On the day of the Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat Vidhi, a bath is taken in the morning that is a Friday morning. The observance of the vrat should be done according to the Shastras. Before starting the puja, the room is cleaned and the photograph of ShriYantra, which is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, is cleaned and chandan and kumkum is applied before starting the puja. A Vaibhav Lakshmi fast process is observed and the devotee remains on a fast all day long.
The Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat Process Is As Follows:
The Vaibhava Lakshmi vrat process starts with the salutation or paying homage to “Shree Yantra”. A devotee should bow his head to it and then apply his hands to his eyes. Then the devotee should bow down to the eight incarnations of Goddess Lakshmi. The incarnations of Goddess Lakshmi are as follows:
- DhanLakshmi or the incarnation of VaibhavaLakshmi
- ShriGajaLakshmi Goddess
- ShriAdhiLakshmi Goddess
- ShriVijayaLakshmi Goddess
- ShriAishvaryaLakshmi Goddess
- Shree VeeraLakshmi Goddess
- ShriDhanyaLakshmi Goddess
- ShriSantanLakshmi Goddess
First Method:For the Vaibhav Lakshmi vratvidhi, a plain piece of red cloth is placed in front of the Yantra. A handful of rice is spread on the cloth. Then copper or brass kalash (a pot shaped vessel) containing water is placed on the spreaded rice. A small cup (Arghyam cup) with a gold or silver coin is placed on the Kalash. A one rupee coin can be substituted instead of a gold or silver coin. Then sandalwood paste is applied to the coin and kalash. Then red flowers are also offered.
Second Method: A brass or copper plate filled with rice is placed in front of the “Yantra.” A kalash filled with water is placed on the plate of rice. Some mango leaves and coconut is also placed on top of the kalash. A red piece of cloth is wrapped around the kalash. Then sandalwood paste and kumkum is applied to the coconut and kalash.
The Following Slokas Are Recited:
- Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
- Lakshmi Sthavana Shlokaha (This sloka is chanted in praise of Goddess Lakshmi). This is done while worshipping the ornaments.
- Lakshmi Gayatri
- Prarthana
- Shri Lakshmi Kavachaha
Neivedyam Offered:
In Vaibhav Lakshmi vratvidhi, after the chanting of the slokas, neivedyam is offered to the Goddess Lakshmi. The following items are offered as neivedyam:
- Betel Leaves and betel nut
- Cocont and other fruits
- A sweet dish is offered which could be jaggery and rice payasam (rice pudding) or kheer
- Panchamrutham (a mixture of green bananas, dry grapes, dates, honey and jaggery).
ShriMahalakshmiAarati:
- For doing this arti, a small lamp containing ghee is lit and this deepam is shown to the kalasam
- Then the camphor is lit and Mahaaaarathi is done.
The Importance of the Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrata
It is a popular belief that the devotees, who observe Vaibhav Lakshmi vratvidhi with sincerity and faith, achieve whatever they desire. Both women and men can observe this oath. This vrat should be observed for 11 or 21 Fridays, according to one’s oath. The vrat is observed on Fridays only and the devotee should be on a fast while observing the vrat. The devotee should have veg meal once a day or the sweet dish that is offered to the goddess, while observing the vrat.
If for any reason the vrat cannot be maintained, such as due to untouchability, that is death takes place in the devotee’s family or is on a tour, then the vrat can be observed on the following Friday, at the residence of the devotee. After the completion of the observance of thevrat, for 11 or 21 Fridays, as is decided at the time of the oath, the vaibhava Lakshmi vrat books are given to 7,11, 21, 51 or 101 women and this way the vrat of the Vaibhava Lakshmi would spread and Goddess lakshmi would be tremendously happy.