Shri Santoshi Mata (Shukrawar) Vrat Katha

॥ Introduction ॥

The sacred fast of Goddess Santoshi (Santoshi Mata) is observed with immense faith and love, particularly on Fridays. Manifested as the divine daughter of Lord Ganesha and Goddesses Riddhi and Siddhi, Mother Santoshi personifies supreme satisfaction, contentment, peace, and auspiciousness. In Sanatan tradition, observing the Friday fast of Santoshi Mata eradicates prolonged poverty, removes intense domestic suffering, protects marital bliss (Suhag), blesses childless couples with healthy children, and fulfills all cherished desires.

॥ Importance ॥

The spiritual excellence of Santoshi Mata Vrat is unparalleled. The Mother does not demand costly offerings or arduous penance; She yearns solely for pure love, devotion, and contentment. Offering even simple roasted chickpeas and jaggery (Gur-Chana) with deep reverence brings boundless blessings. Lord Ganesha''s divine heritage fills the devotee''s home with wealth, auspiciousness, intellect, and joy, destroying all planetary afflictions and sorrow.

॥ Puranic & Scriptural Context ॥

Mother Santoshi is revered as the embodiment of patience and contentment (Santosh). According to scriptural narratives, on the auspicious festival of Raksha Bandhan, when Lord Ganesha''s sons Shubh and Labh expressed the desire for a sister to tie Rakhi, Lord Ganesha, along with Riddhi and Siddhi, manifested this divine goddess from the sacred flames of holy satisfaction. Thus, She was named "Santoshi Mata"—the divine mother who bestows satisfaction and peace to the entire universe.

॥ Method of Santoshi Mata Vrat Katha & Puja Samagri ॥

Santoshi Mata''s father Ganesha, mothers Riddhi-Siddhi, a family overflowing with wealth, grains, gold, silver, pearls, and coral jewels; blessed with the loving affection of Lord Ganesha, poverty vanishes, discord is destroyed, the radiance of peace and joy shines forth, gardens of healthy children bloom, great profits are earned in business, desires of the mind are fulfilled, and grief, calamity, and anxiety are crushed to powder. Take the name of Santoshi Mata, and all tasks will be accomplished—Hail Santoshi Mata!

The person observing this fast, while narrating and listening to the Katha, should hold jaggery and roasted chickpeas (Gur and Bhune Chane) in hand. The listeners should continually chant "Jai Santoshi Mata! Jai Santoshi Mata!" from their mouths. Upon the completion of the story, feed the jaggery and chickpeas held in hand to a sacred cow (Gau Mata). Distribute the Gur-Chana kept in the Kalash as Prasad to everyone. Before starting the Katha, fill a Kalash with pure water and place a bowl filled with Gur-Chana over it. After the Katha and Aarti are completed, sprinkle the Kalash water in all areas of the house and pour the remaining water into a Tulsi bed. Fast for the Mother with Gur-Chana worth one and a quarter rupees (Sawa Rupaya) or even one and a quarter Annas without worry. If jaggery is available at home, use it without second thoughts because the Mother yearns for genuine devotion, not quantities. Hence, observe the fast with a cheerful heart, offering whatever is possible with love and faith.

During the Udyapan (conclusion ritual) of the fast, prepare two and a half Seer of Khaja, refined Puris, Kheer, and Chane ka Saag as Naivedya. Light a pure Ghee lamp, chant the glories of Santoshi Mata, and break a coconut. On this day, no one in the household should consume any sour item (Khattai)—neither eat it yourself nor let anyone else eat it. On this day, feed eight boys; if boys from your extended family (such as brother-in-law''s sons) are available, do not invite outsiders. If not available in the family, invite boys of Brahmins, relatives, or neighbors. Do not serve them any sour item, feed them well, and offer Dakshina according to your means. Do not give cash as Dakshina, but gift some useful item. The devotee should listen to the Katha, accept Prasad, and eat one Satvik meal a day. In this way, the Mother will be immensely pleased, eradicating all sorrows and poverty and fulfilling every wish.

॥ Story ॥

There was an old woman who had seven sons; six of them were earning, while one was unemployed. The mother used to cook for the six sons, feed them, and whatever scraps remained were given to the seventh son. But he was very innocent and simple-minded, harboring no doubt. One day he told his wife—"Look, how much my mother loves me!" She replied—"Why not, she feeds you the leftover scraps of everyone." He said—"How can this be possible? Unless I see it with my own eyes, I cannot believe it." The wife laughed and said—"You will believe only when you see it."

After a few days, a major festival arrived. Seven types of delicacies and Churma Laddoos were prepared in the house. To verify, he pretended to have a headache, covered his head with a thin cloth, lay down in the kitchen, and observed everything through the fabric. The six brothers came to eat; he saw that the mother had laid out beautiful seats for them, served seven varieties of dishes, and fed them with great insistence. As he watched, the six brothers finished and got up. Then the mother collected the broken pieces of Laddoos from their leftover plates and formed one Laddoo. Cleaning the remnants, the mother called out—"Wake up son! The six brothers have eaten and gone, now only you are left. Get up, when will you eat?" He replied—"Mother, I do not want to eat. I am going abroad." The mother said—"If you wish to go tomorrow, go today itself." He said—"Yes, yes, I am going today." Saying this, he left the house.

While departing, he remembered his wife. She was making cow dung cakes in the cowshed. Going there, he said to her:

Ham jaaven pardesh ko aavenge kuchh kaal.
Tum rahiyo santosh se dharam aapno paal ॥
She replied:- Jaao piya aanand se hamrun soch hataay.
Raam bharose ham rahen Ishwar tumhen sahaay ॥
Dekh nishaanee aapnee dekh dharoon main dheer.
Sudhi hamaree matee bisaariyo rakhiyo man gambheer ॥

He said—"I have nothing with me, take this ring as a keepsake and give me something of yours as a remembrance." She said—"What do I have except these dung-covered hands?" Saying this, she imprinted her dung-covered hand on his back. He departed. Walking continuously, he reached a distant country.

There was a merchant''s shop; going there, he said—"Brother, please hire me." The merchant needed help and said—"Stay." The boy asked—"What salary will you give?" The merchant replied—"You will get wages based on your work." He got the job and worked diligently from seven in the morning until night. In a few days, he began handling all business transactions, accounts, and sales to customers. The merchant had 7-8 other workers who were astonished at how clever he had become. The merchant also observed his diligence and within 3 months made him a fifty-percent partner in the profits. Within 12 years, he became a renowned merchant, and the owner left the entire business in his care and went abroad.

Now hear what happened to the daughter-in-law. Her mother-in-law and father-in-law began tormenting her. After making her do all the household chores, they sent her to the forest to collect firewood. Meanwhile, they would make bread from the husk left after sifting flour and give her drinking water in a broken coconut shell. In this manner, days passed. One day while going to collect firewood, she saw many women observing the Santoshi Mata fast. Standing there and listening to the Katha, she said—"Sisters! Which deity''s fast is this, what fruit does one obtain from it, and what is its method? If you kindly explain the rules of your fast to me, I shall be deeply grateful to you."

Then one woman said—"Listen, this is the fast of Santoshi Mata. Observing it destroys poverty and destitution, brings wealth, and removes mental anxieties. With happiness in the house, the mind attains joy and peace. The childless get children, estranged spouses return quickly, unmarried maidens get desired husbands, long-pending court cases are resolved, all-round peace is established, wealth accumulates, profits in money and property occur, diseases are cured, and whatever desire is in one''s heart is fulfilled without doubt by the grace of Santoshi Mata."

She asked—"Please tell me how this fast is observed." The woman replied—"Take Gur and Chana worth one and a quarter rupees; if desired, take for five and a quarter rupees, or eleven and a quarter rupees according to convenience, without stress, offering with love and devotion. Every Friday, remain on a fast, narrate and listen to the Katha without breaking the sequence, adhering strictly to the rules. If no listener is found, light a Ghee lamp, place a vessel of water before it, and recite the Katha, but do not break the rule. Continue until the purpose is accomplished, and only then perform Udyapan; the Mother bestows the fruit within three months. Even if planetary afflictions exist, the Mother accomplishes the task within one year. Udyapan should only be done upon accomplishment of the task, not in between. For Udyapan, prepare Khaja from two and a half Seer flour, Kheer, and Chane ka Saag. Feed eight boys—preferably cousins, brothers, and relatives; if not available, invite relatives'' or neighbors'' boys, feed them, give Dakshina according to ability, and ensure no sour food is consumed in the house on that day."

Hearing this, the daughter-in-law went on her way. On the path, she sold her bundle of firewood, bought Gur-Chana with the money, prepared for the Mother''s fast, and seeing a temple ahead, asked—"Whose temple is this?" Everyone said—"It is Santoshi Mata''s temple." Hearing this, she entered the temple and prostrated at the feet of the Mother. Humbly she prayed—''Mother! I am utterly ignorant and know nothing of fast rules. I am very distressed! O Mother of the universe! Remove my sorrow, I take refuge in you.''

The Mother took pity. One Friday passed, and on the very next Friday, her husband''s letter arrived; on the third Friday, the money sent by him also arrived. Seeing this, the elder sister-in-law sneered—"Money came after so long, what is so great about it?" The children taunted—"Aunt now gets letters and money; now aunt''s hospitality will increase, now aunt won''t even speak to us." The poor woman said simply—"Brother! If letters and money come, it is good for all of us." Saying this with tearful eyes, she went to Santoshi Mata''s temple, fell at the feet of the Mother, and wept—"Mother! I did not ask for money. What will I do with money? I yearn for my husband. I seek only the sight and service of my lord." Then the Mother said graciously—"Go daughter, your husband will return." Hearing this, she returned home overjoyed and resumed her work.

Now Mother Santoshi thought—"I told this innocent daughter her husband will come, but how will he come? He does not even remember her in his dreams; I must go to remind him." Thus the Mother appeared in the dream of the merchant''s son and asked—"Son of the merchant! Are you asleep or awake?" He said—"Mother! I am neither fully asleep nor awake, I am in between; tell me what is your command." The Mother said—"Do you have a home and family or not?" He replied—"I have everything, Mother: parents, brothers, sisters, wife—what is lacking?" The Mother said—"Innocent son! Your wife is suffering severe agony. Your parents are tormenting her, she is yearning for you; go and take care of her." He said—"Yes Mother, I know this, but how can I go? It is a distant land, accounts of debits and credits are unsettled, no way to leave is visible, how can I depart?" The Mother said—"Listen to me: wake up early, bathe, take the name of Santoshi Mata, light a Ghee lamp, bow down, and sit at the shop. You will see that all your transactions will be settled, accumulated goods will be sold, and by evening a heap of wealth will gather."

When he woke up early and shared his dream with others, they laughed and dismissed it, saying dreams do not come true. An old man said—"Brother, listen to me; instead of doubting, what do you lose in doing as the deity commanded?" Trusting the old man, he bathed, bowed to Mother Santoshi, lit a Ghee lamp, and sat at the shop. In a short while, debtors brought money, creditors settled accounts, buyers bought entire stocks in cash, and by evening a huge heap of wealth gathered. Witnessing the Mother''s miracle, he rejoiced, took the Mother''s name, bought jewelry and clothes for home, and departed.

Meanwhile, the poor daughter-in-law went to gather firewood and rested at the Mother''s temple on her return, which was her daily resting spot. Seeing dust rising in the distance, she asked—"O Mother! Why is this dust rising?" The Mother said—"O daughter! Your husband is arriving. Now do this: make three bundles of firewood—keep one by the riverbank, one at my temple, and carry the third on your head. Seeing the bundle of wood, your husband will feel an inclination to rest. He will stop there, cook, eat, and then go to meet his mother. Then carry your bundle home, drop it in the courtyard, and call out loudly three times: ''Take, mother-in-law! Take the bundle of wood, give the husk bread, and give water in the broken coconut shell; which guest has arrived today?''"

Hearing the Mother, the wife gladly brought three bundles of wood. She placed one by the river and one at the temple. Just then, the traveler arrived. Seeing dry wood, he felt like resting, cooking, and eating before going to the village. After eating and resting, he entered the village and met everyone with love. At that moment, the wife arrived with the bundle on her head, threw the heavy load into the courtyard, and called out loudly three times: "Take, mother-in-law! Take the bundle of wood, give the husk bread, and give water in the broken coconut shell; which guest has arrived today?"

Hearing this, the mother-in-law came out, hiding her past cruelties, and said—"Daughter-in-law! Why do you speak like this? Your husband has arrived! Come sit, eat sweet rice, dine, and wear fine clothes and jewelry." Hearing the voice, her husband stepped out, recognized the ring, and asked his mother anxiously—"Mother! Who is this?" The mother said—"Son! This is your wife. Ever since you left twelve years ago, she wanders around the village like an animal. She does no household work, comes four times a day to eat, and now seeing you, demands husk bread and water in a coconut shell."

He felt ashamed and said—"Alright Mother! I have seen her, and I have seen you too. Now give me the key to another room so I may live there." The mother tossed the key bunch, saying—"Alright son, as you wish." Taking the key, he opened the room on the third floor and arranged everything. In a single day, it became grand like a king''s palace. Both began living happily. Soon the next Friday arrived. The wife said to her husband—"I wish to perform the Udyapan of Mother''s fast." The husband said—"Very well, do it gladly." She immediately prepared for Udyapan and invited the elder brother-in-law''s sons for food. They agreed, but behind her back, the sister-in-law instructed her children—"Listen! At mealtime, all of you demand sour items (Khattai), so that her Udyapan is spoiled."

The boys came, ate Kheer to their fill, but remembering the instruction, said—"Give us something sour, we do not like eating Kheer, it feels unappetizing." The wife said—"No sour food will be given to anyone; this is Santoshi Mata''s Prasad." The boys stood up and said—"Give us money." The innocent wife gave them money. The boys immediately bought tamarind (Imli) and ate it. Seeing this, the Mother became angry. The king''s guards came and seized her husband. The sister-in-law taunted—"He amassed wealth through extortion, so the king''s men took him away. Now he will know when he languishes in jail." Unable to bear these words, she went weeping to the temple: "O Mother! What have you done? Why make me weep after giving joy?" The Mother said—"Daughter! You broke my fast during Udyapan; did you forget everything so soon?" She pleaded—"Mother, I did not forget, nor did I commit any sin knowingly; the boys deceived me and I innocently gave them money. Please forgive me, Mother!" The Mother said—"Can such a mistake happen?" She cried—"Forgive me Mother, I will perform your Udyapan again." The Mother said—"Do not make a mistake again." She promised—"It will not happen again; Mother, tell me how he will return?"

The Mother said—"Go daughter! You will find your husband returning on the way." She walked home, and on the way, she met her husband. She asked—"Where had you gone?" He said—"I earned so much wealth, the king demanded tax, so I went to pay it." Joyfully she said—"All is well, now let us go home." After a few days, Friday came again. She said—"I wish to perform Mother''s Udyapan." The husband said—"Do it." She again went to invite the sister-in-law''s sons. The sister-in-law taunted and taught the boys to demand sour food beforehand. The boys said—"We do not like Kheer, give us sour food." She said—"You will not get sour food; come if you wish." She then invited Brahmin boys and fed them. In place of cash Dakshina, she offered a fruit to each. Santoshi Mata was pleased. By the Mother''s grace, in the ninth month, she was blessed with a son as handsome as the moon.

Taking her son, she visited the temple daily. The Mother thought—"She visits daily, why not visit her house today and see her abode?" Thinking this, the Mother assumed a fearsome appearance: a face smeared with Gur and Chana, lips resembling a trunk, and flies buzzing around. As she stepped on the threshold, the mother-in-law screamed—"Look! Some witch or demoness is coming! Drive her away, or she will devour someone!" The boys got scared and shut the windows. The daughter-in-law was looking from the ventilator and shouted with ecstatic joy—"Today my Mother has arrived at my home!" Saying this, she set aside nursing her child. The mother-in-law yelled in anger—"Wretch! What haste made you drop the child?" Just then, by the Mother''s divine power, boys upon boys appeared everywhere. The daughter-in-law said—"Mother-in-law, she is the very Santoshi Mata whose fast I observe." Saying this, she threw open all the doors. Everyone caught the Mother''s feet and pleaded—"O Mother! We are foolish, ignorant, and sinners. We did not know the rules of your fast and committed a great offense by spoiling it. O Mother! Forgive our sins." Thus the Mother was pleased. As the Mother blessed the daughter-in-law, may She bless all who listen. May the desires of all who read be fulfilled. Hail Santoshi Mata!

॥ Moral of the Story ॥

• Pure devotion and sincere emotion (Bhav) surpass material wealth; God values love and simplicity above grandeur.
• Patience and unwavering faith during adversity transform the most difficult trials into boundless blessings.
• Strict adherence to spiritual vows is essential; rules must never be compromised out of carelessness or social pressure.
• Compassion, repentance, and sincere forgiveness have the divine power to wash away past mistakes and restore divine grace.

॥ Vrat & Worship Method ॥

• Rise early on Friday during Brahma Muhurta, take a purifying bath, and resolve to observe the Santoshi Mata Vrat with a clean mind and body.
• Fill a Kalash with pure drinking water, place a bowl containing fresh jaggery and roasted chickpeas (Gur-Chana) over it, and place it before the Mother''s idol or picture.
• Light a pure Desi Ghee lamp and incense sticks, and hold some Gur-Chana in your hand while narrating or listening to the sacred Vrat Katha.
• During the Katha, devotees should continuously chant "Jai Santoshi Mata! Jai Santoshi Mata!".
• Upon completing the Katha and Aarti, offer the Gur-Chana held in hand to a sacred cow (Gau Mata).
• Distribute the Gur-Chana kept over the Kalash as holy Prasad to all family members and devotees.
• Sprinkle the consecrated water from the Kalash in all corners of the home for purification and pour the remaining water into a Tulsi plant.
• Consume a single Satvik meal during the day without consuming any sour items or salt (if observing complete sweet fast).

॥ Special Rules & Khattai Prohibition ॥

• Strict Khattai (Sour Food) Prohibition: The devotee and family members must strictly avoid consuming, buying, or serving any sour substances (curd, lemon, tamarind, tomatoes, amchur, etc.) on Friday.
• No Cash Dakshina during Feast: Never offer cash money to children during the fast or Udyapan meal, as they might use it to purchase sour candies or tamarind; gift fruits, sweets, or useful stationery/clothing instead.
• Continuity of Vrat: Maintain the fast continuously without breaking the weekly Friday sequence until the desired wish is completely fulfilled.

॥ Udyapan Method ॥

• Perform the formal Udyapan only after the cherished wish has been fulfilled by the Mother''s grace (usually within 16 Fridays or up to one year).
• Prepare two and a half Seer of Khaja, refined Puris, Kheer, and Chane ka Saag as the grand Naivedya.
• Light a Ghee lamp, break a sacred coconut with devotion, and offer heartfelt prayers to Santoshi Mata.
• Invite and feed eight young boys (preferably from the extended family, relatives, or Brahmin children).
• Ensure no sour food is prepared or served anywhere in the house on the day of Udyapan.
• Offer fruits, clothes, or useful gifts to the boys as Dakshina, seek their blessings, and conclude the fast peacefully.

॥ Bhog Prarthana ॥

Bhoga lagaao maiyaa yogeshwaree, bhoga lagaao maiyaa bhuvaneshwaree.
Bhoga lagaao annapoornaeshwaree, madhura padaartha mana bhaaye ॥1॥
Thaala sajaaoon khaajaa kheera, prema sahita vinatee karoon dhara dheera.
Tuma maataa karoonaa gambheera, bhakta chanaa guda priya paaye ॥2॥
Shukravaara tero dina pyaaro, kathaa tumhaaree bhakton ke dukkha taaro.
Bhaava mana mein tero nyaaro, manamaane sukha pragataaye ॥3॥

॥ Benefits ॥

• Completely eradicates acute poverty, financial debt, and brings steady prosperity to the household.
• Blesses childless couples with healthy, noble, and virtuous offspring.
• Resolves long-pending legal conflicts, court cases, and workplace obstacles in favor of the devotee.
• Reunites separated couples and brings everlasting peace, love, and understanding in married life.
• Grants disease-free life, protection against evil energies, and fulfills every heartfelt ambition.

॥ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ॥

On which day of the week is Santoshi Mata Vrat observed?

The Santoshi Mata Vrat is traditionally observed every week on Friday with pure devotion and simplicity.

Who are the divine parents of Santoshi Mata?

Santoshi Mata is revered as the divine daughter of Lord Ganesha and Goddesses Riddhi and Siddhi.

What is the most important restriction during the Santoshi Mata Fast?

The absolute and most critical rule is the strict prohibition of eating, touching, or serving any sour food item (Khattai) on the day of the fast.

What is the primary offering (Prasad) for Santoshi Mata?

The simplest and most beloved offering to Santoshi Mata is jaggery and roasted chickpeas (Gur and Bhune Chane) offered with pure faith.