Thai Legend - Nang Kwak- Patron Saint of Business

The Thai Legend of Nang Kwak, revered as the Patron Saint of business, is one of the best known legends in Thailand and dates back to before the birth of Buddhism in Thailand. The legend of Nang Kwak originates from India where she was known as Supawadee, the daughter of a small merchant. Legend tells that occasionally Supawadee accompanied her father on his business trips. On one of these trips, after listening to a sermon, Supawadee became a devout follower of Buddhism. Because of her great devotion, a revered Monk, by the name of Phra Gasabatera, bestowed blessings of good fortune on her. He also told her that if she followed all the teachings of the Dhamma ( the teachings of the Lord Buddha), she would receive a special blessing.

Supawadee sought out another devout Monk, Phra Siwalee, from whom she learned much about the Dhamma and who also bestowed on her a powerful blessing for luck and good fortune.

Endowed with these blessings, whenever Supawadee accompanied her father on his trips, he was able to sell all his goods in a very short time. The family became very wealthy because of Supawadee and as her father was kind and generous, they were much loved by all the people they met on their travels. After her parents died, Supawadee continued the business earning the love and devotion of people all around. Eventually Supawadee died also but not before some people had discovered that if they prayed to Supawadee, their business transactions were more successful than before. Images were made of Supawadee after her death and offerings made to the young girl who was now believed to be a saint.

The legend of Supawadee spread to Thailand at the time Buddhism and the Hindu Brahmin faith were spreading into Siam as Thailand was then called. The Brahmins brought with them statues of Supawadee in the form of a young girl sitting on a cart. Thai people noticed that the Bhramins appeared to be more successful in business and quickly adopted Supawadee for their own, changing the name to Nang Kwak. They also changed the form of the statues into that of a lady sitting with her right hand raised and beckoning (to customers). In Thai “Nang” = lady and “Kwak” = to wave and beckon. Today in Thailand, almost every shop or other place of business will have a statue of Nang Kwak and offerings of incense sticks,flowers, soft drinks, water and sweets will be made.

If you also would like to improve your finances and increase sales then Nang Kwak is there to help. Pay due reverence to the Patron Saint of Business and repeat the following Kata or Mantra. Your generosity and good deeds will make merit and be rewarded.

โอมศรีวิชัยกังเวียน
ปู่เจ้าเขาเขียว มีลูกคนเดี่ยว ชื่อนางกวัก
ชายเห็นชายรัก หญิงเห็นหญิงทัก
ทุกถ้วนหน้า พวกพาณิชชาพากูไปค้าถึงเมืองแมน
กูจะไปค้าหัวแหวน ก็ได้วันละแสนทะนาน
กูจะค้าสารพัดการก็ได้โดยคล่อง
กูจะค้าทองๆก็ได้เต็มหาบเพียงวันนี้เป็นร้อย
สามหาบมาเรือน สามเดือนเป็นเศรษฐี สามปีเป็นพ่อค้าสำเภา
พระฤาษีผู้เป็นเจ้า ประสิทธิ์ให้แก่ลูกคนเดี่ยว สวาหะ

Ohm Sriwichai Gangwian
Phu Jao Khao Khiow mee luuk khon Diow cheu Nang Kwak
Chai hen Chai rak Ying hen Ying rak
Tuk tuan naa Puak Paanichaa paa goo pai kaa terng Meuang Maen
Goo ja pai kaa hua waen gor dai wan la saen tanaan
Goo ja kaa saarapatgaan gor dai doey klong
Goo ja kaa tong gor dai dtem haap piang wanee pen roi
Saam hap ma reuan saam deuan pen settee saam pee pen por kaa sampao
Phra Reusee poo pen Jao prasitti hai gae luuk khon diow swaaha