What we can and can't say
The katha is traditionally attributed to the Reva Khanda (part of the Avantya Khanda). Printed editions of the Purana differ, and not every edition contains it. So in our guide this step is marked Parampara until our Maharaj ji confirms the edition and adhyay numbers he follows.
The five adhyays, in brief
The vrat is revealed
Narada Muni asks Bhagwan Vishnu how people in the Kali Yuga can be freed from suffering. Vishnu describes the Satyanarayan vrat and how to perform it.
The poor Brahmin and the woodcutter
A poor Brahmin of Kashi performs the vrat and his life is transformed; a woodcutter sees it, joins in with faith, and is blessed too.
The king and the merchant
King Ulkamukha performs the vrat. A merchant, Sadhu, vows to perform it if he is blessed with a child — and then keeps postponing it.
A promise broken
Because the merchant does not keep his word, hardship follows on his voyage. His wife Lilavati and daughter Kalavati perform the vrat; in her haste Kalavati leaves without taking prasad, and must return to receive it.
The king who refused prasad
King Tungadhvaja disregards the prasad offered by cowherds and suffers for it; he returns, accepts it humbly, and performs the vrat himself.
Summary for orientation only — names and details vary between editions. The common thread: keep your word, and never refuse prasad.