2
Index
Shlokas Page no.
Sri Suktham 5
Mahalakshmi Ashtakam 12
Sree Lakshmi Ashtothra Satanama Stothram 15
Sree Lakshmi Ashtothra Satanamavali 22
Kanakadhara Stothram 33
Ashtalakshmi Stothram 39
Bhajans
Badi Chanchal Hai Lakshmi Mata 45
Jai Jai Lakshmi Mata 47
Jai Lakshmi Kalyani 49
Lakshmi Chalisa 52
Jai Lakshmi Mata Aarti 58
3
Stories
Rama - King of Ayodhya 62
Legend of Yama 66
Samudra Manthan and Dhanteras 69
Narakasura 72
King Bali and Vamana 76
Krishna and Mount Govardhan 79
4
SHLOKAS
5
SRI SUKTHAM
हर ः ॐ
हह यवण हर सवण जतरजणम । चदण हह मय लषम जणतवॳद८ म आवह ॥१॥
तण म आवह जणतवॳद८ लषम मनपगणममन म । यसयण हह य ववददॳय गणमव प षणनहम ॥२॥
अवपवण थमधयण हसतनणदरब८धिन म ।
6
धिय दॳव मपवयॳ ि मणण दॳव जषतणम ॥३॥
कण स८समतण हह यरणकण णमणण वलदत तपतण तपणयदत म । प ॳ सथतण प वण तणममह८पवयॳ धियम ॥४॥
चदण रभणसण यशसण वलदत धिय ल८कॳ दॳवज टणमदण णम । तण पम न म श मह रपयॳऽलषम मॺ नयतण तवण व ॳ ॥५॥
आहदतयव ॺ तपस८ऽधिजणत८ वनसपमतसतव वष८ऽथ बबवः । तसय फलणमन तपसणनददत मणयणदत णयणच बणयण अलषम ः ॥६॥
उपॴत मण दॳवसखः कीमतण च मणनण सह । रणदभणत८ऽसम णरॳऽसमन कीमत णमवध ददणत मॳ ॥७॥
षतपपणसणमलण यॳठणमलषम नणशयणयहम । अभमतमसमवध च सवण मनणद मॳ गहणत ॥८॥ गदिवण ण द णिषण मनतयपटण क ीवष म । ईव ीग सवणभतणनण तणममह८पवयॳ धियम ॥९॥
7
मनसः कणममणकमत वणचः सतयमश महह । पशनण पमदनसय ममय ि ः ियतण यशः ॥१०॥
कदणमॳन रजणभतण ममय सभव कदणम । धिय वणसय मॳ कलॳ मणत प मणमलन म ॥११॥
आपः सजदत सनिणमन धचलीत वस मॳ गहॳ । मन च दॳव मणत धिय वणसय मॳ कलॳ ॥१२॥
आण पकर पट वपगलण प मणमलन म । चदण हह मय लषम जणतवॳद८ म आवह ॥१३॥
आण यः कर यट सवण हॳममणमलन म । सयण हह मय लषम जणतवॳद८ म आवह ॥१४॥
तण म आवह जणतवॳद८ लषम मनपगणममन म । यसयण हह य रभत गणव८ दणसय८ऽवणन ववददॳय प षणनहम ॥१५॥
8
यः शधचः रयत८ भतवण जहयणदणयमदवहम । सत पचदशच च ि कणमः सतत जपॳत ॥१६॥
प णननॳ प ऊ प णष प णसभवॳ । तव मण भजसव प णष यॳन स९य लभणयहम ॥१७॥
अवदणमय ग८दणमय िनदणमय महणिनॳ । िन मॳ जषतण दॳवव सवणकणमणच दॳहह मॳ ॥१८॥
परप९र िन िणदय हसतयवणहदगवॳ थम । रजणनण भवमस मणतण आयमदत क ८त मणम ॥१९॥
िनमनिणन वणयिणन सयो िन वसः । िनममद८ बहसपमतवण िनमनतॳ ॥२०॥
वॴनतॳय स८म वपब स८म वपबत वरहण । स८म िनसय स८ममन८ मय ददणत स८ममनः ॥२१॥
9
न र८ि८ न च मणतसयण न ल८भ८ नणशभण ममतः । भवदत कतपयणनण भतणनण ि सत जपॳतसदण ॥२२॥
वषणदत तॳ ववभणवर हदव८ अरसय ववयतः । ८हदत सवणब जणदयव रम ववष८ जहह ॥२३॥
प वरयॳ पम मन प हसतॳ प णलयॳ प दलणयतणषष । ववववरयॳ वव मन८ऽनकलॳ तवतपणदप ममय सदनितसव ॥२४॥
यण सण प णसनसथण ववपलकहटतटी प परणयतणष । गभ ण वतणनणमभः सतनभ नममतण शर वसर८तत ीयण ॥२५॥
लषम हदणयॴगणजॳद ॴमणणगखधचतॴससनणवपतण हॳमकभॴः । मनतय सण प हसतण मम वसत गहॳ सवणमणगयय तण ॥२६॥
लषम ष सम णजतनयण ि गिणमॳव ीम । दणस भतसमसत दॳव वमनतण ल८कॴ क दीपणक णम ॥२७॥
10
ि मदमददकटणषलि ववभव रमॳदगगणि णम । तवण रॴल८य कटबन स मसजण वददॳ मकददवरयणम ॥२८॥
मसधलषम मोषलषम जणयलषम सस सवत । ि लषम वण लषम च रसदनण मम सवणदण ॥२९॥
व णकश९ पणशमभ मतमण क ॴवणहदत कमलणसनसथणम । बणलणकण क८हटरमतभण बर ॳरण भजॳहमणयण जगदीसव ी तवणम ॥३०॥
सवणमगलमणगयॳ मशवॳ सवणणथण सणधिकॳ । श यॳ यबकॳ दॳवव नण णयण नम८ऽसत तॳ ॥ नण णयण नम८ऽसत तॳ ॥ नण णयण नम८ऽसत तॳ ॥३१॥
स मसजमनलयॳ स ८जहसतॳ िवलत णशक गदिमणयश८भॳ । भगवमत हर वलभॳ मन८ञॳ बरभवनभमतकर रस द मयम ॥३२॥
ववपतन षमण दॳव मणिव मणिववरयणम ।
11
वव८ः वरयसख दॳव नमणययतवलभणम ॥३३॥
महणलषम च वव हॳ ववपतन च ि महह । तदन८ लषम ः रच८दयणत ॥३४॥
ि वचणसयमणययमण ८यमणवविणत पवमणन महहयतॳ । िन िणदय पश बहपरलणभ शतसवतस दीणमणयः ॥३५॥
ऋ ८गणहददणर यपणपषदपमतयवः । भयश८कमनसतणपण नयदत मम सवणदण ॥३६॥
य एव वॳद । ॐ महणदॳयॴ च वव हॳ ववपतन च ि महह । तदन८ लषम ः रच८दयणत ॐ शणदतः शणदतः शणदतः ॥३७॥
12
MAHALAKSHMI ASHTAKAM
इद उवणच – नमसतॳसत महणमणयॳ ि प ठॳ स पजतॳ । शखचर गदणहसतॳ महणलषम नम८सत तॳ ॥ 1 ॥
नमसतॳ ग डण ढॳ क८लणस भयकर । सवणपणपह ॳ दॳवव महणलषम नम८सत तॳ ॥ 2 ॥
13
सवणञॳ सवणव दॳ सवण द ट भयकर । सवणदःख ह ॳ दॳवव महणलषम नम८सत तॳ ॥ 3 ॥
मसवध बवध रदॳ दॳवव भत मत रदणमयमन । मदर मतॺ सदण दॳवव महणलषम नम८सत तॳ ॥ 4 ॥
आयदत हहतॳ दॳवव आहदशत महॳवर । य८गञॳ य८ग सभतॳ महणलषम नम८सत तॳ ॥ 5 ॥
सथल सषम महण ९ ॳ महणशत मह८द ॳ । महण पणप ह ॳ दॳवव महणलषम नम८सत तॳ ॥ 6 ॥
प णसन सथतॳ दॳवव प रम सव वपण । प मॳमश जगदमणतः महणलषम नम८सत तॳ ॥ 7 ॥
वॳतणब ि ॳ दॳवव नणनणलकण भवषतॳ । जगसथतॳ जगदमणतः महणलषम नम८सत तॳ ॥ 8 ॥
14
महणलषमटक सत८र यः पठॳ भतमणन न ः । सवण मसवध मवणपन८मत णय रणपन८मत सवणदण ॥ एककणलॳ पठॳ दनतय महणपणप ववनणशनम । ववकणल यः पठॳ दनतय िन िणदय समदवतः ॥
बरकणल यः पठॳ दनतय महणशर ववनणशनम । महणलषम भणवॳन-मनतय रसदनण व दण शभण ॥
इदतयकत ि महणलषयटक सत८र सपणम ॥
15
SREE LAKSHMI ASHTOTHRA
SATANAMA STOTHRAM
दॳयवणच
दॳवदॳव! महणदॳव! बरकणलञ! महॳव ! क णक दॳवॳश! भतणनरहकण क! ॥ अट८तत शत लषयणः ि८तममछणमम तततवतः ॥
ईव उवणच
16
दॳवव! सणि महणभणगॳ महणभणय रदणयकम । सवॻवयणक पय सवणपणप रणशनम ॥
सवणदणर य शमन िवण त मतदम । णजवयक हदय गयण-गयत प म ॥
दलणभ सवणदॳवणनण चतषट कलणसपदम । प णदीनण व णदतणनण मनि नण मनतयदणयकम ॥
समसत दॳव ससॳयम अणमणयट मसवधदम । ककमर बहन८तॳन दॳव रतयषदणयकम ॥
तव र तयणय वषयणमम समणहहतमनणश । अट८तत शतसयणसय महणलषमसत दॳवतण ॥
ली ब ज पदममतयत शतसत भवनॳव ी । अगदयणसः क दयणसः स इतयणहद रकीमत णतः ॥
17
धयणनम
वददॳ प क ण रसदनवदनण स९भणयदण भणयदण हसतणयणमभयरदण मणगॴः नणनणवविॴः भवषतणम । भतणभ ट फलरदण हर ह रमणधिमभससॳववतण पणवॺ पकज शखप मनधिमभः यतण सदण शतमभः ॥
स मसज नयनॳ स ८जहसतॳ िवल त णशक गदिमणय श८भॳ । भगवमत हर वलभॳ मन८ञॳ बरभवन भमतकर रस दमयम ॥
ॐ
रकमत, ववकमत, ववयण, सवणभत हहतरदणम । िधण, ववभमत, स मभ, नमणमम प मणतमकणम ॥ 1 ॥
वणच, प णलयण, प ण, शधच, सवणहण, सविण, सिणम । िदयण, हह यय , लषम , मनतयपटण, ववभणव ीम ॥ 2 ॥
अहदमत च, हदमत, दीपतण, वसिण, वसिणर म । नमणमम कमलण, कणदतण, षमण, ष ८द सभवणम ॥ 3 ॥
18
अनरहप ण, बवध, अनण, हर वलभणम । अश८कण,ममतण दीपतण, ल८कश८क ववनणमशन म ॥ 4 ॥
नमणमम िमणमनलयण, क ण, ल८कमणत म । प वरयण, प हसतण, प णष , प सदद ीम ॥ 5 ॥
प ८ वण, प मख , प नणभवरयण, मणम । प मणलणि ण, दॳव , पम न , प गदिन म ॥ 6 ॥
पयगदिण, सरसदनण, रसणदणमभमख , रभणम । नमणमम चदवदनण, चदण, चदसह८द ीम ॥ 7 ॥
चतभणजण, चद पण, इदद ण,ममददश तलणम । आलणद जनन , पट, मशवण, मशवक ी, सत म ॥ 8 ॥
ववमलण, वववजनन , तट, दणर य नणमशन म । र मत पकर , शणदतण, श लमणयणब ण, धियम ॥ 9 ॥
19
भणसक ी, बबवमनलयण, व ण ८हण, यशसवन म । वसदि ण, मदण णगण, हर , हॳममणमलन म ॥ 10 ॥
िनिणदयक ी, मसवध, रॴस९यण, शभरदणम । नपवॳम गतणनददण, व लषम , वसरदणम ॥ 11 ॥
शभण, हह यरणकण ण, समतनयण, जयणम । नमणमम मगलण दॳव , वव वषःसथल सथतणम ॥ 12 ॥
ववपतन , रसदनणष , नण णय समणधितणम । दणर य धवमसन , दॳव , सवोपव वणर म ॥ 13 ॥
नवदगण, महणकणली, रम वव मशवणतमकणम । बरकणलञणन सपदनण, नमणमम भवनॳव ीम ॥ 14 ॥
लषम ष सम णज तनयण ि गिणमॳव ीम । दणस भत समसतदॳव वमनतण ल८कॴ क दीपणक णम ॥
20
ि मदमदद कटणष लि ववभव-रमॳद गगणि णम । तवण रॴल८य कटबन स मसजण वददॳ मकददवरयणम ॥ 15 ॥
मणतनणमणमम! कमलॳ! कमलणयतणषष!
ि वव त-कमलवणमसमन! वववमणतः! ष ८दजॳ कमल क८मल गभणग९र ! लषम ! रस द सतत समतण श यॳ ॥ 16 ॥
बरकणल य८ जपॳत वववणन षमणस ववजतॳदयः । दणर य धवसन कतवण सवणमणपन८त-ययतनतः । दॳव नणम सहरॳष पयमट८तत शतम । यॳन धिय मवणपन८मत क८हटजदम दर तः ॥ 17 ॥
भगवण ॳ शत ि मणन पठॳत वतस मणरकम । अटॴवयण मवणपन८मत कबॳ इव भतलॳ ॥ दणर य म८चन नणम सत८रमबणप शतम । यॳन धिय मवणपन८मत क८हटजदम दर तः ॥ 18 ॥
21
भतवणत ववपलणन भ८गणन अदतॳ सणययमणपनयणत । रणतःकणलॳ पठॳ दनतय सवण दःख८प शणदतयॳ । पठदत धचदतयॳदॳव सवणणभ भवषतणम ॥ 19 ॥
इमत ि लषम अट८तत शतनणम सत८र सपणम
22
SREE LAKSHMI ASHTOTHRA
SATANAMAVALI
ॐ रकतयॴ नमः। Om prakrityai namah
ॐ ववकतयॴ नमः। Om vikrityai namah
ॐ ववयणयॴ नमः। Om vidyaayai namah
ॐ सवणभतहहतरदणयॴ नमः। Om sarva
bhuutahitapradaayai namah
23
ॐ िधणयॴ नमः। Om shraddhaayai namah
ॐ ववभतयॴ नमः। Om vibhuutyai namah
ॐ स यॴ नमः। Om surabhyai namah
ॐ प मणतमकणयॴ नमः। Om paramaatmikaayai
namah
ॐ वणचॳ नमः। Om vaache namah
ॐ प णलयणयॴ नमः। Om padmaalayaayai namah
ॐ प णयॴ नमः। Om padmaayai namah
ॐ शचयॳ नमः। Om shuchaye namah
ॐ सवणहणयॴ नमः। Om svaahaayai namah
ॐ सविणयॴ नमः। Om svadhaayai namah
ॐ सिणयॴ नमः। Om sudhaayai namah
ॐ िदयणयॴ नमः। Om dhanyaayai namah
24
ॐ हह मयॴ नमः। Om hiranmayyai namah
ॐ लषयॴ नमः। Om laxmyai namah
ॐ मनतयप टणयॴ नमः। Om nityapushhtaayai
namah
ॐ ववभणवयॻ नमः। Om vibhaavaryai namah
ॐ अहदतयॴ नमः। Om adityai namah
ॐ हदतयॳ नमः। Om ditye namah
ॐ दीपणयॴ नमः। Om diipaayai namah
ॐ वसिणयॴ नमः। Om vasudhaayai namah
ॐ वसिणर यॴ नमः। Om vasudhaarinyai namah
ॐ कमलणयॴ नमः। Om kamalaayai namah
ॐ कणदतणयॴ नमः। Om kaantaayai namah
ॐ कणमणषयॴ नमः। Om kaamaaxyai namah
25
ॐ र८िसभवणयॴ नमः। Om krodhasambhavaayai
namah
ॐ अनरहरदणयॴ नमः। Om anugrahapradaayai
namah
ॐ बधयॳ नमः। Om buddhaye namah
ॐ अनणयॴ नमः। Om anaghaayai namah
ॐ हर वलभणयॴ नमः। Om harivallabhaayai namah
ॐ अश८कणयॴ नमः। Om ashokaayai namah
ॐ अमतणयॴ नमः। Om amritaayai namah
ॐ दीपतणयॴ नमः। Om diiptaayai namah
ॐ ल८कश८कववनणमशदयॴ नमः। Om lokashokavinaashinyai
namah
ॐ िमणमनलयणयॴ नमः। Om dharmanilayaayai
namah
ॐ क णयॴ नमः। Om karunaayai namah
26
ॐ ल८कमणरॳ नमः। Om lokamaatre namah
ॐ प वरयणयॴ नमः। Om padmapriyaayai namah
ॐ प हसतणयॴ नमः। Om padmahastaayai namah
ॐ प णषयॴ नमः। Om padmaaxyai namah
ॐ प सददयॻ नमः। Om padmasundaryai namah
ॐ प ८ वणयॴ नमः। Om padmodbhavaayai
namah
ॐ प मयॴ नमः। Om padmamukhyai namah
ॐ प नणभवरयणयॴ नमः। Om padmanaabhapriyaayai
namah
ॐ मणयॴ नमः। Om ramaayai namah
ॐ प मणलणि णयॴ नमः। Om padmamaalaadharaayai
namah
ॐ दॳयॴ नमः। Om devyai namah
27
ॐ पम दयॴ नमः। Om padminyai namah
ॐ प गदिदयॴ नमः। Om padmagandhinyai
namah
ॐ पयगदिणयॴ नमः। Om punyagandhaayai
namah
ॐ सरसदनणयॴ नमः। Om suprasannaayai namah
ॐ रसणदणमभम यॴ नमः। Om prasaadaabhimukhyai
namah
ॐ चदवदनणयॴ नमः। Om chandravadanaayai
namah
ॐ चदणयॴ नमः। Om chandraayai namah
ॐ चदसह८दयॻ नमः। Om chandrasahodaryai
namah
ॐ चतभणजणयॴ नमः। Om chaturbhujaayai namah
ॐ चद पणयॴ नमः। Om chandraruupaayai
namah
ॐ इदद णयॴ नमः। Om indiraayai namah
28
ॐ इददश तलणयॴ नमः। Om indushiitalaayai namah
ॐ आलणदजनदयॴ नमः। Om aahlaadajananyai
namah
ॐ पटयॴ नमः। Om pushhtayai namah
ॐ मशवणयॴ नमः। Om shivaayai namah
ॐ मशवकयॻ नमः। Om shivakaryai namah
ॐ सतयॴ नमः। Om satyai namah
ॐ ववमलणयॴ नमः। Om vimalaayai namah
ॐ वववजनदयॴ नमः। Om vishvajananyai namah
ॐ तटयॴ नमः। Om tushhtayai namah
ॐ दणर यनणमशदयॴ नमः। Om daaridryanaashinyai
namah
ॐ र मतपकर यॴ नमः। Om priitipushhkarinyai
namah
29
ॐ शणदतणयॴ नमः। Om shaantaayai namah
ॐ श लमणयणब णयॴ नमः। Om shuklam
aalyaambaraayai namah
ॐ धियॴ नमः। Om shriyai namah
ॐ भणसकयॻ नमः। Om bhaaskaryai namah
ॐ बबवमनलयणयॴ नमः। Om bilvanilayaayai namah
ॐ व ण ८हणयॴ नमः। Om varaarohaayai namah
ॐ यशसवदयॴ नमः। Om yashasvinyai namah
ॐ वसदि णयॴ नमः। Om vasundharaayai namah
ॐ उदण णगणयॴ नमः। Om udaaraa.ngaayai namah
ॐ हर यॴ नमः। Om harinyai namah
ॐ हॳममणमलदयॴ नमः। Om hemamaalinyai namah
ॐ िनिणदयकयॺ नमः। Om dhanadhaanyakarye
namah
30
ॐ मसधयॳ नमः। Om siddhaye namah
ॐ सरॴ स९यणयॴ नमः। Om strainasaumyaayai
namah
ॐ शभरदणयॳ नमः। Om shubhapradaaye namah
ॐ नपवॳमगतणनददणयॴ नमः। Om nripavesh
magataanandaayai namah
ॐ व लषयॴ नमः। Om varalaxmyai namah
ॐ रभणयॴ नमः। Om prabhaayai namah
ॐ वसरदणयॴ नमः। Om vasupradaayai namah
ॐ शभणयॴ नमः। Om shubhaayai namah
ॐ हह यरणकण णयॴ नमः। Om hiranyapraakaaraayai
namah
ॐ समतनयणयॴ नमः। Om samudratanayaayai
namah
ॐ जयणयॴ नमः। Om jayaayai namah
31
ॐ मगळण दॳयॴ नमः। Om mangalaa devyai namah
ॐ वववषससथलसथतणयॴ नमः।
Om vishnu
vaxassthalasthitaayai
namah
ॐ ववपतदयॴ नमः। Om vishhnupatnyai namah
ॐ रसदनणषयॴ नमः। Om prasannaaxyai namah
ॐ नण णयसमणधितणयॴ नमः। Om naaraayana
samaashritaayai namah
ॐ दणर यधवमसदयॴ नमः। Om daaridryadhvnsinyai
namah
ॐ दॳयॴ नमः। Om devyai namah
ॐ सवोपव वणर यॴ नमः। Om sarvopadrava vaarinyai
namah
ॐ नवदगणणयॴ नमः। Om navadurgaayai namah
ॐ महणकणयॴ नमः। Om mahaakaalyai namah
ॐ रमणववमशवणतमकणयॴ Om brahma vishnu
shivaatmikaayai namah
32
नमः।
ॐ बरकणलञणनसपदनणयॴ नमः। Om trikaala gyaana
sampannaayai namah
ॐ भवनॳवयॻ नमः। Om bhuvaneshvaryai namah
33
KANAKADHARA STOTHRAM
अग ह ॳः पलकभषमणियदत भ गणगनॳव मकलणभ तमणलम । अग कतणणखलववभमत पणगलीलण मणगयदणसत मम मगलदॳवतणयणः ॥१॥
मिण महववणदित वदनॳ म ण ॳः रॳमरपणरणहहतणमन गतणगतणमन ।
34
मणलण श८मणिक ीव मह८तपलॳ यण सण मॳ धिय हदशत सणग सभवणयणः ॥२॥
वववणम ॳदपदववरमदणनदषम
आनददहॳत धिक म ववववष८ऽवप । ईषदनष दत ममय षम षणिणम
इददीव ८द सह८द ममदद णयणः ॥३॥
आम मलतणषमधिगय मदण मकददम
आनददकददममनमॳषमनगतदरम । आकॳ क सथतकन मनकपषमनॳर भतयॴ भवॳदमम भजगशयणगनणयणः ॥४॥
बणवदत ॳ मिजतः धितक९सतभॳ यण हण णवलीव हर न लमय ववभणमत । कणमरदण भगवत८ऽवप कटणषमणलण कयणमणवहत मॳ कमलणलयणयणः ॥५॥
35
कणलणबदणमललमलत८ मस कॴ टभण ॳ िण णि ॳ सफ मत यण तडडदगनॳव । मणतः समसतजगतण महन यममत ण _ भणण मॳ हदशत भणगणवनददनणयणः ॥६॥
रणपत पद रथमतः ककल यतरभणवणन मणगयभणज मिमणधथमन मदमथॳन । मयणपतॳततहदह मदथ म षणि
मददणलस च मक णलयकदयकणयणः ॥७॥
दयण दयणनपवन८ ववणबिण णम
असमदनककचनववहगमशश९ ववष ॳ । द कमण मणमपन य धच णय द नण णयरमयन नयनणबवणहः ॥८॥
इटण ववमशटमतय८ऽवप ययण दयण ण_ यण बरववटपपद सलभ लभदतॳ । टः रटकमल८द दीपतर टण
36
पट कष ट मम पक ववट णयणः ॥९॥
ग दॺवतॳमत ग डधवजसदद ीमत शणकभ ीमत शमशशॳख वलभॳमत । स टसथमतरलयकॳ मलष ससथतणयॴ तसमॴ नमसरभवनॴकग ८सत यॴ ॥१०॥
ितयॴ नम८ऽसत शभकमणफलरसतयॴ तयॴ नम८ऽसत म यगणणवणयॴ । शतयॴ नम८ऽसत शतपरमनकॳ तनणयॴ पयॴ नम८ऽसत प ष८ततमवलभणयॴ ॥११॥
नम८ऽसत नणलीकमनभणननणयॴ नम८ऽसत द ि८दधिजदमभतयॴ । नम८ऽसत स८मणमतस८द णयॴ नम८ऽसत नण णयवलभणयॴ ॥१२॥
सपतक णण सकलॳदयनददनणमन
37
सणरणयदणनववभवणमन स ८ हणषष । तववददनणमन दर तणह ८यतणमन मणमॳव मणत मनश कलयदत मणदयॳ ॥१३॥
यतकटणषसमपणसनणववधिः सॳवकसय सकलणथणसपदः । सतन८मत वचनणगमणनसॴस
तवण म णर दयॳव ी भजॳ ॥१४॥
स मसजमनलयॳ स ८जहसतॳ िवलतमणशकगदिमणयश८भॳ । भगवमत हर वलभॳ मन८ञॳ बरभवनभमतकर रस द मयम ॥१५॥
हदसतमभः कनककभमखणवस ट सववणणहहन ववमलचण जलपलतणग म । रणतनणमणमम जगतण जनन मशॳष_ ल८कणधिनणथगहह ममतणिपर म ॥१६॥
38
कमलॳ कमलणषवलभॳ तव क णप त धगतॴ पणगॴः । अवल८कय मणमककचनणनण रथम पणरमकबरम दयणयणः ॥१७॥
सतवदत यॳ सतमतमभ ममभ दवह रय मय बरभवनमणत मणम । गणधिकण ग त भणयभणधगन८ भवदत तॳ भवव बिभणववतणशयणः ॥१८॥
39
ASHTALAKSHMI STOTHRAM
॥अटलषम सत८रम॥
॥आहदलषम॥ समनस वददत सददर मणिवव, चद सह८दर हॳममयॳ ममनगमडत म८षरदणयमन, मजळभणवषण
वॳदनतॳ। पकजवणमसमन दॳवसपजत, सग ववषणण
40
शणदतयतॳ जय जय हॳ मिसदन कणमममन, आहदलषम सदण पणलय मणम ॥१॥
॥िणदयलषम॥ अहहकमल कमषनणमशमन कणमममन, वॴहदक वपण
वॳदमयॳ ष सम व मगल वपण, मदरमनवणमसमन मदरनतॳ। मगलदणमयमन अबजवणमसमन, दॳवगणधित पणदयतॳ जय जय हॳ मिसदन कणमममन, िणदयलषम सदण पणलय मणम ॥२॥
॥िॴयणलषम॥ जयव वणणमन वॴवव भणगणवव, मदरसव वपण
मदरमयॳ स गपजत श रफलरद, ञणनववकणमसमन शणसरनतॳ। भवभयहणर ण पणपववम८चमन, सणिजनणधित पणदयतॳ जय जय हॳ मिसिन कणमममन, िॴयणलषम सदण
41
पणलय मणम ॥३॥
॥गजलषम॥ जय जय दगणमतनणमशमन कणमममन, सवणफलरद शणसरमयॳ िगज त गपदणमत समणवत, पर जनमडत ल८कनतॳ। हर ह रम सप जत सॳववत, तणपमनवणर ण पणदयतॳ जय जय हॳ मिसदन कणमममन, गजलषम पॳ
पणलय मणम ॥४॥
॥सदतणनलषम॥ अहहखग वणहहमन म८हहमन चकरण, णगवववधिणमन ञणनमयॳ गगवणर धि ल८कहहतॴवषण, सव सपत भवषत गणननतॳ। सकल स णस दॳवमन व , मणनववददत पणदयतॳ जय जय हॳ मिसदन कणमममन, सदतणनलषम तव
42
पणलय मणम ॥५॥
॥ववजयलषम॥ जय कमलणसमन सगमतदणमयमन, ञणनववकणमसमन गणनमयॳ अनहदनमधचणत ककमिस , भवषत वणमसत वणयनतॳ। कनकि णसतमत वॴभव वददत, शक दॳमशक मणदय पदॳ जय जय हॳ मिसदन कणमममन, ववजयलषम सदण पणलय मणम ॥६॥
॥ववयणलषम॥ रत स ॳवर भण मत भणगणवव, श८कववनणमशमन तनमयॳ मणमयभवषत कणववभष, शणदतसमणवत हणसयमखॳ। नवमनधिदणमयमन कमलमलहणर ण, कणममत फलरद हसतयतॳ
43
जय जय हॳ मिसदन कणमममन, ववयणलषम सदण पणलय मणम ॥७॥
॥िनलषम॥ धिममधिमम धिधिमम धिधिमम-धिधिमम, दददमभ नणद सपणमयॳ मम म म म, शखमननणद सवणयनतॳ। वॳदप ण ॳमतहणस सपजत, वॴहदकमणगण रदशणयतॳ जय जय हॳ मिसदन कणमममन, िनलषम पॳण पणलय मणम ॥८॥
44
BHAJANS
45
BADI CHANCHAL HAI LAKSHMI MATA
Sthai kisi se na nata badi chanchal hai Lakshmi mata
Ispe karde daya de de apni maya
Koi jan nahin hai paata
Badi chanchal hai Lakshmi mata
Sthai kisi se na nata badi chanchal hai Lakshmi mata
46
Kabhi raja ka ghar kabhi rank ka ghar
Tumko hai maiya bhata
Badi chanchal hai Lakshmi mata
Sthai kisi se na nata badi chanchal hai Lakshmi mata
Jo na samman dhyan maa pe na de
Peechhe hai wo pachhtata
Badi chanchal hai Lakshmi mata
Sthai kisi se na nata badi chanchal hai Lakshmi mata
Deep jalta jahan vaas karti vaha
Gun maa ka hai sewak gaata
Badi chanchal hai Lakshmi mata
Sthai kisi se na nata badi chanchal hai Lakshmi mata
Kshir sagar mein maa banke vishnu priya
Rahti hai sab shukh data
Badi chanchal hai Lakshmi mata
Sthai kisi se na nata badi chanchal hai Lakshmi mata
47
JAI JAI LAKSHMI MATA
Jai jai lakshmi mata he mata he mata
Jai jai lakshmi mata he mata he mata
Tu sun le meri pukar meri pukar mata
Jai jai lakshmi mata he mata he mata
Aadi bhagvati maa tune hi jag ko janam diya hai
Tu savitri tu hi gauri tu hi vishnu priya hai
48
Ho jyoti mai tere roop kai teri leela aprampar
Aprampar mata
Jai jai lakshmi mata he mata he mata
Teri daya se pal mein bante bigade kaam sabhi ke
Tu jise chaahe narayan ki kar de kripa usi pe
Tera dhyan dharoo gungan karoo meri pooja
Meri pooja kar swikaar kar swikaar
Jai jai lakshmi mata he mata he mata
He mata he mata he mata he mata
49
JAI LAKSHMI KALYANI
Jai lakshmi kalyani maiya
Jai lakshmi kalyani
Jai lakshmi kalyani maiya
Sab aaye sharan tihari maiya
De darshan maharani
50
Jai lakshmi kalyani maiya
Jai lakshmi kalyani
Jai lakshmi kalyani
Tu mangalmay pawan maiya
Kripa sada barsave
Deen dukhi sharnagat jan ke
Bigade kaaj banave
Tu anant mahadani maiya
Jai lakshmi kalyani
Jai lakshmi kalyani
Dev sabhi aradhan karte
Rishi muni dhyan lagate
Is nashwar sansar ke prani teri kirat gaate
Tu devi vardani maiya
Jai lakshmi kalyani
Jai lakshmi kalyani
51
Tu raji jisape ho jave
Khole shukh ke dware
Man mein jagave gyan ki jyoti
Har leti andhiyare
Tu jyotirmai shiwani maiya
Jai lakshmi kalyani
Jai lakshmi kalyani
52
LAKSHMI CHALISA
Shlok
Maatu Lakshmi kari kripaa, karahu hriday mein vaas
Manokamana siddh kari, puravahu meri aas
Chaupaayi
Sindhusuta main sumiron tohi,
Gyaan buddhi vidhya dehu mohi
53
Tum samaan nahin kou upakaari,
Sab vidhi puravahu aas hamaari
Jai jai jagat janani jagadambaa,
Sab ki tumahi ho avalambaa
Tumahii ho ghat ghat ki waasi,
Binti yahi hamari khaasi
Jag janani jai sindhu kumaari,
Deenan ki tum ho hitakaari
Vinavon nitya tumhi maharani,
Kripa karo jag janani bhavaani
Kehi vidhi stuti karon tihaarii,
Sudhi lijain aparaadh bisari
Kriapadrishti chita woh mam orii,
Jagat janani vinatii sun mori
Gyaan buddhi jai sukh ki daata,
Sankat harahu hamaare maata
Kshir sindhu jab vishnumathaayo,
Chaudah ratn sindhu mein paayo
54
Chaudah ratn mein tum sukhraasi,
Seva Kkiyo prabhu banin daasi
Jab jab janam jahaan prabhu linhaa,
Roop badal tahan seva kinhaa
Swayam vishnu jab nar tanu dhaara,
Linheu awadhapuri avataara
Tab tum prakat janakapur manhin,
Seva kiyo hriday pulakaahi
Apanaya tohi antarayaami,
Vishva vidit tribhuvan ki swaami
Tum sam prabal shakti nahi aani,
Kahan tak mahimaa kahaun bakhaani
Mann karam bachan karai sevakaai,
Mann eechhit phal paai
Taji chhal kapat aur chaturaai,
Pujahi vividh viddhi mann laai
Aur haal main kahahun bujhaai,
55
Jo yeh paath karai mann laai
Taako koi kasht na hoi,
Mann eechhit phal paavay soii
Traahi- traahii jai duhkh nivaarini,
Trividh tap bhav bandhan haarini
Jo yeh parhen aur parhaavay,
Dhyan laga kar sunay sunavay
Taakon kou rog na sataavay,
Putr aadi dhan sampati paavay
Putraheen dhan sampati heena,
Andh badhir korhhi ati diinaa
Vipr bulaay ken paath karaavay,
Shaankaa dil mein kabhi na laavay
Path karaavay din chalisa,
Taapar krapaa karahin gaurisaa
Sukh sampatti bahut-si paavay,
Kami nanhin kaahuu ki aavay
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Baarah maash karen jo puja,
Tehi sam dhanya aur nahin dujaa
Pratidin paath karehi man manhi,
Un sam koi jag mein naahin
Bahuvidhi kaya mein karahun baraai,
Ley parikshaa dhyaan lagaai
Kari vishvaas karay vrat naima,
Hoi siddh upajay ur prema
Jai jai jai lakshmi bhavani,
Sab mein vyaapit ho gun khaani
Tumhro tej prabal jag maahin,
Tum sam kou dayaalu kahun naahin
Mohi anaath ki sudhi ab lijay,
Sannkat kaati bhakti bar deejay
Bhool chook karu shamaa hamaari,
Darshan deejay dasha nihaari
Bin darshan vyaakul adhikari,
Tumhin akshat dukh shatte bhaari
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Nahin mohi gyaan buddhi hai tan mein,
Sab jaanat ho apane mann mein
Roop chaturbhuj karke dhaaran,
Kasht mor ab karahu nivaaran
Kehi prakaar mein karahun badai,
Gyaan buddhi mohin nahin adhikaai
Shlok
Traahi traahi dukh haarini, harahu vegi sab traas
Jayati jayati jai lakshmi, karahu shatru ka naas
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JAI LAKSHMI MATA AARTI
Om jai Lakshmi mata Maiya jai Lakshmi mata
Tumko nis din sewat
Hari vishnu vidhata
Maiyai jai Lakshmi mata
Uma rama brahmaani tum hi jag mata
Maiya tum hi jag mata
Surya chanrama dhyaawat naarad rishi gaata
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Om jai Lakshmi mata
Durga roop niranjani sukh sampati data
Maiya sukh sampati data
Jo koyee tumko dhyawat ridhee sidhee dhan paataa
Om jai Lakshmi mata
Tum patal niwasni tum hi shubh data
Maiya tumhi shubh data
Karma prabhav prakashini bhav nidhi ki trata
Om jai Lakshmi mata
Jis ghar mein tum rehtee sab sad guna aataa
Maiya sab sad guna aataa
Sab sambhaw hojata man nahin ghabrata
Om jai Lakshmi mata
Tum bin yagya na hove vastra na ho pata
Maiya vastra na koi pata
Khan pan ka vaibhava sab tum se aata
Om jai Lakshmi mata
Shubh gun mandir sundar kshirodadhi jata
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Maiya kshirodadhi jata
Ratan charurdash tumbin koi nahi pata
Om jai Lakshmi mata
Maha Lakshmi ji ki jo koi nar gata
Maiya jo koi nar gata
Ur anand samata pap utar jata
Om jai Lakshmi mata
Maiya jai jai Lakshmi mata maiya jai Lakshmi mata
Tumko nis din sewat maiyaji ko nis din sewat
Hari vishnu vidhata
Om jai Lakshmi mata
Maiya jai Lakshmi mata - 2
Tumko nis din sewat
Maiya ji ko nis din sewat
Hari vishnu Vidhata
Maiya jai Lakshmi mata
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STORIES
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RAMA - THE KING OF AYODHYA
THE STORY OF DIWALI
Rama, also known as the ‘Maryada Purushottama’ meaning ‘the Perfect Man’ or ‘Lord of Virtues’, is the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. His wife, Sita, is believed
to be an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, embodiment of
the ‘Perfect Woman’.
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Rama is the central figure in the great epic Ramayana. He
and Krishna are the most celebrated and worshipped
avatars of Vishnu.
Dussehra is celebrated to commemorate the victory of
Lord Rama over Ravana, the antagonist in Ramayana; and
Diwali celebrates the return of Rama to His Kingdom of
Ayodhya. The story goes like this.
Rama was born to King Dasaratha and Queen Kausalya of
Kosala Kingdom. His brothers were Bharat, born to Queen
Kaikeyi and Lakshman & Shatrughna, born to Queen
Sumitra.
Kaikeyi wanted her son Bharat to be the heir to the throne
and become the King. When Rama was chosen to ascend
to the throne, she was irked. She hence used her two
boons (given to her on a battlefield by Dasaratha), that he
could not refuse to grant. She asked Dasaratha to make
Bharat the king, and send Rama into exile for 14 years.
Dasaratha had no choice but to follow these orders
through and Rama, without hesitation, went into exile. He
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was accompanied by His wife Sita, and His brother
Lakshman.
Ravana was the King of Lanka and a great devotee of Lord
Shiva. While Rama, Lakshman and Sita were on exile,
Ravana's sister had approached Lakshman to marry her.
He not only turned her away but also severed her nose.
Ravana became furious at this and wanted to avenge his
sister’s insult. He had the three spied upon and decided to
kidnap Sita. Through an elaborate plan he tricked Sita and
kidnapped her, taking her away to his Kingdom. Struck by
her beauty, he asked for her hand in marriage but she
refused him. He was enraged at this refusal and retained
her in a forest - Ashoka Vana, under the care of
demonesses.
Meantime, Rama and Lakshman traced her presence to
Lanka, with the help of Lord Hanuman. They, with the
help of an entire army of monkeys, journeyed to Lanka.
When nothing else worked, they had to wage a war on
Ravana to get Sita back. A great battle ensued and Rama
finally defeated Ravana. This day on which Ravana was
defeated is celebrated as Dussehra - Vijayadashami; the
day when the good emerged victorious over evil; when
dharma rose over adharma.
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After the defeat of Ravana, Rama along with his wife Sita
and brother Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya in Kosala
Kingdom, after 14 years of exile, and took over the throne
as King.
On this day, the people of Ayodhya lit lamps all through
the city, paving the way for the returning Rama, on the
dark night of amavasya. They cleaned, decorated and lit
up their homes, rejoicing the return of their Prince with
His family after 14 long years, and His coronation as their
King.
This day, commemorating the return of Rama to Ayodhya
and His coronation as King, is celebrated as Diwali.
Following what the people of Ayodhya had done on that
day, people today light lamps and decorate their homes,
they feast and celebrate, to honour Lord Rama’s victory and homecoming.
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LEGEND OF YAMA THE STORY OF DHANTERAS
There once lived a King called Hima. He had a son. When
he turned sixteen, a revered sage prophesied that the
prince would die of a snake bite on the fourth night of his
marriage. Hima wanted to save his son but was short of
ideas on how to go about it. He kept him locked away,
isolated and away from women. However one day the
prince saw a beautiful princess passing by and fell in love.
He insisted on marrying her. Hima tried to reason with
both of them, but they were adamant. He explained the
prophecy to the princess, to make change her mind. But
all went in vain.
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The prince and princess eventually got married. Luckily,
prince’s new wife was an intelligent lady. She understood
the prophecy and wanted to ensure that she broke it,
thereby saving her new husband.
She made elaborate arrangements on the third day after
marriage, to be ready to ward off Yama when he came
visiting to take her new husband away. She sealed the
entrance to their chamber with loads of gold & silver
coins, jewellery and ornaments of all kinds. She also lit
numerous lamps in and around the chamber. This created
a brilliant luminance around the whole place. She ensured
that her husband did not fall asleep. She told him a
number of stories and kept singing songs through the
night, to keep him awake.
Lord Yama descended in the form of a snake, as
prophesied and approached their chamber. However it
(the snake) was awestruck by the dazzling display of gold,
silver and lamps lit everywhere.
It could hardly see past the array of lamps and items laid
around the chamber. It climbed to the top of a pile of
jewellery and ended up spending the night listening to the
clever wife’s stories and songs. The next morning, the snake quietly slipped away as the time slotted to take the
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prince’s life had passed. The prince’s life was so saved and his destiny changed.
Dhanteras, which marks the first day of Diwali, is said to
be based on this legend. It is the reason why lamps are lit
on Dhanteras, also referred to as ‘Yamadeepdaan’, and kept burning through the night to glorify Yama. This is
said to keep away Lord Yama and any evil spirit away
from the family.
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SAMUDRA MANTHAN AND DHANTERAS WORSHIP OF GODDESS LAKSHMI AND
LORD DHANVANTRI
Dhanteras celebrates Lord Dhanvantri and Goddess
Lakshmi. Both of them are said to have emerged during
the epic Samudra Manthan and Dhanteras is celebrated to
commemorate their emergence. The story goes like this.
Indra, the King of Devas (gods), while riding on the
elephant Airavata, came across Sage Durvasa who offered
him a special garland given to him as a prasad of Sri
(fortune), by the Goddess Lakshmi. Indra accepted the
garland and placed it on the trunk of the elephant as a
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test to prove that he was not an egoistic God. The
elephant, knowing that Indra had no control over his own
ego, threw the garland to the ground. This enraged the
sage as the garland was a dwelling of Sri (fortune) and
was to be treated as a prasada or religious offering.
Durvasa cursed Indra and all devas to be bereft of all
strength, energy, and fortune; that all these elements that
are symbolic of Sri and Goddess Lakshmi would leave Him
and the other Devas.
This was followed by various episodes, battles, were the
Devas were defeated and led to the slow, steady rise of
the Asuras. Devas sought help from the Supreme God
Vishnu who advised them to treat asuras in a diplomatic
manner. Devas formed an alliance with asuras to jointly
churn the ocean for the nectar of immortality and to share
it among them. However, Vishnu told the Devas that he
would arrange that they alone obtain the nectar.
The devas churned the ocean, using Mount Mandara,
holding the snake Vasuki at one end and the asuras held
the snake on the other, in a tug of war. A number of
divine celestial objects and beings is believed to have
come out of this churning.
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Lord Dhanvantri is said to have emerged during this
churning. He is known as the ‘Physician of Gods’ or ‘God of Ayurveda’. It is said that he arose from the ocean, carrying with him a pot of nectar meant for the welfare of
humanity, to offer a cure to all illnesses and sufferings. He
is prayed to especially during Dhanteras, seeking good
health and wellness. He is said to be an incarnation of
Lord Vishnu.
Lord Vishnu is said to have ensured that this nectar was
ultimately had by the Devas, thereby restoring all that
they had lost - fortune, wealth, power - all that is
symbolised by Goddess Lakshmi. In other words, Sri
returned to them.
Dhanteras thus honours this event, which reminds one to
let go of ego and stay humble, to ensure that one is
always blessed with Sri. Goddess Lakshmi is invoked and
prayed to with great reverence, seeking Her blessings on
the family and business.
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NARAKASURA THE STORY OF NARAKA CHATURDASHI
When the demon Hiranyaksha had descended and pushed
down on Mother Earth, known as Bhoomi Devi, during the
Varaha Avatar episode, a demon-child had emerged from
Bhoomi Devi. He was named Naraka. Though he was born
to her he had traits of an asura.
Bhoomi Devi had approached Lord Vishnu at the time of
his birth, fearing the consequences of this emergence of a
demon child. Lord Vishnu had put her to ease saying that
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when time came, He would help her to get things under
control.
Naraka meanwhile grew up to become very powerful but
extremely evil. He then came to be known as
Naraka(a)sura. He terrorised all beings of the three worlds
and all shook in fear of his name.
He performed great penance to Lord Brahma and had a
boon granted. He wished that no one but his mother could
defeat or kill him. He was confident that this would never
happen as no mother ever kills her own child, especially
Bhoomi Devi.
Feeling invincible with the granted boon, he wreaked
havoc. He would raid and plunder all kingdoms, enslave its
people and torture them to no end. He took great
pleasure in these activities and was uncontrollable. He
wanted to conquer one and all and was beyond greedy.
He heard about Lord Indra’s great army of divine elephants and wanted to take them over. So he hatched a
plan to attack Lord Indra’s abode, the heavens.
Lord Indra became helpless as he watched Narakasura’s army creeping in through his kingdom. Naraka was
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personally going behind the Devas while his army was
attacking the Kingdom at large. While Naraka was going
on this rampage, a shiny object distracted him from afar.
It was the earring of Aditi (the Mother of Devas). He went
on to assault her and grabbed her earrings.
Completely humiliated by this, Aditi rushed to Krishna’s palace and met His wife Satyabhama. She narrated the
entire incident and told her about how Narakasura had
imprisoned Indra and all the Devas. Satyabhama
immediately urged Krishna to take action against
Narakasura.
Krishna summoned his vahana Garuda and along with
Satyabhama, made way towards Narakasura. With his
magical powers Narakasura made mountains emerge as
barriers around his fortress. Krishna however smashed the
entire mountain range with his mace and descended on
Narakasura’s fort. Satyabhama stayed by his side and
supported Him through the challenge.
Narakasura’s fort was guarded by a five-headed demon
named Mura. Mura waged a great battle against Krishna,
using a range of powerful weapons. Krishna shattered
each one of them and killed Mura by beheading his five
heads with His discus. (He is hence called Murari, the
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slayer of Mura). Krishna finally challenged Narakasura to a
dual. An epic battle ensued. Narakasura hurled his
weapon Shakti and to Satyabhama’s horror, struck Krishna on His chest. Krishna fell to the ground. So was the rage
that hit Satyabhama at seeing this, she hurled her own
weapon on Narakasura. The speed and force of it was so
much that Narakasura was taken aback. Even more so as
it was wielded by a woman. It struck him on his chest and
he fell to the ground. He then saw Lord Krishna getting up
and Satyabhama checking on Him. Krishna had not a
scratch on Him.
Krishna and Satyabhama then approached the dying
Narakasura and explained how Satyabhama was actually
an incarnation of Bhoomi Devi. It was She who had
defeated Narakasura, thus fulfilling the prophecy as per
Brahma’s boon to the asura. Krishna had enabled the defeat, as He had once promised Bhoomi Devi, which
otherwise could not have been possible.
To this day, this defeat of Narakasura is celebrated as
Naraka Chaturdashi, on the second day of Diwali, as
the victory of good over evil, of light over dark.
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KING BALI AND VAMANA THE STORY OF BALI PRATIPADA
Once upon a time there lived a demon (asura) king called
Mahabali. He reigned over Kerala and was renowned as
someone who was wise, benevolent and a judicious ruler.
He was held close to heart by each and every subject.
Unlike any other king of those times, he treated all with
utmost equality and love, with no concerns on caste or
religion or race. All lived in prosperity, peace and justice.
There was joy, happiness and contentment all through the
kingdom. No one even attempted to lie or cheat. Very
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soon Mahabali's fame as the most able king spread far
and wide to the extent that the devathas grew envious.
They could not digest his widespread popularity. It
became worse when Mahabali extended his reign to the
heavens and the netherworld. This made the devathas
feel challenged and became very restless at his expanding
powers.They were quick to presume that he would over-
power all.
Aditi, the devamatha, the mother of all Gods, the
devathas, rushed to Lord Vishnu, to request him to curtail
Mahabali’s power and rapid growth amongst the worlds. Lord Vishnu then transformed himself into a dwarf called
Vamana. He then played out a drama with Mahabali.He
approached the King while he was in a yagna and asked
for alms. Mahabali, being his benevolent self, was ready to
grant him any wish.
Shukracharya, Mahabali’s preceptor, recognised Vamana to be no ordinary person, and warned Mahabali about
granting a wish blindly. But Mahabali’s ego was on a high and he felt that he had the power to grant even a God a
gift promised; that he would never go back on his word.
Vamana asked for a simple gift — the amount of land he
could measure in three paces — and the king agreed to it.
Lord Vishnu who was in the dwarf’s form then increased in
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size in such a way that with His first step He covered the
sky; with His second step, He straddled the netherworld.
Mahabali immediately realised that with His third step
Earth would be destroyed. He quickly offered his own
head for the last step. This step of Vamana pushed
Mahabali to the netherworld, the patala loka. However
before he could be completely banished to the
netherworld, Lord Vishnu acknowledged Mahabali’s integrity and humility by granting him a boon.
Mahabali, being so attached to his kingdom and his
people, requested that he be allowed to visit the kingdom
and his people once every year. Vamana granted him this
wish and it is believed that Mahabali thus returns to his
kingdom every year, to visit his subjects, to see them
joyous and prosperous.
This day is celebrated as Bali Pratipada, or Bali
Padyami or Padva, on the third day of Diwali. It is
celebrated to honour the symbolic homecoming of King
Mahabali, by his subjects. It also commemorates the
incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Vamana.
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KRISHNA AND MOUNT GOVARDHAN STORY OF GOVARDHAN PUJA
This is one of the most popular tales of Krishna from the
Bhagavata Purana.
One morning, Krishna woke up to the loud sounds of
people talking, coming from outside. He came out to see
his father Nanda along with the town elders planning a
grand puja to honour Lord Indra.
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Krishna questioned them on the plans and why a puja was
to be performed in his honour. Nanda explained that they
had to do so to please Indra every year, so that they
stayed blessed with enough rainfall to support themselves;
to ensure that Indra blessed them always.
Krishna immediately brought up a debate, saying that it
was rather Mount Govardhan that they should all pray to
and seek blessings from, and not Lord Indra. He explained
that it was Mount Govardhan which helped in the air
movement around their town, helped form the rain clouds,
provided them with vegetation, magical medicinal herbs
and so on. He told all that it would be wiser to perform
the puja and worship the mountain instead. After much
talk, the subjects were all convinced and they started the
arrangements for Govardhan puja.
Lord Indra was listening to all this and started getting
furious. He felt insulted and his ego was hurt (as expected
by Krishna). He decided to punish them all by sending
terrible rain clouds to flood the land of Vrindavan. He
called upon the Samvartaka clouds of devastation and
directed them to rain terror over Vrindavan. He wanted
them to understand the consequences of disrespecting
him.
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As the thunderstorm and rain struck down on Vrindavan,
there was chaos and panic. The entire land was starting to
get submerged in rainwater.The inhabitants were terrified.
Lord Krishna, understanding the reason and nature of the
situation, went up to Mount Govardhan and lifted it with
his one little finger. The people were awestruck at how
the mountain was so perfectly balance on Krishna’s one tiny finger. They took cover under His protection.
The entire population gathered under the Mountain which
was now like an umbrella against the great storm. For
seven full days Krishna held the mountain up, giving
protection to one and all gathered under it.
Indra was stunned by this episode and realised that
Krishna was teaching him a lesson, to not get carried
away with his ego and to stay humble. He called back the
rain and sun shone brightly over Vrindavan. All returned
home and Krishna placed Govardhan back in its place.
Lord Indra apologised and acknowledged his mistake and
Krishna forgave him.
It also taught the people of Vrindavan to value all that
they use, the food they receive, the shelter they have and
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all that, that is otherwise taken for granted. It also
highlighted the consequences of letting false ego and
pride take over.
Honouring this event, Annakut and Govardhan Puja is
celebrated on the fourth day of Diwali, the puja being the
primary ritual of the day. Many also perform the
Vishwakarma Puja on this day, to pay reverence to the
tools, equipments and weapons used by them on a daily
basis.
While the first three days of Diwali are days of prayer to
sanctify wealth and invite greater wealth into the
devotee’s life, the annakut day is a day of offering gratitude for God’s beneficence.
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