Vaibhava Lakshmi Friday Vrat Katha

There was an extremely large and grand city. Millions of people resided in that city. Due to social changes, the conduct and behavior of people had also changed. Where in the earlier environment everyone used to live together in mutual harmony and help each other, in the new environment, the very nature of people changed. Everyone remained busy in their own work. Even the members of the family did not worry about each other. Bhajan-kirtan, devotion, kindness-religion, charity, etc. were disappearing. Adharma had increased in the city. Wine, gambling, adultery, theft, robbery, etc., various types of crimes were taking place there.

It is said that - "A ray of hope is hidden even in despair." Similarly, despite so much adharma all around, there were some righteous people in the city. Sheela and her husband were also counted among such good people. Sheela was of a very religious and contented nature. Her husband was also very wise and well-behaved. Sheela and her husband lived their lives with integrity. They did not criticize anyone and were spending time worshiping the Lord. Their household was an ideal household and all the people of the city used to praise and appreciate them.

Sheela's household was going on happily like this. But it is said that - "The movement of karma is mysterious, no one can understand the writings of the Creator. A person's fate can make a king a pauper and a pauper a king in a moment." As a result of the deeds of Sheela's husband's previous birth, destiny introduced him to some unrighteous people. After befriending those evil-minded people, Sheela's husband started dreaming of becoming rich as soon as possible. With the aim of earning more and more wealth, he started walking on the path of adharma, due to which instead of becoming rich, he became poor. Subsequently, his condition became like a beggar wandering on the path. Various types of vices like wine, gambling, etc. were prevalent in the entire city. Sheela's husband also got trapped in the cycle of all those vices. He started drinking wine with friends. In the greed of becoming rich quickly, he also started gambling with friends. In this way, he lost all his accumulated savings, his wife's jewelry, and all his property in gambling.

Gradually, poverty started residing in his house. Even two meals a day became rare for them. Sheela's husband started torturing her and using various types of abusive words. Sheela was a very well-behaved and cultured woman. Therefore, her heart was deeply hurt by this behavior of her husband. But she started enduring all the troubles while keeping faith and belief in God. Happiness follows sorrow and sorrow follows happiness. Therefore, Sheela started spending this period of crisis while remembering the Lord.

One day at noon, someone called out to Sheela at her door. Sheela started thinking - "Who would have come to the house of a poor person like me at this time? But the guest who has come to the door must be respected." Thinking this, Sheela opened the door and saw an elderly mother standing in front. Her age seemed advanced but there was a divine radiance on her face. Nectar was raining from her eyes. Her grand face was full of compassion and love. Just by seeing her, Sheela began to feel spiritual peace. Although Sheela was not acquainted with this mother, Sheela's every pore blossomed seeing her. Sheela brought the mother inside the house with respect, but there was not even a seat etc. to make her sit. Finally, Sheela hesitantly made her sit on a torn bedding.

Mother said - "Why Sheela! Didn't you recognize me?" Sheela said in dilemma - "Mother! My heart is delighted to see you. I am getting extreme peace of mind. It seems that you are the one I have been searching for for many days, but I cannot recognize you." Mother said laughing - "Why? Have you forgotten? Bhajan-kirtans are held in the temple of Lakshmi ji every Friday, then I also come there. We meet there every Friday."

Sheela was very distressed and disappointed because of her husband's unrighteous conduct. Because of this pain, she did not even go to the temple of Lakshmi ji. She felt ashamed even to meet anyone else's eyes. She put a lot of pressure on her brain but she could not remember anything about the mother. At that time, Mother said - "You used to sing such sweet bhajans in the Lakshmi temple. You have not been seen in the temple for a few days, so I was worried as to why you don't come? Hope you haven't become unwell? Thinking all this, I have come to meet you." Sheela's heart melted with Mother's words full of extreme love. Tears came to her eyes. She started crying pitifully before the mother. Seeing this, Mother came near Sheela and started consoling her by stroking her back with a hand full of love.

Mother said - "Daughter! Happiness and sorrow are like sun and shade. Have patience daughter! What is your problem? Tell me the cause of your sorrow. Surely some solution to your problem will be found." Hearing Mother's words, Sheela's mind became calm. She said to Mother - "Mother! My household was full of happiness and good fortune, my husband was also well-behaved. Suddenly our fate turned against us. My husband got trapped in bad company and fell into vices and lost everything. Our condition has become like a beggar on the street."

Hearing this, Mother said - "It is said that the cycle of karma is very powerful, every person must reap the fruit of his actions. Therefore, you be rest assured. Now the reaping of your actions is over. Now days of your happiness will definitely come. You are a devotee of Maa Lakshmi. Maa Lakshmi is the incarnation of love and compassion. She always bestows grace on her devotees. Therefore, you observe Maa Lakshmi's fast with patience. Through its influence, all your troubles will end." Hearing about Shri Lakshmi Vrat from Mother's mouth, Sheela's heart was overwhelmed. She asked - "Mother! How is this fast of Lakshmi ji observed, please describe its procedure. By your command, I will definitely observe this fast."

The Goddess Mother said - "Daughter! Maa Lakshmi's fast is very easy and simple. In the world, this fast is also popular by the name of Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat. By observing this fast, all the wishes of the observer are fulfilled and he obtains happiness, property, and fame. Daughter! Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat is a simple fast, but many devotees do this fast with incorrect method, due to which the full fruit of the fast is not obtained. The general belief is that the fast is completed by worshiping gold jewelry with turmeric-vermilion. But it is not so; every fast should be done according to the scriptural method only then its complete merit is obtained. The reality is that gold jewelry should be worshiped systematically. The conclusion (Udyapan) of the fast should also be done according to the scriptural method.

This fast should be done on Friday. After bathing etc. in the morning, wearing clean clothes, one should meditate on "Jai Maa Lakshmi" throughout the day. One should not criticize or gossip about anyone during the fast. In the evening, sit on a seat facing the east. Place a wooden stool in front and spread a red cloth on it. Make a small pile of rice on it. Establish a copper Kalash filled with water on that pile and place a bowl on the Kalash. Place a gold ornament in that bowl. If not of gold, silver should be used. If not even of silver, then money and coins should be used. Thereafter, a ghee lamp and incense should be lit.

Many forms of Goddess Lakshmi have been described in the scriptures. Maa Lakshmi is very fond of Shri Yantra. Therefore, while worshiping in Vaibhava Lakshmi, first of all, one should see Shri Yantra and various forms of Lakshmi ji with devotion. Thereafter, Lakshmi Stavan should be recited. After that, by offering turmeric-vermilion and Akshat (unbroken rice), the ornament or coin kept in the bowl should be worshiped and a red colored flower should be offered to the Mother. In the evening, some sweet should be made and offered as Prasad. If not possible, only jaggery Prasad should be offered. Thereafter, performing Aarti, one should shout "Jai Maa Lakshmi" with a true heart. Making a firm resolve of observing the fast for 11 or 21 Fridays before the Mother, one should pray to Maa Lakshmi ji for the fulfillment of the wish. Thereafter, Mother's Prasad should be distributed among everyone and one should also consume it.

If you have strength, then fast for the full day and complete the fast by consuming only the Prasad. If not capable, then food should be taken with the Prasad in the evening. Thereafter, take the ornament or money kept in the bowl. Offer the water from the Kalash to the Tulsi bed and put the rice for the birds. By observing this fast systematically in this way, its result is definitely obtained. As a result of this fast, all the troubles of the observer are removed and wealth and grain are obtained. If childless, a child is obtained. The good fortune of a married woman remains intact and unmarried girls obtain a suitable groom." Sheela was delighted hearing the glory of Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat. She asked - "Mother! You have described the scriptural method of Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat, I will definitely observe the fast according to it, but how should the Udyapan of this fast be done? Please describe the Udyapan method also."

The Goddess Mother said - "Whether 11 or 21 resolve has been taken, accordingly Friday Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat should be done with devotion in that many numbers. On the last Friday of the fast, Kheer should be offered to the Mother. Just as worship is done every Friday, it should be done with the same method. After the worship procedure, a coconut should be broken. Thereafter, as per capacity, in the number of 7, 11, 21, offer Kheer Prasad to unmarried girls and married women after putting a vermilion tilak. Thereafter, bow to the image of Vaibhava Lakshmi form of Maa Lakshmi. This form of Maa Lakshmi is the provider of glory (Vaibhava). Pray to the Mother with devotion - "O Maa Dhanalakshmi! O Maa Vaibhavalakshmi! I have completed your fast with a sense of devotion. O Mother! Fulfill our wishes. Do welfare for all of us. O Mother, provide children to the childless. Make the good fortune of married women eternal. O Mother! Provide a desired suitable groom to the girls. Whoever follows this miraculous Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat of yours with devotion, remove all his troubles and calamities, O Mother. Provide happiness and prosperity to all. O Mother! Your glory is boundless, victory to you!"

Hearing the description of the scriptural method of Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat from Mother's mouth, Sheela was overwhelmed with emotion. She thought that it seems the path to happiness has been found now. Closing her eyes, she took a resolve in her heart at that very moment that - "O Vaibhavalakshmi Mother! I will also observe Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat for twenty-one Fridays with devotion through scriptural method as told by the Mother and will also do Udyapan according to the scriptural method of the fast." When Sheela opened her eyes after taking the resolve, no one was in front. That Mother had disappeared. This Mother was none other than Goddess Lakshmi herself. Sheela was an exclusive devotee of Lakshmi ji. Therefore, to guide her devotee, Goddess Lakshmi herself had come in the form of the Mother to describe the fast.

The next day was Friday. After bathing in the morning and wearing clean clothes, Sheela started chanting "Jai Maa Lakshmi" with a sense of faith and devotion in her heart. Throughout the day, she did not criticize or gossip about anyone. After bathing etc. in the evening, Sheela sat down facing the east. Earlier there were many gold ornaments in the house but due to her husband's improper actions, all the ornaments were sold or pawned. But her nose pin (pulli), which is also called clove, was left. Washing the nose pin, Sheela kept it in the bowl. Spreading a red cloth on the wooden stool in front of her, she kept a handful of rice pile. On that, she kept a copper Kalash filled with water. Above that, she kept the bowl with the pin. Thereafter, she performed salutation, praise, worship etc. systematically and there was a little jaggery in the house, she offered its Prasad and completed the Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat.

First of all, she gave this Prasad to her husband. As soon as he consumed the Prasad, a change started coming in her husband's nature. That day he neither tortured Sheela nor did any kind of violence with her. Sheela was very happy. Devotion for Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat became even more deep in her heart.

Sheela observed the fast for twenty-one Fridays with full faith and devotion. On the twenty-first Friday, after completing the Udyapan of the fast systematically, Sheela provided food, Prasad, sixteen items of makeup, and the booklet of Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat to seven women. Thereafter, saluting the image of the Dhanalakshmi form of the Mother, Sheela started praying in her heart with emotion - "O Maa Dhanalakshmi! I had resolved to observe your Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat, that fast is completed today. O Mother! Resolve all my crises. Do welfare for all of us. Provide children to the childless. Make the good fortune of a married woman intact. Provide a desired husband to an unmarried girl, whoever observes this miraculous Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat of yours, remove all his calamities. Make everyone happy. O Mother! Your glory is immense. Victory to you always." Praying in this way, everyone bowed to the image of the Dhanalakshmi form of Lakshmi ji.

In this way, Sheela observed Vaibhava Lakshmi Friday fast with devotion according to the scriptural method, the result of which she obtained immediately. Her husband again started behaving righteously and started doing business with hard work like a virtuous man. Gradually time changed and he also got Sheela's pawned ornaments released and presented them to her again. It was like a rain of money in Sheela's house. Happiness, peace, and prosperity started coming in the house as before.

Influenced by the glory of Vaibhava Lakshmi Vrat, other women also started observing Vaibhava Lakshmi fast according to the scriptural method. O Maa Dhanalakshmi! Just as you were pleased and bestowed grace on Sheela, in the same way, be pleased with all the devotees who observe your fast. Provide happiness, peace, and wealth to all. Victory to Mother Dhanalakshmi! Victory to Mother Vaibhavalakshmi!

॥ Thus ends the Shri Vaibhava Lakshmi Friday Vrat Katha ॥