Hi Kamala, Thanks for your feedback. I must say thanks for Chitra Mam and induslady to improve my spiritual world. I am very much spritiually bonded all the time since I was young, now it got lighted more like a kuthuvillaku with Chitra Mam's oil. "Can't believe it is in Denver " I will not agree this because more people are out there they do more than what I do. Its just my thought. Regards Birraj
Hi Suja, Thanks for your F.B. I am sure I might not have won if they had conducted any contest. Because more people are out there they will do more than what I have done. Anyways it feels happy to receive all of your feedbacks. Regards Birraj
Varalakshmi Vratham 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.
Re: Varalakshmi Vratham Madam, please translate into english and post it for the benefit of all, since I did know tamil
Dera Chitra, I loved your step by step description of Varalakshmi puja. I was searching for this since a long time. Though I do this puja and chant the mantras, I am not quite aware about what really i was chanting. Please do continue imparting your knowledge. God Bless you. I have some doubts. What is panchapatra and abir. with love Geetha
Dear Mrs.C, Though we (in our family or in-laws family) do not have the practice of celebrating Varalaskhmi pooja, today when I did the usual Friday pooja decided to recite a special sloka for Goddess Lakshmi. The Goddess Lakshmi's 108 potris that you had given came handy. I felt so much satisfaction on reciting these Tamil potris. Believe me, Kavya was dropping the akshathai (yellow rice) on Goddess Lakshmi velli vigraham I have as I was reciting the potris. May be that added to the satisfaction. Felt like sharing this here with a big "Thanks" to you for those potris. Malathy
Dear Mrs.C Today performed Varalakshmi pooja to my satisfaction with all the naivedyam. Here are some photos. I have a doubt. I was under the impression only ladies who are doing the pooja should tie the " charadu" in their hand. Today I had a young married girl who was with me during the pooja. She does not have the pooja in the family, but asked me for a charadu to be tied on her hand. Since I had extra, I gave her one. Can any one have the charadu?
Thanks for indusladies. this is the 1st time im doing in home usually we go temple. i just follow how to do vralaxmi pooja. its very useful. yesterday i did my pooja with a very satisfaction. even though not all pooja things i used but its manasega pooja. i just want to know this pooja we must do for 3 days & how bout the thread we tied in hand, what must we do after the pooja? and the pooja things in the kalasam what must we do? pls answer
Hi Chithra mam, I have a small doubt. I did varalakshmi pooja at home this month and i referred the mantras given in a book. At the last line of the mantras, it is speficied that 'please perform sumangali pooja also' . I searched for the sumangli pooja slokhas to recite..but, i could not find. Could you please help by providing sumangali pooja slokhas? -Deepa.
hi, small doubt . how long does this pooja shall be continue. its starts on 31/7/09 and end? wat shall we do with the amman face and the coconut... also all the things which we put inside the kalasam.