August 12: sai babatoday morning the "Vara Lakshmi Vratham" started out  with Lakhsmi Puja  in Puttaparthi. The traditional ritual of puja (pooja) was performed to Godess Lakshmi by Sai Baba devotees in huge numbers. The pooja to Godess lakshmi was incomparable and very auspicious since it was preformed in the holy presence of Sathya Sai Baba. Swami attended the puja and granted wonderful darshan & blessings to all the devotees.

 

 Evening  program: was full of joy and poetic mood filled with  voice of  Nithaya Shri Mahadevan.  A prominent karnatic singer, she sang melodious compositions. Swami presented her with a  beautiful divine gift a sari, an Indian ladies costume. Visibly moved Nithaya Shri Mahadevan  said that getting an opportunity to sing in divine presence of Swami was a very special grace & blessing. She also pointed out that not many people get this opportunity so she was truly grateful & thanked Swami for endowing her with this good fortune.  Source: SBOI



Varalakshmi Vratam at Prasanthi Nilayam (
Source: sssbpt.orgs)

 
The festival Varalakshmi Vratam is performed in the month of Sravana and is undertaken by Sumangalis (whose husbands are still living) for good progeny, good health, and wishing long life for the husbands and the family. This festival is to propitiate Sri Varalakshmi (Mahalakshmi), the consort of Lord Vishnu, who is the embodiment of all Mangalam (auspiciousness).

On the 12th of August 2005, this Vratam was performed in the immediate
Divine Presence of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Sai Kulwant Hall. A large number of ladies occupied both sides of the Hall beholding the beauteous form of the Lord. It was a sight to see their joyful visages, performing the Puja meticulously to the instructions of the priests. Legend has it that this Vratam was narrated by Lord Siva Himself. Here in Prasanthi Nilayam, they were fortunate to perform the same in the Divine Presence of Sai Siva Himself.

Sai Kulwant Hall was ornately decorated with beautiful flowers and an idol of
Goddess Lakshmi was placed on the stage. Huge pictures of Bhagawan and Goddess Varalakshmi adorned the pillars of the darshan Hall. The Puja began with Ganapati Prarthana (Ganapati worship). A silver idol of Goddess Varalakshmi and other requisite Puja materials were supplied to the participants of the Vratam. During the course of the Puja, the chief priest narrated the legend of the Vratam, which reads as follows: Goddess Parvati once asked Lord Siva to recommend her a Vratam, which would be beneficial for the womenfolk on earth who seek prosperity. Then, Lord Siva preached her about Varalakshmi Vratam (as mentioned in Skanda Puranam). To illustrate the sanctity of this Vratam, Lord Siva then narrated the story of one Charumati. Charumati was a true Pativrata (devoted to husband in all sincerity). Pleased with her true and undivided devotion to her husband, Goddess Lakshmi appeared in her dream and advised her to undertake the Varalakshmi Vratam on the auspicious day of Sravana Shukla Shukra Varam.
Charumati performed this Puja with utmost devotion, the same day, in the dream itself (Manasika Puja). The next day she narrated this dream to her husband, and with his full consent, to all other womenfolk in town. On the auspicious day, she did not fail to perform Varalakshmi Vratam as prescribed to her by Goddess Parvati. Then some miracles took place. Everything seemed bountiful. Ever since, this Vratam has been regularly performed in households.

At the end of the Puja, Arati was performed. An announcement was made that all participants would be served with sumptuous lunch as prasad in the canteen. A musical programme by renowned artiste Nityashree Mahadevan was also announced to be held in the evening session. To crown it all, Bhagawan Himself went round the participants showering His benedictions.

VARALAKSHMI VRATHAM

Varalakshmi Vratam is an important pooja performed by many women in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and some parts of Tamil Nadu.

 

VaraLakshmi Vratham is dedicated to the Goddess Lakshmi , the consort of Lord Vishnu. Varlakshmi Vratham is celebrated on the second Friday of the bright fortnight in the month of Aashata or Aadi , corresponding to the English month of July-August. This festival is mostly observed by women seeking the blessings of Lakshmi for their families.

Source: sssbpt.orgs
 


Mahalakshmi Ashtakam 

Namastestu Mahaamaaye Shreepeete Surapoojite
Shankha Chakra Gadaa Haste Mahaalakshmi Namostu Te. 

Meaning: O Mahaamaaya, abode of fortune, worshipped by the Gods, I salute Thee. O Mahaalakshmi, one who has conch, disc and mace in Her hands, obeisance to Thee. 

Namaste Garudaroode Koalaasura Bhayankari
Sarva Paapa Hare Devi, Mahaalakshmi Namostu Te. 

Meaning: My salutations to Thee, who rides Garuda and are a terror to demon Kola; O Devi Mahaalakshmi, remover of all miseries, my obeisance to Thee. 

Sarvajne Sarva Varade Sarva Dushta Bhayankari 
Sarva Duhkha Hare Devi Mahaalakshmi Namostu Te. 

Meaning: O Devi Mahaalaksmi, who is the embodiment of knowledge, giver of all boons, a terror to all the wicked, remover of all sorrows, obeisance to Thee. 

Siddhi Buddhi Prade Devi Bhukti Mukti Pradaayini 
Mantra Moorthe Sadaa Devi Mahaa Lakshmi Namostu Te. 

Meaning: O Devi, You give success and intelligence and worldly enjoyment and liberation (as well). Thou hast always the mystic symbols (Mantra) as Thy form, O Mahaalakshmi, obeisance to Thee. 

Aadyantarahite Devi Aadya Shakte Maheshvari 
Yogaje Yogasambhoote Mahaalakshmi Namostu Te. 

Meaning: O Devi, Maheshwari, You are without a beginning or an end , You are the Primeval energy, You are the greatest ruler, You are born of Yoga. O Mahaalakshmi, obeisance to Thee. 

Sthoola Sookshmah Mahaa Raudre Mahaa Sakthe Mahodaye 
Mahaa Paapa Harey Devi Mahaalakshmi Namostu Te. 

Meaning: O Mahaalakshmi, You are both gross and subtle, most terrible (for the wicked), You are the embodiment of great power and prosperity and You are remover of all sins, obeisance to Thee. 

Padmaasanasthite Devi Parabrahma Svaroopini 
Paramesi Jaganmaata, Mahalakshmi Namostu Te. 

Meaning: O Devi, You are seated on the lotus, You are the Supreme Brahman, You are the great Lord and Mother of the universe, O Mahaalakshmi, obeisance to Thee. 

Svetaambaradhare Devi Naanaalankaara Bhooshite 
Jagatsthite Jaganmaatah, Mahaalakshmi Namostu Te 

Meaning: O Devi, You are dressed in white garments and decked with various kinds of ornaments, Thou art the mother of the universe and its support, O Mahaalakshmi, obeisance to Thee. 

Mahaalakshmyaastaka Stottram Yad Pated Bhaktiman Naraha.
Sarva Siddhimavaapnoti Mahaalakshmi Prasaadataha. 

Meaning: Whoever with devotion reads this hymn to Mahaalakshmi composed in eight stanzas, attains all success through the Grace of Mahaalaksmi. 

Ekakaale Patennityam Mahaapaapa Vinaashanam
Dvikaalam Yah Patennityam Dhana Dhaanya Samanvitaha 

Meaning: Whoever reads this hymn at least once a day will have all their sins destroyed; those who recite it twice will be blessed with wealth and prosperity. 

Trikaalam Yah Patennityam Mahaa Shatru Vinaashanam
Mahaalakshmir Bhavennityam Prasannaa Varadaa Shubhaa 

Meaning:Those who recite this three times in a day will have all their enemies destroyed. They will be always be blessed by the Goddess Mahalakshmi.

 


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