Vaibhava Lakshmi Shukravara Vrat | Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat

Shukravara Vrat of Goddess Vaibhava Lakshmi

Maa Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat, observed on Shukravara, i.e., Friday, is a highly popular Vrat especially among housewives, unmarried girls, and married couples. In North India, Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat is widely prevalent. This Vrat is observed for attaining balance, happiness, prosperity, and wealth in household life. It is dedicated to the glorious form of Goddess Lakshmi, who bestows prosperity, peace, good fortune, and beauty in life. According to beliefs, by observing Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat with devotion, poverty is removed from the home and prosperity resides therein.

Although, according to Navagraha, Shukravara is governed by Shukra Deva, yet in religious texts, Friday is also considered dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Goddess Lakshmi is one of the principal deities worshipped in Hinduism. Adi Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, etc., are the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi, collectively known as Ashta Lakshmi. Among these, Goddess Dhana Lakshmi is also worshipped as Vaibhava Lakshmi. By observing Vaibhava Lakshmi Friday Vrat with faith, devotion, and discipline, one attains family happiness, wealth, prosperity, and spiritual contentment.

Vaibhava Lakshmi Shukravara Vrat Fasting Food

If capable, one should observe a complete fast and, in the evening, after completing Puja and Katha, partake of Kheer offered to the Goddess as Prasada. If a complete fast is not possible, then the Vrat may be observed with Phalahara, i.e., fruits and fruit juices.

If fasting is difficult due to health reasons, one may take one Sattvic meal. Otherwise, it is preferable to consume only fasting-appropriate foods such as fruits, milk, dry fruits, Sabudana, sweet potato, Rajgira, Singhara, etc.

Vaibhava Lakshmi Shukravara Vrat Sankshipta Vidhi

According to beliefs, this Vrat should always be performed at one's home. If one is traveling or away, that Shukravara Vrat should be skipped and observed next Friday. Women should not observe the Vrat during menstruation or during periods of ritual impurity; in such cases, the Vrat should be resumed from the following Friday. On the day of the Vrat, wake up during Brahma Muhurta, complete bathing and daily rituals, and wear clean and pure clothes. Thereafter, take a Sankalpa, according to your devotion, for 11, 21, or 51 Fridays for the well-being and prosperity of yourself and your family - "I will regularly observe Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat on Shukravara for attaining happiness, prosperity, peace, and good fortune. As a part of this Vrat, I will also perform the Puja of Shri Vaibhava Lakshmi."

• Thereafter, if possible, purify the place of worship with cow dung; otherwise, sanctify it with Gangajala and draw a sacred design, i.e., Chowk.
• Spread a red cloth on a wooden platform and place an idol, image, or Shri Yantra of Goddess Lakshmi on it.
• Along with Goddess Lakshmi, place gold or silver ornaments for worship. If ornaments are not available, place some money instead.
• Then, with devotion, worship Goddess Vaibhava Lakshmi with offerings such as Gandha, Pushpa, Dhupa, Dipa, Akshata, Naivedya, and fruits.
• Chant the Mantra Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah। (ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः।) according to your capacity and recite Shri Lakshmi Stotram.
• Thereafter, recite the Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat Katha to obtain the complete merit of the Vrat.
• After the Katha, perform the Aarti of Goddess Lakshmi and pray for the success of the Vrat.
• Finally, distribute Prasada such as Halwa, Kheer, and fruits.

Thus, the Puja Vidhi of Vaibhava Lakshmi Shukravara Vrat is completed.

Vaibhava Lakshmi Shukravara Vrat Udyapana

After completing the number of Vrats determined at the time of Sankalpa, such as 11, 21, or 51, the Udyapana should be performed. The main purpose of Udyapana is to express gratitude to Goddess Lakshmi and to properly conclude the Vrat.

On the day of Udyapana, decorate a beautiful Mandapa and install the idol of Goddess Lakshmi. Perform the Puja in the same manner as on other Fridays. On this day, offer special items to the Goddess such as Kheer, 5 types of fruits, 5 types of sweets, Panchameva, and red cloth. After completing the Puja, break a coconut.

Thereafter, according to your capacity, feed 7, 11, or 21 married women or girls. Kheer must be included in the meal. After the meal, respectfully offer them items of Solaha Shringara such as Sindura, bangles, bindi, along with Dakshina. In some places, a Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat Katha book and Dakshina of 11 or 21 rupees wrapped in red cloth are also given.

Finally, chant the glory of the Goddess, thank Goddess Lakshmi for the completion of the Vrat, and pray for happiness, prosperity, and good fortune for all. Thus, the Udyapana of Vaibhava Lakshmi Shukravara Vrat is completed.