Satyanarayan Katha – Chapter 3: The Journey of the Wealthy Merchant

The Journey of the Wealthy Merchant

In the previous chapter, we saw a poor woodcutter become wealthy through the grace of Lord Satyanarayan. Now, let's move forward and listen to the story of that wealthy merchant who resolved to perform the fast but forgot God due to his busyness and negligence.

Departure Towards the Sea

The wealthy merchant, who was inspired by the woodcutter himself, was preparing to go to a distant country for trade by sea route with his son-in-law. Early in the morning, he meditated on Lord Satyanarayan and resolved in his mind that upon returning safely from the trade, he would definitely organize the fast and story of the Lord. His mind was filled with enthusiasm and hope, as he felt that his business would flourish greatly by the grace of God. He hugged his wife and children and, with wishes for a good journey, boarded the boat with his son-in-law. The sun's rays were shining on the sea, and the winds were carrying the boat in a favorable direction.

The merchant said to his son-in-law, "Look, how auspicious the signs are! I believe we will gain a lot this time. But remember, we must not forget Lord Satyanarayan. We must perform the fast upon returning." The son-in-law nodded in agreement, "Yes, Father, I will keep reminding you." The merchant thought in his mind, 'Lord, make my journey successful. I will never forget this favor of yours.'

Resolution and Forgetting of the Fast

The merchant and his son-in-law's business was very successful. They earned a lot of money and soon began preparing to return to their city. During the return journey, the merchant became completely lost in business profits. The greed for wealth in his mind increased even more. He completely forgot the resolution of the fast of Lord Satyanarayan. Now he was only concerned about his wealth and fame. On the way, he felt that there was no need to perform the fast, as he was already so wealthy. He thought in his mind, 'Now what need do I have of any God? I have everything.'

As soon as the merchant forgot God, Lord Satyanarayan decided to make him realize his mistake. One day, a king's army came near their boat and asked them, "Who are you and where are you going? What do you have?" The merchant replied arrogantly, "We are merchants and are returning to our city. We have a lot of wealth." Hearing this, the king's soldiers became suspicious and searched the boat.

Imprisonment by the King

Upon searching the boat, the king's soldiers found a lot of wealth with the merchant. The king became very angry because he thought the merchant was a thief and had stolen this wealth. The king ordered the merchant and his son-in-law to be imprisoned. They were put in jail and all their wealth was confiscated. The merchant became very sad and could not understand why all this was happening to him. He remembered Lord Satyanarayan and realized his mistake. He repented in his mind, "O Lord, forgive me! I forgot you, and this is the result. I now understand how important it was to perform the fast."