Hindu Heritage Services

Sadhu and his son-in-law loaded their boat with the riches the king had given them and set sail for home. But Lord Satyanarayana, wishing to test the Sadhu further, appeared before him in the guise of an ascetic with a trident. The ascetic asked Sadhu what he was carrying in the boat. Without realizing that the ascetic was Lord Narayana in disguise, Sadhu mocked him, saying, "Oh Brahmin, were you thinking of stealing my goods? We have nothing of value in the boat, only some vessels.

 

The ascetic, who was in fact Lord Satyanarayana, replied, "So be it, Sadhu." With that, he quickly departed and stood by the seashore.

 

When Sadhu and his son-in-law returned to the boat, they were horrified to find it filled with nothing but vessels, just as Sadhu had falsely claimed. In shock, Sadhu fainted, but his son-in-law revived him and suggested they seek forgiveness from the ascetic. The two men hurried to the seashore where the ascetic was meditating, and they fell at his feet, repeatedly begging for his pardon.

 

Pleased by Sadhu's devotion, the Lord spoke, "Sadhu, do not weep. You suffer because you have broken your promises time and again." Upon hearing this, Sadhu prayed to God, saying, "Lord, even Brahma and the other Devas, lost in your Maya, cannot fully comprehend your divine form. How can I, with my limited understanding, grasp the vastness of your nature? I pray to you within the limits of my knowledge. Please show me your true form and bless me.

 

The Lord, moved by Sadhu's sincere prayer, granted his wish. He restored the merchandise in the boat and then disappeared. Overjoyed, Sadhu and his son-in-law sailed homeward.Upon reaching their hometown, they sent a messenger to inform their wives of their safe return. At that time, Leelavathi and Kalavati were performing a Satyanarayana puja. Leelavathi quickly completed her puja and asked her daughter to finish the ritual. She then hurried to the seashore to meet her husband. In her eagerness, Kalavati forgot to eat the prasad and rushed out to find him. This act angered Lord Satyanarayana. As a result, he caused the boat and her husband to disappear, drowning them in the sea.

 

When Kalavati could not find her husband, she wept bitterly. Everyone around was stunned and fearful. Sadhu, uncertain of what had happened, realized that this must be the work of Lord Narayana’s Maya. He decided to perform a Satyanarayana puja and prayed fervently. Pleased by his devotion, Lord Satyanarayana appeared and spoke: "Sadhu, your daughter failed to eat the prasad in her haste to meet her husband, so I caused both the boat and the husband to disappear. Let her now go home, eat the prasad, and return.

 

Following the Lord’s instructions, Kalavati rushed home, ate the prasad, and then returned to the seashore. To her great joy, she found her husband and the boat restored.

 

Sadhu and his family returned home with joy, and every full moon, he performed the Satyanarayana puja. By God's grace, he enjoyed a life of peace and prosperity, and eventually attained liberation.