Fwd: *2022 Varalakshmi Vratam on 5th Aug 2022*
Prasannam Narayanaswamy
Subject: *2022 Varalakshmi Vratam on 5th Aug 2022*
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*2022 Varalakshmi Vratam on 5th Aug 2022*
Varalakshmi Puja day is one of the significant days to worship the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Varalakshmi, who is the consort of Lord Vishnu, is one of the forms of Goddess Mahalakshmi. Varalakshmi was incarnated from the milky ocean, popularly known as Kshir Sagar. She is described as having the complexion of milky ocean and adorns similar color clothes.
It is believed that the Varalakshmi form of the goddess bestows boons and fulfills all desires of her devotees. Hence this form of the goddess is known as Vara + Lakshmi i.e. Goddess Lakshmi who bestows boons.
bout Varalakshmi Vrat
The Hindu festival going by the name 'Vara MahaLakshmi Vrata' is celebrated on the Second Friday or the Friday before the day of the full moon - Poornima - in the month of Shraavana, which corresponds to the Gregorian months of July–August.
Vara Mahalakshmi Vrata is performed by women for their own well-being and that of all their family members. It is believed that worshipping the Goddess Varalakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmi – the eight goddesses of Wealth, Earth, Wisdom, Love, Fame, Peace, Contentment, and Strength. Due to the rising popularity of this holy day in some states, it is now being declared as an optional official holiday in India.
Lord Shiva himself narrated Varalakshmi vratham, making it one of the most potent observances. Those who follow this vratham will be relieved of their sorrows and pains, as well as their financial troubles. Tranquillity and harmony shall prevail at the home
As per scriptures, Goddess Mahalaxmi prefers not to stay in places that are unkempt and ill maintained. As a next step, a silver or bronze pot is selected to install the kalasha. Sandalwood paste is applied on it, and kalasha filled with water, or raw rice, a lemon, coins, beetle nut and five types of leaves.
As per regional preferences, different varieties of items are placed inside the pot. Kalasha is then covered with a cloth with mouth covered in mango leaves/ another coconut dabbed with turmeric is placed on the kalasha to cover it. Image of Lakshmi can be seen etched on the coconut using turmeric powder.
Now this is treated as personified Varalakshmi and worshipped.
Now kalasha is placed in a heap of rice. Lord Ganesha is invoked by mantras, initially, and then Lakshmi Sahasranamam is chanted. Special sweet delicacies are prepared for this vrata, In the southern states, Pongal is offered as prasad after which aarti is conducted for the kalasha.
Women must not forget to tie the yellow thread on their wrists. This yellow thread is usually called Dorak which in Tamil is referred to as Raksha/saradu as it ensures protection and instils piety in the devotee. The naivedya or bhog for the deity is known as vayana.
In the evening, aarti is performed. In some places, certain food ingredients are banned on this day but it depends on region to region. On Saturday, devotees, after the morning rituals, remove the kalasha, sprinkle its water in all four corners of rooms, and rice is mixed with the food ingredients and cooked. In certain places betel nuts and leaf is also offered to goddess during puja.
Vrat Katha In the famous kingdom of Magadha, there lived a pious woman called Charumathi in the town of Kaundinyapura. Impressed with her devotion, Goddess Mahalaxmi appeared in a dream visitation and asked her to worship Varalakshmi so that her dreams would be realized. Charumathi performed the vrat on the Friday of Shravan month, just before the night of the Poornima. Charumati, was accompanied by various other ladies in the village, who had heard about her dream.
Step by step, as she was carrying out the puja, Charumathi received immense benefits from Goddess Lakshmi. When she completed the first phase of the ritual, goddess Lakshmi blessed her with ornaments. During the second stage, she was given bangles made of 9 precious gems. During the final stage, she was blessed with enormous wealth. Inspired by her dedicated and sincere prayers, soon after the vrat, other ladies also followed suit.
Significance Goddess Varalakshmi , literally means Vara (boon giving) Lakshmi ( Goddess Lakshmi). Goddess Varalaksmi is one of the forms of Maha Lakshmi and the consort of Lord Vishnu. As Lakshmi is known to have appeared from the milky ocean, as a result of the famous oceanic churn, carried out by asuras and devatas, in a pristine pure and immaculate form, wearing a white robe. Varalakshmi, is the daughter of the milky ocean and hence she is of a very fair complexion. She is the goddess that confers boons and wishes, affluence, fertility, and powerful position in life.
Varalakshmi vrat can be observed by both men and women, but it is primarily a woman's festival. Popular in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, this vrat is chiefly observed for the wellbeing of their family.
Worship of Varalakshmi on this day, is equal to worshipping Ashta Lakshmis, or the eight goddesses. These are the eight powers that goddess Lakshmi possesses and each of these powers are considered as forms of Lakshmi. Eight forces or energies are recognised and they are known as Siri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Sarasvathi (Wisdom), Preethi (Love), Keerthi (Fame), Shanthi (Peace), Santhushti (contentment) and Pushti (Strength). Each one of these forces is called a 'Lakshmi' aka:
Aadi Lakshmi (the Protector)
Dhana Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth)
Dhairya Lakshmi (Goddess of Courage)
Sowbhagya Lakshmi (Goddess of Prosperity)
Vijaya Lakshmi (Goddess of Victory)
Dhanya Lakshmi (Goddess of Nourishment)
Santaana Lakshmi (Goddess of Progeny)
Vidhya Lakshmi (Goddess of Wisdom)
All the eight forces combined are called the Ashta Lakshmis or the eight Lakshmis of the Hindus.
Vishnu is also called 'Ashtalakshmi Pathi' which is equivalent to saying that he is the consort for the eight Lakshmis or forces. In fact, Vishnu representing the preservative aspect of the universe, radiates these feminine energies of Lakshmi personified and worshipped as such since abstract force is beyond the comprehension of the ordinary people. As health, wealth and prosperity depend upon the rhythmic play of these forces, the worship of Lakshmi is said to obtain these three. This festival is observed largely by women, invoking the blessings of the goddess Lakshmi.
Varalakshmi Vrat is suggested not only for women but also for men. However, in Andhra, Telangana and Maharashtra regions, Varalakshmi fasting in mainly performed by married women only. The Varalakshmi fasting is performed with the desire of worldly pleasures and it includes children, spouse, luxury and all sorts of earthly pleasures.
Varalakshmi Vratam is very popular fasting and Puja day in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. In these states, Varalakshmi Puja is performed mostly by married women for the well-being of husband and the other family members.
It is believed that worshipping Goddess Vara-Lakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmi i.e. the eight Goddesses of Wealth (Sri), Earth (Bhu), Learning (Saraswati), Love (Priti), Fame (Kirti), Peace (Shanti), Pleasure (Tushti) and Strength (Pushti).
However, in North Indian states Varalakshmi Puja is not as popular as those of South Indian states. Varalakshmi Vratam is one of the most appropriate days to propitiate and to seek blessings of the Goddess Lakshmi.
Varalakshmi Puja Vidhi
The Puja steps in Varalakshmi Puja Vidhi are similar to Maha Lakshmi Puja during Diwali. However it includes Puja steps and Mantra for Dorak and Vayana. The sacred thread which is tied during Varalakshmi Puja is known as Dorak and sweets offered to Varalakshmi is known as Vayana.
" What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things "