Various Artists - Varalakshmi Pooja - Tamil and Telugu
http://www.slokas.com/slokas/vedicrituals/tamil/poojas/varalakshmi.html
Varalakshmi Pooja
Yohoooooooooo All geethamites , esp my sisters and aunties and paatiee ...this one for you all from your Manamadu ........ VARALAKSHMI POOJA for this SRAVANAM Oye balle balle pray for me too okay I want Aishwarya Lakshmi & all Asta LAskhmis and esp. Vidhya Lakshmi
Sanskrit Version.....
VaraLakshmi Pooja Part 1.mp3 (28.44 MB)
http://www.mediafire.com/?bm1bmmcd9fe
Varalakshmi Pooja Part 2.mp3 (28.99 MB)
http://www.mediafire.com/?4x4jx8nvmh2
Tamil Version by K. Ganesa Sastrigal & K. Murthy Sastrigal
TAMIL VARALAKSHMI.rar (50.3 MB)
http://www.mediafire.com/?2bsls0fs2gn
Telugu Version by E.V. Subramanya Sastry & Party
VARALAKSHMI_TELUGU.rar (61.05 MB)
http://www.mediafire.com/?9hb1mnd9c2w
A small Copy paste
The glory of performing the VARALAKSHMI VRATAM, narrated directly by Lord Shiva Himself, is elaborately discussed in the Skanda Puranam. This is a festival to propitiate Shri Varalakshmi (Mahalakshmi ) - the consort of Lord Vishnu, who is the abode of all mangalam (auspiciousness) , prosperity and wealth. The Varalakshmi Vratam is to be performed on the shrAvaNa shukla shukra vAram , that is, the Friday immediately following the full moon day (Purnima) in the auspicious month of Shravanam (corresponding to August - September). This Vratam is undertaken by the sumangalis (whose husbands are still living) for good progeny, good health, and wishing long life for the husbands.
Lakshmi is symbolic of eight forces - wealth (shrI), earth (bhU), learning (sarasvati), love (prIti), fame (kIrti), peace (shAnti), pleasure (tuShTi), and strength (puShTi). Each of these forces is called a Lakshmi, and collectively they are known as ashTa lakshmi. Worship of Varalakshmi is rendered equivalent to the pUja for ashTalakshmi. Since She is ever ready to grant boons to her true devotees, she is usually referred to as "vara lakshmi".
The Worship
The rituals of worship during the Varalakshmi Vratam differ from region to region in south India, but they all have the same basic format. The performer begins the day with a holy purification bath, and wears clean clothes. The arena is decorated with kolam (rangoli). A geometrical design known as mandalam is then drawn on the clean surface of the floor (with the picture of a lotus upon it). A sacred pot (kalasham) is filled with pure water and rice (akshata), topped with a bunch fresh mango leaves, and a coconut (unbroken, with its kudimi on) smeared with turmeric powder is placed atop. Also, sandal paste and kumkumam are applied to the kalasham, and a cloth is tied around it before placing it on the mandalam. Some people further beautify the kalasham with a picture of Varalakshmi drawn on it and decorated with jewels. Then, Goddess Lakshmi is invoked. Fresh flowers and grains are used in the worship, indicating growth and prosperity.
After performing the initial worship of Lord Ganesha (seeking removal all obstacles), prayers are offered to the kalasham. A toram (which consists of nine threads and nine knots) is tied to the Goddess. Then they worship the thread (raksha). Now the main worship of Lakshmi begins, with a second worship of the sacred Thread. Finally, it is tied around the right hand of the performer. Prayers in the form of Lakshmi Ashtottara shatanAma and sahasranAma are then chanted. Another sumangali is then chosen, and she is offered auspicious articles as gifts and food. The function concludes with the singing of several hymns and songs in praise of Varalakshmi.
Legends
There are several varied legends associated with this festival. Goddess Parvathi once asked Lord Shiva to recommend her a vratam, which would be beneficial for the womenfolk on earth who seek prosperity. Then, Lord Shiva preached her about Varalakshmi Vratam (as mentioned in Skanda Puranam). To illustrate the sanctity of this vratam, Lord Shiva then narrated the story of one Charumati (of Kuntinapura in the Maratha desham). Charumati was a true pativrata (devoted to husband in all sincerity). Pleased with her true and undivided devotion to her husband, Goddess Lakshmi appeared in her dream and advised her to undertake the Varalakshmi Vratam on the auspicious day of shrAvana shukLa shukRa vAram. Charumati performed this pUja with utmost devotion, the same day, in the dream itself (mAnasIka pUja). The next day she narrated this dream to her husband, and with his full consent, to all other women folk in town. On the auspicious day, she did not fail to perform Varalakshmi vratam as prescribed to her by Goddess Parvathi. Then some miracles took place. As the womenfolk stepped out of the house, they saw all houses decked with riches and gold, and a golden chariot awaiting them outside Charumati's house. Everything seemed bountiful! Ever since, this Vratam has been regularly performed in households.
Another legend is that a person by name Chitranemi was once cursed (to become a leper) by Parvati for showing partiality toward Lord Shiva in a game, in which he was the judge. Chitranemi got shApa vimochanam (relief from this curse) when he watched with great attention, the Varalakshmi Vratam performed by some pious ladies.
Varalakshmi Vratam is a special pooja or festival performed by married women and young girls in South India to worship Goddess Lakshmi-the Goddess of wealth, power and prosperity. Performing of this pooja is considered worshipping all the different forms of Goddess Lakshmi. It is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
The pooja is marks strict observance of some austerities, practices and fasting and it falls in the month of Ashada on the last Friday of the bright fortnight.For 2008, it falls on 15th August, Friday.
Celebrations of Vara Lakshmi Vratham
The evening before the day of worship, the place where the puja will be performed is cleaned thoroughly and decorated with rangolis and flowers. A bronze puja kalasam (pot) is filled with water or rice and coins, betel leaves, betel nut and mango leaves. The kalasam is smeared with turmeric, sandal paste, vermillion and a new cloth is tied around its neck.
A coconut smeared with turmeric paste around it is placed on the top of the kalasam with mango leaves falling sides of the kalasam. An image of Goddess Laxmi made of different materials is affixed to the kalasam. The kalasam is considered as the Lakshmi Herself. After this women offer aarthi to the kalasam.
The next morning before rahu kalam, the decorated kalasam is placed on a bed of rice. This epitomizes that Goddess Laxmi has entered into the house. After this Vara Laxmi pooja begins with an invocation to Lord Ganesh. During the pooja, Lakshmi Sahasranamam, and slokas dedicated to Varalakshmi are chanted. Even songs are sung in praise of Goddess. After this different types of sweets, fruits and flowers are offered to Goddess.
After the end of the puja women and young girls tie yellow colored threads to their wrists. Thamboolam is offered to ‘sumangalis’ (married women) who were invited to the place of worship. Women and girls who performed the puja observe a strict fast on that day and can only eat certain foods. The holy water of the kalasam is sprinkled throughout the house the following day. Rice used in place of water in the kalasam is mixed with the rice stored in the house.
Myth behind Vara Lakshmi Vratham
The myth behind the origin of Vara Lakshmi Vratham tells the following story. Once Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were playing a game of dice. Although Parvati was winning each game, Shiva claimed victory at every game. So, Parvati wanted an umpire and Chitranemi (a creation of Lord Shiva) was chosen for this. Chitranemi, an underling of Shiva, supported Lord Shiva. This sort of behavior by Chitranemi provoked Goddess Parvati’s wrath and She cursed him that he should be affected by leprosy for not doing his duties in fair ways.
After this Chitranemi begged an apology to Parvati and Shiva too. It is said that she was reluctant to forgive Chitranemi and but said that he would get rid his fatal diseases by observing the Varalakshmi Vratam. By worshipping Varalakshmi, it is said that Chitranemi got rid of the leprosy. Even some historical incidents too are associated with this festival where women were blessed by Goddess Lakshmi’s grace. The story of these mysterious incidents spread everywhere and the custom of worshipping Vara Laxmi started.
Significance of Varalakshmi Vratam
Vara Lakshmi Vratham is celebrated to propitiate Varalakshmi (Mahalakshmi). Goddess Laxmi symbolizes eight forces i.e. Sri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Sarasvati (learning), Priti (love), Kirti (Fame), Santi (Peace), Tushti (Pleasure) and Pushti (Strength). Each of these forces is called as a Lakshmi and all combined called as ‘Ashta Lakshmi.’ So the puja of Varalakshmi is equal to the puja of all the eight Lakshmis.
Lord Maha Vishnu, husband of Ashta Lakshmi said to be the asylum of these eight forces. He radiates these forces from him. Since these abstract forces are beyond the comprehension of an ordinary human being, they are personified and worshipped as Lakshmis. As the three main forces health, wealth and prosperity depend upon the rhythmic play of these forces. Invoking of Goddess Lakshmi through Vara Lakshmi Vratham are said to obtain them.
It is said that as Goddess Lakshmi is a woman, she will be more pleased by women. Hence the festival is largely observed by women for the welfare of their husbands, children and family.