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What is the Never-heard Story of Varalakshmi Vratham?
Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world with many texts and scriptures. Some of the ancient texts are the Vedas, Puranas, Vedanta, Shrutis, and epics. Indians celebrate vrats, Jayanti, Janmashtami, and many other festivals almost daily. Sawan is one such month filled with the same. Varalakshmi Vratham is a pious fast that Hindu women perform in the southern states of India. Varalakshmi Pooja falls on August 16, 2024. However, have you ever wondered how this festival began to be celebrated in India? Varalakshmi Vrat is surrounded by the stories of a devotee and the goddess Lakshmi, the Ashtabharya of Krishna.
What Are the Eight Forces (Energies) of Shakti?
Indian mythology and the Devi Puranas narrate the story of eight forces or energies. Let’s find out what they are!
Devi Puranas gives an interesting insight into how the energy divided herself into eight forces, known by several names.
- Sri is widely known as Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
- Bhu is Devi Prithvi, the goddess of Earth.
- Saraswati is the Devi of art, knowledge, and wisdom.
- Priti, the goddess of love.
- Kirti, the goddess of fame.
- Shanti, the goddess of peace and tranquility.
- Tushti, the goddess of pleasure and luxury.
- Pushti, the goddess of strength and fulfillment.
These aspect are Lakshmi. Together, they are known as the Ashta Lakshmi. Lord Vishnu is known as the Ashta Lakshmi Padhi or the husband of Lakshmi.
Vishnu is the Lord of the preservative aspects of the universe, and these energies radiate within him. They are known as the Lakshmi.
What is the significance of Varalakshmi Vratham?
Varalakshmi plays the role of the rhythm of life and forces. It is believed that she sympathizes deeply with married women and fulfills the wishes of women. Hence, the goddess Lakshmi blesses women who observe vrat on Varalakshmi Vratham for the well-being of their husbands and children.
What is the story of Varalakshmi Vratham?
Unlike other Indian festivals and vrats, Varalakshmi Vratham has no ancient text significance except the mention in the Skanda Purana. Lord Shiva once narrates how Varalakshmi Vrat began as a festival.
He narrated the story of Charumathi.
Charumathi was a beautiful young woman living in a charming town called Kundinagaram, in the Kingdom of Vidarbha. She was a great devotee of the goddess Lakshmi. Charumathi was living with her family.
One day, Charumathi had a dream of the goddess Adilakshmi. She said to her that the goddess was so pleased with her devotion and the beauty of her heart.
Why did Devi Varalakshmi want Charumathi to enable Vrat puja?
Goddess Varalakshmi guided Charumathi in her dream to follow what she said and perform a Vratham to enable the goddess to fulfill her wishes.
Charumathi woke up happily and told her husband about the dream and the meeting with the goddess.
The dream of the goddess spread like a fire in the jungle. Other women from the neighborhood came together to prepare for the Varalakshmi Vratham.
What is the Varalakshmi Vratam Puja Vidhi 2024?
After the dream of Goddess Varalakshmi, Charumathi began to prepare for the vrata.
First of all, she bathed in the early morning.
Thereafter, Charumathi decorated the mandapam.
She offered Devi some fresh fruits, sweets, flowers. Charu added a kalasham with Patra, representing the goddess Varalakshmi. Charumathi decorated the kalasham with new saris, flowers, and gold jewels.
Charu put a wooden tray outside of her house. Charumathi made a rangoli in her house and puja place. Charumathi put auspicious vrata samagri, such as rice, betel leaves, turmeric, coins, and bananas, in the Kalash.
Thereafter, she dipped a thread in turmeric water. She then tied the thread around the pot.
Chants and Mantras to Invite Goddess Varalakshmi
Charumathi sat on the aasan to perform the vratham.
She invoked the goddess Varalakshmi by chanting and reciting the mantras.
Charumathi chanted the name Devi Varalakshmi with devotion and faith.
Lakshmi Ksheerasamudra rajatanyam sri rangadhameswareem
Dasibootha Samantha devavanitham lokaika deepamkuram
Sri manmanda kataksha labdhivibhat brahmendra gangadharam
Twamtrayamlokyakutumbhineem sasijavandemukunda priyam
Thereafter, Charumathi wore the pious nine-threaded Thoranam in her right hand and offered naivadyam to the goddess of wealth.
The Arrival of Varalakshmi Devi to the Puja Vanue of Charumathi
Charumathi, the devotee of the goddess Varamahalakshmi, completed her first phase of puja.
- The first phase of the vrata puja was completed. She found Gajjelu, Andelu, and other precious ornaments after that.
- In the second phase of the puja, she found kankanams, made of navaratna, in her hands.
- In the third phase, she found unimaginable and immense wealth.
Thereafter, Charumathi offered daanam to the Brahmin priests. She offered prasadam to the neighborhoods, family, and relatives.
Since then, she has begun to live a happy, fulfilling, and devoted life with her family. Charumathi not only made her life fulfilled but also made her village happy and devoted to the goddess Varamahalakshmi.
Hindu women organize this vrata with trust and utmost devotion for the well-being of their family, said Lord Shiva to goddess Parvati.
What is the symbolism of the Varalakshmi Vratham?
Varalakshmi Vratham 2024 puja symbolizes that a devotee receives a boon and blessing if he or she is pure and has surrendered completely to the goddess.
It also narrates the story that the goddess is always there to help her pure devotees with protection. Meanwhile, we at Vedic Story hope you find the Varalakshmi Vratham festival beautiful and informative.
