Diwali: A Guide to Worshiping Goddess Lakshmi and Celebrating Prosperity"

 

 Diwali Festival-

In Hinduism, Diwali is considered one of the most important festivals and is celebrated across almost all of India. There is hardly any village or city where Diwali is not observed. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm, with homes beautifully decorated. Let’s learn how to worship Goddess Lakshmi during Diwali.

Diwali Puja

Diwali, along with Dhanteras, is celebrated on the Trayodashi of the Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. On this day, Lord Dhanvantari appeared with the pot of nectar. Lighting an oil lamp on this day is considered auspicious for pleasing Lord Yama, as it brings blessings of good health and longevity. Purchasing new utensils, silver, and gold is also deemed auspicious during this festival.

Worshippers of Goddess Lakshmi can be categorized into three types:

1. Inferior Worshippers: Those who enjoy the blessings of Lakshmi but fail to keep her with them.

2. Moderate Worshippers: Those who regard Lakshmi as a mother but do not perform charitable acts.

3. Superior Worshippers: Those who consider Lakshmi as their mother or daughter and spend wealth on virtuous deeds. Such worshippers always have Lakshmi residing in their homes.

Worship of Shri Mahalaxmi

Mahalaxmi is the goddess of prosperity, success, and wealth, while Lord Ganesha is the deity of wisdom and auspiciousness. Special worship of both is performed on Kartik Krishna Amavasya. Choose a clean place for worship and place Goddess Lakshmi to the right of Lord Ganesha.

For worship, make an octagonal lotus with saffron-infused sandalwood and also keep money (coins). Lakshmi's favorite offerings include lotus flowers, sindoor (vermilion), and kheer (rice pudding). Avoid using tulsi (basil) during the worship, and the seat should be yellow.

Firstly, maintain purity and begin the worship with a resolve. Conduct the worship of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Mahalaxmi according to the rituals. By worshiping in this manner, one can attain all auspiciousness, prosperity, and happiness.

How to Make the Worship Resolve

1. Sankalp Vidhi: "Om Vishnu Masottama Mase Kartikamasya Krishnapakshe Punyayama Amavasya Tithau Amukavase Amuk Gotra Utpanna Amuk Naam Sharma (Verma, Gupta, Dasai). I resolve to worship Shri Mahalaxmi and Kubera as per the scriptures and my desire for wealth."

2. During the Resolve, Hold Water and Rice: "Om Mano Jyotir Jushtham Aajyasya Brihaspatir Yajnam Imam Tanotvarishtam Yajna Samim Dadhatu. Visve Devas Is Madayanta So Impra Tishtha. Om Asyai Pranah Pratisthantu Asyai Pranah Ksharantu Cha. Asyai Devatvam Archy Mama Ehati Cha Kashchana."

3. Perform a Shodashopachara (16 offerings) worship of Lord Ganesha. After that, worship the Navagraha, Shodash Matrika, and the Kalash.

4. Then proceed to the main worship of Goddess Mahalaxmi. Before the worship, perform Pran Pratishtha (infusion of life) for the new idol and items with the mantras "Om Mano Jyoti" and "Asyai Pranah."

5. Meditate on Goddess Mahalaxmi as follows: "Vibhula Kati, Padya Patra Yatakshi, Gambhira Vartana Abhidhan, Shubhra Vastradharan Karani, Lakshmi, Divya Roop Se Mandit, Maniyon Se Saji, Nitya Padmahasta, Mere Ghar Mein Sarva Mangala Yuktah."
   "Om Hiranyavarn Harini Suvarna Arjita Sarjam. Chandram Hiranyamayam Lakshmim Jatavedo Ma Avaha. Om Mahalaxmyai Namah."
   (Offer flowers for meditation, which should be desire-free.)

How to Perform Dehli Vinayak Puja on Diwali

On the walls of commercial establishments, auspicious words like "Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah," "Swastik," and "Shubh-Labh" are written with vermilion. Above these words, offer worship with scent and flowers using the mantra "Om Dehli Vinayakaya Namah."

Worship of Shri Mahakali (Inkpot)

Place an inkpot filled with ink before Goddess Mahalaxmi along with flowers and rice. Make a swastika on the inkpot with vermilion and wrap it with a sacred thread. Perform worship of Goddess Mahakali on the inkpot with Panchopachara or Shodashopachara. Finally, pray: "Kalike! Tvaṃ Jagat Mata Masi Roopena Vartase. Utapanna Tvaṃ Cha Lokanaam Vyavahara Prasiddhaye. Ya Kalika Roghara, Suvandyā Bhaktaih Samastaiv Vyavahara Dakshaih. Janaiḥ Jananam Bhayahariṇi Cha Sa Lokamata, Mama Saukhya Das Tu."

Worship of the Writing Instrument

Bind a sacred thread around the pen and place it in front of you. Chant: "Lehni Nirmita Purva Brahmana Parameshtina. Lokanam Cha Hitarthach Tasmaat Taam Poojayami Aham."

Pray: "Shastranam Vyavaharana Vidyanam Apnuyad Yatah. Atas Tyaam Poojayishyami Mama Haste Sthira Bhay."

Worship of Saraswati (Account Books)

Make a swastika with roli or saffron-infused sandalwood on the account book and purse. Place five turmeric knots, coriander, kamal gatta (lotus seeds), rice, grass, and money in the purse and worship Saraswati. Begin by meditating on Goddess Saraswati: "Ya Kundendu Tusharaharuvallabha, Ya Shubravastravrita, Ya Veena Varadanda Manditakara, Ya Shvetapadmasana. Ya Brahma Achyuta Shankara Prabhritir Devaih Sada Vandita, Sa Maam Patu Saraswati Bhagavati, Nihsesha Jadaapaha."

Worship with the mantra "Om Veena Pustakadharinyai Shree Saraswatyai Namah" through offerings of scents and other items.

Worship of Kubera

Adorn the locker or cash box with a swastika and invite the Lord of Wealth, Kubera: "Aavahami Deva Tyama Ahayami Kripam Kuru. Koshm Vardhaya Nityam Tvaṃ Pariraksha Sureshwara."

After inviting, perform worship using the mantra "Om Kuberaaya Namah," and finally pray: "Dhanaday Namastubhyaṃ, Nidhipadmaadhipaya Cha. Bhagavan, Tvatt Prasadena Dhanadhanyaadi Sampadah."

After this prayer, place the previously worshipped turmeric, coriander, lotus seeds, and money in the locker.

Worship of Libra and Machines

Make a swastika with sindoor on a weighing scale. Wrap a sacred thread (mouli) and meditate on the deity of Libra:

"Salutations to all gods, rooted in truth and power. Witness of the universe, created by the cosmic source."

After meditation, worship with the name mantra "Om Tuladhishtatradevataayai Namah" using offerings like fragrant substances and rice.

Worship of the Diya Garland (Deepamalika)

Place eleven, twenty-one, or half that number of lamps in a container near Goddess Lakshmi. Worship them with the lamp light mantra, praying: "O Mother Lakshmi, may you continue to bring happiness and prosperity to my home every year."

Pray as follows: "Your light is like the sun, moon, lightning, and stars. Salutations to the light of all lights, the lamp."

After worshiping the diya garlands, offer fruits like oranges, sugarcane, water, and money (coins). Offer the money (like puffed rice) to Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, and other deities. Finally, light other lamps to decorate your home.

Before performing the main Aarti, worship Goddess Mahalakshmi and all her forms. Create a swastika and other auspicious symbols on a plate, and place a ghee-lit lamp on a seat made of rice and flowers. Burn camphor in a separate container and keep it on the plate. Sprinkle water from the Aarti plate. Then stand with family members, ringing a bell while singing the following Aarti:

"Om, through sacrifices, the gods performed their first duties. They reached the great heavens where the ancient deities reside."

"Om, to the king of kings, the powerful one, we offer our homage to Kubera."

"Om, may the blessings of sovereignty and prosperity reign supreme."

"From the earth to the sea, let this chant be known."

"Om, the all-seeing one, may you bless the universe."

"Om, we meditate on Mahalakshmi, consort of Vishnu. May she illuminate our intellect."

"Om, to the one who protects the virtuous and wise, we bow down."

After offering flowers to Goddess Mahalakshmi, perform a circumambulation and bow down respectfully. Then, offer a prayer for forgiveness:

"I do not know how to invite you, nor how to bid farewell. I do not know how to worship, forgive me, O Supreme Goddess."

"Without mantras, without actions, without devotion, O Lord of the gods, may my worship be complete."

Worship -

"You are my mother and father, you are my friend and companion. You are my knowledge and wealth, you are everything to me."

"I am sinful, full of sin, born of sin. Please save me, O Supreme Goddess, remove all my sins."

"I perform countless offenses daily. Considering me your servant, forgive me, O Supreme Goddess."

"Residing in the lotus, with hands like a lotus, adorned with a pure garment and fragrant garlands. O Goddess, please bless me."

After bowing, say "May the Goddess Mahalakshmi be pleased with this offering as per my ability," and then release water. Bow to Brahmins and elders, and distribute water and offerings.

At the end of the sending-off prayer, holding unbroken rice, release all invoked and worshipped deities except for the new Ganesh and Mahalakshmi with the mantra:

"May all deities depart with my worship, may they return for my wishes and prosperity."

Thank you 

Posted by- Kiran