Varalakshmi Vratam

Varalakshmi Vrata
Official name Varalakshmi Vrata
Observed by All South Indian states except Kerala
Type Pooja
Significance Religious
2017 date 4 August 2017 [1]
2018 date 24 August 2018 [2]
Frequency annual

Varamahalakshmi Vrata or Varalakshmi Nombu is a festival to propitiate the Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, one of the Hindu Trinity. Varalakshmi is one who grants boons ("Vara"). It is an important pooja performed by many women in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. The Hindu festival going by the name 'Vara MahaLakshmi Vrata' is celebrated on the Second Friday or the Friday before the day of the full moon - Poornima - in the month of Sravana, which corresponds to the Gregorian months of July–August.

Varamahalakshmi Vrata is performed by married woman (sumangalis) for the well being of all their family members, especially the husband, to get progeny etc. It is believed that worshipping the Goddess Varalakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmi – the eight goddesses of Wealth, Earth, Wisdom, Love, Fame, Peace, Contentment, and Strength. Due to the rising popularity of this holy day in some states, it is now being declared as an optional official holiday in India. The 2018 date is August 24.[3]

History

In the Magadha of yore, there lived a woman called Charumathi in a town named Kundinyapura (now in Amravati district in Maharashtra). The prosperous town was the home of Charumathi and her husband. Impressed by her devotion to her family, the Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared in her dream and asked her to worship Varalakshmi (Vara = boon, Lakshmi = goddess of wealth) and seek to fulfill her wishes. Varalakshmi is yet another form of Lord Vishnu's consort, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The prayer/worship was prescribed to be offered on the Friday of Sravana month preceding the night of full moon.

When Charumathi explained her dream to her family, they encouraged her to perform the pooja. Many other women of the village joined her in performing the pooja in a traditional way and offered many sweets to the Goddess Varalakshmi, along with sacred chants.

SanskritEnglish transliterationEnglish translation
पद्मसने पद्मकरेPadmaasane Padmakare(She) who sits in the lotus, (she) who holds the lotus ("Lotus-sitter, Lotus-holder")
सर्व लोकैक पूजिते।sarva lokaika poojithe(She) to whom all the worlds pray
नारायणप्रिये देविNarayanapriya deviGoddess who is dear to Narayana
सुप्रीता भव सर्वदा॥supreethaa bhava sarvadabe kind/good to me

Ceremony

On this occasion, women worship Goddess Lakshmi with utmost devotion offering fruits, sweets and flowers, usually a kalasam (representing the deity) will be decorated with a saree, flowers and gold jewelry with offerings placed in front.[4]

A rakshai/saradu (sacred thread) is among the offerings and adorned on the wrists of women after the pooja has been completed. This is worn to signify protection and piety, and several articles are given as gifts and charity to sumangalis in good faith. This pooja can be performed with no restriction to caste or creed. To this day, many women observe this traditional festival praying to Varamahalakshmi for her blessings in the form of wealth and well being of their family.

Significance

Eight forces or energies are recognised and they are known as Siri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Sarasvathi (Wisdom), Preethi (Love), Keerthi (Fame), Shanthi (Peace), Santhushti (contentment) and Pushti (Strength). Each one of these forces is called a 'Lakshmi' aka:

  • Aadi Lakshmi (the Protector)
  • Dhana Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth)
  • Dhairya Lakshmi (Goddess of Courage)
  • Sowbhagya Lakshmi (Goddess of Prosperity)
  • Vijaya Lakshmi (Goddess of Victory)
  • Dhanya Lakshmi (Goddess of Nourishment)
  • Santaana Lakshmi (Goddess of Progeny)
  • Vidhya Lakshmi (Goddess of Wisdom)

All the eight forces combined are called the Ashta Lakshmis or the eight Lakshmis of the Hindus.

Vishnu is also called 'Ashtalakshmi Pathi' 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 rhythmic play of these forces, the worship of Lakshmi is said to obtain these three. This festival is observed largely by women, invoking the blessings of Lakshmi on them, their husband and 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.

References

  1. ↑ 2017 Marathi Calendar Panchang
  2. ↑ 2018 Hindu Calendar Panchang
  3. ↑ http://www.telugucalendar.org/2016/andhrapradesh-august.php
  4. ↑ http://divineavatars.com/festivals/vara-lakshmi-vrata.html
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