On my wife Aparna’s _th birthday (I dare not fill that up) my thoughts on what makes her very special. Let me start with a few words about her. A great thing about her is her over-riding desire to just give , give and give. Amazing lady who simply loves doing for others giving her 100% Ask any of our friends and relatives for endorsement – I am sure she would get overwhelming votes to beat Pranabda if it were for Presidential Elections.
With our Children
I always know she is my greatest supporter yet not afraid to challenge me and help me grow into a better person. Her faith in our chosen path I feel far exceeds mine, many a times and in the path some giant leaps that we have taken together successfully as a couple would have never happened without her support, willingness and strength.
To our children, she is the best mom one can hope or even imagine to get. She has created a wonderful home out of this house, that we all look forward to come back and chill.
Today, on her _th birthday (no, I still don’t dare to fill that blank despite the good words written earlier), I want to honor Aparna for being my wife. She is my best friend and mate that I could ever get. The Divine as always knew that my destiny is with her and led me to Aparna. And most importantly boy! I am extremely elated that I listened to Him!
Happy Birthday, Dearest Aparna and thanks for everything (and the delicious food that you always cook, I have to say this in anything that I write). We love you just the way you are! Wishing you a wonderful day which we surely would try to make. May this day which started on a great note, get better and better through the day and the year ahead.
Raising the toast on your Birthday – here we are… with Love
Me with the Birthday Girl
PS: The occasion sweetened due to the presence of Ashwin, Aparna (Addanki), Deepika, Bhanu akka and many senior Swamis and Teachers of AOL
Namastestu Mahaamaaye Shreepeete Surapoojite Shankha Chakra Gadaa Haste Mahaalakshmi Namostute
Vara Mahalakshmi is the festival of Goddess Lakshmi celebrated in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra mainly by women folk on the second Friday in the month of Shravana i.e. Friday before the Poornima (Full Moon) of Hindu month Shravana. As the name suggests Vara Mahalakshmi is the one who grants Vara (boon). The festival is observed by the married woman for the well being of all family members, especially husband.
It is believed that worshipping Goddess Varalakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmis, the 8 forces or energies namely Sri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Saraswati (learning), Preeti (love), Keerti (Fame), Shanti (Peace), Tushti(Pleasure) and Pushti(Strength). Each force is considered as Lakshmi and all 8 forces as Ashta Lakshmis. Lord Vishnu is also considered as the asylum for the Ashta Lakshmis (Eight-Lakshmis or forces).
Varamahalakshmi in Her Best (my Sister’s home)
Varamahalakshmi after Mahamangalarati at Home
Varamahalakshmi at Agnyaa’s Home
Ashta Dala Padma Rangoli
Ashtadala Padma Rangoli (Ashta is 8, dala is leaf, padma is lotus) is drawn on a wooden plank (peeta in kannada) which is tied with thorana (mango leaves) and bale kandu (banana stems) on both the sides. A Kalasha is kept on a plate spread with rice. Lamps are lit on the either sides of the kalasha. Kalasha is filled with little rice, water, beetel nuts, beetel leaves, Kharjura(dry dates) and one coin. Turmeric and Kumkuma is applied evenly to a coconut without husk and is kept on the kalasha with mango leaves surrounding it. Face of goddess(eyes and nose) can be drawn on the coconut or the ready silver faces are available which can be tied to the coconut. Arishina dara (Yellow thread) with nine knots are kept on beetle leaves to the right of kalasha. First Lord Ganesha is worshipped. Ganapati Ashotthara is read. Then the Varalakshmi Puja is performed in the prescribed manner. After puja Sumangalis (Married Women) tie the yellow thread to their right hand. Katha (Story) is read by the elderly person of the family
Kalasha with Lakshmi face – Alankar and Post Puja
The Best Part of any Festival
Prasada – Festival Highlight
Frugal – Isn’t it?
Vara Mahalakshmi Vrata Story
According to Hindu mythology, once Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva about a vrata that will be beneficial to women. Lord Shiva then mentioned the importance of Varalakshmi Vrata. The conversation on Varalakshmi Vrata between Parvati and Shiva takes place in the Skanda Purana. To illustrate the importance of the Vrata, Lord Shiva narrates the story of Charumati.
The story happens in a beautiful town located in the Kingdom of Vidarbha (Vidarba Rajyam). Pleased with Charumati’s devotion to her husband and family, Goddess Lakshmi appeared in her dream and asked her to perform the Varalakshmi Vrata. The pious Charumati invited all her neighbors, friends and relatives and performed the Varalakshmi puja as directed by Goddess Lakshmi. Soon after the puja, all the people who participated in the puja where blessed with wealth and prosperity. She recites the following sloka along with other women with utmost faith and devotion.
Lakshmi Ksheerasamudra rajatanyam sri rangadhameswareem Dasibootha samastha devavanitham lokaika deepamkuram Sri manmanda kataksha labdhivibhat brahmendra gangadharam Twamtrayamlokyakutumbhineem sasijavandemukunda priyam
Meaning: Goddess Lakshmi, who is the daughter of the king of the ocean of milk, whose abode is Srirangam (with Lord Ranganatha), who is served by all the divine ladies in heaven, who is the guiding light for the world, who has obtained the sustained (continued, everlasting) glance (Grace) from Brahma, Indra and Shiva, whose abode is the three worlds (Bhu, Bhuva, Suvaha) – I offer my prostrations to Thee, the beloved of Lord Krishna (Mukunda).
PS:
I wrote this blog after attending the Lakshmi Puja performed by HH Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar in Art of Living ‘s International Ashram in Bangalore , which made it the second puja that I attended on this auspicious day.
