The auspicious festival that falls on 4th August this year in the traditional month of Sravanamasam is Varalakshmi pooja. Mainly performed by women in Southern India this pooja is believed to invoke the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. 'Vara' would mean 'Boon' and this boon is to be granted by the Goddess who is pleased by her devotees on this day, which is usually a Friday before the full moon. Followed by an early morning bath the women of the household start decorating a 'Kalasham' or pot with beetle and mango leaves and place a coconut on top. The Goddess is decorated in a red cloth and loads of jewellery to symbolise material prosperity. Lamps and flowers are also used for decoration. Lakshmi Ashtottara, Satanamavali and Lakshmi Sahasranama stotra are chanted during the pooja. A legend associated behind this story is that of a devotee called Charumathi. Pleased with Charumati's devotion, Goddess Lakshmi appeared in her dreams and asked her to perform the Varalakshmi Vratham. Charumati invited all her neighbours, friends and relatives and performed the pooja according a particular veedhi as suggested by the Goddess, and no sooner was there an usher of material comfort.
Refer the link for details on pooja items and procedure to perform the same along with prasadams that go with it, and various flowers that can be used for the Vratham
Spiritual significance
Have you ever wondered why Goddess Lakshmi has a special significance on Fridays? Well there are many stories but here we would like to illustrate just one. As the sage Sukracharya took care of the Goddess and astrologically also the planet Sukra is associated with beauty and wealth which is what the Goddess is is believed to bestow upon us devotees, it seems Friday is an appropriate day for the worship of the Devi. This is evident from one of Purandaradasa Kirtanas 'Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma'
We all know Goddess Lakshmi as the wife of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is suppose to be that supreme consciousnesses that is all pervading and the the Shakti or force associated with him is non other than the Goddess. This Goddess is personified as eight forces or energies and are recognized as known as Sri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Saraswati (Learning), Preeti (Love), Keerti (Fame), Shanti (Peace), Tushti (Pleasure) and Pushti (Strength). As the idea of the abstract Brahman is difficult to comprehend for common man this is put through by narrating colourful stories.
However the idea of abstract Brahman can only be understood if we have faith on a specific vision of the Lord and for some this Lord is Vishnu while for others it is Lord Shiva in th e Hindu tradition and for others may it could be one of the Puranic gods and goddess like Rama, Sita, Krishna, Rukmini and many others. On this day devotees worship Vishnu and Lakshmi to seek material and spiritual prosperity.
Through all these narratives and rituals of God and Goddess we have to understand the hidden reality of expressing our gratitude towards that divine intelligence which is within each of us longing for a spiritual urge. This spiritual thirst can only come by curtailing our material desires and being content with what we have.
With is thought provoking note we at GFD wish you a happy Varalakshmi pooja and pray that the Goddess showers upon you material contentment and spiritual strength.
Happy Varalakshmi Pooja !!!
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