| VARA
LAKSHMI VRATA |
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| Hindu God : Goddess Maha Lakshmi |
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| Performed by
: Women whose husband is still living. |
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| Religion : Hindu |
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| In the month
of : August - September |
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| Lakshmi or
"Sri Devi" is the consort of Vishnu. She is the Goddess of wealth and
prosperity. Wealth includes nobler values of life, power of mind and intellect, moral, and
ethical qualities that constitute the spiritual wealth. |
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| Fridays are
considered auspicious for Lakshmi puja. The Friday before the full moon in the Hindu month
of 'Sravan' or 'Shravan' (August-September) is considered especially sacred and
Varalakshmi Vrata (puja for boons and longevity) is performed on that day by women whose
husband's are still alive. Lord Shiva describes the glory of this Vrata in the
"Skanda Purana". |
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Lakshmi-The
Goddess Of Wealth And Wisdom
Lakshmi not only bestows wealth and all sorts of material prosperity, but also imparts
divine wisdom to all Her devotees. She is "Vidya Shakti" and She is the one who
introduces Her devotees 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 human weal. 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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The
Festivity
After a purificatory bath, the lady performing the puja should put on a clean, fresh cloth
and make a mandala (place where the puja is performed) with the drawing of a lotus upon
it. A kalasha (pot) 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 and is then tied to the right hand of the lady who is performing the puja.
Special varieties of sweets like 'Paayasam' and 'Laddu', fruits, milk etc are offered to
the goddess. |
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| She is worshipped
with different varieties of flowers like Lotus, Jasmine, Marigold etc. Many devotees buy
gold ornaments on this day and place it near the goddess and take her blessings. After the
worship various auspicious articles are given as charity to some deserving ladies whose
husband's are alive. |
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