VARA LAKSHMI SUKRAVARAM
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The Legend :
Legend has it that Goddess Parvati has once asked Lord Siva
about a vratam, performing which would render the women on the earth blessed with all
kinds of wealth. Then did Lord Siva preach of "Vara Laksmi Vratam" to be
performed on a Friday that comes just before the full moon day in the month of Sravanam.
Illustrating the sanctity of the vratam, Lord Siva narrated the story of Charumati of
Maratha desa, which runs like this –
Once upon a time, there lived a gracious and wise Brahmin
lady called Charumati in the Maratha Desa, a town that had golden houses and golden walls.
Charumathi was a Maha Pativrata, indulged in a whole-hearted worship of her husband
and looked after her in laws with utmost respect. Pleased with her good nature, Goddess
Lakshmi happens to appear in her dream and advises her to perform the Varalakshmi
vratam on Sravana sukla sukravaram preceding the full moon day. Charumathi
prostrates in devotion to the Goddess in the dream itself and the next morning illustrates
the dream to her husband and in-laws. With their consent, she tells the same to a few more
women folk of the town and they together wait the day.
 The
much-awaited day finally comes and they set stage to worship the Goddess Vara Lakshmi at
one corner of the house, which is cleaned up with cow dung. All of them perform the puja
to the Kalasam with all devotion and piety, tie the toram to their wrists
and offer prasadam to the Goddess. Then does the miracle start as they go about to
take the Pradakshinas after the puja. They see themselves bedecked with various
ornaments one at a time as – anklets on feet for the first, bracelets for the second
and various other ornaments for the final pradakshina. Excited about the blessing
of Vara Lakshmi, they once again prostrate to the Goddess and honour the Pundit with due Dakshina
and conclude the vratam by taking the prasadam.
As the women folk stepped out of the house do they see
their houses decked with all riches and golden chariots awaiting them outside
Charumati’s house. Extremely happy about what all had happened, the women thank
Charumati for having shared her luck with them. Ever since then is the Vara Lakshmi Vratam
performed in every household on this auspicious day.
Legend also say that the vratam was later also preached by
sage Suta to Sounaka and other sages. Another legend is that Chitranemi who was one cursed
by Parvati for having made a partial judgement in favour of Shiva when asked to play the
referee for their game, got relieved from the curse by having watched this vratam
performed by some pious women. Such is the sanctity of the Vratam. |
