Varalakshmi Vratam
Varalakshmi
Vratam is
a festival to propitiate the goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, one of the
Hindu Trinity. Varalakshmi is one who grants boons (Varam). It is an important pooja
performed by many women in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamilnadu.
The Hindu festival going by the name 'Vara Lakshmi Vrata' is celebrated on the
Second Friday in the month of Śravaṇā, also called Śawan(in Hindi), which
corresponds to the English months of July–August
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. Impressed by her devotion to her family, Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared
in her dream and asked her to worship Vara-Lakshmi (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, she found them encouraging her to
perform the pooja. Many other women of the village 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"
On
this occasion women worship Goddess Lakshmi with utmost devotion offering
sweets and flowers, usually a kalash(representing the deity) will be decorated
with a saree, flowers and gold jewellery with offerings placed in front.
This
pooja can be done with no restriction to caste or creed. To this day many women
observe this traditional festival praying Varamahalakshmi for her blesses in
form wealth and well being of their family.
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.
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 rhythmic 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.
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