Varalakshmi Vrat Katha | Legends of Varalakshmi Puja

Varalakshmi Puja Vrat Katha

This is an account of ancient times. Once, Lord Shiva was playing a game of dice, or Chaupar, with Goddess Parvati on the summit of Mount Kailasa. At that time, a dispute arose between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati regarding who had won the game. Both of them were asserting themselves to be the victor. They then asked Chitranemi, who was present there, to declare the name of the winner. Chitranemi was a devotee of Lord Shiva. Therefore, he falsely declared that Lord Shiva had won. Due to Chitranemi's false statement, Goddess Parvati became extremely angry and, while cursing him, said - "O speaker of falsehood! By speaking untruth before me, you have insulted me and committed an unrighteous act; therefore, may you be afflicted with Kushtha Roga, i.e., leprosy." As a result of Goddess Parvati's curse, Chitranemi became greatly astonished and frightened and began to cry out in distress.

Thereafter, Lord Shiva said - "I have neither seen nor heard of a sin more dreadful and terrible than speaking falsehood. However, this Chitranemi is extremely learned; he never speaks untruth. Therefore, O Devi! Cast your compassionate glance upon this helpless one, forgive him, and redeem this surrendered soul."

When her anger subsided, Goddess Parvati, showing compassion, told Chitranemi the means of release from the curse and said - "When Apsara, i.e., celestial nymphs perform a sacred Vrat at a beautiful lake and wholeheartedly declare you as their all-in-all, at that time you shall be freed from the curse." As soon as Goddess Parvati said this, Chitranemi fell down from Kailasa and began to live near a lake in the condition of a leper.

Near the lake, he saw celestial nymphs performing worship. Bowing to those graceful maidens, Chitranemi asked them - "O fortunate ones! Whom are you worshipping, and what is your desire? Kindly tell me of such a spiritual practice whose fruit I may obtain both in this world and in the next. Please describe a Vrat by observing which I may be freed from the curse of Goddess Parvati that has been causing me suffering for a long time."

One of the celestial nymphs said - "This is the Shri Varalakshmi Vrat, which fulfills all desires and bestows happiness and prosperity. You too should observe this supreme Vrat. When, during the month of Shravana, Lord Surya is positioned in the Karka Rashi, then on the Friday of the Shukla Paksha of that same month of Shravana, at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna or on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, all self-controlled men should observe the Vrat of Goddess Mahalakshmi.

To perform this Vrat, have a four-armed golden idol of Goddess Parvati made, and decorate the house with Rangavalli designs and festoons. In the eastern part of the house, especially in the Ishana Kona, place one Prastha, that is, approximately 400 grams of rice on the ground. Upon a lotus, establish a Kalasha filled with sacred water. Place fruits upon it and put gold, brass, or copper, along with five types of leaves, into it, and cover it with a cloth. Thereafter, after completing the rites such as Agnyuttarana, place the idol properly upon the Kalasha and worship it. For the worship, perform a pure ceremonial bath and bathe the idol with Panchamrita through the chanting of Mantras, and perform Abhisheka while reciting the Devi Sukta. Worship with Ashtagandha and offer leaves. Take twenty-one leaves of Ashvattha, i.e., Peepal, Banyan, Bilva, Mango, Malati, Pomegranate, etc., and also offer Malati and other flowers to the Goddess. Worship Goddess Mahalakshmi, the fulfiller of desires, with Dhupa and Dipa. Offer Naivedya to Goddess Shiva in the form of Payasa (Kheer) and twenty-one Apupa (Pua), along with various kinds of dishes. Thereafter, pray to the Goddess for the granting of boons. Meditate upon Goddess Saraswati and the gentle-spoken Goddess Shachi and offer prayers to Shri Lakshmi through dance and singing."

After observing the Vrat according to the above method, offer five types of Vayana, that is, sacred offerings, and listen to the Vrat Katha with devotion. Remaining silent, worship Goddess Varalakshmi with five Aartis. In this way, those celestial nymphs of heaven described in detail the procedure of the Varalakshmi Vrat.

The observer of the Vrat should take a betel nut and carefully preserve a betel leaf free from powder, tie it in a piece of cloth, and observe it in the morning. If it turns properly red, then the Vrat should be observed; otherwise, one who desires land should not undertake this Vrat. The Vrat should be accepted only according to the prescribed method. The celestial nymphs duly completed this Vrat, which fulfills all desires. After completing the worship, when they looked toward Chitranemi, he had become free from leprosy due to the effect of incense smoke and the Ghee Diya, and he shone like gold.

Chitranemi said to all those divine ladies - "I too shall certainly observe this bestower-of-success Vrat with effort." He had an idol of the Goddess made, adorned with divine garments and ornaments, and worshipped her according to the previously described method. He offered five types of Vayan to the Devi Maa, consisting of bamboo vessels, Dakshina, fruits, grains, and twenty-one delicacies. He offered one Vayana each to a Brahmin, an ascetic, a goddess, a celibate, and a married woman. Thus, after offering five Vayanas and bowing at the feet of the Devi Maa, he departed for his dwelling place.

Tying a betel leaf without powder and a betel nut in cloth and observing it in the morning, he found that it had turned red. Seeing it red, Chitranemi devoutly observed the Vrat. As a result of the Vrat, Goddess Varalakshmi granted him Her Darshan, by which he was freed from the curse. After completing the Vrat, he reached Mount Kailasa before Lord Shiva. Upon reaching Kailasa, Chitranemi reverently bowed to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Goddess Parvati said to him - "O Chitranemi! You are to be cherished and protected like my own son. Know this to be true." Chitranemi said - "O Mata! It is only by the grace of Goddess Varalakshmi that I have obtained the Darshan and refuge of your sacred lotus feet. Please always bestow your grace upon me."

Thereafter, Lord Shiva said to Chitranemi - "By the power of this meritorious Varalakshmi Vrat, from this very moment you will enjoy abundant pleasures on Kailasa and at the end attain Vaikuntha Loka. In ancient times, Goddess Parvati herself observed this Vrat with the desire to obtain a son. By the merit of this Vrat, she obtained a son, Kartikeya. King Vikramaditya attained his kingdom through the power of this Vrat, and Nanda obtained a virtuous wife. Nanda's wife also observed this Vrat for the desire of a son and obtained a son capable of sustaining the three worlds. Therefore, as a result of this Vrat, you will enjoy many rare and diverse pleasures."

From that very day, this Varalakshmi Vrat became popular throughout the entire world. From that day onward, whoever observes this Vrat enjoys various pleasures and ultimately departs for Shivapura. O Brahmins! Thus I have described the complete Varalakshmi Vrat. Whoever recites or listens to this Katha with devotion and concentration shall certainly, by the grace of Goddess Varalakshmi, attain Shivapura. Thus concludes the Varalakshmi Vrat observed on the Friday of Shravana as described in the Bhavishya Purana.