Importance of Varalakshmi Vratam

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VARALAKSHMI VRATHAM

 

Varalakshmi Vratam is an important pooja performed by many women in the states

of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and some parts of Tamil Nadu.The Hindu festival

going by the name 'Vara Lakshmi Vrata' is celebrated on the last Friday of the

bright fortnight in the month of Ashadha, also called Adi, which corresponds to

the English months of July-August.

 

Significance

 

Eight forces or energies are recognised and they are known as Sri (Wealth), Bhu

(Earth), Sarasvati (learning), Priti (love), Kirti (Fame), Santi (Peace),

Tushti(Pleasure) and Pushti(Strength). Each one of these forces is called a

Lakshmi and all the eight forces are called the Ashta Lakshmis or the eight

Lakshmis of the Hindus. Vishnu is also called Ashta Lakshmi Padhi which is

equivalent to saying that he is the asylum for the eight-Lakshmis or forces. In

fact, Vishnu representing the preservative aspect of the universe, radiates

these forces from him. These forces are personified and worshipped as Lakshmis,

since abstract force is beyond the comprehension of the ordinary people. As

health, wealth and prosperity depend upon the rythmic play of these forces, the

worship of Lakshmi is said to be to obtain these three. Only a woman can

sympathise with women. Lakshmi is a woman. So she will more readily sympathise

with women. Hence this festival is observed

largely by women, invoking the blessings of Lakshmi on them, their husbands and

their children.

 

Legend

 

As the legend goes, this is a pooja that was pronounced by no other than Lord

Parameswara to be performed by his consort Parvathi to seek prosperity and

happiness for the family. Thus it came to be emulated by married women who

sought boons (varam) for the health, wealth and knowledge for the entire family.

In some cases, women prayed for being blessed with children. The prescribed day

for the pooja is the Friday of the month of Sravan in the fortnight known as

Sukla paksha, preceding the full moon day.

 

Story

 

On one occasion, Parvati and Parameswara were engaged in a game of chess.

Parvati was winning game after game, but Parameswara is said to have claimed the

victory at each games, wantonly, to her intense chagrin. So Parvati wanted to

have an umpire and one Chitranemi, a creation of Parameswara, was chosen. As an

underling of Parameswara, he sided with him most unjustly. This provoked

Parvati's anger and she cursed Chitranemi that he should become a leper for

discharging his duty in most unfair manner.

 

When Chitranemi begged Parvati's forgiveness and Parameswara added his

entreaties to it, she is said to have relented and modified the curse by adding

that he would be cured of his leprosy by observing the Vara Lakshmi Vrata. By

doing this Chitranemi was, it is said, rid of the loathsome disease.

 

The history of the origin Of the Vara Lakshmi Vrata is rather interesting.

Lakshmi is said to have visited a pious woman by name Sarmadi, living in the

city of Kuntinapura in Magadha (Bihar), in in one of her dreams and expressed

her satisfaction at her devotion to her children. When she woke UP from her

sleep, she took a bath and worshipped Lakshmi to ensure her blessings. When the

other ladies heard of her dream and her worship of Lakshmi, they too began to

worship her, and the custom is then said to have spread everywhere throughout

the land in course of time.

 

History

 

In the kingdom of Magadha of yore, there lived a brahmin woman called Charumathi

in a town named Kundina. The prosperous town was the home of Charumathi and her

husband. She devotedly served her husband and her parents-in-law. Impressed by

her piety, Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared in her dream and asked her to worship

Vara-Lakshmi (literally, boon granting - goddess of wealth) and seek to fulfill

her wishes. Varalakshmi is yet another form of Lord Vishnu's consort, Lakshmi,

the goddess of wealth. Thus was prescribed the Friday of Sravana month preceding

the full moon day for the worship.

 

When Charumathi explained her dream to her family, she found them encouraging

her to perform the pooja. Many other women of the town also joined her in

performing the pooja in a traditional way and offered many sweet dishes to the

Goddess Varalakshmi. They prayed with deep devotion:

 

" Padmaasane Padmakare sarva lokaika poojithe

Narayana priyadevi supreethaa bhava sarvada "

 

The well dressed women made offerings of delicious feast with utmost devotion.

As they went round the deity in prayer, dazzling jewelry is said to have

appeared as ornaments on the bodies of these worshippers and their houses filled

with riches. They rewarded the priest who assisted them in performing the pooja

and they all partook in the feast. The women expressed their gratitude to

Charumathi who shared her dream and helped them become prosperous. This pooja

came to be practiced year after year by women. Done with devotion, it is said

that boons would be granted and thus many wishes would be realized.

 

This pooja can be done with no restriction to caste or creed. To this day, the

faithful of modern times observe this tradition.

 

http://www.kytemple.org/varalakshmi.html

 

 

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