Note the significance of performing Satyanarayan Puja

Every now and then we would have received invitations to attend a Satyanarayan puja at our friends’ or a relative’s house. But have you given a thought to what benefits do we reap by performing this puja? Let us study in detail.

1. Importance of performing
Satyanarayan Puja before a function

A question might arise to a devotee that, when every function is commenced with the puja of Shri Ganapati, why is it necessary to perform Satyanarayan puja at the commencement of a function? Let us understand the reason behind this.

A. Performing Satyanarayan puja
before the inauguration of premises or an establishment

Satyanarayan puja is performed before the inauguration of any premises or any establishment because the presiding Deity of this ritual, Shrivishnu, represents Kriya-shakti (Energy of action) which provides momentum to the task at respective levels. To create the Raja component required for finance and for purification of the premises connected with business, Satyanarayan puja is necessary. Generally, at the commencement of any function Satyanarayan puja is performed to impart energy to the act.

B. Worshipping Shri Ganapati
for better health and fulfillment of desires

Shri Ganapati is associated with the Ichha-shakti (Energy of will) in the resolves that are associated with the desires of the individual and are in the form of Apa (Absolute Water Principle) and Pruthvi (Absolute Earth Principle) tattvas and is also the bestower of health. Hence, Shri Ganapati puja is beneficial.

From the perspective of providing a momentum to a specific task, Shri Ganapati puja is beneficial to the extent of 10%, while Satyanarayan puja helps in obtaining 20% benefit. (Through the medium of Mrs Anjali Gadgil, 27.1.2006)

2. Why should Satyanarayan Puja
be performed at the beginning of a task?

Question : Generally, after completion of a task there is a custom of performing Satyanarayan puja; but you have advised otherwise. What is the reason?

Answer : In Karmakanda (Spiritual practice of rites, rituals and observances performed at the physical level), Satyanarayan puja is performed at the end. In this ritual the doer prays to God to forgive any mistakes committed by him while performing the task. However, if Deity Satyanarayan who is a form of Shrivishnu and always promotes eternal truth is worshipped and pleased in the beginning of the task itself, then any wrong kriyaman (Willful action) can be avoided because of His blessings. Besides, it also helps in overcoming rage of negative energies about the respective task. That is why, performing Satyanarayan puja in the beginning of the task is more beneficial, since it is an invocation ritual in the form of a prayer. However, in Kaliyug (Era of strife) it has taken the nature of a ritual of atonement. First an individual behaves wantonly and then to avoid the consequent sins, Satyanarayan puja is performed. (Through the medium of Mrs Anjali Gadgil, 26.1.2006)

3. Satyanarayan Puja –
Analysis based on subtle-knowledge

On 26.5.2006, Satyanarayan puja was performed at the house of Shri. Sriramprasad Kushte, at Goa, from 9 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. Following is the analysis conducted by Ms Madhura of this event based on subtle-knowledge.

A. When the analysis based on subtle-knowledge was done from the Ashram premises, it was seen that as the initial preparation for the puja was going on, the rays of the sun entered the premises to welcome Deity Satyanarayan and they purified the premises and enriched it with Chaitanya (Divine consciousness). This analysis was confirmed upon actual arrival at the venue: From morning itself, I was feeling breathless and weak. Therefore, I decided to do analysis of the venue based on subtle-knowledge while at the Ashram. I perceived the arrival of sunrays welcoming Deity Satyanarayan, while preparations for the puja were taking place at Mr Kushte’s house. The rays were spreading all over the premises, purifying it and enriching it with Chaitanya. When I actually arrived at the venue at 9:20 a.m., I felt pleasant vibrations in the premises, as a result of the positive change brought about by the sunrays.

B. Upon invocation of Shrivishnu and Shri Lakshmi, Divine figures of Shrivishnu and Shri Lakshmi in blue and red blazes of Chaitanya were seen respectively: On invocation of Shrivishnu and Shri Lakshmi, I saw two blazes of Chaitanya entering the room. One of them was blue, while the other was faint red. When these blazes reached the wooden seat, I saw two Divine figures, each one foot tall. The red blaze contained Shri Lakshmi wearing red clothes, while in the blue blaze I could see Shrivishnu with His bodily hue of blue.

When Shri. Damodar Vaze, the seeker-priest, was narrating the story of Satyanarayan, the atmosphere was charged with bhav (spiritual emotion) and Anand . The subtle form of Shrivishnu, present on the wooden seat had a smile on His face.

Reference : Sanatan’s Holy text ‘Spiritual science underlying familial religious and social acts’