||Deepavali – Lord Shree LakshmiDevi Pooja Vidhanam||

Deepavali - Lights

Deepavali

Diwali (also spelled Devali in certain regions) or Deepavali, popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a five day festival which starts on Dhanteras, celebrated on thirteenth lunar day of Krishna paksha (dark fortnight) of the Hindu calendar month Ashwin and ends on Bhaubeej, celebrated on second lunar day of Shukla paksha (bright fortnight) of the Hindu calendar month Kartika.

For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes.

The name "Diwali" or "Divali" is a contraction of "Deepavali" (Sanskrit: दीपावली Dīpāvalī), which translates into "row of lamps" Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (dīpa in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. These lamps are kept on during the night and one's house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome. Firecrackers are burst in order to drive away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, from his 14-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas and by bursting firecrackers.

The festival starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. The second day of the festival, Naraka Chaturdasi, marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. Amavasya, the third day of Diwali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of LordVishnu, who in his dwarf incarnation vanquished the Bali, and banished him to Patala. It is on the fourth day of Diwali, Kartika Shudda Padyami, that Bali went to patala and took the reins of his new kingdom in there. The fifth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj), and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.

Lord Shree Lakshmi Devi Pooja

Shree LakshmiDevi

"lakshmi-puja-vidhanam"

Sri Lakshmi was the daughter of the sage Bhrigu and took refuge in the ocean of milk when the gods were sent into exile. Lakshmi was reborn during the Churning of the Ocean. Lakshmi is the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth. While Laxmi is generally worshiped to achieve success, she does not reside long with anyone who is lazy or desire her only as wealth.

It is extremely important to keep the house clean and pure on Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi likes cleanliness, and she will visit the cleanest house first. This is also the reason MahaLakshmi is worshipped on this day with offerings of haldi and kumkum (turmeric and vermilion).

Before performing Laxi Pooja you must take a bath, and wear new, or at least clean, clothes. Lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the goddess. They are believed to light up Her path.

Lakshmi Puja consists of a combined puja of five deities: Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighnaharta; Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in her three forms Mahalakshmi (the goddess of wealth and money), Mahasaraswati (the goddess of books and learning), and Mahakali; Kuber (the treasurer of the gods) is also worshipped.

Steps/Process Performing Lakshmi Puja :

Make Kalash Pot :

·         Place a handful of grains in the center and, on this, place a kalash (pitcher) made of gold, silver, copper, or terracotta. Fill three-fourth of the kalash with water and place a betel nut, 5 Mango leaves inside the neck a flower, a coin. Place a saucer of rice ontop of the Kalash. Place a small dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains. Draw a lotus with turmeric powder ( haldi ) over the rice grains and place the idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along with coins.

·         Place One big diya, filled with ghee, on the plate of rice resting on top of the Kalash (this represents THE SUN). Together they represent MAHA LAXMI.

·         Take a red cloth, spread rice grains and place 8 (diyas) with ghee and wicks and place them around the Kalash in a Half circle with the circle towards you. 

Place the idol of Ganesha:

In front of the kalash, on the right place the idol of Ganesha. You can also place books related to education, your business you desire. Light a lamp and begin the puja by offering haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the platform on which the kalash is placed. Then offer haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the water that is to be used for the puja. Invoke the river goddesses to be part of this water.

Perform Sodasamatrika Puja (recieting 16 names of Godesses

The 16 mothers are represented on the platform by 16 small heaps of rice and a NUTMEG on top. Bowing to the 16 mothers, take rice, flowers and fragrance (atar) in your hands and say:

GOURI PADMA SACIMEDHA SAVITRI VIJAYA JAYA DEVASENA SVADHA

SVAHA MATARO LOKAMATARAH HRSTIH PUSTISTATHATUSTI ATMANAH

KULADEVATAH GANESE NADHI KAPUJ YAH URDD HOU PUJYASCA SODA SAH

Gouri, Padma, Saci, Medha, Savitri, Vijaya, Jaya,Devasena, Svadha, Svaha, Mataro,Lokamatrah, Hrstih, Pustistatha, Tusti, Atmakuladevataare the sixteen venerable mothers.

Take a handful of rice, and pouring it through yourfingers on the red cloth. This is the representation for various deities as explained below: Sprinkle the flowers, rice and fragrance (atar).

Now Begin Doing THE MAHALAXMI PUJA :

Place a small dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains. Draw a lotus with turmeric powder ( haldi ) and flowers over the rice grains and place the idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along with coins.

LAKSHMI MANTRA ;

Om Shree Laxmi Devayay Namah

Oh Goddess Lakshmi ! We pray to you in benign solemnity to bestow your blessings and shower your wealth on us.

OM SHREEM HEEM SHREEM KAMLE KAMALALAYE PRASEED PRASEED,

SHREEM HEEM SHREEM

OM MAHALAXMI NAMAYE

Om and salutations to that feminine energy which bestows all manner of wealth, and for which

Shreem is the seed.

Drop the flowers and the rice at the feet of the goddess

Take flowers or unbroken grains of rice in yourhands. Meditate upon the goddess, saying:

YA SA PADMA SANASTHA VIPULA KATI TATI PADMA PATRAYAT AKSI

GAM BHIRA VARTANA BHISTANA BHARANA MITA SUBHRA VASTROTTARIYA

YA LAKSMIR DIVYA RUPA IRMANI GANA KHA CITAIH SNA PITAHEMA KUMBH AIH

SA NITYAM PADMA HASTA MAMA VASATU GRHE SARVA MANGALYAYUKTA SWAHA

Laksmi who is seated on a lotus, has eyes as wideas lotus petals, massive hips, deep navel, and heave breasts, wears white upperand lower garments, wears jewelry, is bathed from a golden pitcher, carries alotus in her hand, and is associated with every auspicious sign, let her residein my house.

Drop the flowers and the rice at the feet of the goddess

AVAHANAM (INVOCATION)

Now you have to invokeLaxmi. Avahanam is the act of invoking her. Make the usual gesture of welcoming guests in, and invite Laxmi to the household, office or factory where she is going to be worshipped and say;

OM SARVA LOKASYA JANANIM SULA HASTAM TRILO CANAMSARVADE VAMA YIMI SAM DEVI

MAVA HAYA MY AHAM DEVIM AVAHA YAMI SWAHA

I invoke the mother of the three worlds, the three eyed one with the spear in her hand, in whom all the gods reside. I invoke the goddess

Now, INVOKE LAKSHMI DEVI DOING Kalash Puja :

Place the Kalash You made before or Put THE KALASH FILLED WITH WATER, SPRINKEL SANDALWOOD POWDER, FLOWER, TULASI TO IT. PLACE A COCONUT ON THE TOP OF THE VESSEL (ask PanditJi for more clarification);

KALASHASYA MUKHAE VISHNUHU KANTAE RUDRAHASAMAASHRITAHAMULAE

TATRA STHITHO BRAHMA MADHYAE MAATRAGANAHASMRITAHA

We worship the kalasha (vessel above which the coconut is placed) invoking Mahavishnu at the mouth of the vessel. We invokeLord Rudra (an aspect of Shiva) at the neck of the kalasha and Brahma at thebase of the vessel. We invoke the Universal Mother Goddess and Her retinue in midst of the kalasha. Thus the male and female trinities are invoked. Salutations!

LAKSHMI PANCHAMRITH STANAN :

Place the idol of Lakshmi in a plate and bathe it with water, panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee or clarified butter, honey, and sugar) and then with water containing some gold ornament or a pearl. Wipe the idol clean and place it back on the kalash. Alternately, you can just sprinkle water and panchamrit on the idol with a flower.

Do the following while chanting the mantra ;

Offer Seat to the deity

Aum Idam aasaanam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha

AumPaada-yoha paadyam Sri Laxmi Mata samarpa-yaami  swaha

Giving deity water to drink

AumHastayor-arghyam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swah

Purifying area around deity with water –

AumMukhe aachman-eeyam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha

Vastram (Silk Cloth)

AumVastram Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha

Gandam (Perfume)

AumGandham Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha

Chandan (Brown Sandalwood)

AumChandanam prati grihayatam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha

Sindoor (Red Sandalwood)

AumSindooram Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha

Pasupu / Hardee (Yellow Tumeric)

Aumhaldeeyam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha

With an incense arti the deity

Aumdhoopamaa-ghraa-payaami Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha

Akshat

Aumakshataya Shri Lammi Mata samarapa-yaami swaha

Now

Recite/chant 108 Names of SRI LAKSHMI ASHTOTHARA DOING KUMKUMA PUJA

RECIET

SRI MAHA ALSKHMI STOTRAM

Pushpam (White Flower)

Aumpushpam Maalam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha

Tambulam (Betal leaves, areca,fruits)

AumTambulam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha

Naivediam (Mixture of Sugar, Milk Cream,Ghee etc)

Aum Naivedyam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaamiswaha

Coins (silver)

Aumdakshinaam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha

With a diya arti the deity

Aumdeepam darsha-yaami Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha

Circle the Deity with Karpoor

Aumkarpoor-aaraarti-kayam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami

Samarpa-yaami

means not for me but for you God

Recite Mahalaxmi Bhajan

Aarti after performing this

OFFERINGS FOR MAHALAKSHMI:

Offer sandal paste, saffron paste, perfume (Athar ), haldi, kumkum, abeer, and gulal to the goddess. Offer a garland of cotton beads to the goddess. Offer flowers, especially the marigold flowers and leaves of Bel (wood apple tree). Light an incense stick and dhoop. Make an offering of sweets, coconut, fruits, and tambul. Make an offering of puffed rice and batasha. Pour some puffed rice, batasha, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds over the idol. Safe where you keep money and jewelry; Worship this safe as a symbol of Lord Kuber.