Story of Varalakshmi Vratham

For the Sumangali Pengal or married women in many parts of South India, Varalakshmi Vratham is a festival they look forward to eagerly. After all, it is a ritual that had been recommended to Goddess Parvati by Lord Shiva himself. The story can be found in the Skanda Purana.

Story of Charumathi

Charumathi was a pious woman who lived in Kundinapura, which was in the kingdom of Magadha. She was a devoted wife and mother who took good care of her husband and children. Pleased by her devotion, Goddess Lakshmi appeared to her in a dream and asked her to perform the Varalakshmi Pooja. If she did so, all her wishes would come true. Charumathi spoke about the dream to her family, and her family members told her to follow the Goddess’ instructions. The Goddess had also given her the Pooja Vidhi for the ritual.

Charumathi did the Pooja and also told the other women in her community about her dream. They too decided to perform the Pooja, and it became a tradition to be faithfully followed every year.

This story was narrated by Shiva when Parvati asked him to suggest a Pooja that would benefit all women.

Other Legends

One day, Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati, were playing a game of dice. But they reached a stalemate and could not decide the winner of the game. So they told Chitranemi, a servant of Shiva, to decide the winner.

When Chitranemi declared that Lord Shiva was the winner, Parvati became upset and cursed Chitranemi, due to which he became a leper.

Chitranemi asked Lord Shiva to help him. Shiva requested Parvati to relieve him from the curse.

Parvati finally relented and told Chitranemi that he would be free of the disease if he watched pious women performing the Varalakshmi Vratham. Such is the significance of this Vratham.

Shyamabala’s Story

The well-known story of Shyamabala is also associated with Varalakshmi Vratham. Shyamabala was born to King Bathrasiravas and Queen Surachandrika. She was the wife of a prince in the neighboring kingdom.

One day, an old woman came to the palace and advised Queen Surachandrika to perform the Varalakshmi Vratham Pooja/Vrat. But the queen behaved rudely towards her and chased her away.

Noticing this, Princess Shyamabala went to the old woman and asked her what she wanted. The woman narrated what had happened. Then she told the princess about the greatness of the Vratham. On hearing this, the princess decided to perform the Vratham. When she did so, her husband and his kingdom began to prosper.

Meanwhile, her parents were suffering. They lost all their wealth, and people began to revolt against them. Shyamabala sent them some pots filled with gold as she wanted to help her parents. But the gold turned to ashes when the queen looked at it.

Shyamabala realized this was because of the sin that her mother had committed by chasing the old lady away. She also realized that the old woman was none other than Goddess Lakshmi in disguise. So she told her mother to ask forgiveness to the Goddess and perform the Vrat. The queen did as she said, and things returned to normal.

As per the legend, this Pooja was recommended by no less a person than Lord Parameswara for the family’s prosperity and happiness. Through this Pooja, married women seek varams or boons for good health, wealth, and longevity for their husbands and the entire family. Some women also seek progeny blessings.

It is said that Sage Suka, the son of Veda Vyasa and his wife, Pingala, mentioned this vratham later to Shaunaka and other sages.

Varalakshmi Vratham 2022 is on August 12.