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.