Varalakshmi Vratham 1938

The traditional katha

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

The sage Suta told this story to the sages, and he said it was the same story that Lord Shiva once told to Goddess Parvati. Parvati had asked Shiva about a vrata that would bring good to women, and Shiva told her that the Varalakshmi vrata was the best of all for them. To show its greatness, he told her about a woman named Charumati.

In the kingdom of Magadha there was a town called Kundina. In that town lived a Brahmin woman named Charumati. She was not rich, but she was humble and kind, and she served her husband and his parents with great love and care. She was devoted to Goddess Lakshmi.

The Goddess was pleased with her good heart and her devotion. One night she appeared to Charumati in a dream. She said she was happy with her goodness, and she taught her the Varalakshmi vrata. She told her to keep it on the Friday before the full moon of the month of Shravana, and promised that it would bring blessings to her home, her family, her town and the whole kingdom.

When Charumati woke, the Goddess was gone. She told her husband's parents about the dream. They said it was a very auspicious dream and that the vrata must be kept.

When the Friday came, Charumati invited the other women of the town, her neighbours, friends and relatives, to join her. Together they worshipped the Goddess with devotion, just as she had taught Charumati in the dream.

The Goddess blessed them all. Wealth and plenty came into their homes. Charumati's family, the town and the kingdom lived happily, without want, with plenty of cattle, milk and grain. The women thanked Charumati for teaching them the vrata, and from then on they waited with joy for Shravana to come again, so that they could keep it once more.