Mahalakshmi Vrat Katha | Legends of Mahalakshmi Vrat

Mahalakshmi Vrat Katha

After hearing the Vidhana, i.e., procedure of the Mahalakshmi Vrat from Lord Shiva, Lord Skanda said - "O Lord! Who first observed this Vrat? Who made this Vrat known in the world? If You have affection for me, then kindly narrate the true account of this Vrat Katha."

Lord Shiva said - "In ancient times, a brave and mighty emperor named Mangalarna ruled as a sovereign monarch. His magnificent capital was known as Kundana Nagara. He had a righteous wife whose name was Padmavati. In due course, a Brahmin came before him seeking service. The king named that Brahmin Ajnata (अज्ञात), but later that righteous Brahmin became renowned by the name Tavallaka. One day, the king went to the forest for hunting. In the forest, he hunted many wild boars and deer. After the hunt, being tormented by thirst, he rested at the foot of a tree and sent his attendants in all directions in search of water. His attendants became exhausted while searching, yet they could not find water anywhere. Tavallaka too was diligently searching for water throughout the forest.

While searching for water, Tavallaka reached near a cavern, where there was a divine lake filled with exceedingly beautiful lotus flowers. At the lake, Tavallaka beheld Deva Kanya, i.e., divine maidens adorned with beautiful garments and ornaments. Those divine maidens were worshipping Goddess Mahalakshmi as part of a Vrat observance. Seeing them engaged in such worship, Tavallaka asked them - 'O Goddesses! What are you doing? Kindly describe it.'

Those women replied - 'We are all observing the Mahalakshmi Vrat with faith and devotion. This Vrat is a meritorious observance that fulfills all desires.' After learning the greatness of this Vrat, Tavallaka also undertook the Mahalakshmi Vrat. Thereafter, taking permission from those divine maidens, he quickly departed from there with water for the king. After giving water to the king to drink, he sat in front of him.

After drinking the water, the king saw Sutra, i.e., a sacred thread (cord) tied on Tavallaka's hand and asked him - 'O noble Brahmin! What is this thread on your hand? Have you observed some Vrat?' Tavallaka narrated the entire incident that had occurred at that lake before the king. Upon hearing the procedure of that Vrat, the king also undertook the Vrat and returned to his city along with Tavallaka.

After arriving at the palace, the king began to enjoy himself with his wife Padmavati. His wife was of a very angry temperament. While they were together, her gaze fell upon the thread tied on the king's hand. Becoming extremely enraged, she said - 'Which woman has tied this thread on your hand? Who is that woman who has captivated you?'

Hearing the queen's angry words, the king said - 'Don't speak anything further. This is the sacred thread of the noble Mahalakshmi Vrat.' Even after being explained by King Mangalarna, the queen's anger did not subside. She tore the thread from his hand and cast it into a blazing fire. At this audacity of the queen, the king became deeply angered and distressed and said - 'O Queen! Being overcome by your foolishness, you have committed a grievous sin.' Saying this, in anger the king took the queen into a dense forest and abandoned her there. Thus, by disrespecting the Vrat, only that wicked queen suffered loss; the king did not suffer any harm.

As a consequence of insulting Goddess Mahalakshmi, the queen left the royal palace and reached a waterless forest. She wandered here and there in search of shelter. While roaming in the forest, she saw an Ashrama. That Ashrama was surrounded by various wild animals and peaceful black deer. It appeared extremely beautiful and charming. Near the Ashrama, she beheld Rishi Vasistha.

Upon seeing Vasistha Ji, the queen wept and fell at his feet, and while crying out in pain, she fainted. Sage Vasistha, through his Yogic power and meditation, understood the entire suffering of the queen. The sage realized that her misery had arisen due to her disrespect for Goddess Mahalakshmi. Therefore, the sage had her observe the same Mahalakshmi Vrat. By the effect of the Vrat, the queen's mind became pure and peaceful.

Meanwhile, King Mangalarna again came to that very forest for hunting, where the queen was living in exile. The king shot an arrow at a deer, which, being wounded, began to run, and the king followed it until he reached near the Ashrama of Vasistha Ji. Vasistha Ji offered hospitality to the king. At that time, the king saw outside the Ashrama a very beautiful doe-eyed woman moving about. The expressions of that woman captivated the heart of the king.

Addressing that woman, the king said - 'O beautiful one! O enchanting lady! Who are you, and why are you wandering in this dense forest? O one with a charming smile, are you a Kinnari or a Yakshini? My heart has become enamored of you. I have become bound in the noose of your love. You too love me and accept my proposal of affection, O beloved.'

Hearing these loving and sweet words from the king, that beautiful woman said - 'O King! I am your own consort! Recognize me, for I love only you. Because I had disrespected the Mahalakshmi Vrat, you abandoned me, and thus I have been dwelling here in exile in this condition. The great sage Vasistha Ji granted me refuge in this Ashrama adorned with beautiful trees and flowers and, showing compassion upon me, had me observe the Mahalakshmi Vrat in full accordance with the prescribed rites and procedures for the removal of all my sufferings. By the merit of that Vrat, Mother Mahalakshmi has granted me this beauty and radiance.'

Hearing these words from her mouth, the king's eyes blossomed like lotuses. Thereafter, he sought permission from Sage Vasistha to take his wife with him and soon mounted a chariot adorned with flags and banners along with his attendants and returned to the city with his beloved consort Padmavati. All the subjects followed their emperor, offering salutations and victory cries. Thereafter, the entire populace also observed the Mahalakshmi Vrat with devotion along with the king.

By the effect of the Shri Mahalakshmi Vrat, the king enjoyed various pleasures on earth and was blessed with many sons and grandsons. Later, he was firmly established as Chakravarti Samrata, i.e., a sovereign emperor, and the Brahmin Tavallaka became his Pradhana Mantri, i.e., prime minister. By the grace of Goddess Mahalakshmi, all forms of prosperity resided in his palace. Such is the glory of Goddess Narayani Lakshmi, who fulfills all desires. She removes all sins and destroys all sorrows."

Lord Shiva says - "O Skanda! This noble Mahalakshmi Vrat should be observed for sixteen years. Whoever observes this Vrat with faith, devotion, and love, all attainments shall themselves worship him, and the guardians of the worlds shall also be pleased and fulfill his desires. Any woman or man who carefully observes this Vrat, for the fulfillment of their wishes even Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha shall always remain ready. All people shall bow their heads at his feet. Goddess Lakshmi, along with Lord Vishnu, shall always reside in his family. Whether a devotee or non-devotee, whoever performs this excellent Vrat, at the end of life Lord Vishnu Himself ferries that soul across the ocean of worldly existence. Whoever, with concentrated mind, recites and listens to this Vrat Katha, Goddess Lakshmi never abandons him, and Alakshmi never enters his life. At the end of life, that person becomes freed from all sins and dwells in Svargaloka." Thus concludes the Shri Mahalakshmi Vrat Katha as described in the Skanda Purana.