Vara-lakshmi Vratam, August 24th 2007

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.