|
Hindu God : Goddess Maha Lakshmi
Performed by : Women whose husband is still living.
Religion : Hindu
In the month of : August - September
Lakshmi or "Sri Devi" is the consort of Vishnu. She is
the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Wealth includes
nobler values of life, power of mind and intellect,
moral, and ethical qualities that constitute the
spiritual wealth.
Fridays are considered auspicious for Lakshmi puja. The
Friday before the full moon in the Hindu month of Sravan
or Shravan (August-September) is considered especially
sacred and Varalakshmi Vrata (puja for boons and
longevity) is performed on that day by women whose
husbands are still alive. Lord Shiva describes the glory
of this Vrata in the "Skanda Purana".
Lakshmi-The Goddess Of Wealth And Wisdom
Lakshmi not only bestows wealth and all sorts of
material prosperity, but also imparts divine wisdom to
all Her devotees. She is "Vidya Shakti" and She is the
one who introduces Her devotees to Her Lord for their
salvation.
She is the power of "Lord Narayana" who is also known as
Lord Vishnu or Lord Hari. Narayana is Gods aspect of
preservation. He is an embodiment of "Shuddha Sattwa".
Lakshmi is His causal body. She is Maya, the illusory
power of Nature. She deludes the whole world by Her
veiling power and projects it through Her projecting
power. She Herself as Vidya-Lakshmi enlightens the
spiritual aspirant. Beauty, grace, a picturesque scenery
or charming landscape, modesty, love, prosperity, music,
the five elements and their combinations, the internal
organs, mind, Prana, intellect - all these are Her
manifestations.
Without Lakshmi even Sannyasins cannot do propaganda or
preaching work or run their institutions. They are in
fact more in need of Lakshmi than the house - holders
because they have to do great dynamic work for human
weal. Sri Shankara worshipped Devi, Lakshmi and
Saraswathi for success in his work. All great prophets
and divine messengers who have done great spiritual work
in the past were devotees of Mother Lakshmi, Devi and
Saraswathi.
The Festivity
After a purificatory bath, the lady performing the puja
should put on a clean, fresh cloth and make a mandala
(place where the puja is performed) with the drawing of
a lotus upon it. A kalasha (pot) filled with rice and
topped with fresh mango leaves, a coconut and cloth are
placed on the mandala and Lakshmi is invoked therein.
Fresh grains are used in the worship as they convey the
idea of growth and prosperity.
After the worship of the kalasha, follows the worship of
Ganesha, then the worship of the Raksha or the sacred
thread. Now the main worship of Vara Lakshmi begins and
the Raksha is worshipped a second time and is then tied
to the right hand of the lady who is performing the puja.
Special varieties of sweets like Paayasam and Laddu,
fruits, milk etc are offered to the goddess.
She is worshipped with different varieties of flowers
like Lotus, Jasmine, Marigold etc. Many devotees buy
gold ornaments on this day and place it near the goddess
and take her blessings. After the worship various
auspicious articles are given as charity to some
deserving ladies whose husbands are alive.
DURGA PUJA
This festival celebrated by Bengalis on the last four
days of Navaratras. Images of the mother goddess, Durga,
all-fiery power and exquisite beauty are worshipped with
flowers, incense of the beating of drums.
This festival celebrated by Bengalis on the last four
days of Navaratras. Images of the mother goddess, Durga,
all-fiery power and exquisite beauty are worshipped with
flowers, incense of the beating of drums.
all articles contributed by Veena Vidyarthi.
|
