Santoshi Mata Vrat Katha — Complete with Meaning
Santoshi Mata is the daughter of Ganesh and the goddess of contentment. By keeping sixteen Friday fasts and hearing the katha, the goddess fulfils all devotees' wishes. This katha tells of a servant's wife who, even in hardship, keeps her faith in the goddess and wins back her husband.
|| Doha ||
Jai Santoshi Mata jai, Gananaayak ki laad | Shukravar vrat jo kare, maa kare beda paar ||
Ek daridra sevak ka ghar tha | Patni ko sataati theen nanad-saas | Pati pardes gaya tha kaam khojne | Ghar mein dukh tha, umeed thi Santoshi Mata par ||
Patni ne Shukravar ka vrat rakha | Gud-chana Mata ko bhog lagaaya | Katha suni, shraddha se prarthana ki — He Maa! Mere pati ko lauta do ||
Door pardes mein pati ko Mata ne jagaya | Swapna mein ghar ki yaad aur patni ki chhavi aayi | Mata ki prerna se vah ghar ki aur chala | Solah vrat mein patni ki dua phali ||
Pati lauta, ghar mein khushi chhayi | Udyapan kiya — Mata ki pooja karayi | Khatti cheez door rakhi us din sabhi ne | Santoshi Mata ne parivaar ko ek kiya ||
|| Doha ||
Santoshi Mata ki jai, Shukravar ka vrat laaye | Gud-chana ka bhog dhare, Maa manokamna poorn karaaye ||
Meaning
Doha
Jai Santoshi Mata jai, Gananaayak ki laad | Shukravar vrat jo kare, maa kare beda paar ||
Victory to Santoshi Mata, the beloved daughter of Ganesh. Whoever keeps the Friday fast — may the goddess carry them safely across.
Verse 1
Ek daridra sevak ka ghar tha | Patni ko sataati theen nanad-saas | Pati pardes gaya tha kaam khojne | Ghar mein dukh tha, umeed thi Santoshi Mata par ||
There was the home of a poor servant. His wife was tormented by her sisters-in-law and mother-in-law. The husband had gone away to seek work. There was sorrow at home, but the wife placed her hope in Santoshi Mata.
Verse 2
Patni ne Shukravar ka vrat rakha | Gud-chana Mata ko bhog lagaaya | Katha suni, shraddha se prarthana ki — He Maa! Mere pati ko lauta do ||
The wife kept the Friday fast, offered gur-chana to the goddess, heard the katha, and prayed with devotion — O Mother, bring my husband home.
Verse 3
Door pardes mein pati ko Mata ne jagaya | Swapna mein ghar ki yaad aur patni ki chhavi aayi | Mata ki prerna se vah ghar ki aur chala | Solah vrat mein patni ki dua phali ||
Far away, the goddess woke the husband. In a dream came memories of home and his wife. Inspired by the goddess, he set out for home. In sixteen fasts, the wife's prayer was answered.
Verse 4
Pati lauta, ghar mein khushi chhayi | Udyapan kiya — Mata ki pooja karayi | Khatti cheez door rakhi us din sabhi ne | Santoshi Mata ne parivaar ko ek kiya ||
The husband returned, joy filled the home. The udyapan was performed — the goddess was worshipped. Everyone avoided sour foods that day. Santoshi Mata reunited the family.
Doha
Santoshi Mata ki jai, Shukravar ka vrat laaye | Gud-chana ka bhog dhare, Maa manokamna poorn karaaye ||
Victory to Santoshi Mata. Keep the Friday fast, offer gur-chana — the Mother fulfils all wishes.
Meanings written in simple language by the KathaMantra team.
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Frequently asked questions
How to keep the Santoshi Mata fast?
Wake before sunrise on Friday. After bathing, worship Santoshi Mata. Offer jaggery and chana. Read or hear the katha. Do not eat or serve sour foods (lemon, tamarind, curd) that day. Distribute prasad in the evening.
Why is sour food avoided in Santoshi Mata's fast?
According to the katha, when the devotee consumed sour food, the goddess was displeased and her husband was jailed again. That is why sour food is forbidden on this fast. No family member should be given sour food that day.
How is the udyapan of Santoshi Mata done?
After 16 Friday fasts, perform the udyapan. Feed eight boys (no sour food). Prepare halwa-puri and chana. Perform puja, katha and aarti for the goddess. The udyapan delivers the fruit of the fast and fulfils the vow.