August 12:
today 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
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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