Varalakshmi Vrat

Varalakshmi Vrat

Varalakshmi Vrat (Vritham) is a festival or ritual dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.Varalakshmi one who grants boons (Varam) and it is important ritual or puja performed by married women to ask boons (Varam) for their long live relationship with their husband from Goddess Lakshmi while some of the unmarried women/girls also celebrate or follow this ritual to get a good husband.

Varalakshmi Vrat is celebrated on the Second Friday or Friday before full moon day (Purnima) in the Tamil month Sravana (July-August).It is believed that worshiping Varalakshmi on this day is equal to worshiping AsthaLakshmi (eight Incarnation of Goddess Laksmi -Knowledge,Love,Progeny,Peace,Pleasure,Wealth,Boon and Strength)

Significance

Eight forces or energies are recognised and they are known as Sri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Sarasvati (learning), Priti (love), Kirti (Fame), Santi (Peace), Tushti(Pleasure) and Pushti(Strength). Each one of these forces is called a Lakshmi and all the eight forces are called the Ashta Lakshmis or the eight Lakshmis of the Hindus. Vishnu is also called Ashta Lakshmi Padhi which is equivalent to saying that he is the asylum for the eight-Lakshmis or forces. In fact, Vishnu representing the preservative aspect of the universe, radiates these forces from him. These forces are personified and worshiped as Lakshmis, since abstract force is beyond the comprehension of the ordinary people. As health, wealth and prosperity depend upon the rhythmic play of these forces, the worship of Lakshmi is said to be to obtain these three. This festival is observed largely by women, invoking the blessings of Lakshmi on them, their husbands and their children. 

Source: Wikipedia

History



In the kingdom of Magadha of yore, there lived a Brahmin woman called Charumathi in a town named Kundina. The prosperous town was the home of Charumathi and her husband. Impressed by her devotion to her family, Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared in her dream and asked her to worship Vara-Lakshmi (Vara - boon, Lakshmi - goddess of wealth) and seek to fulfill her wishes. Varalakshmi is yet another form of Lord Vishnu's consort, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The prayer/worship was prescribed to be offered on the Friday of Sravana month preceding the night of full moon.
When Charumathi explained her dream to her family, she found them encouraging her to perform the pooja. Many other women of the village joined her in performing the pooja in a traditional way and offered many sweet dishes to the Goddess Varalakshmi.
They prayed with deep devotion:
"Padmaasane Padmakare sarva lokaika poojithe Narayana priyadevi supreethaa bhava sarvada"
On this occasion women worship Goddess Lakshmi with utmost devotion offering sweets and flowers, usually a kalash(representing the deity) will be decorated with a saree, flowers and gold jewelry with offerings placed in front.
This pooja can be done with no restriction to caste or creed. To this day many women observe this traditional festival praying Varamahalakshmi for her blesses in form wealth and well being of their family.

Source:Wikipedia

ARDHANARISWARAR STOTRAM

By Sage Upamanyu

Ambhodhara syamala kunthalayai,
Thathithprabha thamra jatadharaya,
Gireeswarayai nikhileswaraya,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya. 1

My salutations to both Parvathi and Shiva,
To Her who has black hairs resembling the swollen cloud,
To Him who has copper matted locks which are like lightning,
To Her who is the goddess of the mountains,
And to Him who is the Lord of the universe.

Pradeeptha rathnojwalakundalayai,
Sphuran maha pannaga bhooshanayai,
Shiva priyayai cha Shivaa priyaya,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya. 2

My salutations to both Parvathi and Shiva,
To Her with glittering ear rings of gems,
To Him who wears a great serpent as ornament,
To Her who is the darling of Lord Shiva,
And to Him who is the sweetheart of Parvathi.

Mandhara maalakali thaalakayai,
Kapala malankitha kandharaya,
Divyambarayai cha Digambaraya,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya. 3

My salutations to both Parvathi and Shiva,
To Her wearing garland of sweet smelling flowers,
To Him wearing the garland of skulls,
To Her who dresses in great silks,
And to Him wearing the eight directions.

Kasthurika kumkuma lepanayai,
Smasana basmatha vilepanaya,
Kruthasmarayai vikruthasmaraya,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya. 4

My salutations to both Parvathi and Shiva,
To Her whose body is smeared with musk and saffron,
To Him whose body is smeared with ashes of the burning ghat,
To Her whose prettiness radiates love,
And to Him who destroyed the God of love.

Padaravindharpitha hamsakayai,
Padapja rajath phani noopuraya,
Kalamayayai vikalamayaya,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya. 5

My salutations to both Parvathi and Shiva,
To Her whose feet is adorned by the lotus offered to her,
To Him whose feet is decorated by the anklet of snakes,To Her who is as shining as the moon,
And to Him who wears moon as an ornament.

Prapancha srushtyunmukhalasyakayai,
Samasthasamharaka thandavaya,
Samekshanayai Vishamekshanaya,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya. 6

My salutations to both Parvathi and Shiva,
To Her whose dance marks the creation of the world,
To Him whose dance destroys everything,
To Her who has even number of eyes,
And to Him who has odd number of eyes.

Prafulla neelothphala lochanayai,
Vikasa pankeruha lochanaya,
Jagat jananyai Jagatheka pithre,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya. 7

My salutations to both Parvathi and Shiva,
To Her who has eyes as wide as the blue lotus,
To Him who has eyes as wide as a fully opened lotus,
To Her who is the mother of the universe,
And to Him who is the father of the universe.

Antharbahishordhwa madhascha mahye,
Purascha paschascha vidhikikshu dhikshu,
Sarvam gathayai sakalam gathaya,
Nama Shivayai cha namashivaya. 8

My salutations to both Parvathi and Shiva,
To Her who is the beginning , middle and end,
To Him who sees east, west and all directions,
To Her towards whom everything travels,And to Him ,
in whom all things meet their end.

Ardhanarreswara stotram Upamanyukrutham thwidham,
Ya padechrunyadhapi shiva loke maheeyathe.

Those who read or hear,
This prayer to Ardhanarreswara,
Composed by Upamanyu,
Will reach the world of Lord Shiva.