Varalakshmi Vratham - In Honour of the Goddess Lakshmi

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The goddess, variously called Devi, Ambal, Lakshmi, Shakthi, is one of the most

important figures in the Hindu pantheon. Tradition tells us to pray to the

Goddess first, because with her kind and benevolent heart, she will intercede

with the Lord for the granting of any boon. While the goddess represents

everything from power to prosperity, in the form of Lakshmi, the consort of

Lord Vishnu, she is a symbol of wealth.

Visitors to the hill shrine of Tirupati, after offering worship at the sanctum

sanctorum of Lord Srinivasa, circumambulate the shrine and then come to the

figurine of Goddess Lakshmi set high up in the wall. She is in standing posture

with gold coins pouring out of her hand. They reach up and touch her feet. Even

children too small to reach the image are lifted up and the ritual is gone

through.

In Chennai, one of the most popular shrines is the Ashtalakshmi Temple in Besant

Nagar. Located close to the sea, the winding steps take one to one manifestation

of Lakshmi after the other. It is said that Lakshmi will enter the house of

anyone who thinks of her and bless them. There are many festivals in the year

dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Among them, Varalakshmi Vratham is unique because

it is marked by strict observance of certain practices and austerities. It is

also called Varalakshmi Nonbu. The puja falls on the Friday before the full

moon in the Tamil month of Aadi.

The name Varalakshmi itself can be interpreted in two ways. In one sense,

Varalakshmi is one who grants boons. In another, she is the Goddess who is

invited into the home and honoured. The different types of benefits that will

accrue thanks to performing the Varalakshmi puja are "dhan" (money), "dhanyam"

(grains or food), "arogyam" (health), "sampath" (property), "sathsanthanam"

(virtuous offspring) and "dheerga saumangalyam" (longevity of the husband).

Performing the Varalakshmi puja is said to be equivalent to worshipping all the

different forms of Lakshmi. The evening before the day of the puja, the area

for its performance is cleaned and decorated. A bronze or silver kalasam

(special pot) is filled with rice or water and coins, a whole lime, five types

of leaves and betel leaves and betel nut. The kalasam is smeared with sandal

paste and covered with a new cloth up to the neck. A coconut applied with

turmeric paste is placed on top with mango leaves around. An image of the

Goddess made of different materials, including cloth, is affixed to this. The

kalasam is deemed to be the Goddess herself. Offerings of pongal are made and

arathi is performed.

The next morning, before rahu kalam, the kalasam is placed on a bed of rice.

This signifies that Lakshmi has entered the house. After the installation, a

puja beginning with an invocation to Lord Vinayaka begins. During the puja, the

Lakshmi Sahasranamam and other slokas dedicated to Varalakshmi are chanted.

Different types of sweets are offered to the Goddess.

The women and girls of the house tie yellow coloured saradu or thread around

their wrists. Thamboolam is given to other "sumangalis" (married women) who are

invited to the house that evening. The woman who has performed the puja observes

a fast on that day, eating only certain things. The following day the holy water

in the kalasam is sprinkled throughout the house. If rice has been used in the

place of water then it is mixed with the rice stored in the house.

The legend behind the Varalakshmi puja and vratam is fascinating. It was a game

of dice which caused a small tiff between Lord Shiva and Parvati as to who was

the victor. An honest gana, Chitranemi, was asked to arbitrate and he decided

in Shiva's favour. An angry Parvati cursed him to suffer from leprosy. When

Shiva pleaded with her, she gave in and said the day women in the world

observed Varalakshmi puja, Chitranemi would get deliverance. Chitranemi got

relief when he observed some women performing the puja. Ever since then, this

vratham has been observed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Sai love from Sai brothers - ''

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