Varalakshmi Puja Story
Sootha Muni told Sunaka Maharshi “I will tell you about a vratha that will bring prosperity to women. This vratha was narrated by Lord Siva to Parvathi.”
Lord Shiva was sitting on the throne which was decorated with diamonds and other precious stones on top of Mount Kailasa. Parvathi bowed to lord Shiva and then asked him for the vratha that all women can perform which will give prosperity and progeny. Then lord Shiva spoke.
“ Oh, Manohari there is a vratha called Vara Lakshmi vratha – this vratha should be performed on a Friday before poornima in the month of shravan.”
Then Parvathi said “ Oh Lord Shiva what is the procedure to perform the vratha you mentioned. Which goddess should be worshipped? Who performed this vratha before? Please explain.
Then Lord Shiva said “Oh Kathayani I will explain”.
There was a town called Kundi Numbu in Magadha Desa. This town is built with golden walls and all the houses are built with gold. There lived a Bhraman lady called Charumathi. She worshipped her husband everyday in the morning then took care of her inlaws and spoke softly.
One night Maha Laksmi appeared in her dream and said “Oh Charumathi I am Vara Laksmi devi – I am pleased with you. If you worship me in the month of shravana I will grant all your boons. Then Charumathi worshipped Vara lakshmi in her dream in this way.
Please repeat after me.
Namaste sarva lokanaam jananyey punya murthayey
Saraney thrija gadvam vande Vishnu vuksha stala liyai.
Then Charumathi said “Oh jagath janani with your grace people become scholars and wealthy. You gave me this boon because of my good deeds in this janma.
Maha Lakshmi granted her all the boons and disappeared. Then Charumathi woke up and told her husband and inlaws about the dream. Then they said this is very good news and told her to perform this vratha in the month of shravana as soon as it arrives. Then Charumathi and all her friends who heard about the story were looking forward to shravana. Then came the Friday before purnima in the month of shravan. Charumathi and all her friends woke up in the morning took a shower wore the best dresses and cleaned the house. They arranged a mandap and kalasham and invoked Vara Lakshmi thus:
Please repeat after me:
Padmasaney Padmakarey sarva lokika poojithey
Narayana priyey devi supritha bhava sarvada
Then they worshipped her with all 16 sevas and prasad . Then they wore thread with nine knots on the (Right/left?) hand. Then they started offering pradakshnam. After the first round they heard jingling on their feet. When they looked down their ankles were adorned with jewelry. The exclaimed and said this must be Vara Lakshmi ‘s boon and went around again. Then their hands were adorned with bangles made out of diamaonds. As they completed the third time they were completely adorned with jewelry. All the houses will filled with gold, elephants, horses and other vehicles.
These vehicles were sent to Charumathi’s house to pick up the ladies. Then Charumathi and her friends offered thanks to the priest who conducted the vratha and offered him dakshana and took his blessing. Then they ate the prasad and rode in the vehicles waiting for them and went home. They exclaimed that Charumathi was blessed and Vara Lakshmi granted all her boons and we also benefited from that. They praised Charumthai as they went home.
From that day all women performed this vratha every year and were very happy.