Jyeshtha Lakshmi Vratam 2129

The traditional katha

This is the katha traditionally told by those who keep this vrata; no Purana source was found for it.

There was once a poor Brahmin who lived with his wife and children. In the month of Bhadrapada, when every home was getting ready to welcome Gauri, the children came to their mother. They begged her to bring Gauri to their home too.

The mother told them that to welcome Gauri they would need ghavan and ghatale, the rice cakes and sweet that are offered to her, and they had none. She sent the children to ask their father.

The Brahmin looked through the house and found nothing at all. He could not give his children even this. In despair he left the house and walked to the water's edge.

There, as evening fell, he saw an old woman sitting by the water. She was a married elder, a sumangali. She saw how troubled he was and asked him who he was. He told her everything. She spoke to him kindly, and his mind grew calm. Then he brought her home with him as his guest.

When his wife went to the grain pot to cook, she found it full. That night the whole family ate well.

The next day the old woman asked him to make ghavan and ghatale and offer them to God. The Brahmin went out to ask for alms, and he was given so much that there was plenty for the offering. His wife cooked, the offering was made, and everyone ate.

On the following day the old woman asked for kheer. The Brahmin said he had no milk. She told him to get the cowshed ready and, at evening, to call each cow by name. He did so, and cows came running with their calves until the cowshed was full. He milked them, the kheer was made and offered, and all were happy.

That evening the old woman said it was time for her to go. The Brahmin begged her to stay. She smiled and told him who she was. She was Jyeshtha Gauri, the goddess whom everyone was worshipping in those days.

The Brahmin asked how he could keep the good fortune she had brought. She gave him sacred sand to sprinkle in the kitchen, on the pots, in the cowshed and through the whole house, and she promised that what she had given would never run short. She told him how to welcome Jyeshtha Gauri and Kanishtha Gauri into the home each Bhadrapada and to honour a sumangali in her name. Those who do so, she said, will have lasting happiness, prosperity and children.

Then she vanished, and the family lived on in devotion to her.