Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Compiled by Tumuluru Prabha Dr. T Gowri

© Tumuluru Krishna Murty ‘Anasuya’ C-66 Durgabai Deshmukh Colony Ahobil Mutt Road Hyderabad 500007 Ph: +91 (40) 2742 7083/ 8904 Typeset and formatted by: Desaraju Sri Sai Lakshmi

Picture courtesy: Desaraju Sri Sai Lakshmi

Table of Contents Varalakshmi Vratam ..................................................................................... 9 History ......................................................................................................... 9 Story........................................................................................................... 10 Significance ............................................................................................... 11 How to perform Varalakshmi Puja ............................................................ 12 Vratas Are Givers of Boons ....................................................................... 15 Mother’s Love Defies All Description .................................................. 16 Women Are Endowed With More Powers ............................................ 17 Stories of Nobility and Virtue ..................................................................... 19 The Story of Anasuya and Sumati .............................................................. 19 The Power of Chastity ............................................................................... 20 Story of Draupadi ...................................................................................... 21 Some Noble and Virtuous Mothers ............................................................ 24 Story of a Noble Son and a Noble Mother ............................................ 26 Great Merit Lies In Fulfilling Your Mother’s Wishes ........................... 27 Sacred Desires Of Swami’s Mother ...................................................... 29 Chaitanya Mahaprabhu And His Noble Mother .................................... 30 Glory of Womanhood .................................................................................. 33 High status of women in ancient India ...................................................... 36 Women's role in home and society ........................................................ 37 Women are heirs of our ancient culture................................................. 38 God makes no distinctions .................................................................... 41 Women should be encouraged to play their roles .................................. 41 Develop Self-Confidence, Maintain Self-Respect ...................................... 45

Women Deserve Greater Honour and Better Treatment ............................ 46 Emulate Ideal Parents of Yore ................................................................... 48 Fill Your Heart With Love ..................................................................... 50 God Is Present In The Entire Creation ................................................... 51 Do Not Indulge In Vain Gossip ............................................................. 52 Destructive Power Of Anger .................................................................. 53 God Always Does Only Good ............................................................... 53 Some Stotrams for Lakshmi Puja ............................................................... 55 Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali ............................................................ 55 Sri Suktam .................................................................................................. 59 Mahalakshmi Ashtakam ............................................................................. 63 Ashta Lakshmi Stotram ............................................................................... 65 Sri Lakshmi Saharsanama Stothram .......................................................... 67 Thousand and eight names ..................................................................... 69 Bibliography .................................................................................................. 87

8

Varalakshmi Vratam Varalakshmi Vratam is a festival to propitiate the goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, one of the Hindu Trinity. Varalakshmi is one who grants boons (Varam). It is an important puja performed by many women in the states of Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. The Hindu festival going by the name 'Vara Lakshmi Vrata' is celebrated on the Second Friday or the Friday before full moon day - Poornima in the month of Shravana, also called Sawan in Hindi, which corresponds to the English months of July–August. Varalakshmi Vratam is performed by married woman for the well-being of all the family members, especially husband, to get progeny etc. It is believed that worshiping Goddess Varalakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshiping Ashtalaksmi – the eight goddesses of Wealth, Earth, Learning, Love, Fame, Peace, Pleasure, and Strength.

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 9

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

appeared in her dream and asked her to worship Varalakshmi (Vara = boon, Lakshmi = goddess of wealth) and seek to fulfil 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 Shravana month proceeding the night of full moon. When Charumathi explained her dream to her family, she found them encouraging her to perform the puja. Many other women of the village joined her in performing the puja 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 jewellery with offerings placed in front.

Story On one occasion, Parvathi and Parameshwara were engaged in a game of chess. Parvathi was winning game after game, but Parameshwara is said to have claimed the victory at each games, wantonly, to her intense chagrin. So Parvathi wanted to have an umpire and one Chitranemi, a creation of Parameshwara, was chosen. As an underling of Parameshwara, he sided with him most unjustly. This provoked Parvathi's anger

10

Varalakshmi Vratam

and she cursed Chitranemi that he should become a leper for discharging his duty in most unfair manner. When Chitranemi begged Parvathi's forgiveness and Parameshwara added his entreaties to it, she is said to have relented and modified the curse by adding that he would be cured of his leprosy by observing the Varalakshmi Vrata. By doing this Chitranemi was, it is said, rid of the loathsome disease. The history of the origin Of the Varalakshmi Vrata is rather interesting. Lakshmi is said to have visited a pious woman by name Sarmadi, living in the city of Kuntinapura in Magadha (Bihar), in one of her dreams and expressed her satisfaction at her devotion to her children. When she woke up from her sleep, she took a bath and worshiped Lakshmi to ensure her blessings. When the other ladies heard of her dream and her worship of Lakshmi, they too began to worship her, and the custom is then said to have spread everywhere throughout the land in course of time.

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 Ashtalaksmi or the eight Lakshmis of the Hindus. Vishnu is also called Ashtalaksmi 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 11

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

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. Only a woman can sympathies with women. Lakshmi is a woman. So she will more readily sympathies with women. Hence this festival is observed largely by women, invoking the blessings of Lakshmi on them, their husbands and their children. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

How to perform Varalakshmi Puja Varalakshmi Puja or Varalakshmi Vratam is an important ritual observed by married women in South India and Maharashtra for the prosperity and welfare of their families. Varalakshmi Puja falls on a Friday in the month of August and the preparations for the puja begin on Thursday. All the necessary items needed for the puja are collected by Thursday evening. People wake up early in the morning on Friday and take a bath. Traditionally speaking the waking up time for the puja is the brahma muhurtham. Then the designated puja area and house is cleaned well and a beautiful ‘kolam’ or rangoli is drawn on the intended place of puja. Next is the preparation of the ‘kalasham or kalash.’ A bronze or silver pot is selected and is cleaned thoroughly and a swastika symbol is drawn and is smeared with sandalwood paste. The kalasham pot is filled with raw rice or water, coins, a single 12

Varalakshmi Vratam

whole lime, five different kinds of leaves, and beetle nut. The items used to fill the kalasham vary from region to region and includes turmeric, comb, mirror, small black bangles and black beads. The kalasham up to the neck is sometimes covered with a cloth and mango leaves are placed on the mouth of the kalasham. Finally, a coconut smeared with turmeric is used to close the mouth of the kalasham. To this coconut, an image of Goddess Lakshmi is fixed or the image of Lakshmi is drawn using turmeric powder. Now the kalasham symbolically represents Goddess Lakshmi. In some areas, women place a mirror behind the kalasham. Today, there are also specially made Varalakshmi pots available in the market. The kalasham is usually placed on a bed of rice. First Lord Ganesha is worshipped. Then begins the Varalakshmi Puja. The puja consists of singing slokas dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi like the Lakshmi Sahasranamam. Arati is performed to the kalasham. Different types of sweets are offered. Some people offer pongal. In some areas women tie yellow thread on their hands. The woman who is observing the Varalakshmi Puja abstains from eating certain kind of food and this varies from region to region. In some regions, women fast till the puja period.

13

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Thamboolam – betel leaf, areca nut and slaked lime – is offered to women in the locality and in the evening an arati is offered. The next day, that is on Saturday, after taking a bath the kalasham is dismantled and the water in the kalasham is sprinkled in the house. If rice is used then it is mixed with rice in the house. There are no hard and fast rules in performing the Varalakshmi Puja and you can be flexible on the puja items. Even a simple prayer will please Goddess Lakshmi. – From http://www.hindublog.com/2007/08/how-to-perform-varalakshmi-puja.html

This land of Bharat has given birth to many noble women like Savitri, Who brought her dead husband back to life; Chandramati, who extinguished wild fire with the power of truth; Sita, who proved her chastity by coming out of blazing fire unscathed; and Damayanthi, who reduced an evil-minded hunter to ashes with the power of her chastity. It is because of such women of character that Bharat has attained the reputation of being the land of plenty, prosperity and opulence. Among the Vratas (sacred vows) of Bharat, the Varalakshmi Vrata has supreme significance. (Telugu Poem) (SSS Vol.33, p. 169) 14

Varalakshmi Vratam

Vratas Are Givers of Boons Legend has it that Parvathi once asked Easwara if there was any way to ensure auspiciousness, prosperity and well-being of the women. She desired that every woman should lead a long, happy and healthy life with her husband, children, grandchildren, friends and relatives. Easwara was pleased with Parvathi’s prayer and told her about the Varalakshmi vrata, which would confer all a woman may ask for. Easwara revealed the sacred Varalakshmi vrata to Parvathi, so that the future generations might perform this vrata and derive the benefits therefrom. The benefits that this vrata confers has been enumerated here. When a woman performs the Varalakshmi vrata, she gets the blessings that she may live long with plenty and prosperity as sumangali (a woman whose husband is alive) with her children and grandchildren. Varalakshmi protects seven past generations and seven future generations. Noble women like Savitri and Anasuya enjoyed peace and prosperity by performing this sacred vrata. The purpose of Varalakshmi vrata is to atone your sins, develop sacredness and ultimately lead you to divinity. The particular vrata is a boon for all women. Women always strive hard for the welfare of their family. They always aspire for samata, samagrata, samaikyata and sowbhratrutwa (equality, integrity, unity and fraternity). Their speech is truthful, their hearts are full of peace and their actions are righteous. Women, being the recipients of eight forms of wealth, confer prosperity and auspiciousness on the family, society and the world at large.

15

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Mother’s Love Defies All Description The culture of Bharat considers the word matha (mother) as most sacred. In times of suffering, one naturally calls out ‘amma’ (mother), not ‘appa’ (father). The word amma is most soothing and gentle. It bestows immense strength. The first word that a child utters is amma or ma. That is why the culture of Bharat has accorded highest place to the mother ahead of father, teacher and God. None loves you as much as your mother does. Mother’s love defies all description. Varalakshmi is extolled as Lokamatha (Divine Mother of the world). All are her children. That is why the Vedas address human beings as Amrutasya Putrah (sons of immortality). When you lose the love and affection of your mother, your life will lose its direction like a rudderless boat. Mother is the source of all your strength. So, respect your mother and obey her command. If your mother is happy with you, the whole world will be happy with you. If the mother is not pleased with you, you will become cheap in the eyes of the world. Do not be proud of your youth, beauty and physical power. Realise that very soon you will have to pass through old age. If you neglect your parents now, your children will neglect you. You might have heard the story of Savitri, who, with the power of her character, overcame many obstacles to bring her dead husband back to life. Even in this Age of Kali, it is the prayer of wives that protects their husbands in times of danger. Many women in the past performed Varalakshmi vrata with devotion and sincerity and became the recipients of the grace of goddess Lakshmi (consort of Vishnu and goddess of wealth). 16

Varalakshmi Vratam

Sita came out of blazing fire unscathed when she was asked by Rama to undergo agni pareeksha (the test of fire) to prove her chastity as Ravana had held her captive for ten months in Lanka. Though Rama, being omniscient, had no doubt regarding Sita’s chastity, he did so only in order to dispel doubts from the minds of people. Evil-minded people are like crows; they are full of doubts and pre-conceived notions. But will the cuckoo stop singing just because the crows are cawing? Likewise, the women of nobility and character are least perturbed by the criticism of the evil-minded people. They do not give scope for any doubts. Their pure heart is their witness and their sacred feelings are their dharma. They follow their conscience and adhere to truth and righteousness. This is the teaching of the culture of Bharat: Sathyam Vada, Dharmam Chara (speak the truth and follow righteousness). Worship of Varalakshmi confers wealth, prosperity and bliss. But due to the effect of modern age, people do not adhere to such sacred practices. That is why their houses lack purity and sacredness. In Bharat, there is a proverb: “You can judge a housewife by looking at the house.” In those days, housewife was considered to be grihalakshmi (goddess of the home) who kept her house sacred and unpolluted. It reflected her own purity.

Women Are Endowed With More Powers Varalakshmi vrata is performed by women. But men should not discourage them from performing this sacred vrata. They should provide all the necessary support. Its performance is beneficial not only to women, but also to men as women pray for the wellbeing and long life of their husbands. Men should not behave in 17

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

an arrogant way towards women thinking themselves to be more strong and powerful. Truly speaking, women are more powerful than men. The scriptures declare that men have only three powers, whereas women have five. Women are ready to sacrifice even their life for the sake of their husbands. Savitri was ready to give up her life for the sake of her husband. But do we find such spirit of sacrifice in men? If one’s wife dies, he is ready to marry again. But women are not like that. They are the repositories of the five virtues of respect, dignity, sacrifice, contentment and prosperity. On the other hand, men are prone to evils of anger, stubbornness and foolishness. Women are the embodiment of virtue and nobility. Names of the Divine couples like Lakshmi Narayana, Radha Krishna and Parvathi Parameshwara indicate that women are given place of priority over men. Prakrithi symbolizes feminine aspect of God. Prakriti and Purusha are inseparable. As the women are the embodiments of Lakshmi (goddess of wealth), the world will attain prosperity only when they are respected. Therefore, men must treat women with respect, so that they will be respected in turn. You can see it yourself, where there are women of character, there you find all prosperity. You all know that many countries suffered destruction during the two world wars. It is entirely due to the presence of virtuous women that Bharat remained safe and secure. Bharat owes its greatness and glory to its women. So respect women and make them happy. (SSS Vol.33)

18

Stories of Nobility and Virtue Since time immemorial, the sacred land of Bharat has been enjoying peace and prosperity because of men and women of character. Bharat has always accorded an exalted position to the mother. (SSS Vol.33)

The Story of Anasuya and Sumati You all know the story of Anasuya (wife of sage Atri). She was put to test by God Himself. The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara went to her in disguise and begged, Bhavati Bhiksham Dehi (mother, give us alms). When she was about to serve them food, they said that they would accept it only if she served them without wearing any clothes. Immediately, she transformed them into three infants and fed them as per their wish. She could transform even Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara into small babies and play with them only because of her purity of heart and the power of chastity. Ultimately, Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvathi, the wives of the Trinity, begged her that their husbands may be returned to them. Anasuya, being one of compassion, yielded to their request. The Trinity blessed sage Atri and Anasuya, saying that they would be

19

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

born to them in the form of Dattatreya. The name Dattatreya signifies one who is adopted by sage Atri. Sumati was also a woman of chastity. She was pure-hearted and totally selfless. One day, a sage cursed her husband that he would die immediately after sunrise on the next day. She prayed to God with all sincerity and purity. It is only prayer that can atone man’s sins and save him from curse. Sumati prayed, “If my thoughts are pure and truthful, let there not be sunrise at all.” As a result, there was no sunrise and the entire world was engulfed in darkness. That is the power of women of chastity. All the gods and sages approached Sumati and prayed, “Mother, is it proper on your part to plunge the entire world into darkness for the sake of your husband?” Sumati replied, “Without my husband, the world has no value for me.” Only when the gods and sages assured her of the safety of her husband, did she allow the sun to rise. Thus, since ancient times, women of Bharat led an ideal life and proved to the world the power of chastity. Not only in the bygone ages, even in this Age of Kali, there are many women who are leading exemplary lives. (SSS Vol.33)

The Power of Chastity Who is Savitri? People generally remember her as the wife of Sathyavantha. She was a chaste woman who took a firm resolve to bring her dead husband back to life. She relentlessly pursued her resolve with Lord Yama. Lord Yama offered to grant any request put forward by her, but she refused. Her firm reply was, 20

Stories of Nobility and Virtue

“I do not want anything. Give me my husband back with life.” Unable to withstand her pressure, Lord Yama acceded to her request and brought her husband back to life. For six days, Sathyavantha’s dead body was lying. At last, he came back to life as a result of the boon granted by Lord Yama to Savitri. Thus, Savitri proved herself to be a great woman of chastity who brought her dead husband back to life with her noble qualities. Thus, women possess great power of persuasion. Their power can work wonders; even bring the dead back to life. Can you find parallels to Savitri in any other country? Only in Bharat do such wonders take place, since it is a land of chaste women. (SSS Vol.41)

Story of Draupadi Our ancients performed these vratas with sacred feelings. But today people have lost faith in such sacred practices. They have faith in things which are transient and ephemeral. First of all, man should transform his heart. He should have the firm faith that God is hridayavasi (indweller of the heart). Deho Devalaya Prokto, Jeevo Deva Sanathana (body is the temple and the indweler is God). Respect and revere all bodies as temples of God. Then the world will be free from all conflicts. Today, as selfishness and self-interest are on the rise, the world is gripped in troubles and turmoil. In order to get rid of conflicts man should cultivate moral values, undertake righteous actions and love everybody. Human life is a combination of morality, spirituality and righteousness. Today, the whole world is centred around money. 21

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

I often tell you, money comes and goes, but morality comes and grows. Money is like a passing cloud. No doubt money is required for your livelihood in this world. But it is not the be - all and end - all of life. Earlier people believed Dharma Moolam Idam Jagat (dharma forms the basis of the world). Now people consider Dhana Moolam Idam Jagat (wealth forms the basis of the world). Understand that dharma alone will confer peace and bliss on you. Dharma alone will protect you. During the course of the Kurukshetra War, Bhishma was the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army. One day, Duryodhana and Dussasana confronted him and said, “O grandsire, you seem to be very inactive these days. As a result, our enemies are growing from strength to strength. It is time that you shed your slackness and show your prowess.” Provoked in this manner by Duryodhana and Dussasana, Bhishma declared that he would kill all the Pandavas before sunset, the next day. Draupadi, who had five husbands, could be called a pathivrata (one of chastity). Who are the five husbands? They do not represent physical bodies. Here five husbands symbolize five elements and five life principles. Draupadi fell at Krishna’s feet and prayed that He should protect the Pandavas. Krishna said, “Follow My command, I shall certainly protect your husbands.” Draupadi said, “Krishna, who can I follow other than You? You are our everything.” It was night-time. As the war was over for the day, all were taking rest in their respective tents. Bhishma was feeling very depressed. “I have vowed that I would kill the Pandavas tomorrow. But how am I to kill them who are 22

Stories of Nobility and Virtue

noble and virtuous and whom I have brought up with my own hands all these years? It is the food of the Kauravas that has spoiled my head (mind).” Thinking thus, Bhishma was pacing up and down in his tent. Krishna sensed Bhishma’s predicament. He always planned according to time, place and situation. His was the master-plan. He told Draupadi to follow him. Since there was no electricity in those days, there were only oil lamps burning in each tent. After walking a certain distance, Krishna asked her to put off her sandals as they were making noise. Draupadi implicitly obeyed Krishna’s command. Krishna immediately wrapped her sandals in his shawl and carried them with him. Once they reached Bhishma’s tent, He told Draupadi to hurry up and fall at Bhishma’s feet at once. Draupadi did accordingly. Hearing the jingling sound of bangles, Bhishma thought it was a married woman and as was his wont, he blessed her saying, Deergha Sumangali Bhava (may you and your husband live long). After uttering this blessing, Bhishma noticed to his great surprise that it was Draupadi whose husbands he had vowed to kill the following day. In the meantime, Krishna entered the scene. Bhishma realized that it was Krishna’s master-plan. He extolled Krishna saying, “O Lord, none can describe Your Leelas (divine play). They are most wonderful and most sacred in all the three worlds.” Krishna told Bhishma that he had come to Draupadi’s rescue as she was highly virtuous. What was the secret of Draupadi’s greatness? Draupadi was always contented with what she had.

23

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

She was always obedient to her husbands and would always find time to serve them. There is no woman greater than Draupadi. (Telugu Poem) Today people are conferred various titles like Padmashri, Padma Vibhushan, etc. But the titles conferred on women such as Grihalakshmi, Illalu, Dharmapatni, Ardhangini, etc., are very high and sacred. How can women with such exalted titles to their credit be inferior to men? But, unfortunately, today due to the effect of Kali Age, men look down upon women and treat them as mere servants. This is a big mistake. The more you respect women, the more you will be respected. (SSS Vol.33, pp. 178181), 11-08-2000,

Some Noble and Virtuous Mothers Aryamba was born in Kerala. She was a paragon of virtues. She spent all her time in the contemplation of God and in undertaking noble deeds. As a result, Sankaracharya was born to her. Sankaracharya could become Jagadguru (world teacher) because of his mother’s virtuous thoughts. Noble souls like Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa could attain exalted positions in their lives only due to the sacred feelings of their mothers. Putlibai, the mother of Mahatma Gandhi, spent her life in the contemplation of God. She used to observe a vow wherein she would not partake of food unless she heard the singing of cuckoo. One day it so happened that the song of cuckoo was not heard. Gandhi, who was a small boy then, could not bear to see his

24

Stories of Nobility and Virtue

mother fasting for a long time. He went behind the house and mimicked the singing of cuckoo. Putlibai felt very sad as she knew that her son was uttering a lie. She cried, “O God! What sin have I committed that I gave birth to a son who speaks untruth?” Realising that he had caused immense grief to his mother by uttering a lie, Gandhi took a vow that he would never indulge in falsehood thenceforth. So, it is imperative that the mother gives training in moral values to her children right from their childhood. She should not overlook the mistakes of her children. She should punish her children whenever they stray away from the right path and reward them for their good deeds. It is because of the feelings of the mother that the children become good or bad. Gandhi’s mother was a strict disciplinarian and pure-hearted. As the saying goes, “Yatha Raja, Thatha Praja” (as the king, so the subjects), she had a maidservant named Rambha, who used to look after the children with love and care. One day, Gandhi came running to her and told that he was haunted by fear. Rambha told him, “My dear one, where is the need to fear when all-protecting Ramachandra is with us always. Recite the Name of Rama whenever you are fear-stricken.” From then onwards, Gandhi chanted the Name of Rama till his last breath. Can we find such noble-hearted women today? It is because of such women that the children take to the path of righteousness. (SSS Vol.33), 1911-2000

25

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Story of a Noble Son and a Noble Mother Here is a small example. After the war for the liberation of Rangoon, a mother and her son somehow managed to reach Chennai, having lost their near and dear ones. They had no shelter over their head nor any food to eat. The mother would go begging for alms from house to house, give most of it to her son and partake of whatever little was left. When she would not get enough, she would give the entire food to her son and herself would go without food. She was put to many difficulties, but she bore everything for the sake of the well-being of her son. Consequently, she became weak day by day. One day the son, unable to see her suffering, told her, “Mother, it is not proper on your part to feed me and starve yourself. From today, you take rest and I will fetch food for both of us.” But the mother said she could not bear the sight of her son begging for alms. However, on a certain day, the mother was too weak even to walk. So, the son went to beg food. He stood in front of the house of an officer and cried,” O sir, I am hungry, I am hungry.” The officer, who was relaxing in an easy chair in the verandah, brought food on a leaf and told him to sit and partake of it. But the boy said that he would take it home. The officer said, “I don’t think you are really hungry, otherwise why should you take it home.” When the officer was uttering these harsh words, the boy felt giddy and fell down. He was trying to say something, but could not say it loudly as he was very weak. The officer went close to the boy and tried to hear what he was saying.” Sir, I would like to give it to my mother first, only then I will eat. First, to my mother, to my mother…,” and he breathed his last.

26

Stories of Nobility and Virtue

Can we find such noble sons today? We cannot find such mothers and sons today. It is not merely the effect of Kali age, but also the result of modern education system. Today’s education is meant only for earning a living. The educated do not think of the welfare of society and the country at large. (SSS Vol.33), 19-11-2000

Great Merit Lies In Fulfilling Your Mother’s Wishes You all know the story of Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar. He was living with his mother in a village near Kolkata. They were very poor. She used to feed her son with whatever she could earn everyday and did not care much about herself. Her son’s well being was uppermost in her mind. She wanted him to lead a peaceful and sacred life. Being a hard working student, Vidyasagar used to study under street lights. He completed his postgraduation and took up a job. Initially, his salary was very less, just enough for his mother and himself. Gradually, he attained good position. Once a fair was held in the village. Vidyasagar’s mother went to the fair wearing an old sari as she had no other good sari to wear. Seeing this, Vidyasagar felt very sad. That very evening, he bought a good sari for her. Once during the course of their conversation, Vidyasagar asked his mother if she had any desires. She said, “Son, the people of our village are facing hardship due to lack of drinking water. I feel pained to see them trekking long distances to fetch water. I will be happy if you can get a well dug in our village.” Vidyasagar immediately got a well dug and fulfilled his mother’s desire. Her joy knew no bounds. She said, “Son, water sustains life. You 27

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

have quenched the thirst of the villagers. I am extremely happy that I have given birth to a noble son like you.” On some other day, Vidyasagar asked his mother if she had any more desires. She said, “Son, the children of our village are going to the neighbouring village to attend school. I am pained to see children walking such a long distance everyday. So, please construct a small school in our village”. Accordingly, Vidyasagar established a school in the village, giving immense joy to his mother. She said, “Son, you have set an ideal not merely to our village but to the entire nation. Your life is sanctified.” After a few days, one evening, when Vidyasagar returned home from office, he found his mother in a pensive mood. On being asked for the reason, she said, “Son you have provided water to the village and also established a school for children. But, it is the lack of medical facilities in our village that is troubling my mind. Please build a small hospital here.” As per her wish, he constructed a small hospital which had one doctor and one nurse. His mother was overjoyed at this. The reason for My telling you all this is to emphasise that the feelings of mothers are noble. Each one has to resolve to fulfil the sacred disires of his mother. One should never act in such a way as to cause pain to one’s mother.

28

Stories of Nobility and Virtue

Sacred Desires Of Swami’s Mother Like the mother of Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, Swami’s mother had also some sacred desires. One day, while I was having My food upstairs, Griham Ammayi (mother of Swami’s physical body) came to Me. I asked, “Amma, what is the reason for your coming here?” She said, “You finish your food first, then I will tell You.” After I finished My food, she said, “Swami, ours is a very small village. Here people are put to a lot of suffering due to the absence of medical facilities. They have to run to Bukkapatnam even for a small problem.” Then I assured her that I would build a hospital in the village. As promised, I got a small hospital built immediately. On some other day, she again came upstairs and said, “Swami please don’t think otherwise, I have one more desire”. I asked her not to have too many desires. She said, “Swami, You are fulfilling the desires of thousands of people who are coming to You. Why can’t You fulfil my one desire?” Then I said, “Tell Me your desire”. She said, “Swami, the wells of our village have dried up. Please get a well dug in our village.” As per her wish, I got a well dug in our Mandir itself. All the people of the village used to take water from this well. She said she was extremely happy but added that she had one more desire. She said, “Swami, the children of our village are going to Bukkapatnam for their studies. Poor children, they don’t have the strength even to walk such a long distance. Please construct a school here”. I fulfilled her that desire also. She felt very happy and said that she had no more desires left. Just as a small seed becomes a huge tree, the 29

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

small school I established then has become a big university now. At that time, I constructed a small hospital. But now here is a big Super Speciality Hospital. The small well that I got dug here in the village has assumed gigantic proportions of a water project for the entire district. If the feelings of the mother are sacred, so too will be the feelings of the children.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu And His Noble Mother If the thoughts are sacred, they will certainly fructify. One need not think that one does not have enough money or resources. If you resolve to do something good, you are bound to succeed. The power of noble thoughts will give you the necessary strength. Once Chaitanya Mahaprabhu went to a temple along with his mother Sachi Devi. He prayed, “O Lord, You are the master of the world. You are the master of the body, life and soul. You can grant any wish that I ask for. But I don’t have any worldly desires. I do have one desire. You are the embodiment of love. Love is our life. So, please grant me the strength to love You. I don’t want anything else.” Chaitanya Mahaprabhu developed such noble thoughts because of the noble feelings of his mother Sachi Devi. She always taught him that all the needs of a person were automatically taken care of once he became the recipient of God’s grace. Chaitanya used to go round the streets singing the glory of Krishna. Good and bad, auspiciousness and inauspiciousness coexist. Where there is light, there is bound to be its shadow. Likewise, good people are bound to face difficulties. But those difficulties will enhance the goodness in them. 30

Stories of Nobility and Virtue

Pleasure and pain, good and bad co-exist, None can separate them. You cannot find pleasure or pain, Good or bad to the exclusion of the other. Pleasure results when difficulties fructify. (Telugu Poem) Once when Chaitanya was singing the glory of Krishna in the streets, some evil-minded people snatched away the cymbals from his hands. But he was least perturbed. He continued to sing the glory of Krishna with firm faith and devotion. Seeing Chaitanya, the children would get inspired and they too would join him in singing the divine name. Chaintanya used to make children sit around him and impart sacred teachings to them. Chaitanya became a noble soul because of the noble feelings of his mother. So, the mother should have pure thoughts and good conduct. Only then will she be blessed with ideal children. (SSS Vol.33, pp. 288-294), 19-11-2000 Chandramathi was a woman of sterling character. She always followed her husband, Harishchandra. When they were passing through difficulties, she infused courage in him saying, “Oh king, you are highly intelligent and educated. You should never give scope to weakness and waver from your chosen path. We are swimming in the ocean of truth. We should not give up our resolve till we reach the shores.” In this manner, women of those days would encourage their husbands to follow the path of truth. Women of Bharat always upheld our sacred culture. Sita did not shed tears even in extremely trying circumstances. Though she was surrounded by demons, she was never afraid of them. She spent her time in the contemplation of her husband, Lord Rama, and thus set an ideal. The same can be said of Damayan-ti. She 31

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

was one of virtues. With her strong determination, she helped her husband regain his kingdom. In this manner, women of those days earned a name for themselves with their sterling character and ideal motherhood. Today’s women should make them role models. (SSS Vol.35, 2003)

“In this sacred land of Bharat patience is our treasure. Among all the vows, adherence to truth is the greatest penance. Sweetest of all feelings in our land is the love of the mother.” -

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

32

Glory of Womanhood This Bharat is the land of sanctity and chastity, which has given birth to such great women of exceptional character, who lent glory to Bharat as a nation of heroic women. From ancient times, the presiding deity of Gayathri mantra, Gayathri Devi, has been worshipped as the Mother of the Vedas, which are held as the most ancient and authoritative scriptures of wisdom. Gayathri mantra originated in this holy land. The glory of this mantra has spread all over the world. The people of Bharat have worshipped Gayathri in several ways and have redeemed their lives. Gayathri has been worshipped in four forms: (1) Sathyavathi, (2) Angavath,i (3) Anyavathi, and (4) Nidhanavathi. All the four are equally sacred, and elicit limitless grace of the Divine. The first one, Sathyavathi, signifies the existence of Atma in every being, just as butter is present in every drop of milk. It proclaims, “Ekatma sarvabhutantaratma (One Atma is present in all beings).” There is one Sath (truth), which is spoken of in many ways by the wise. The second one is Angavathi, which signifies the five elements present in all beings and also the five senses of hearing, 33

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

touch, vision, taste, and smell. There is nothing in this world that is not composed of the five elements. This Angavathi is pancha bhuta swarupa (the embodiment of the five basic elements). The third one, Anyavathi, refers to the attributes of the different forms of the Divine. For example, Lord Siva is associated with trident, three eyes, etc. Vishnu is always described as having conch, discus, mace, and so on. We call him Sankhachakragadapani. Ganapathi is identified by his elephant face and big belly. He is first to be worshipped in all rituals. Saraswathi is described as one with veena in hand, through which she is teaching the Divine sound principle as Nadabrahma. Thus Anyavathi signifies the different constituents of the forms of the Divine. Nidhanavathi, the fourth, teaches the nine types of worship, namely, sravanam (hearing), keerthanam (singing the glory of God), smaranam (thinking of the names of God), pada sevanam (service), vandanam (prostration), archanam (worship), dasyam (servitude), sakhyam (friendship), and atmanivedanam (surrender). The world is symbolised by these four forms of Gayathri. That is why it is described as Nature (Prakriti), a female form (Sthri). We refer to our native country as motherland. The importance attached to women in Bharat Bharat (India) has always accorded a high place to women as the upholders of all social virtues. The very fact that in mentioning the names of the divine couples like Vishnu and Lakshmi, Siva and Parvathi, the name of the consort 34

Glory of Womanhood

is given the first place, as in Lakshmi Narayana, Uma Maheswara, shows what importance Bharatiyas (people of Bharat) attached to women. People generally speak of women as the weaker sex. At last, now Bharatiyas recognize that women cannot be considered as weak. The woman in charge of the home plays the main role in bringing good name and fame to the home. Not only in respect of individual homes but also in the good name of the country and the world the woman plays the main role. From ancient times, woman has been accorded a high place in the society. The scriptures have ascribed seven virtues to women as a class: sathya (truth), prema (love), dharma (righteousness), santhi (peace), sahana (tolerance), ananda (bliss), svanubhuti (spirituality). The woman at home has been held in high esteem as Grihalakshmi, the goddess of prosperity of the home. When her husband faces difficulties, the wife readily shares the burden and is prepared to do anything, to undergo any suffering or even sacrifice her life for the welfare of her husband and the family. It is the woman of the home who is behind the good reputation of the home. The woman is the embodiment of sacrifice. Though the male counterpart may also do sacrifice, it will be with a selfish tinge, while the woman's sacrifice is absolutely selfless. Therefore, we should be proud of our women.

35

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

High status of women in ancient India If Bharatiya culture and morality have survived despite long periods of foreign rule, it is to no small measure due to the courage and fortitude of the nation's women. As the earlier speaker, Dr. Geetha Reddy, has pointed out, women shine as soldiers with the weapons of sathya and dharma. They will not normally tell lies. There may be occasions when a few of them may do so unknowingly. But, by and large, they as a class uphold truth and righteous conduct. They follow the Vedic injunction, Sathyam vada, dharmam chara (speak the truth and practice righteousness). Once, King Janaka conducted a discussion regarding the most suitable person who should confer honour on him as a scholar. Even though there were great sages and highly learned scholars like Yajnavalkya in the assembly, he decided that Gargi was the fittest person from whom he should receive it. This is an example to prove how women have been held in high esteem from ancient times by ordinary citizens and kings too. While women were held in high esteem in ancient times, in later years there was a decline in their status, and even ascetics denied proper recognition to them. For instance, when sage Mathanga wanted to admit the great woman devotee Sabari into his ashram, many of his disciples who were renunciants raised objection. But the noble Mathanga recognized the extraordinary merit of Sabari's chastity, sincere devotion, and dedication toward pursuit of liberation and admitted her to his ashram. She finally proved to the world how 36

Glory of Womanhood

devoted she was to Rama and how she got liberated after worshipping Him true to the teachings of sage Mathanga.

Women's role in home and society Because of the evil influence of modern education, people consider women as toys and tend to treat them as puppets. The women have very auspicious and noble qualities. But men consider them as cooks to be confined to the kitchen and the four walls of the house. What they forget is that women not only manage the affairs of the family but also look after the health and well-being of all the members of the household. The Government has now started conferring the honorific titles of Padmashri, Padmabhushan, etc,. on its chosen citizens. But women have had more respectable and valuable titles of Grihalakshmi (the goddess of prosperity of the home), Dharmapathni (devoted wife), Ardhangi (the better half), etc. They had these titles because of their good qualities and spirit of sacrifice. Questions are raised like who will look after the home if women go to offices and who will teach her children if the mother goes to school to teach other children, and so on. Some say that though the woman goes to work to solve the financial problem, bigger problems may have to be confronted by her going to work. But, in the modern world, it is necessary for the women to share the burden of maintaining the family with their husbands, so the women should also pursue studies as much as possible and take up suitable jobs to share the burden of the family. It would

37

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

smack of selfishness if the males prevent them from going to work for which they have acquired the requisite qualifications. Women can control the whole world by themselves by virtue of their inherent qualities of love and spirit of sacrifice (prema bhava and thyaga bhava). Anger is alien to women, and it is more rampant in men. Though there may be instances when a woman may give vent to anger, such occasions are few and far between while in men the reverse in the case. Savitri fought with the God of Death (Yama) and succeeded in getting her husband back to life. Can you find any instance in the scriptures or history where a husband was prepared to do sacrifice for his wife? If the wife is dead, he is ready to have a second marriage. Such unfair things are happening in the world in respect of women. That is why it was decided to celebrate not only 19 November but the 19th of every month as Mahila Day.

Women are heirs of our ancient culture Women devotees in the Sai Movement are participating in large numbers enthusiastically in service activities such as helping the women of weaker sections to learn some useful trades like tailoring, etc., so that they can earn some money for the family and also spend their time usefully. If such activities are taken up all over the country, the country will prosper. This sacred work is typical of the culture of our ancient country.

38

Glory of Womanhood

Women are the heirs of our ancient culture. Culture means refinement. Women are the torch-bearers of refinement and they are toiling for the emancipation of the nation. Geetha Reddy spoke about the exploits of great women in the battlefield like Rani of Jhansi, who fought a terrific battle and gave up her life rather than surrendering to the foe when she was overpowered. She lived up to the teachings of the Vedas that only through sacrifice can one attain liberation. Even in this Kali Age, there may be some exceptional cases where women may not be following sathya and dharma. But mostly they live up to these ideals. However, they are not encouraged to show their ability. Even in the family, they have to face obstacles and confrontations If women are given due recognition and encouragement, they will shine with brilliance in all fields and will serve the house, country, and the entire world gloriously, contributing to the welfare of the entire humanity. Women show dedication and sincereity in work. No doubt, there may be a few who may not be having good qualities characteristic of a woman. But in any class of society, this is inescapable. Take, for example, the orange fruit. In order to enjoy the juice you have to peel out the bitter portions of the outer skin and seeds. Even so, the fruit of human life has much bitter portions as outer skin. You have to remove this and weed out the seeds of bad qualities, so that you can taste the sweet juice inside.

39

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

If man follows the example of the woman to imbibe sacred and sacrificial qualities, the world will definitely improve. They say “Udhyogam purusha lakshanam (a man is known by his job)”, as though only males can do jobs. It is a misnomer. Women are also doing all types of jobs equal to men. In fact, women work more sincerely and with dedication. Recently, Swami questioned a director of the Indian Telephone Industries when he came to see Swami about the percentage of women employed in the industry. He said 99% of the employees were women and added that women did ten times better work than men. They don't stop or step out until the allotted work is completed. They have the work culture better than men. Nowhere in any sacred text is it stated that women should only cook and not do work like men. As a matter of fact, even man has to learn cooking and house-keeping to help his wife in times of need. Awareness is life. Awareness means total knowledge and not partial knowledge. This enthusiasm is full in women. Even men should make effort to learn everything. Women have hidden power immanent in them. You have to encourage them to exhibit their talents. An army commander, who makes all sepoys in the army shiver before him, shivers before his wife when she confronts him after he reaches home. Similarly, the principal of an institution, before whom the students may shiver with fear, may himself feel shiver going down his spine when confronted by his wife for an explanation why he came late.

40

Glory of Womanhood

God makes no distinctions Generally, the term Purusha is taken to mean only males, basing on physical form. It is not true. Purusha represents the Atma or Chaitanya in all, which is in the body from top to toe. Purusharthas (prime goals of life) are four, namely, dharma, artha, kama, and moksha (right conduct, wealth, desire, and liberation). This does not apply only to males. It is common to both males and females. Actually, women follow the fundamental Dharma truly, while men act selfishly. One who realizes divinity is Purusha. Swadharma means Atmadharma, not the dharma pertaining to the body. This is explained in the Bhagavad Gita. This was the ideal followed by the ancients. Artha does not merely mean wealth or money. It means wealth of wisdom. Both men and women have the right to experience nonduality, which is real wisdom. Kama is the desire not for worldly objects but for God. Moksha (liberation) is the fourth objective of life. Desire for moksha is common to all, whether men or women. Moksha is moha kshaya or shedding of bodily attachment. Without following the senses or mind, if you follow conscience, you can progress toward moksha.

Women should be encouraged to play their roles In order to teach the subtleties of the scriptural texts, and encourage women to play their role in society, 19th is fixed as Mahila Day. Dharma can be made to occupy its position in society and restored to its pristine glory only by women. But men also have equal right and they should participate in this mighty 41

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

and sacred effort so that the country will prosper. Even if men don’t actively participate, they should at least let the women do the work without interference. Krishna said in the Gita, “Ananyaschinthayantho maam ye janah paryupasathe (whoever worships me: to the exclusion of all others),” “thesham: nithyabhiyukthanam yogakshemam vahamyaham (I look after the welfare of such unwavering devotees).” This is an assurance to one and all with no distinctions of any kind. Everyone should cultivate a similar sense of universality. The Divine is omnipresent. Differences based on caste, creed, sex, or nationality have to be given up. God has no distinctions. You should also practice this principle of equality. God is everywhere. You cannot restrict Him to your narrow limits as though He is confined only to the form contained in your small picture frame. It is a folly to think so. He has thousands of forms and names. When you are doing Sahasranama archana (worshipping the thousand names of the Lord) you mention each of the thousand names and offer a flower. All are offered to only that one picture and not to thousands of pictures. All may refer to one God only. You may say Allah, Jesus, Rama or Krishna and so on. But all refer to only one God. If you say the form you worship is the only God, you are limiting the Infinite to a narrow finite entity. Give up all religious differences. There is only one religion, that of love, There is only one caste, that of humanity. There is only one language, that of the heart. I spoke earlier of the four parts of 42

Glory of Womanhood

Gayathri and five elements. All are divine. They have no caste or creed or any such difference. If you realize the unity, you get purity and divinity. You are forgetting this and breed feelings of enmity and community. God has no such distinction of community, nationality or sex. In ancient times, they did not have such differences. Do not give room for any such feelings. God is one and everyone in this world has equal right to enjoy His Grace. (SSS Vol.31), 19 April 1998

43

Radha’s Ultimate Merger When Krishna lifted the Govardhana mountain, it was a matter of celebration. The unmarried Gopikas performed Varalakshmi Vratam. Even now ladies perform Varalakshmi Vratam. Radha was a great devotee. But those who did not believe in the divinity of Krishna subjected her to a lot of hardships. Even in those days there were atheists. Atheists, theists, theistic-atheists and atheistic-theists are present in every age. The atheists put Radha in a house and locked it from outside. They felt Radha’s family reputation was being tarnished because of her going after Krishna. And to stop her from doing so, she was locked up in the room. She started crying and praying. Krishna heard her prayers, opened the doors and released her. He chided those people saying, “Is this the way you treat a devotee? It is allright if you have no devotion to Me. But it is a great sin to harass a devotee.” Krishna took Radha with Him. Radha then prayed to Krishna to play a song on His divine flute. “Sing a song Oh Krishna! with each word dripping with honey and talk to Me to My heart’s content. Take the essence of the Vedas, let it flow through your divine flute and transform it into a melodious song. Sing a song Oh Krishna …” (Telugu Song) Listening to His melodious music, Radha breathed her last. From that day, Krishna never touched His flute again. Krishna performed several leelas. He was verily God in human form. None could comprehend or describe His divine nature. It was infinite and unfathomable. You do not find anything other than Divine love flowing from Him. -

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Develop Self-Confidence, Maintain Self-Respect From time immemorial, women of India, by their adherence to ideals have bestowed joy on this land and so occupy an exalted position, which is higher than that of men. Women embody the aspect of Mother Nature and the ancient sages found solutions to problems in life by recognising this truth. What is the cause for misery, conflict and suffering in the world today? It is the absence of purity in the hearts of men and women. The behaviour of men and women is responsible for the rise or fall of a nation. The country would not lack in anything, if there were men and women with pure hearts. But today hearts are completely polluted. Here is a piece of pure white paper. But what is written on one side makes it appear dirty. So too is the case with a man’s heart; dirty feelings pollute it. Newspaper of today becomes a waste paper tomorrow. The paper by itself does not have any smell. The same paper when used to pack jasmine flowers smells of them; it will smell of ‘Pakodas’ or even of dry fish if it is used to pack them. When the heart is purified, it shines with compassion. Bad feelings and bad thoughts pollute the heart of man.

45

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Women Deserve Greater Honour and Better Treatment Ever since ancient times, women have maintained their hearts pure. Savitri was one such great woman of India. She brought her husband back to life by winning over the Lord of Death. There are many such cases of women who have revived their husbands from death; but history does not speak of a single man reviving his wife from death! Women of such exalted character have set great ideals of womanhood in Bharat. Today’s society is polluted because there is no encouragement for women to cultivate such high ideals. In modern times the ways of life are so perverted that only evil thoughts, evil feelings and evil behaviour rule the roost. In this situation Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations are encouraging women through opportunities in the wings like Mahila Vibhag, to develop good ideals of character and propagate them to the world at large. Only if the women come up in society, the whole world will turn sacred. The Organisations of women have achieved many great things, but men do not recognise their good work. Women are capable of ruling the nations and even the whole world if they make up their minds. Men should not consider women as mere slaves. Today our country is on the downslide because we take our women very lightly. There is nothing in this world that women cannot achieve. Recognising the nature of such women we must encourage them and give them equal opportunities in society. No such encouragement is being given today. Men do not tolerate women joining together for a good cause in an Organisation. Because of

46

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

their own selfish interest, men are unable to recognise the good that women can do to the society. Generally the women are selfless. Their hearts are full of compassion and love. They take a lot of pains to bring up children on the right path, a task that is almost impossible for men. Mother plays a very important role in shaping the character of the child. The contemporary education is largely responsible for the gradual deterioration of children’s behaviour. In olden days mothers initiated their children into studies by chanting sacred words like OM NAMAH SIVAYA or OM NAMO NARAYANAYA. Thus at a very early age, these sacred words got imprinted in the hearts of children. But today’s parents initiate their children into education, not by chanting holy or sacred names of God, but by rhymes like ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’ Nowadays children are being taught all types of wrong terminology. In earlier days, children used to welcome guests in their homes with humility and reverence, whereas these qualities are missing nowadays. Today’s children aspire for wealth, power and friendship but not for character. What is the use of wealth, power and friendship bereft of character? Money comes and goes but one must teach them morality and righteousness. Earlier, children were taught such sacred values. Today parents want their children to pursue higher studies and become great, whereas earlier, parents preferred their children to be good rather than becoming great. Since those parents wanted their children to be good, Bharat stood as an ideal to all nations of the world.

47

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Emulate Ideal Parents of Yore Nowadays students are not being taught good qualities. Instead, when they come home, mother immediately puts on the television and the father too joins the son to watch the television. Earlier, the moment children returned home, parents took them to the Puja room and revised whatever was taught to them by teachers in the class. Nowadays parents want their children to pursue higher studies so that they may get rich fathers-in-law. In those days parents never wanted a rich father-in-law but wanted a virtuous wife for their son. This is the reason why those days were prosperous and peaceful. What is the reason for chaos in the world today? As there are no ideal parents today at home, there are no ideal children also. The first school is the home itself. If the home is good, when such children enter society, they will learn good qualities there also. Today’s students must recognise that whatever knowledge, wisdom or good qualities they have learnt, were taught by the society. So they have to ask themselves as to what they are doing for the society after receiving so many benefits from it. Students receive lot of benefits from the society but they don’t contribute anything good in return. Thus, men are becoming ungrateful. We must be grateful to those who help us. What is the use of all education if we cannot show gratitude and respect to our benefactors? All the education thus becomes useless. First and foremost we must learn to respect the society because we are born, brought up and remain a part of the society till we die. Those days mothers used to teach their children that they could lead an ideal life only when they respected society. 48

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Take for example the episode of Abhimanyu. He prostrated before his mother and sought her permission to go to the battlefield. Initially his mother hesitated to permit him and said, “The great warrior Drona has devised a difficult strategy in today’s battle – Padmavyuha (Lotus Formation). Bhishma has joined hands with Drona. Your father and uncle are not here. Your wife is pregnant. We do not know what can happen on the battlefield. Therefore I advise that you may not go to war now!” He replied, “Mother, this is not what you should teach me; you should encourage me to pounce into the battlefield like a lion and destroy the Kauravas. Instead, you are discouraging me. Is it right on your part to do so? I pray that you grant your blessings to me to be victorious in the war.” Subhadra immediately realised her duty in that situation and blessed him, “My dear son, may you have a long life, may you earn a good name for the family, may you earn the blessings of your uncle and father; may the Lord be by your side and protect you on the battlefield!” It was obligatory for the son to earn good reputation for the family. But in these modern times parents do not impart such good teachings to their children. Parents distribute sweets as soon as the child is born and celebrate the child’s birthday. But in ancient times parents would celebrate the son’s birthday only on the day he brought good name to the family. “Father does not feel the joy of begetting a son merely because the child is born. Only when people praise his son for his good deeds and achievements does the father feel joyful!” Thus, we find a gulf of difference between the cultures of those days and 49

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

of today. Since time immemorial, it is the mothers who brought up the children. The lap of the mother is the child’s first school. That is why even the Vedas say, “May mother be your god, may father be your god, may teacher be your god.” Thus, first honour is always given to the mother. Let us take for example the names of deities, Sita Rama, Radha Krishna and Parvathi Paramesha; the feminine aspect of God comes first. It is the mother who shapes the child’s life. Even when she punishes the child for any of its mistakes, she does it with love, to lead it on to the right path. Today we need such mothers. (SSS Vol.34), 19.11.2001

Fill Your Heart With Love Today, the food you eat, the water you drink and the air you inhale are all polluted. Man himself has become highly polluted as he has filled his mind with negative feelings, which are nothing but worldly desires. No doubt, one can have desires, but they should be under certain limits. The letters that you write will appear blue when the pen is filled with blue ink and red when it is filled with red ink. Likewise, all that you see, hear and say will become negative when your heart is filled with negative feelings. So, first of all fill your heart with love. Then all that you see, hear, say and do will be suffused with love. Sarvam Prema Mayam Jagat (the whole world is permeated with love). So, you will find love everywhere. Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavati (as is the feeling, so is the result). Today human heart has become a den of evil qualities like anger, hatred, greed, jealousy, pomp and show. Love alone can drive away these negative qualities. Desire, anger, greed, jealousy, etc., arise out of body attachment and improper food habits. So, one has to put a check over body attachment and control desires. 50

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

It is said, less luggage more comfort make travel a pleasure. In order to have a comfortable journey of life, reduce the luggage of desires. One can have body attachment to some extent because the journey of life is undertaken with the help of the body. When one is living with family and friends, it is not possible to give up body attachment altogether.But one should lead a sacred life with the noble feelings of Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu (may the entire world be happy!). All the powers that you find in the external world are present in man. The human body itself is a generator of electricity. The human mind can be compared to television and the heart to a radio. When a particular programme is broadcast on Delhi Radio Station, you are able to hear it at the same time by tuning your radio to the appropriate frequency. Today we have radios, but in those days, people considered their hearts as radios. So, make your hearts pure and sacred. All that you see in the external world can be visualized on the screen of your mind. So, the mind itself is a television. All the powers are latent in man. All that you see outside is nothing but the reflection and resound. When you criticize or abuse someone, it means you are seeing the reflection of your own bad feelings in him. Good and bad arise from within, they are not outside.

God Is Present In The Entire Creation You can see your reflection in the mirror only when its rear is coated with a chemical. Your heart can be compared to a mirror. It should be coated with the chemical of love. Only then can you see your true self in it. Vedanta declares, Raso Vai Saha (He is sweetness Itself). Here is an example: When sugar and water are 51

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

mixed, it becomes syrup. The sugar and water become inseparable. Just as sugar is present in every drop of the syrup, God is present in the entire creation. Easwara revealed the secret of Varalakshmi vrata to Parvathi in order to bestow peace and prosperity on all women. Performance of this vrata is easy, though it has a potency of giving great boons. You are all very fortunate to have performed it in a sacred place sanctified by the presence of Divinity. These practices have the desired effect if you do them in the prescribed manner with purity of heart. Betel leaf alone cannot make a pan. It has to be mixed with an appropriate quantity of betel nut and lime before it becomes a pan. Betel leaf is green in colour, betel nut is brown and lime is white. When mixed together in appropriate proportion, they form red colour. Lime adds taste to the pan, but when used in excess, it will burn the tongue. That is why it is said, Na Sreyo Niyamam Vina (no good accrues without the observance of rules).

Do Not Indulge In Vain Gossip The normal temperature of the body is 98.4° F. Fever sets in when the temperature crosses this limit. Likewise, the normal blood pressure of man is 120/80. When it shoots up to, say, 150/90, it becomes harmful. Likewise, everything should be under certain limit. Your speech and actions should also be within certain limits. Act as per your capacity. Before undertaking any activity, enquire, where, when and how it has to be done. If you do not adhere to such discipline, you will be inviting trouble. 52

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

All the spiritual practices will yield good results only when they are performed with purity of heart and steady mind. If you have the grace of God, there is nothing that you cannot accomplish in this world. When God can bring the dead back to life, can there be anything impossible for Him? He can change sky into earth and earth into sky, but you should pray with purity of heart to attain His grace. Do not indulge in vain gossip. How can you expect God to fulfil your wishes if you talk ill of others?

Destructive Power Of Anger You should see to it that women do not shed tears. Otherwise, the family will face hardships. A thorn can be removed from the foot, but a harsh word, which has wounded the heart, cannot be taken back. So, never use harsh words. Talk sweetly and softly. The husband has the right to point out the mistakes of his wife, but he has no right to use harsh words and hurt her feelings. You cannot always oblige, but you can speak always obligingly. The family will attain peace and prosperity once you observe these principles. Usually, the element of anger is more in men than in women. If you get angry once, the energy gained by you from the food consumed over three months will be destroyed. Not merely that, it also boils your blood which will take nearly three months to cool down. Such being the case, imagine what would be your fate if you lose your temper time and again.

God Always Does Only Good The story of Jarasandha bears ample testimony to this. Many a time, Krishna challenged him for a battle. However, when Jarasandha would come with fierce anger, Krishna would run away from the battlefield. Seeing this happen time and again, Krishna was asked the reason for His strange behaviour. Then 53

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Krishna replied, “Don’t be under the mistaken notion that I am running away from the battlefield out of fear. I can kill him in no time, but this is not the right time to kill him. By arousing his anger time and again, I am draining out all his strength.” Gradually, Jarasandha lost all his strength and ultimately met his doom. Krishna never considered it an insult to run away from the battlefield because he was acting according to his own masterplan. He adopted this method of conquering his enemy to teach an important lesson. All the plans of God are meant only for the welfare of others. He does not do anything for himself. God always does only good, which may appear to be bad to some people. Mistake lies in their vision, not in God’s creation. Whatever God does, it is always meant to help you and develop your sacredness. (SSS Vol.33), 11-08-2000

54

Some Stotrams for Lakshmi Puja Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om

Prakrityai Namah Vikrityai Namah Vidyaayai Namah Sarvabhuuta hitapradaayai Namah Shraddhaayai Namah Vibhuutyai Namah Surabhyai Namah Paramaatmikaayai Namah Vaache Namah

Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om

Padmaalayaayai Namah Padmaayai Namah Shuchaye Namah Svaahaayai Namah Svadhaayai Namah Sudhaayai Namah Dhanyaayai Namah Hiranmayyai Namah Laxmyai Namah Nityapushhtaayai Namah 55

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Om Vibhaavaryai Namah Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om

Adityai Namah Ditye Namah Diipaayai Namah Vasudhaayai Namah Vasudhaarinyai Namah Kamalaayai Namah Kaantaayai Namah Kaamaaxyai Namah Krodhasambhavaayai Namah Anugrahapradaayai Namah

Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om

Buddhaye Namah Anaghaayai Namah Harivallabhaayai Namah Ashokaayai Namah Amritaayai Namah Diiptaayai Namah Lokashokavinaashinyai Namah Dharmanilayaayai Namah Karunaayai Namah Lokamaatre Namah

Om Om Om Om Om Om

Padmapriyaayai Namah Padmahastaayai Namah Padmaaxyai Namah Padmasundaryai Namah Padmodbhavaayai Namah Padmamukhyai Namah 56

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Om Om Om Om

Padmanaabhapriyaayai Namah Ramaayai Namah Padmamaalaadharaayai Namah Devyai Namah

Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om

Padminyai Namah Padmagandhinyai Namah Punyagandhaayai Namah Suprasannaayai Namah Prasaadaabhimukhyai Namah Prabhaayai Namah Chandravadanaayai Namah Chandraayai Namah Chandrasahodaryai Namah Chaturbhujaayai Namah

Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om

Chandraruupaayai Namah Indiraayai Namah Indushiitalaayai Namah Aahlaadajananyai Namah Pushhtayai Namah Shivaayai Namah Shivakaryai Namah Satyai Namah Vimalaayai Namah Vishvajananyai Namah

Om Tushhtayai Namah Om Daaridryanaashinyai Namah Om Priitipushhkarinyai Namah 57

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Om Shaantaayai Namah Om Shuklamaalyaam baraayai Namah Om Shriyai Namah Om Bhaaskaryai Namah Om Bilvanilayaayai Namah Om Varaarohaayai Namah Om Yashasvinyai Namah Om Vasundharaayai Namah Om Udaaraa.Ngaayai Namah Om Harinyai Namah Om Hemamaalinyai Namah Om Dhanadhaanyakarye Namah Om Siddhaye Namah Om Strainasaumyaayai Namah Om Shubhapradaaye Namah Om Nripavesh magataanandaayai Namah Om Varalaxmyai Namah Om Vasupradaayai Namah Om Shubhaayai Namah Om Hiranyapraakaaraayai Namah Om Samudratanayaayai Namah Om Jayaayai Namah Om Ma.Ngalaa Devyai Namah Om Vishhnu vaxas sthala sthitaayai Namah Om Vishhnupatnyai Namah Om Prasannaaxyai Namah Om Naaraayana samaa shritaayai Namah Om Daaridryadhv.Nsinyai Namah 58

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Om Devyai Namah Om Sarvo padrava Vaarinyai Namah Om Navadurgaayai Namah Om Mahaakaalyai Namah Om Brahmaa vishhnu shivaat mikaayai Namah Om Trikaala gyaana sampannaayai Namah Om Bhuvaneshvaryai Namah

Sri Suktam Hiranya varnam harinim suvarna rajata srajam Chandram hiranmayim lakshmim jatavedo ma avaha (1) Tam ma avaha jatavedo lakshmim anapa gaminim Yasyam hiranyam vindeyam gam asvam purushan aham||(2) Ashwa purvam ratha madhyam hasti nada prabodhiním Shriyam deví mupahvaye shrír ma devír jushatam| (3) Kam soo smitam hiranya prakaram ardram jvalantím triptam tarpayantím Padme sthitam Padma varnam tami hopa hvaye shriyam||(4) Chandram prabhasam yashasa jvalantím shriyam loke deva justam udaram Tam padminim ím sarana maham prapadye’ alakshmír me nasyatam tvam vrne| (5) Aditya varne tapaso dhijato vanaspati stava vriksho’ tha bilvah 59

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Tasya phalani tapsa nudantu maya antarayas cha bahya alakshmíh||(6) Upaitu mam deva sakah kírtis cha manina saha Pradur bhuto’ smi rashtre’ smin kírti mriddhim dadatu me (7) Kshutpi pasaa malam jyestham alakshmím nashayamy aham Abhutim asamriddhim cha sarvan nirnuda me grihat||(8) Gandha dvaram dura dharşham nitya pushtam karíshiním Ishvarígm sarva bhutanam tami hopa hvaye shriyam| (9) Manasah kamam akutím vacah satya mashí mahi Pashunagm rupa mannasya mayi sríh shrayatam yashah||(10) Karda mena praja bhuta mayi sambhava kardama Sriyam vasaya me kule mataram Padma maliním| (11) Apah srijantu snigdhani chiklíta vasa me grihe Nicha devím mataram shriyam vasaya me kule||(12) Ardam pushkariním pushtim pingalam padma maliním Chandram hiran mayím lakshmím jata vedo ma avaha| (13) Ardhram yah kariním yashtim suvarnam hema maliním Suryam hiran mayím lakshmím jata vedo ma avaha||(14) Tam aavaha jatevedo lakshmím anapa gaminím Yasyam Hiranyam prabhutam gavo dasyo svan vindeyam purusha naham||(15) Ya suchi prayatho bhoothwa juhu yaada jyaman vaham Suktam pancha dasascha cha srikaama ssathatham japeth (16)

60

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Ananda, Kardamas chaiva Chikleedha ithi vishrutha, Rishayasthe bhayam prokthawa swayam sree devi devatha. (17)

Padma nane padma ooru, padamakshi padama sambhave, Twam maam bhajaswa padamakshi yena sowkhyam labhamyaham (18) Aswa dhayee cha go dhayee dhana dayee maha dhane, Dhanam me jusathaam devi sarva kaamartha siddhaye. (19) Puthra, pouthra, dhanam dhanyam hasthya swaadi gave radham, Prajaa naam bhavasi mathaa ayushmantham karothu maam Chandraa bham lakshmeem eesaanaam soorya bham sriyam easwareem, Chandra sooryagni sarvaa bham Sri Mahalakshmir upasmahe. (21) Dhanam agnir, dhanam vayur dhanam sooryor dhanam vasuhu, Dhanam indro brahaspathir varunam dhanam asnuthe (22) Vaina theya somam, pibha somam, pibhathu vruthraha, Somam dhanasya somino mahyam dadathu sominaha. (23) Na krodho na cha matsaryam na lobho naa shubha mathihi, Bhavanthi krutha punyanam bakthaanam Sri Suktham japeth Sada (24) Varshanthu the vibhavari dhivo abhrasya vidhuyutha, Rohanthu sarva bheejanyava brahma dweesho jahi. (25) Padma priye, padmini, Padma hasthe, padmalaye, Padma dalaaya thakshi

61

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Viswa priye Vishnu manonu koole twat pada padmam mayi sannidathswa (26) Ya sa Padma sanastha Vipula kati thati padma pathraya thakshi, Gambheera vartha nabhi sthana bhara namitha shubra vasthro ttareeya, (27) Lakshmeer divyai gajendrai mani gana kkachithai snapitha hema kumbhai, Nithyam sa padma hastha mama vasathu gruhe sarva mangalya yuktha. (28) Lakshmeem ksheera samudra raja thanayam, Sri ranga dhaameswareem, Dasee bhootha samastha deva vanithaam, Lokaika deepaan kuraam, Sriman manda kataksha labdha, Vibhava brahmendra ganga dharaam, Twaam trilokya kutumbinim sarasijaam, Vande mukunda priyaam. (29) Siddha Lakshmi moksha Lakshmir jayalakshmi saraswathi, Sri lakshmir vara Lakshmi cha prasanna bhava sarvada. (30) Varankushou pasama bheethi mudraam, Karai vahantheem, Kamala sanasthaam, Balar ka koti prathi bhaam trinethraam, Bajeha madyam jagadeeswareem thaam. (31)

Sarva Manggala Maanggalye Shive Sarva Artha Saadhike | Sharannye Try Ambake Devi Naaraayanni Namostu Te || Naaraayanni Namostu Te || Naaraayanni Namostu Te ||31||

62

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Sarasija Nilaye Saroja Haste Dhavalatara Amshuka Gandha Maalya Shobhe | Bhagavati Hari Vallabhe Manojnye Tri Bhuvana Bhuuti Kari Prasiida Mahyam ||32|| Vissnnu Patniim Kssamaam Deviim Maadhaviim Maadhava Priyaam | Vissnnoh Priya Sakhiim Deviim Namaamy Acyuta Vallabhaam ||33|| Mahaalakssmii Ca Vidmahe Vissnnu Patnii Ca Dhiimahi | Tan[t] No Lakssmiih Pracodayaat ||34||

Shrii Varcasyam Aayussyam Aarogyamaa Vidhaat Pavamaanam Mahiyate | Dhanam Dhaanyam Pashum Bahu Putra Laabham Shatasamvatsaram Diirgham Aayuh ||35||

Rnna Roga [A]adi Daaridrya Paapa Kssud Apamrtyavah | Bhaya Shoka Manastaapaa Nashyantu Mama Sarvadaa ||36|| Om maha devyai cha vidmahe, Vishnu patnaiya cha dhímahi Tanno Lakshmíh prachodayat|| (33) Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih. .

Mahalakshmi Ashtakam Namstestu mahamaye shripithe surapujite Sankhachakra gada haste mahalakshmi namostute.. 1 63

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Namaste garuda rudhe dolasura bhayankari Sarva papahare devi mahalakshmi namostute..2 Sarvajne sarva varade sarvadushtabhayankari Sarva dukha hare devi mahalakshmi namostute ..3 Sidhi budhi prade Devi bhukti mukti pradayini Mantramurte sada devi mahalakshmi namostute ..4 Adyantarahite devi adishakti maheswari Yogagye yogasambhute mahalakshmi namostute ..5 Stula Sukshma maharoudre mahashakti mahodare Maha papahare devi mahalakshmi namostute ..6 Padmasana sthite devi parabhrahma swarupini Paramesi janmata rmahalakshmi namostute ..7 Swetambara dhare devi nanalamkara bhushite Janthsthite janmata rmahalakshmi ramostute ..8 Mahalakshmyashtakam stotram yah pathet baktimannarah Sarvasidhi mavapnoti rajyam prapnoti sarvada ..9 Ekakale pathennityam mahapapa vinashanam Dwikalam yah pathennityam dhanadhanya samanvitah ..10 Trikalam yah pathennityam mahasatru vinashanam mahalakshmibhavennityam prasanna varada subha ..11 64

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Ashta Lakshmi Stotram Adhi Lakshmi (The Primeval Lakshmi) Sumanasa Vandhitha , Madhavi Chandra Sahodhari Hemamaye, Munigana Manditha , Moksha Pradhayini Manjula Bhashini , Veda Nuthe, Pankaja Vasini Deva Supoojitha Sadguna Varshani , Santhiyuthe, Jaya Jaya Hey Madhusoodhana Kamini Adhilakshmi Sada Palaya Maam. Dhanya Lakshmi - Lakshmi of Grains Ayio Kali Kalmasha Nasini, Kamini, Vaidhika Roopini, Veda Maye, Ksheera Samudhbhava Mangala Roopini, Manthra Nivasini, Manthranuthe, Mangala Dhayini, Ambuja Vasini, Deva Ganarchitha Padayuthe, Jaya Jaya He Madhusoodhana Kamini Dhanyalakshmi Sada Palaya Maam. Dairya Lakshmi -Lakshmi Of Courage Jaya Vara Varnani, Vaishnavi, Bhargavi, Manthra Swaroopini, Manthra Maye, Suragana Poojitha Seegra Phala Pradha , Jnana Vikasini, Sasthranuthe, Bhava Bhaya Harini, Papa Vimochini, Sadu Janarchitha Pada Yuthe, Jaya Jaya He Madhusoodhana Kamini 65

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Dairyalakshmi Sada Palaya Maam. Gaja Lakshmi - Lakshmi of Elephants Jaya Jaya Durgathi Nasini Kamini, Sarva Phala Pradha Sastra Maye, Rathha Gaja Thuraga Padathi Samavrutha, Parijana Manditha Lokanuthe, Harihara Brahma Supoojitha Sevitha , Thapa Nivarini Pada Yuthe, Jaya Jaya He Madhusoodhana Kamini Gajalakshmi Sada Palaya Maam. Santhana Lakshmi - Lakshmi Of Progeny Ayi Kagha Vahini, Mohini, Chakrini, Raga Vivrdhni , Jnanamaye, Gunagana Varidhi , Loka Hithaishini , Swara Saptha Bhooshitha Gana Nuthe, Sakala Surasura Deva Muneeswara , Manhava Vandhitha Padayuthe, Jaya Jaya He Madhusoodhana Kamini Santhanaalakshmi Sada Palaya Maam. Vijayalakshmi - Lakshmi of Victory Jaya Kamalasini , Sadgathi Dayini, Jnana Vikasini Ganamaye, Anudina Marchitha Kumkuma Dhoosara Bhooshitha Vaasitha Vadhyanuthe, Kanakadhara Sthuthi Vaibhava Vanditha Shankara Desika Manyapathe, Jaya Jaya He Madhusoodhana Kamini 66

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Vijayalakshmi Sada Palaya Maam Vidhya Lakshmi -Lakshmi of Knowledge Pranatha Sureswari , Bharathi , Bhargavi Shoka Vinasini, Rathna Maye, Mani Maya Bhooshitha Karma Vibhooshana, Santhi Samavrutha Hasyamukhe, Nava Nidhi Dhayini Kalimala Harini, Kamitha Phalapradha Hasthayuthe, Jaya Jaya He Madhusoodhana Kamini Vidhyalakshmi Sada Palaya Maam. Dhana Lakshmi (Lakshmi Of Wealth) Dhimidhimi Dhindhimi Dhindhimi Dhindhimi, Dundubhi Nada Supoornamaye, Ghumaghuma Ghumaghuma Ghumaghuma, Sankha Ninadha Suvadhyanoothe, Veda Puranethihasa Supoojitha, Vaidhika Marga Pradarsayuthe, Jaya Jaya He Madhusoodhana Kamini Danalakshmi Sada Palaya Maam.

Sri Lakshmi Saharsanama Stothram Hari Om Namnaam saashta sahasram cha broohi Gargya, Mahamathe, Mahalakshmyaa Maha devyaaha bhukthi mukthyartha sidhaye 67

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Gargya uvacha Sanathkumara massenam dwadasahithya sannibham, Apruchan Yogino bhkthyaa yogi nama artha sidhaye. Sarva loukeeka karmebhyo vimukthaanaam hithaaya vai, Bhukthi mukthi pradhamjaya manu broohi dhayanidhe. Sanathkumara Bhagawan , Sarvagno asi viseshatha, Asthikya sidhaye nrunaam kshipram dharmartha sadhanam. Yadhyanthi manava sarve dhana bhaavena kevalam, Sidhyanthi dhanino anyasya naiva Dharmatha Kamana. Daridhrya dwamsini nama kena vidhyaa prakeerthithaa, Kena vaa Brhama vidhyapi kena mruthyu vinasyathi. Sarvaasaam saara bhoothai saa vidhyaanaam kerrthithaa, Prathyaksha sidhidhira Brahman, Thamachakshwa Dhayanidhe. Sanathkumara Uvacha Sadhu prushtam Maha Bhagaa, sarva loka hithyashanaaha, Brahma Vishnu Mahadeva, mahendradhi mahathmabhihi, Samproktham kadhayamyadhya Lakshmi nama sahasrakam. Yathyocharana manthrena daridryoth muchyathe naraha. Kim punastha japajjapi sarveshta arthanavapnuyath.

Nyasa Asya Sri Lakshmi divya sahasra nama sthotra maha manthrasya

68

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Ananda kardhama chikleethendraa sthaadhayo Mahathmano maharshaya , Anushtup chanda, Vishnu maya Shakthihi, Maha Lakshmi Paraa devathaa, Dhyanam Padma nabha priyam devim Padmakshim Padma vasinim, Padma vakraam, Padma hasthaam Vande Padmaa maharnisam. Poornendu Bindu vadanam, rathnabharana bhooshithaam, Varada bhaya hasthaadyam dyaayeth chandra sahodharim. Ichar roopaam bhagwathaha sachidananda roopinim, Sarvagnaam sarva jananim Vishnu vaksha sthalaa layam, Dayalu manisam dhyayeth suka sidha swaroopinim. yathopadesham Moola mantram japitwa Yath kramam deveya samshya That sambhavi mudraya Sree Lakshmi sahasranama stotram japet

Thousand and eight names Hari om Nithyagatha Anantha nithya Nandini Jana ranjini Nithya Prakasini Chaiva Swaprakasa swaroopini

||1||

Maha Lakshmir Maha kalim Maha kanya Saraswathi Bhoga vaibhava sandhathri Bhakthaa anugraha karini

||2||

69

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Easa vaasya Maha maya Maha devi Maheswari Hrul lekha Paramaa Shakthi Mathruka bheeja roopini

||3||

Nithayananda Nithyabhodha Naadini Jana modini Sathya prat yayani Chaiva Swaprakash atmaroopini

||4||

Tripura Bhairavi Vidhyaa Hamsaa Vagheswari Shivaa Vagdevi cha Maha rathri Kalarathri Trilochana

||5||

Bhadrakali Karali cha Mahakali Thilothama Kali Karala vakrantha Kamakshi Kamadha Shubhaa

||6||

Chandika Chanda roopesa Chaamunda Chakradharini Trilokya janani Devi Trilokya vijayoothama

||7||

Sidhalakshmir Kriyalakshmir Moksha Lakshmir Prasadini Uma Bhagwathi Durgaa Chaandri Dakshayani Shikaa ||8|| Prathyangira Dharaa Velaa Lokamatha Haripriya Parvathi Paramaa Devi Brahma vidhyaa pradhayini

||9||

Aroopa Bahu roopa Cha Viroopaa Viswaroopini Pancha bhoothathmikaa Vani Pancha bhoothathmika Paraa |10|| Kaalika Panjikaa Vaagmi Havi Prathyaksha devatha Deva mata Suresana Veda garbha Ambika Dhruthihi

|11||

Sankhya Jaathi Kriya Shakthihi Prakruthi Mohini Mahi Yagna Vidya Mahaa vidhya Guhya Vidhya Vibhavari

||12||

70

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Jyothishmati Maha mata Sarva mantra phala pradha Daridhrya dwamsini Devi Hrudhya grandhi beedhini

||13||

Sahasr adhithya sangasa Chandrika Chandra roopini Gayathri Soma sambhoothi Savithri Prana vathmika

||14||

Saankari Vaishnavi Braahmi Sarva deva namaskrutha Sevyaa durga Kubherakshi Karaveera nivaasini

||15||

Jayaa Cha Vijayaa chaiva Jayanthi chaaparajitha Kubhjika Kaalika Sasthri Veenaa pusthaka dharini

||16||

Sarvagna shakthi Sri Shakthihi Brahma Vishnu Shivathmika Idaa pingalika madhyaa mrunaali thanthu roopini ||17|| Yajneesani Pradhaa Deeskhaa Dakshinaa Sarva Mohini Ashtanga yogini Devi Nirbheeja dhyana gocharaa

||18||

Sarva theertha sthithaa Shuddha Sarva parvatha vasini Veda Sashthra Prabha Devi Kshadan gadhi pada krama

|19||

Shivaa Dhathri Shubhaa nandha Yagnakarma swaroopini Vrathini Menaka Devi Brahmaani Brahmacharini

||20||

Ekaashara para Tharaa Bhavabanda Vinaasini Viswam bhaara Dharaadhaara Niradhara Adhik swaraa

||21||

Raakaa Kuhoor Amavasya Poornima Anumathi Dhruthi Siniivaali Shivaa Vasyaa Vaiswadevi Pisangilaa

||22||

71

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Pippalaa cha Visalakshi Rakshogni Vrushti kaarini Dushta vidhraa vini Devi Sarvopadrava nasini

||23||

Saaradhaa Sarasandhaana Sarva Sasthra swaroopini Yudha madhya sthithaa Devi Sarva Bhootha prabhanjani

|24||

Ayuddha Yudharoopa Cha Santhaa Santhi swaroopini Ganga Saraswathi Veni Yamuna Narmadha pagaa

||25||

Samudhra vasanaa vasaa BrahmaAnda srenimekhala Panchavakthra Dasa bhujaa Shuddha sphatika sannibha

||26||

Rakthaa Krushnaa Sitha Peetha Sarva varnaa Nireeswari Kaalikaa Chakrikaa Devi Sathyaa tu Batukaa Sthithaa

||27||

Tharuni Vaaruni Naree Jyeshtaa Devi Sureswari Viswambara Dharaa Karthree Galar gala Vibhanjini

||28||

Sandhyaa Rathri Divaa Jyothsnaa Kalaa Kashtaa Nimeshikaa Urvee Kathyayani Shubra Samsaraa navathaarini ||29|| Kapilaa Keelikaa Asoka Mallika Navamalika Devika Nandika Shantha Bhanjika Bhaya bhanjika

||30||

Koushiki Vaidhiki Devi Souri Roopadhika Athibhaa Digvasthra Nava vasthra Cha Kanyaka Kamalodh bhava

||31||

Sree Soumya lakshanaa theetha durgaa Soothra prabodhika Sradha Medha Kruthi Pragnaa Dhaarana Kanthi revacha ||32||

72

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Sruthir, Smruthir, druthir Dhanya Bhoothi Ishteer Maneeshini Virakthir Vyapini Mayaa Sarva maya prabhanjani ||33|| Maahendri Manthrini Simhi Iindra jala swaroopini Avastha traya nirmuktha Guna traya vivarjitha

||34||

Eeshanya thraya nirmuktha Sarva roga vivarjitha Yogi dhyan antha gamya cha Yoga dhyana parayana

||35||

Thrayee Shikhaa viseshakgna Vedantha Jnana roopini Bharathi Kamala Bhasha Padmaa Padmavathi Kruthihi

||36||

Gowthami Gomathi Gowri Ishaanaa Hamsavahini Narayani Prabha dhara Jahnavi Shankarathmaja

||37||

Chithra ghanta Sunanda Sri Manavi Manu sambhava Sthambhini Kshobhini Maari Bhraamini Shatru marini

||38||

Mohini Dweshini Veera Aghoraa Rudra roopini Rudra Ekadasini Punyaa Kalyani Labhakarini

||39||

Devadurga Maha doota Swapna durgaAshta bhairavi Surya chadragni roopa cha Graha nakshatra roopini

||40||

Bindu nadha kala thetha Bindu nadha kalatmika Dasa vayu jayaakaraa Kalaa Shoda sha samyutha

||41||

Kaasyapi Kamala Devi Nadha Chakra nivaasini Mrudaa dhaara Sthiraa Guhya Devikaa Chakra roopini

||42||

73

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Avidhyaa Saarvaree Bhunjaa Jambaa sura nibarhini Sri kaayaa Srikalaa Shubraa Karma nirmoola karini

||43||

Aadhilakshmir Gunaa dharaa Pancha brahmaathmika Paraa Sruthir Brahma mukhaa vasaa Sarva sampathi roopini ||44|| Mrutha sanjeevini Maithree Kaamini Kamavarjitha Nirvaana margadhaa devi Hamsini Kasikaa Kshama

||45||

Saparya Guni ni Bhinna Nirgunaa khandithaa Shubha Swamini Vedini Shakya Shaambhari Chakra Dharini

||46||

Dandini Mundini Vyagri Shikiny Soma sam hathihi Chinthamani Chidaa nandhaa Pancha banaa prabodhini

||47||

Bana sreni Sahasthrakshi Sahasra bhujja Padukaa Sandhya vallee Tri sandhyakhya Bramaanda mani bhooshana | Vasavi daaruni sena Kulika Manthra ranjani Jita prana swaroopa cha Kantaa Kamya vara pradha

||49||

Mantra Braahmana Vidhyartha Nadha roopa Havishmathi Aathar vani Sruthihi Soonyaa Kalpana varjithaa Sati ||50|| Sathaa Jathi Pramaa meyaa Pramithi Pranadhaa Gathihi Avarnaa Pancha varnaa cha Sarvadhaa Bhuvaneswari

||51||

Trilokya mohini Vidhyaa Sarva bharthree Ksharaa ksharaa Hiranyavarnaa Harini Sarvopadrava naasini ||52||

74

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Kaivalya padavi Rekha Soorya mandala sam sthithaa Soma Mandala Madhyastha Vahni mandala sam sthithaa

|53||

Vayu mandala madhyastha Vyoma mandala sam sthithaa Chakrikaa Chakra madhyastha Chakra marga pravarthini

||54||

Kokilaa kula chakreesa Pakshati Pankthi paavani Sarva sidhantha margastha Shad varnaa Varavarjitha

||55||

Sara rudhra haraa Hanthri Sarva samhara karini Purushaa Pourushee Thushtihi Sarva thanthra prasoothikaa ||56 Ardha nareeswari Devi Sarva Vidhyaa pradahyani Bharga viya jhushi vidhyaa Sarvo upanishadhaa sthithaa

|57||

Vyomakesa Akhila praana Pancha kosa vilakshanaa Pancha kosathmika Prath yak Panch Brahmathmika Shivaa ||58 Jaga jjara janitri cha Pancha karma prasoothika Vagdevya bharana kaara Sarva kamya sthitha Sthithi

||59||

Ashtaa dasa chatur Sashti peetikaa Vidhyaya uthaa Kaalikaa karshanna Shyamaa Yakshini Kinnareswari

||60||

Kethaki Mallika Asoka Vaarahi Dharani Dhruvaa Naarasimhi Mahograsaya Bhakthaa naamarthi naasini

||61||

Anthar balaa Sthiraa Lakshmihi Jaraa marana nasini Sri Ranjitha Maha kaaya Soma suryagni lochana

||62||

75

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Adhithir Deva matha cha Ashta putri ashta yogini Ashta Prakruthi Ashta aashta vibhraja dwikruthaa kritihi

|63||

Durbhiksha dwamsini Devi Sithaa Sathya cha Rukmini Kshyatijaa Bhargavi Devi Devayoni Thapaswini

||64||

Sakambari Mahasonaa Garudopari samsthithaa Simhaga Vyagraga Devi Vayuga cha Mahadriga Akaara dhik shakaa raantha Sarva vidhyadhi devatha Mantra vyakhyana nipuna Jyothi sasthraika lochana Idaa pingalika madhyaa su shumnaa grandhi bedini Kala chakraa srayopetha Kaalachakra swaroopini Vaisaaradhi Mathi sreshta Varishtaa Sarva dheepika Vai nayaki Varaaroha Sroni velaa Bahir balihi

||65|| ||66||

|67|| ||68||

Jammini Jrumbhini Jumba Karini Ganakarika Sharini Chakrikaa nanthaa Sarva vyadhi chikith saki

||69||

Devaki Deva sankaasa Vaaridhi Karunaakaara Sarvaree Sarva Sampanna Sarva papa prabhanjini

||70||

Eka maatra Dwimathra cha Trimaatra cha tata para Ardha mathraa Paraa Sookshmaa Sookshmaardha paraaparaa71 Eka veeraa Viseshaakhyaa Shashtee Devi Manaswini Naiskarmya Nishkalaa loka Jnana karmadhikaa Gunaa

72

Sabandhwa nanda sandhohaa Vyomaakaaraa Aniroopithaa Gadhya padhya thmikaa Vani Sarvaa lankaara samyuktha 73 76

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Sadhu bandha pada nyasa Sarvoka Ghatikaa valihi Shadkarma Karkashaa karaa Sarva karma vivarjitha Aadithya varnaa chaaparnaa Kamini Vara roopini Brahmaani Brahma Santhana Vedavagi Easwari Shivaa

75

Puraana nyaya meemamsaa dharma Sasthraa gama sruthaa Sadhyo veda vathi Sarvaa Hamsee Vidhyadhi devatha 76 Visweswari Jagadhatri Viswa nirmana karini Vaidheeki Veda roopa cha Kaalika Kala roopini

77

Narayani Mahadevi Sarva Thathwa pravarthini Hiranya varna roopa Cha Hiranya pada sambhava

78

Kaivalya padavi Punyaa Kaivalya Jnana lakshithaa Brahma sampathi roopa cha Brahma sampathi karini

79

Vaaruni Vaarunaaradhyaa Sarva karma pravarthini Yekaa kshara para yukthaa Sarva daridrya bhanjani

80

Paasan kusaan vithaa Divyaa Veena vyaa khyaksha suthra bruth Eka moorthi Thrayee murthi Madhu kaidabha bhanjini 81 Saankhyaa Sankhyavathi Jwaala Jwalanthi Kama roopini Jaagranthi Sarva Sampathi Sushupthaa Sweshta dhayini

82

Kaapalini Maha damshtraa Bhrukuti kutilaa nana Sarvaa vaasa Suvaasaa cha Bruhatya this cha Shakkari

92

77

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Chandhogana prathistha cha Kalmaashi Karunaatmikaa Chakshush mathi Maha ghooshaa Gadga charma dharaaanihi Shilpa vaichitrya vidhyothaa Sarvathoo Bhadra vasini Achinthya lakhshanaa kara Suthra bhaashya nibhandhanaa Sarva vedartha Sampathihi Sarva sasthraatha mathrukaa Aakaradhi kshakarantha sarva varna krutha sthala Sarva Lakshmihi Sadananda Saara Vidhyaa Sadashivaa Sarvagnaa Sarva Shakthis cha Kechari roopa goo chrithaa Annimaadi gunoo pethaa Paraa Kaashtaa Paraa Gathihi Hamsa yuktha vimaan asthaa Hamsaa rooda Sashi prabhaa Bhavaani Vaasanaa shakthihi Aakruthis thaa Khilaa khilaa Thantra hethur Vichitraangi Vyoma gangaa vinodhini Varshaa cha Vaarshikaa chaiva Rig Yajur Sama roopini Maha Nadhi Nadhi punyaa ganyaa punya guna kriyaa Samadhi gata labhyaar thaa Srotha vya Swapriyaa grunaa Naama akshara paraa Devi Upasarga nakhaan chita Nipaa tooru dwayee Jangaa Mathrukaa Manthra roopini Aaseenaa cha Shayanaa cha Thish tanthi Dhava naadhikaa Lakshya Lakshana yogaadyaa Thaad roopya ganana kruthi Saika roopa Naika roopaa chenchu roopa Tada kruthi

78

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Samaastha dwi dhaakaara Vibhakthi vachanathmikaa Swaahakaraa Swadhakara sri prat yardhaanga nandhini Gambheera Gahanaa Guhyaa Yoni lingardha dharini Sesha Vasuki samsevyaa Cha palaa Vara varninee Kaarunya kaara Sampathi Keela krun Manthra keelikaa Shakthi bheejathmikaa Sarva manthreshtaa Aksheya kaamanaa Aagneyi Parthivaa Aapyaa Vaaya vya Vyoma kethanaa Sathya jnanathmikaa Nandaa Braahmee Brahma Sanaathani Avidhyaa Vasanaa Mayaa Prakruthihi Sarva Mohini Shakthir Dhaaranaa shakthis cha Chida chi shakthi yogini

Vak tra aruna Mahaa maya Mareechir Mada mardhini Viraat Swaha Swadha Shudhaa Niroopasti Su bhakthigaa Nirupitha dwayi vidhyaa Nithyaa Nithya swaroopini Vairaja maarga sanchaaraa Sarva sath patha darsini Jaalandhari Mrudaani cha Bhavaani Bhava bhanjani Trikaalika Jnana thanthu Trikala Jnana dhayini Nadaa teetaa smruthihi Pragnaa Dhathri roopa Tripushkaraa Paraajitaa Vidhaanagnaa Visheshitha gunathmikaa Hiranyakesini Hema brhama suthra vichakshanaa Asan khyeya paraar dhanta swara vyanjana vaikharee 79

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Madhu jihwa Madhumati Madhu masoo dayaa Madhuhu Madhavi cha Mahaabhaagaa Megha Gambheera niswanaa Brhama Vishnu Mahesaadhi jnatha vyarthaa viseshagaa Naabhou vahni shikhaa kaaraa Lalate Chandra sannibhaa Broo madhye bhaskaraa kaaraa Sarva taara kruthir hrudhi Kruthi kaadi bharan yantha naksh threstha chitho dayaa Graha vidhyathmika Jyothir Jyothir vinmathi Jeevikaa Brahmaanda garbhini Balaa Saptaa varana devathaa Vairaajottama samraajyaa Kumaara kusalodayaa Bagalaa Bramarambaa cha Shiva Doothi Shivathmikaa Meru vindhyaadhi samsthaanaa Kasmeera pura vasini Yoga nidhra Maha nidhra Vinidhraa Raakshaa sritaa Suvarnada Maha Gangaa Panchaakhyaa Pancha samhathi Suprajaathaa Suveerya cha Suposhaa Supatihi Shivaa Sugruha Raktha bheejaantaa Hata kandarpa jeevika Samudhra vyoma madhyasthaa Sama Bindhu samaasrayaa Soubhagya rasa jeevathuhu Saara saara viveka druhu Trivalyadhi supushtaangaa Bharathi Bharatha sritaa Naada Brahma mayi Vidhyaa Jnana brahma mayee paraa Brhama naadhi Niruk this cha Brahma kaivalya sadhanaa

80

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Kaali keya Mahodaara veerya Vikrama roopini Vadavaagni shikhaa vakraa Maha kavala tharpanaa Maha bhoothaa Maha darpaa Maha saaraa Maha krathu Pancha Bhootha maha grasa Pancha bhoothadhi devathaa Sarva pramaana Sampathi Sarva roga prati kriyaa Brhamand anthar bahir vyaapta Vishnu Vaksho vibhooshini Shaankari Vidhi Vaktrasthaa Prava raa Vara hethuki Hema mala Shikhaa maala Trishikhaa Pancha lochanaa Sarvaa gama sadaachara maryaadhaa Yathu bhanjani Punya sloka prabhan dhadyaa Sarvantharyami roopini Saama gana samaaradhya Srothra karna rasayana Jeeva lokaika jeevatur Bhadro dhara vilokanaa Thadith koti lasad kanthi Tharuni Hari sundari Meena nethraa cha sendraakshi Visalakshi Sumangalaa Sarva mangala sampanna Sakshath mangala devatha Deha hrud deepikaa Deepthihi Jihwa papa pranasini Ardha chandro llasad damshtra Yajna vati vilasini Maha Durgaa Mahoth saha Maha deva balodhaya Daki needyaa Shaki needyaa Saaki needyaa Samastha jutth Nirankushaa Naaki vandhyaa Shadaa dhaaraadhi devatha

81

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Bhuvana jnani nisreni Bhuvanaa kaara vallari Shasvathi Shasvathaa kaaraa Lokaa anugraha karini Saarasi Maanasi Hamsi Hamsa loka pradhayini Chin mudhraa lan krutha karaa Koti Surya sama Prabha Sukha prani siro rekhaa Nada dhrushta pradhayini Sarva saankarya doshagni Grahoo padrava nasini Kshudra janthu bhayagni cha Visha rogaadhi bhanjani Sadhaa Saanthaa Sadhaa Shuddhaa Gruha chidra nivarini Kali dosha prasamani Kolahala pura sthithaa Gouri Laakshaniki Mukhyaa Jagnyaa kruthi varjithaa Mayaa Vidhyaa Moola bhoothaa Vaasavi Vishnu chethanaa Vaadini Vasu Roopaa cha Vasu ratna paricchadha Chandasi Chadra hrudhaya Mantra swacchanda bhairavi Vana maala Vaijayanthi Pancha divyaa yudhathmikaa Pethaambara mayee Chanchat Kausthubhaa Hari kamini Nityaa Satyaa Ramaa Raama Ramani Mruthyubhanjini Jyeshtaa Kaashtaa Dhanisht aanthaa Saraangi Nirguna priya Maithreyaa Mitra Vindaa cha Seshya sesha kaalasaya Vaaraanasi vaasa labhya chaarya varta jana stuta Jagad uthpati samsthaana samhaara trya kaaranam

82

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Twam amba Vishnu sarvaswam , namasthe sthu maheswari Namasthe sarva lokaanaam janayai Punya murthaye Sidha Lakshmi Maha Kali, Mahalakshmir Namosthuthe, Sadhyo jataadhi panchaagni roopa panchaka panchakam Yanthra lakshmir bhavat yaadir adhyaa dhyethe namo namaha, Srush tyadhi kaaranaa kara vitate dosha varjithe. Jagan lakshmir jagan mathaha Vishnu pathni Namosthuthe, Nava koti maha Shakthihi samupaasya padambhuje Kanath souvarna ratnaadyaa Sarva bharana bhooshithe Anantaa nithya mahishi Prapancheswara nayaki Athyut chrita padaan tasthe Parama vyoma naayaki Naaka prushta gathaaraadhye Vishnu loka vilasini Vaikunta Raja mahishi Sri Ranga nagaraa srithe Ranga Nayaki Bhooputhri Krushne Varada vallabhe Koti Brhamadhi samsevye Koti Rudhradhi keerthithe Maatu lunga mayam Khetham Souvarna cha shakam tata Padma dwayam , Poornakumbham , Keeram cha, Varadhabhaye Paasa mam ku Shanko cha chakram Shoolam Krupanikaam Dhanur baanow Chaaksha malaam Chinmudhram ati Bibrathi Ashtaadasa bhuje Lakshmihi Mahaasthaa dasa peetage

83

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Bhoomi neeladhi samsevye Swami chithaanu varthini Padme Padmalaye Padmi Poorna kumbhaabhi shechite Indire Indhiraabhakshi Ksheera sagara Kanyake Bhargavi twam swatanthre cha Vasee Krutha jagat pathihi Mangalam mangalaa naam twam Devathaa naam cha devathaa Twam Utha moo thama naam cha Twam Sreya parmaa mrutham Dhan dhaanyaabhi vrudhischa saarva bhouma sukhochaya Aandho likaadi Soubhagyam Mathe bhaadi mahodhaya Puthra pouthrabhi vridhischa Vidhya Bhoga baladhikam Ayur arogya sampathir ashataiswaryam twamewa hi Pada mewa Vibhoothis cha Sookshmath sookshma tharaa Gathihi Sadaya paanga sandatha brahmendradhi pada sthithi Avyaa hata Mahabhagyaam twa mewaa kshobhya vikramaaha Saman vayas cha Vedaa naam avirodha twa me wahi Nis reyasa pada prapthi saadhanam phala meva Cha Sri Manthra raja Rajni cha Srividhyaa Kshema karini Sreem Bheeja japa santhushtaa Iym, hreem Sreem Bheeja palika Prappathi marga sulabhaa Vishnu pradhama kinkali Kleem kaaratha savithri cha Soumangalyadhi devatha Sri Shoda sakshari vidhyaa Sri Yanthra pura vasini 84

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

Sarva mangala Mangalye Shive Sarvartha sadhake, Saranye trayambake Devi Narayani namosthuthe Puna punar namosthesthu sasthangam mayutham punaha Sanathkumara Uvacha Evam sthuthaa Mahalakshmir, Brahma Rudhradhibhir surai, Namadhbirrathrair dheenaicha nisSwathvair Bhoga varjithai, Jyeshtaa Jyeshtaischa ni srekai samsara swa parayanai, Vishnu pathni dadhou theshaam darasanam drushti darpanam Sarath poornendu kotyabha davala panga veekshanai, Sarvaan Sathwa samavishtaan Chakre hrushta varam dhadhou. Sri Maha Lakshmir Uvacha:Naam naam saastha sahasram may pramadhaa dwapi ya sakruth, Keerthaye that kule sathyam vasaamya chandra tarakam. Kim punar niyamaa japthuhu aneyka charanasya cha, Mathru vath sanuka paham poshakee syam aharnisam Mannama smraathaam loke durlabham nasthi chinthitham, Math prasadena sarvepi swadweshtaa arthamavapnuyath. Luptha Vaishnava dharmasya mad vrut theshwaa keerthinaha, Bhakthi prappathi heenasya vandhyo naamanaam japapi may. Thasmad avasyam thair doshai viheena papa varjithaha, Japeeth sashtha sahasram may naam naam prathyaham aadharaath. Sakshadalakshmi puthropi durbhaghyo apya also apivaa, Aprayathnaapi Moodopi vikala pathithopi cha Avasyam prapnuyath bhagyam math prasadena kevalam, Spruheya machiraa devaa varadhanaya japinaaha. 85

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Sanathkumara Uvacha Ithyukthwaa andhardhadhe Lakshmi Vaishnavi Bhagawat kala Ishtaapoortha c cha sukrutham bhagadeyam cha chinthitham, Thadedath pravadhamyadhya Lakshmi nama sahasrakam, Yoginaa padath Kshipram chinthitratha navapyasatha. Gargya Uvacha Sanath kumaro Yogeendra ithyukthwaa cha daya nighi, Anugrahya yayou kshipram thaaamsha dwadasa yogina Thasmas yedath sahasrayam cha gopyam japyam prayathnatha, Ashtam yam cha Chathurdasyam navam yam , brugu vasare. Poourna masyam mamaayaam cha parva kale viseshatha, Japeth vaa nithya karyeshu sarvaan kamaan navaapnuyath Ithi Sri Skanda purane Sanath kumara samithaayaam Sri Lakshmi sahasra nama sthothram sampoornam.

86

Bibliography Sathya Sai Speaks: Discourses Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Vol. 1). (n.d.). Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India: Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust. Sathya Sai Speaks: Discourses Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Vol. 14). (n.d.). Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh , India: Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust. Sathya Sai Speaks: Discourses Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba (2nd ed., Vol. 6). (n.d.). Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh, India: Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust. Sathya Sai Speaks: Discourses Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Vol. 12). (n.d.). Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh , India: Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust. Sathya Sai Speaks: Discourses Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Vol. 41). (n.d.). Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India: Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust. Sathya Sai Speaks: Discourses Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Vol. 9). (n.d.). Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh, India: Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust.

87

Varalakshmi Vratam: Celebrating the Glory of Indian Womanhood

Sathya Sai Speaks: Discourses Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Vol. 27). (1994). Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh, India: Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust. Retrieved from http://www.sssbpt.info/english/sssvol27.html Sathya Sai Speaks: Discourses Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Delivered during 1998 (First Edition ed., Vol. 31). (n.d.). Prasanthi Nilayam Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh , India: Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust. Sathya Sai Speaks: Discourses Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Delivered during 2000 (First Edition ed., Vol. 33). (n.d.). Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India: Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust . Sathya Sai Speaks: Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Delivered during 2001 (First Edition ed., Vol. 34). (2001). Prasanthi Nilayam,, Andhra Pradesh, India: Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust. Sathya Sai Speaks: Discourses Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Delivered During 2001 (First Edition ed.). (2003). Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India: Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust. Sathya Sai Speaks: Discourses Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Delivered During 2005 (Vol. 38). (n.d.). Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India: Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust. Sathya Sai Speaks: Discourses Of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Delivered During 2009 (First Edition ed., Vol. 42). (July 2010). Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India: Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust.

88

Develop Self-confidence, Maintain Self-respect

89