Your e - Acharya on Indian Tradition

top

GODDESS LAKSHMI

This section is meant for informing the browsers about various poojas that are performed according to the Hindu culture and tradition. Our aim is to inform fellow tradition lovers about the details of worshipping a God including the importance of the God, pooja vidhi or the method of worship and the material required for performing the pooja. We will feature the details of one God and pooja vidhi every week. You may note that there are certain differences in the pooja vidhi and the type of material used depending on the regional practices. The details provided in these columns are general and that are based on the basic rules of worship. Watch out for more information on the basic pillar of the Indian tradition, God in these columns.

laxmi8.jpg (13902 bytes) Lakshate sarvah anayaa ithi Lakshmi According to Amarakosha the word Lakshmi etymologically means the goddess who watches over every Man.

The details of this Goddess can be obtained from Vyvartha puraana, Devi Bhagavatha and Vishnu Puraana.
Lakshmi symbolizes the wealth of Lord Indra. Due to the curse of sage Doorwaasa, Lakshmi fell into the ocean and when Gods and demons churned the ocean during the samudra manthana, she rose from it once again.   During the initial stages of creation she was born along with Brahma.   That is why Lakshmi and Brahma have a reddish complexion.   Shiva and Saraswati were born of a lotus. That is why they have white complexion.   Parvati and Narayana were born of another lotus and they have bluish dark complexion. That is why Parvati is called 'Narayani'.

During the churning of the ocean Lakshmi fell in love with Vishnu who was in the form of a tortoise.   Her father the Sea God gets her married to Vishnu.   Their son is Manmatha. The owl is her vehicle.    She is seated in a lotus. Whenever Vishnu took incarnations, Lakshmi too accompanied him.

Lakshmi being the symbolic diety of wealth, on earth, specially in India is worshipped.   In the hymns of Rgveda, Sree Suktam is a hymn to Lakshmi.    In the festivals celebrated in a year there are many exclusively of Lakshmi.

The first festival in the month of Sraavana, the second Friday is celebrated as Varalakshmi Vrata. In the month of Bhaadrapada, on Shuddha Asthami, Lakshmi is worshipped along with her sister Jyestaadevi.    The day is called Jyestaashtami.   This vratam is performed in Maharastra, Karnataka and Telangana in Andhra Pradesh and in the month of Aswaija, during Sharannavaratri, Saraswati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali poojas are performed.    These three Goddesses are said to be the incarnations of Aadi Sakti.    Throughout the month of Aswaija particularly on amaavasya golden or silver idols of Lakshmi are worshipped.

Friday: Of the seven days of the week the favourite of Lakshmi is Friday.     On Fridays Lakshmi pooja is performed and married women are given kumkum, termeric, blouse pieces and sweets.   Besides the common man, businessmen perform special poojas on this day.

During the beginning of Kaliyuga, Lakshmi who was residing in the bosom of Vishnu, was dislodged due to sage Bhrigu who kicked Vishnu in the chest. Lakshmi left Vishnu and made Koihapur (Maharastra) her abode.

There are eight modes of worshipping Lakshmi depending on the desired outcome.    There are temples of Asta Lakshmi in India.

Asta Lakshmis :

Dhanalakshmi	Gajalakshmi	Aadilakshmi	Vijayalakshmi
Aishwaryalakshmi	Veeralakshmi (Dhairyalakshmi)	Dhaanyalakshmi	Santaanalakshmi

The Benefits of worship:
People who desire wealth and prosperity worship Dhanalakshmi. It is also known as vaibhava lakshmi vrata. Gajalakshmi Vrata fulfils all desires. Adilakshmi or Mahalakshmi vrata is for victory in wars, and for legal battles Vijayalakshmi vrata is performed. For all kinds of wealth Aishwarya lakshmi vratha is performed.

The eight forms of wealth are

Wife
Children
House
Servants
MaidServants
Vehicles
Relations
Harvest or Livelihood

A man who possesses all the above is called a Poorna Purusha.

For health, courage and power Veeralakshmi vrata is performed. For the house to be bountiful, to facilitate sacrifies (Yagas and yagnas) and good hospitality Dhaanyalakshmi vrata is prescribed. For progeny Santalakshmi is worshipped.

Women observe most of these Vratas. Lakshmi can be worshipped by a 'Sri yantram' a basic design (Beejaaksharee chitram).

Mode of Worship:
For performing a vrata, one needs a systematic way of performing according to the process prescribed by the Veda or Puraanaas supported by various mantras, slokas, astottaraas and sahasranaamaas.

Udyaapana is the completion of the pooja for which one has to invite a brahmin or married women and honour them.

The vrata also includes the story of the importance ofGoddess Lakshmi.

The vrata is performed with the following rituals:

Lakshmi stuthi (prayer)
Aarathi and hymns
Camphor and mantra pushpam at the end

Material required for Vrata

A small altar or a platform made of wood A new yellow cloth to seat the deity. Water secured from Ganga, Godavari and Krishna (orpure water) Two lamps, incense, comphor, fragrance, sandalwood paste, beetal nuts, dates, coconuts Turmeric, vermillion, flowers and unbroken rice. A picture of the Goddess or a small idol. Panchaamrutam (a mixture of milk, curds, honey, ghee and sugar) If possible an audio cassette with traditional background music (Mangala vaadyam) Five varieties of fruits.
collyrium, bangles, blouse piece, flowers and coins Naivedyam - Any delicacy, preferably paayasam or sweets A book or audio cassette of Lakshmi Astottaram or Sahasranaamam.

Top