Varalakshmi Vrata Katha

कैलासशिखरे रम्ये नानागणनिषेविते। मन्दारपीठे विक्रान्ते नानामणिविभूषिते॥

On the delightful peak of Mount Kailāsa, served by many divine attendants, upon a splendid mandara platform adorned with various precious jewels.

पाटलाशोकपुन्नागखर्जूरवकुलान्विते। कुबेरवरुणेन्द्रादिदिक्पालैश्च समावृते॥

Surrounded by pāṭala, aśoka, puṇnāga, kharjūra, and vakula trees, and protected by the guardians of the directions—Kubera, Varuṇa, Indra, and others.

नारदागस्त्यवाल्मीकिपराशरसमावृते। रत्नपीठे सुखासीनं शङ्करं लोकशङ्करम्। पप्रच्छ गौरी सन्तुष्टा लोकानुग्रहकाम्यया॥

Among sages such as Nārada, Agastya, Vālmīki, and Parāśara, Lord Śaṅkara, the benefactor of the worlds, sat comfortably on a jewel‑studded throne. Goddess Gaurī, pleased and wishing for the welfare of all beings, approached Him and asked.

भगवन् सर्वलोकेश सर्वभूतहिते रत। यद्रहस्यमिदं पुण्यं तदाचक्ष्व ममानघ॥

“O Lord, Master of all worlds, ever engaged in the welfare of all beings, please reveal to me this sacred and meritorious secret.”

ईश्वर उवाच

व्रतानामुत्तमं नाम सर्वसौभाग्यकारणम्। सर्वसम्पत्प्रदं शीघ्रं पुत्रपौत्रप्रवर्धनम्। वरलक्ष्मीव्रतं नाम व्रतमस्ति मनोहरम्॥ Lord Shiva said: "There is a captivating and profoundly sacred observance known as Varalakshmi Vrata. Revered as an exceptionally auspicious vrata, it is celebrated for bestowing prosperity, good fortune, and abundant well‑being. This sacred vow is praised as a swift and generous giver of wealth, success, and good luck, and is believed to bless devotees with the growth and happiness of children and grandchildren."

शुक्ले श्रावणिके मासे पूर्णिमोपान्त्यभार्गवे। यदा तु नारी वर्तेत व्रते तस्याः फलं श्रुणु॥

“When a woman observes this vrata on the Friday preceding the full moon of the bright fortnight of Śrāvaṇa, hear the fruits she obtains.”

पार्वत्युवाच

विधिना केन कर्तव्यं तत्र ना काम देवता। कया चाराधिता पूर्वं साऽभूत् सन्तुष्टमानसा॥ Pārvatī said: “By what method should it be performed? Which deity is worshipped? And who first worshipped Her with a satisfied mind?”

ईश्वर उवाच

वरलक्ष्मीव्रतं पुण्यं वक्ष्यामि श्रुणु पार्वति॥ Īśvara replied: “Listen, O Pārvatī, I shall tell you the sacred Varalakshmi Vrata.”

कुण्डिनं नाम नगरं सर्वमण्डनमण्डितम्। हेमप्राकारसंयुक्तं सामीकरगृहोज्ज्वलम्॥

“There was once a city named Kuṇḍina, beautifully decorated, surrounded by golden ramparts, and shining with splendid mansions.”

तत्राभूत् ब्राह्मणी काचिन्नाम्ना चारुमती श्रुता।पतिभक्तिमती साध्वी श्वश्रुश्वशुरयोर्मता॥

“In that city lived a Brahmin lady named Cārumatī—devoted to her husband, righteous, and respectful toward her in‑laws.”

कलावती सा विदुषी सततं मञ्जुभाषिणी। तस्याः प्रसन्नचित्ताया लक्ष्मीः स्वप्नगता तदा॥

“She was skilled in arts, wise, and ever gentle in speech. One night, Goddess Lakshmi appeared to her in a dream.”

एहि कल्याणि भद्रं ते वरलक्ष्मीः समागता। नभोमासे पूर्णिमास्यां नातिक्रान्ते भृगोर्दिने। मत्पूजा तत्र कर्त्वया वरं दास्यामि काङ्क्षितम्॥

“O auspicious one, blessings upon you! I, Varalakshmi, have come. On the Friday before the full moon of Śrāvaṇa, on Bhṛgu’s day, you must perform my worship. I shall grant you the boon you desire.”

इत्युक्त्वा वरलक्ष्मीं सा तुष्टाव परया मुदा। नमस्ते सर्वलोकानां जनन्यै पुण्यमूर्तये। शरण्ये त्रिजगद्वन्द्ये विष्णुवक्षःस्थलालये॥

Hearing this, Cārumatī joyfully praised Varalakshmi: “Salutations to You, Mother of all worlds, embodiment of merit, refuge of all, worshipped in the three worlds, dwelling on the chest of Lord Viṣṇu.”

त्वयावलोकितः सद्य स धन्यः स गुणान्वितः। स श्लाघ्यः स कुटुम्बी च स शूरः स च पण्डितः॥

“One who is seen by You becomes blessed, virtuous, praiseworthy, prosperous, heroic, and wise.”

जन्मान्तरसहस्रेषु किं मया सुकृतं कृतम्।अतस्त्वत्पादयुगलं पश्यामि हरिवल्लभे। एवं स्तुता सा कमला प्रादात् तस्यै बहून् वरान्॥

“What merit have I accumulated over thousands of births that I am able to behold Your divine feet, O beloved of Hari?” Pleased with her praise, Goddess Kamalā granted her many boons.

ततश्चारुमती साध्वी स्वप्नादुत्थाय सम्भ्रमात्। तत्सर्वं कथयामास बन्धूनां पुरस्तदा॥

Awakening from her dream with wonder, Cārumatī narrated everything to her relatives.

श्रुत्वा तु बान्धवाः सर्वे साधु साध्विति चाब्रुवन्। तथैव करवामेति तदागमनकाङ्क्षिणः॥

Hearing her words, all her relatives exclaimed, “Excellent! Let us also perform this vrata. We eagerly await that sacred day.”

भागोदयेन सम्प्राप्ते वरलक्ष्मीदिने तथा। स्त्रियः प्रसन्नहृदया निर्मलाश्चित्रवाससः॥

When the auspicious Varalakshmi day arrived, the women, with joyful hearts, pure minds, and adorned in beautiful garments,

नूतनैः तण्डुलैः पूर्णे कुम्भे च वटपल्लवैः। सायं चारुमतीमुख्याश्चक्रुः पूजां प्रयत्नतः।

Filled new pots with fresh rice, decorated them with banyan leaves, and in the evening, led by Cārumatī, performed the puja with devotion.

पद्मासने पद्मकरे सर्वलोकैकपूजिते। नारायणप्रिये देवि सुप्रीता भव सर्वदा॥

“O Goddess seated on the lotus, holding the lotus, worshipped by all the worlds, beloved of Nārāyaṇa—be pleased with us always.”

इत्यादिमन्त्रैः सकलान् उपचारान् यथाक्रमात्। कृत्वा तु दक्षिणे हस्ते नवसूत्रं दधुः स्त्रियः। हविष्यं सघृतं चैव वरलक्ष्म्यै न्यवेदयन्॥

Reciting mantras and performing all offerings in proper order, the women tied the sacred thread (torana) on their right hands and offered havis mixed with ghee to Varalakshmi.

गन्धादिभिरलङ्कृत्य सुशीलं वृद्धभूसुरम्। तस्मै दत्वा वायनं च द्वादशापूपसंयुतम्। ततो देवीसमीपे तु हविष्यं चक्रुरङ्गनाः॥

They honored a virtuous elderly Brahmin with sandal paste and other offerings, gave him vayana along with twelve sweet cakes, and then offered havis before the Goddess.

अथ लक्ष्मीप्रसादेन मुक्तामाणिक्यभूषिताः।नूपुराक्रान्तचरणा मणिकाञ्चनभूषणाः॥

By the grace of Goddess Lakshmi, they became adorned with pearl and ruby ornaments, anklets, and golden jewels.

पुत्रपौत्रैः परिवृता धनधान्यसमृद्धिभिः।अन्नदानरता नित्यं बन्धुपोषणतत्पराः। स्वं स्वं सद्म समाजग्मुर्हस्त्यश्वरथसंकुलाः॥

Surrounded by sons and grandsons, blessed with wealth and grain, devoted to charity, and caring for their families, they returned to their homes filled with elephants, horses, and chariots.

अन्योन्यं कथयामासुः श्रुतं चारुमतीमुखात्। इदं सत्यमिदं सत्यं नरो भद्राणि पश्यति॥

They spoke among themselves: “Everything Cārumatī said is true—those who perform this vrata behold auspiciousness.”

वयं चारुमतीमुख्या उपलब्धमनोरथा। पुण्या चारुमती धन्या भूयो भाग्यवती चिरम्॥

“We have obtained our cherished desires through Cārumatī’s guidance. She is blessed, fortunate, and ever prosperous.”

स्वयं यस्मान्महालक्ष्म्या बोधितं हि व्रतोत्तमम्। इति चारुमतीं साध्वीं तुष्टुवुस्तत्र योषितः॥

“For she was instructed directly by Mahālakṣmī in this supreme vrata.” Thus the women praised the virtuous Cārumatī.

वरलक्ष्मीव्रतं नाम तदादि भुवि विश्रुतम्। एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं व्रतानामुत्तमं व्रतम्॥

From that time onward, the Varalakshmi Vrata became renowned throughout the world. I have now narrated to you this supreme vrata.

य इदं श्रुणुयाद्वापि श्रावयेद्वा समाहितः। सिद्धयन्ति सर्वकार्याणि वरलक्ष्मी प्रसादतः॥

Whoever listens to or recites this story with devotion attains success in all endeavors through the grace of Varalakshmi.