms. That day he received a lot of money with which he bought fruits, flowers, milk, curd, and honey to perform Satyanarayana puja. He invited all his relatives and performed the puja.  With the grace of The Lord, he shed his poverty and lived a contented life. Every month on the full moon day he performed Satyanarayana puja and finally attained salvation.

The rishis again addressed Maharishi Sootha, “Oh great one, please tell us who else performed this puja.”

Maharishi Sootha continued: One day when the poor Brahmin was observing the vratha, a woodcutter entered his house seeking a cup of water to drink.  He saw the puja being performed, he stayed and observed the whole puja. He inquired, what the puja was about and what good it would bring. The brahmin, responded, “This is the Satyanarayana vratha, anyone who observes the vratha will have their desires fulfilled. The woodcutter was delighted to hear this, drank water, ate prasad and left for his home.

The woodcutter resolved that he would perform the Satyanarayana vratha with whatever he was going to make by selling firewood that day. He went to the wealthiest part of town and made twice his normal profit selling wood.  Pleased, he bought bananas, sugar, ghee, milk, curd, honey and wheat flour. He invited his relatives and performed Satyanarayana puja. By the grace of Lord Satyanarayana, he acquired enormous wealth and lived comfortably and attained salvation.

Story #3

Maharishi Sootha continued: “I will tell you another story. In the olden days, there lived a wise king named Ulkamukha. He had mastered all his senses and always spoke the truth. He used to go to the temple every day and offered gifts to the brahmins. His wife was a pious and beautiful lady. One day the royal couple were performing Satyanarayana puja on the banks of the river, Bhadrasheela.

At that time, a merchant called Sadhu sailed by. Seeing the King perform the puja, Sadhu stopped his boat, got off and addressed the King humbly; “Oh, King, would you kindly tell me what you are doing with such devotion?” The King replied, “Oh Sadhu, I have no children, in order to be blessed with children, I am worshipping the Almighty Lord Satyanarayana.”

On hearing this Sadhu spoke humbly; “Oh, King, please tell me how to perform the puja. As I do not have any children, I would like to observe the vratha too. The King told him all the details. Sadhu returned home and informed his wife, Leelavati about the Satyanarayana puja, and resolved to do the puja so that their desire to have a child would be fulfilled.

Through divine grace, Leelavati conceived and in due course gave birth to a baby girl, named Kalavathi.  Leelavati reminded her husband about his pledge to perform Satyanarayana puja. Sadhu told his wife that he would do the puja at the time of their daughter’s wedding and got busy with his work.

Kalavati grew up and blossomed into a lovely young lady and Sadhu sent a messenger in search of a suitable groom.  A good natured, handsome young man was identified in a merchant family from Kanchana Nagar. The match was suitable, and the wedding was celebrated with pomp and show. Sadhu forgot about the promise he made to perform Lord Satyanarayana puja, which angered the Lord.

Sadhu went on a business trip with his son-in-law to a seaside town of Ratnapura, that was ruled by King Chandraketu. Lord Satyanarayana placed a curse on Sadhu. That day thieves robbed the Kings treasury, since the royal soldiers were in pursuit of the thieves, they took shelter in the same place where Sadhu and his son-in-law were staying. Because of Lord Satyanarayana’s maya (illusion), the soldiers mistook Sadhu and his son-in-law for criminals, chained them and brought them to the King’s court. The King did not hear what the merchant had to say and put both in prison. King Chandraketu confiscated all their merchandise.

To make matters worse, Leelavati and Kalavati were afflicted with sorrow. Their house was robbed, and both were left with no money. They had to beg for food.  One day Kalavati arrived at a Brahmin’s house to beg for food. She noticed the Brahmin was doing Lord Satyanarayana vratha. She stayed until the puja was finished, ate the prasad that was offered. When she arrived home, her mother asked, why she was late. Kalavati replied, “Mother, I saw the Satyanarayana puja being performed in a Brahmin’s house. I listened to the story and had the prasad.” Hearing this, Leelavati decided to do the puja.

Lord Satyanarayana was pleased with Leelavati’s prayers. He appeared in King Chandraketu’s dream and asked him to release the two merchants. He asked the king to “give back their wealth or you will lose your kingdom and wealth.”

Next morning, the King informed his counselors about his dream and ordered to release the Sadhu and his son-in-law. Both the merchants were brought to the assembly. They bowed to the King and did not say a word, remembering their earlier plight when nobody would listen to them. The King then said, “You two have suffered a great deal because of your fate, but there is nothing to fear.” The King returned all their merchandise and some more and bade them good-bye.

Story #4

Sadhu and his son-in-law loaded their boat with the riches given to them by the King and sailed homeward. Lord Satyanarayana wanted to test the Sadhu further. He took the form of an ascetic and questioned Sadhu, “O merchant, what do you have in your boat?” Hearing this, Sadhu answered with ego and pride, “Oh, old man, we have nothing in our boat except hay and leaves.” On hearing such harsh words from the merchant, the Lord said, “tathastu”, “so be it!.” So saying he walked away and sat on the bank of the river.

When Sadhu went into the boat, he discovered to his horror that the boat was filled with hay and leaves. He swooned and the son-in-law revived him and spoke, “This must be the curse of the ascetic. He must be a mystic. Let’s go to see him, fall at his feet and ask for forgiveness.” They prayed, “O Lord, even Brahma and other Devas drowned in your maya, illusion, cannot comprehend your form completely. How can we? Please forgive us for this grave error and protect us.” The ascetic pacified them and said, “since you did not fulfill your promise to perform my puja, you had to go through these hardships.” The merchant promised to perform the puja and asked for protection and return of the wealth. The Lord, pleased with Sadhu, granted all his wishes and disappeared. Sadhu returned to his boat and noticed all his merchandise was returned. He thanked the Lord and asked his son-in-law to send a messenger ahead to their hometown of Ratnapura to let their wives know they were coming home.

Leelavati and Kalavati had just finished performing Satyanarayana puja. Leelavati told her daughter to finish doing her puja and then come to receive her husband and father. Kalavati finished performing her puja and left to see her husband and father without taking the prasad. The Lord got angry regarding her behavior, so he drowned her husband with the boat. When she came to the shore, she did not see her husband and the boat, she was shocked and fainted.

Seeing the sudden disappearance of the boat and son-in-law the merchant was shocked. He prayed to Lord Satyanarayana, asked for forgiveness. The Lord informed, “Oh merchant, your daughter, in a hurry to meet her husband did not take my prasad; hence he has disappeared.  Now, when she goes back and takes the prasad with due respect and returns, she will be able to see him.  Kalavati ran home, ate the prasad and returned to the shore to meet her husband. The merchant did Lord Satyanarayana puja with his family every month. Finally, he attained salvation.

Story #5

Maharishi Sootha continued with another story: “Once there was a king named Thungadhwaja, who was famous for his generosity to his subjects. One day, after hunting, he was resting under a shady tree, he noticed a few villagers performing Lord Satyanarayana puja. The king saw all this, but because of his pride he ignored the villagers and, without acknowledging Lord Satyanarayana or taking the prasad that was offered to him, the King left the area.  This angered Lord Satyanarayana and cursed the King and his 100 sons, who died. His wealth and belongings were destroyed, and he became extremely poor and was afflicted with various hardships.

The King realized that this had happened all due to his false ego. So, he went back to the villagers, prostrated before Lord Satyanarayana and performed the puja with great devotion. The prasad was given to his sons, who became alright. He got back all his wealth and comforts of life, attained salvation in the end.

Maharishi Sootha said, “Oh holymen, I have narrated to you the Satyanarayana katha which was originally told by Lord Vishnu to Narad Muni. By observing this vratha, mankind can attain salvation.In this Kaliyuga, observance of the vratha can lead to gratification of one’s wishes.”

The end of the kathas!!!

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Once the Lord Satyanarayana puja is complete, stories from the Skanda puranas are narrated. These stories teach social lessons and power of faith. It is mandatory to listen to these stories and take the “prasad” in order to gain the full blessings of Lord Satyanarayana.

According to purana, the puja for Lord Satyanarayana started with Maharishi Sootha, narrating the story to a group of rishis performing a yajna, when asked “Oh, Maharishi, please tell us how mankind can attain salvation?”. Maharishi Sootha answered: “Once Narad Muni asked Lord Vishnu the same question. I will tell you what Lord Vishnu told Narad Muni”.

How to celebrate

Items required for puja

The following items should be purchased prior to the puja day.

One the day of the puja; clean the stoop and draw Rangoli, if possible, tie a string of mango leaves by the front door. Take a bath, wear clean clothes and follow the steps of the puja:

• Picture or Idol of Lord Satyanarayana in the Pooja room
• A dupatta or sari to offer to the deity
• Plain water in Kalash (pitcher)
• Fresh and washed mango leaves
• Fresh grass
• Sandalwood
• One coconut
• Kumkum
• Turmeric
• Red sacred thread
• Rice
• Betel leaves and betel nuts
• Flowers

Puja at home requires idols (murtis) and prayers (mantras). Usually the idol(s) or pictures are kept in a quiet place called a puja room. Puja in Sanskrit means “honor” or “worship”. We welcome God or Goddess the same way as we welcome our guests. If time is of the essence, the following steps can be taken for the puja:

• Sit on a small carpet or low stool (raised wood plank) facing North or East.
• Create an altar for Lord Satyanarayana.
• Clean the place and Lord Satyanarayana idol by sprinkling few drops of water. Use a separate cloth to wipe the deity and later, apply Haldi (turmeric) & Kumkum to the deity.
• Light the lamps and place in front of the altar.
  • Keep betel leaves, nuts, flowers and fruits in a plate in front of altar.
• After lighting the lamps, begin with Ganesh or Vishwaksena puja, followed by Navagraha puja.
• Then, start chanting sholkas as per your family traditions.
• Read Satyanarayana katha, five of them.
• After worshiping with katha, you decorate Lord Satayanarana with flowers and offer Naivedyam.
• Light aarti diya and perform aarti.
• Finally, conclude with Pradakshina (circumambulation, which means going in a clockwise direction) namaskar at the end of puja.
• Give everyone present, prasad which you offered as Naivedyam. 

Suggested Chant

• Lord Ganesha Sloka
• Navagraha Mantra
• 108 names of Lord Satyanarayana
• Read the five stories

Activities for the kids

• String mango leaves
• Draw rangoli in front of the house

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According to Hindu Mythology, Goddess Durga emerged from the collective energy of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. She is an embodiment of Shakti, power to destroy demon King Mahishasura.

Mahishasura had a head of a buffalo. He worshipped Lord Brahma.  After years of penance, he demanded immortality.  Since Lord Brahma was pleased with his penance, He granted Mahishasura’s wishes. The Boon given by Lord Brahma was, he would not be killed by a man or an animal.  In the end, he was told that a woman will be the end of him.

Mahishasura was greedy and high on power of immortality, he started to attack and captured all of earth, heaven and hell. The gods knew he could not be defeated because of the boon granted by Lord Brahma. So, they approached Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu in turn consulted with Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma. They decided they would combine all their powers to give birth to Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga then fought Mahishasura over a period of 15 days, since he kept changing his shape to misled her. Finally, when he transformed back to a buffalo, Goddess Durga was able to stab him with her trident and that was the end of him.

How to celebrate at home

Items required for puja

• Picture or Idol of Goddess Durga in the Pooja room
• A dupatta or sari to offer to the deity
• Durga Saptshati book
• Plain water in Kalash (pitcher)
• Fresh and washed mango leaves
• Fresh grass
• Sandalwood
• One coconut
• Kumkum
• Turmeric
• Red sacred thread
• Rice
• Betel leaves and betel nuts
• Flowers

Puja

Hindu worship or puja at home requires idols (murtis/deity) and prayers (mantras). Usually the deity(s) or pictures are kept in a quiet place called a puja room. Puja in Sanskrit means “honor” or “worship”. We welcome God or Goddess the same way as we welcome our guests. If time is of the essence, the following steps can be taken for the puja:

• Sit on a small carpet or low stool (raised wood plank) facing North or East.
• Create an altar for Goddess Durga
• Clean the place and Goddess Durga by sprinkling few drops of water. Use a separate cloth to wipe the Goddess and later, apply Haldi (turmeric) & Kumkum to the deity.
• Light the lamps and place in front of the alter.
• Keep betel leaves, nuts, flowers and fruits in a plate in front of the altar.
• After keeping the items in front of the Goddess Durga, begin with Ganesh or Vishwaksena puja or prarthana.
• Then, start chanting sholkas or stothram as per your family traditions.
• After worshiping with shlokas, you decorate the Goddess Durga with flowers and offer Naivedyam.
• Light aarti diya and perform aarti.
• Finally, conclude with Pradakshina (circumambulation, which means going in a clockwise direction) namaskar at the end of puja.
• Give everyone present, prasad which you offered as Naivedyam.

If using Kalash for puja, follow the Shodashopachara vidhi (process). There are sixteen steps in this vidhi.  This is included in the website.

Suggested Chants

• Ganapathi Mool mantra
• Durga Sloka

Activity for kids

• Do Durga themed crafts (like mask made of clay and paint it).
• Make Rangoli designs.
• Make string of mango leaves, flower garland.
• Decorate Kalash for Puja
• Read books about Durga Puja, Ramayana and Navarathri
• Teach some dance steps, so the whole family can enjoy doing this.(garba style)

The post Durga Puja appeared first on Increedible India.

According to legend, the story begins with a meeting between Lord Indira and sage Durvasa. Lord Indira had a four tusked elephant called Airavet. Sage Durvasa was a powerful sage. He saw Lord Indira, with lot of respect he gave him a flower garland. Lord Indira took the garland and placed it on the elephant’s head. The fragrance from the garland was so strong that the elephant took the garland from his head and flung it down on earth. This enraged Sage Durvasa and cursed Lord Indira that his kingdom will also be ruined like he has thrown the garland on the ground.

The Sage walks away and Lord Indira return to his capital Amravati. The changes in the capital starts to take place, the gods and people lose their energy and vigor.  People became corrupt, thus the gods got weak. The demons started to invade the Gods and were winning.  Lord Indira went to Lord Brahma, who was a creator and did not know how to help Lord Indira. So, they went to Vaikunta, to see Lord Vishnu, who the churning of the ocean to restore the power back to the Gods by providing them with Amrit that would make them immortal. This amrit had to be churned out of the ocean, for that a churner was needed, Mount Mandara.  The demons wanted the Amrit, they agreed to help the Gods. They needed a rope to churn the ocean, thus Vasuki the snake God agreed to help churn since he was to share the Amrit. The Gods held on to the tail of the snake, while the demons held his head. To move the Mount Mandara, Lord Vishnu had to help, he came as a tortoise, since it kept falling into the ocean. He went into the ocean and picked the submerged Mount Mandara and put it on his back. Vasuki coiled himself around the Mount and the churning started. From this churning Goddess Lakshmi raises out of the waves seated on a full bloomed lotus. She chooses to marry Lord Vishnu.

How to celebrate

Lakshmi puja is one of the important rituals performed during the festival of Diwali. This ritual is performed to invite Goddess Lakshmi at home.

Items required for puja

• Picture or Idol of Goddess Lakshmi in the Pooja room
• A dupatta or sari to offer to the deity
• Plain water in Kalash (pitcher)
• Fresh and washed mango leaves
• Sandalwood
• One coconut
• Kumkum
• Turmeric
• Red sacred thread
• Rice
• Betel leaves and betel nuts
• Flowers
• Clean the house and purchase the above materials.
• Draw Rangoli in front of the house.
• After taking a bath, clean Goddess Lakshmi idol and place her on an altar.

Shodasha Upachara vidhi (process)

This is a 16-step service to be executed during worship. It is usually rendered with Vedic chants. Devotees can perform this mentally by closing their eyes, called the “manasa puja.”

• Lower than the platform, draw Rangoli and place a kalash on a plate with a little rice.
• Place mango leaves on the top of the kalash. Place a coconut on the rim.
  • In a plate, keep betel leaves, nuts, fruits and flowers.
• Light diya’s in front of the platform.
• Start kalash puja, place turmeric, kumkum and flowers.
• Place turmeric, kumkum and flowers on the Goddess Lakshmi.
• Start with Lord Ganesh puja.
• Next start Goddess Lakshmi puja.
• Dhyanam (meditating on Goddess Lakshmi to invoke her).
  • Recite a short prayer specific to Goddess Lakshmi and engage the mind into lotus feet of the Goddess.
• Avahanam (inviting the Goddess Lakshmi into the altar).
  • Invite Goddess Lakshmi to come into the place of worship or idol by chanting the Vedic verse as though you are inviting a loveable guest inside your home.
• Asanam (Giving the Goddess Lakshmi a seat).
  • Offer the Goddess Lakshmi a seat. Like inviting a guest to your house, you would offer a comfortable seat to relax. In similar way by chanting the Vedic verse offer a seat to Goddess Lakshmi.
• Padyam (Washing The Goddess Lakshmi’s feet with water).
  • Wash the feet of Goddess Lakshmi by pouring water at Her feet. Imagine you are washing the delicate, lotus feet of the Goddess.
• Arghya (offering The Goddess Lakshmi water to rinse hands and mouth).
• Achamaniyam (offering The Goddess Lakshmi water to drink).
• Snanam (bathing The Goddess Lakshmi with only water or Panchamrutha abhishekam (Milk, Curds, Honey, Sugar & Ghee) (keep this aside).
  • Wash the Goddess Lakshmi with water and wipe clean.
• Vastram (dress The Goddess Lakshmi with new clothes).
• Yagnopavitam (offering The Goddess Lakshmi a clean sacred thread) (Janevu).
• Gandha (spreading fresh sandalwood paste on The Goddess Lakshmi).
  • Turmeric & Kumkum offering.
• Pushpa (offering flowers).
  • Recite 108 names of The Goddess Lakshmi while offering flowers.
• Dhoopam (offering incense smoke) (Due to allergic reactions this could be eliminated).
• Deepam (offering diya).
• Naivedyam (offering the Goddess Lakshmi food).
• Taambulam & Dakshina (offering betel leaves and nuts & money).
• Perform aarti.
  • Pradakshina and namaskaram (circumambulating the altar, request forgiveness for any omission.
  • Take the holy water or Panchamrutha (request Goddess Lakshmi’s grace and blessings for everyone. Request The Goddess Lakshmi return when the Avahana is offered next time.

Suggested Chants

• Ganesh Mantra
• Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra
• 108 names of Goddess Lakshmi

The post Lakshmi Puja appeared first on Increedible India.

• Sit on a small carpet or low stool (raised wood plank) facing North or East.
• Create an altar for the presiding deity
• Clean the place and God/Goddess by sprinkling few drops of water. Use a separate cloth to wipe the deity and later, apply Haldi (turmeric) & Kumkum to the deity.
• Light the lamps and place in front of the deity.
  • Keep betel leaves, nuts, flowers and fruits in a plate in front of The God/Goddess.
• After keeping the items in front of the God/Goddess, begin with Ganesh or Vishwaksena puja or prarthana.
• Then, start chanting shlokas or mantras as per your family traditions.
• After worshiping with shlokas, you decorate the God/Goddess with flowers and offer Naivedyam.
• Light aarti Diya and perform aarti.
• Finally, conclude with Pradakshina (circumambulation, which means going in a clockwise direction) namaskar at the end of puja.
• Give everyone present, prasad which you offered as Naivedyam.

Shodasha Upachara vidhi (process)

This is a 16-step service to be executed during worship. It is usually rendered with Vedic chants. Devotees can perform this mentally by closing their eyes, called the “manasa puja.”

On the festival days, the respective God/Goddess is invited, and the following 16 services are performed during puja:

• Dhyanam (meditating on the God/Goddess that is being invoked)
  • Recite a short prayer specific to God/Goddess that one is worshiping and engage the mind into lotus feet of that God/Goddess.
• Avahanam (inviting the God/Goddess into the altar)
  • Invite God/Goddess to come into the place of worship or idol by chanting the Vedic verse as though you are inviting a loveable guest inside your home.
• Asanam (Giving the God/Goddess a seat)
  • Offer the God/Goddess a seat. when inviting a guest to your house you would offer a comfortable seat to relax. In similar way by chanting the Vedic verse offer a seat to the chosen God/Goddess.
• Padyam (Washing the God/Goddess feet with water)
  • Wash the feet of God/Goddess by pouring water at His/Her feet. Imagine you are washing the delicate, lotus feet of the Lord.
• Arghya (offering the God/Goddess water to rinse hands and mouth)
• Achamaniyam (offering the God/Goddess water to drink)
• Snanam (bathing the God/Goddess with only water or Panchamrutha abhishekam (Milk, Curds, Honey, Sugar & Ghee) (keep this aside)
  • Wash the God/Goddess with water and wipe clean
• Vastram (dress the God/Goddess with new clothes)
• Yagnopavitam (offering the God/Goddess a clean sacred thread) (Janevu)
• Gandha (spreading fresh sandalwood paste on the God/Goddess)
  • Turmeric & Kumkum offering
• Pushpa (offering flowers)
  • Recite 108 names of the God/Goddess while offering flowers.
• Dhoopam (offering incense smoke)
• Deepam (offering diya)
• Naivedyam (offering the deity food)
• Taambulam & Dakshina (offering betel leaves and nuts & money)
• Perform aarti
  • Pradakshina and namaskaram (circumambulating the altar, request forgiveness for any omission, mistakes and other unknowing errors.
  • Take the holy water or Panchamrutha (request God/Goddess grace and blessings for everyone. Request the God/Goddess return when the Avahana is offered next time.

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