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| VARA
LAKSHMI VRATA |
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| Celebrated In
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The months of August - September |
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| Performed by :
Women whose husband is
still living. |
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| Religion :
Hindu |
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| Hindu God
: Goddess
Maha Lakshmi |
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| LORD SHIVA describes the
glory of this Vrata in the Skanda Purana. It is performed by a woman whose
husband is still living. Maha Lakshmi is the abode of all auspiciousness and
Prosperity. This worship of Maha Lakshmi is done to obtain good progeny, and
for the health and long life of the husband. |
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| The Vrata is observed on the
Friday immediately preceding the full moon day of the month of Sravan
(August-September). After a purificatory bath, the lady should put on a clean,
fresh cloth and make a mandala with the drawing of a lotus upon it. A kalasha
filled with rice and topped with fresh mango leaves, a coconut and cloth are
placed on the mandala and Lakshmi is invoked therein. Fresh grains are used in
the worship as they convey the idea of growth and prosperity. |
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| After the worship of the
kalasha, follows the worship of Ganesha, then the worship of the raksha or the
Sacred thread. Now the main worship of Vara Lakshmi begins and the raksha is
worshipped a second time. It is then tied to the right hand of the lady. after
the worship various auspicious articles are given as charity to some deserving
lady whose husband is alive. This lady is also fed with dainties. |
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| Lakshmi not only bestows
wealth and all sorts of material prosperity, but also imparts divine wisdom to
all Her devotees. She is Vidya Shakti. She introduces Her devotees to Her Lord.
She recommends them to Her Lord for their salvation. |
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| She is the power of Lord
Narayana who is also known as Lord Vishnu or Lord Hari. Narayana is God's
aspect of preservation. He is an embodiment of Shuddha Sattwa. Lakshmi is His
causal body. She is Maya, the illusory power of Nature. She deludes the whole
world by Her veiling power and projects it through Her projecting power. She
Herself as Vidya-Lakshmi enlightens the spiritual aspirant. Beauty, grace, a
picturesque scenery or charming landscape, modesty, love, prosperity, music,
the five elements and their combinations, the internal organs, mind, Prana,
intellect-all these are Her manifestations.
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| Without Lakshmi even
Sannyasins cannot do propaganda or preaching work or run their institutions.
They are in fact more in need of Lakshmi than the house- holders because they
have to do great dynamic work for humanweal. Sri Shankara worshipped Devi,
Lakshmi and Saraswathi for success in his work. All great prophets and divine
messengers who have done great spiritual work in the past were devotees of
Mother Lakshmi, Devi and Saraswathi. |
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