Because of this, the mother always fed the youngest son only the leftovers from his six brothers' meals.

One day, the youngest son's wife told him that his mother treated him unfairly. He refused to believe her. To discover the truth, he pretended to have a headache and lay covered with a blanket inside the kitchen.

As usual, after serving food to her six elder sons, the mother collected their leftovers and served them to her youngest son.

Witnessing this with his own eyes, he was deeply hurt. Without eating, he decided to leave home and travel to a distant land in search of work.

Before leaving, he met his wife, who was making cow-dung cakes near the cattle shed. He told her:

"I am leaving for a faraway land and will return after some time. Live with patience, follow the path of righteousness, and remain content."

His wife replied:

"Go happily, my beloved. Do not worry about me. May Lord Rama protect me, and may God always keep You safe."

The husband wished to leave behind a token of remembrance but owned nothing except a ring, which he gave to his wife. In return, she had nothing to offer except her hands covered with cow dung. She gently pressed her hands on his back, leaving their impressions as a symbol of her love and devotion.

Success in a Distant Land

The young man reached a distant town and sought employment from a wealthy merchant. Impressed by his honesty, the merchant hired him, saying, "Your wages will depend on your work."

Over time, the young man proved himself intelligent, hardworking, and trustworthy. His skills earned the admiration of the other workers, although some grew jealous of him.

Recognizing his dedication, the merchant eventually entrusted him with maintaining the business accounts and later made him a partner in the profits.

The Wife's Hardships

Meanwhile, life became extremely difficult for his wife.

Her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law treated her cruelly. She was forced to perform all the household chores and was barely given enough food to survive.

One day, while collecting firewood in a nearby forest, she saw a group of women listening to a sacred story. Curious, she asked whose story it was.

The women replied that they were listening to the Santoshi Mata Vrat Katha. They explained the method of observing the Friday fast and worshipping Goddess Santoshi.

On her way home, she found a temple dedicated to the Goddess. Falling at the Goddess's feet, she prayed with all her heart:

"O Mother Santoshi, please bless me and remove my suffering."

The Goddess heard her sincere prayer.

The woman sold the firewood she had collected and used the money to buy jaggery and roasted gram (gud and chana) as offerings. She observed the Friday fast, worshipped Santoshi Mata, and listened to the Vrat Katha.

Soon afterward, she received a letter from her husband along with money. Encouraged by these blessings, she continued observing the fast every Friday with unwavering faith.

Later, she prayed again:

"O Mother, please reunite me with my husband."

The Goddess's Blessing

Hearing her heartfelt prayer, Goddess Santoshi appeared in the form of an elderly woman before her husband in the distant town.

The old woman asked him whether he had a family waiting for him. He replied that he did, but he did not know how he could leave his responsibilities at work.

The elderly woman advised him:

"Light a lamp in the name of Santoshi Mata tomorrow morning before opening your shop. By evening, all your accounts will be settled, and your goods will be sold."

He followed her instructions exactly.

By the grace of Goddess Santoshi, his entire business was successfully completed that day. He purchased clothes and jewelry for his family and immediately set out for his village.

The Reunion

Meanwhile, Santoshi Mata appeared before the wife in the temple and instructed her:

"Divide your bundle of firewood into three parts. Leave one bundle by the river, one at the temple, and throw the third bundle into your courtyard, saying, 'Here are the firewood bundles. Now give me straw bread to eat.'"

She obeyed the Goddess's instructions.

As her husband crossed the river on his journey home, he noticed the bundle of dry firewood. Feeling hungry and tired, he used it to cook his meal before continuing his journey.

When he reached home, he heard his wife saying in the courtyard,

"Mother-in-law, here are the firewood bundles. Now give me the coarse bread made of straw."

Recognizing her voice, he rushed outside. Seeing her weak and miserable condition, he was heartbroken.

When he questioned his mother, she falsely accused his wife of being lazy and wandering around the village.

However, the husband remembered the injustice he had witnessed before leaving home. He asked for the key to another house and chose to live separately with his wife.

By the blessings of Goddess Santoshi, their life soon became peaceful and prosperous.

The Incomplete Udyapan

When the time came to perform the Udyapan (completion ceremony) of the Friday fast, the woman made all the necessary preparations.

She invited her sisters-in-law's children for the ritual meal. However, out of jealousy, her sisters-in-law instructed the children to ask for something sour during the meal.

Since offering or consuming sour food is strictly prohibited during the Santoshi Mata Vrat, the woman refused their request. Instead, she gave the children the Goddess's prasad and some money.

The children used the money to buy sour food and ate it.

As a result, the Udyapan remained incomplete, and Goddess Santoshi became displeased.

Soon afterward, the woman's husband was arrested by the king's soldiers. Her relatives mocked her, saying that he had earned his wealth dishonestly and would now suffer in prison.

Unable to bear the sorrow, she returned to the temple and cried before Goddess Santoshi:

"O Mother, why are You punishing my husband and me?"

The Goddess replied:

"My child, your Udyapan was not completed correctly. That is why you are facing these difficulties. Perform the ceremony again properly, and do not repeat the mistake."

The Fulfillment of the Vow

Soon, her husband returned safely.

The following Friday, the couple performed the Udyapan again according to all the prescribed rituals. This time, they invited a Brahmin boy, offered fruits instead of money, and carefully avoided every mistake.

The ceremony was completed successfully.

Pleased with their devotion, Goddess Santoshi blessed the couple with a beautiful son. Witnessing these miracles, the entire family began worshipping Santoshi Mata with faith and devotion.

From then onward, they lived a life filled with happiness, prosperity, contentment, and the divine blessings of Goddess Santoshi.