8/11/2019 Story of Sh Ravana Maasam

1/3

SHRAVANA MAASAM

The month of Shravanis the fifth month of the Hindu calendar beginning from Chaitra,

and is the most auspicious month of the Chaturmas.On Purnimaor full moon day andduring the course of the month the star 'Shravan'rules the sky; hence the month is called

Shravan. This month is shrouded by several religious festivals and ceremonies andalmost all the days of this month are auspicious.

Following are a few auspicious days in the month of Shravana.

VARALAKSHMI VRATAM

This is a vrata which implies the worship ofGoddess of wealth. The vratais observed on the

Friday immediately preceding the full moon day

of the month of Shravan (August-September).

Mahalakshmi is the embodiment of prosperityand auspiciousness. The glory of this vrata is

narrated in Skanda Purana by Lord Shiva

Himself. The worship of Mahalakshmi isperformed by married ladies to obtain good

progeny, and for the long life of the husband.

Since Mahalakshmi, as Vidyalakshmi, bestowsdivine wisdom also, great prophets have

worshipped her for success in their spiritual

work.

Sri Lakshmi or Mahalaxmi is the HinduGoddess of Wealth, Light, Wisdom, the lotusflower and fortune, and secondarily of luck,

beauty, courage and fertility. Due to Her

Motherly feelings and being the consort of

Narayan (Supreme Being), She is believed as the Mother of the Universe. She is theconsort of Vishnuand married Him in His incarnations Rama(in her incarnation as Sita),

Krishna(as Rukmini) and Venkateshwara(as Alamelu). In Vaishnava traditions, She is

believed to be the Mother Goddess and the ShaktiofNarayan

LEGENDS

The appearance of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi is related to an ancient story. Durvasatheshort-tempered sage once presented Indra, the king of the gods (devas) with a garland of

flowers which would never wilt. Indra gave this garland to his elephant Airavata. Sage

Durvasa saw the elephant trampling the divine garland and cursed Indra, for he had

shown disrespect to the sage. The sage cursed Indra that he and all the gods would losetheir power because it had made them so proud and vain. Due to the curse, the demons

vanquished the gods out of the heavens. Sri Mahalakshmi, the daughter of Sage Bhrigu,

took refuge in the ocean of milk.

8/11/2019 Story of Sh Ravana Maasam

2/3

The defeated gods then went to seek refuge to the Creator, Lord Brahma, who asked them

to churn the ocean of milk, Ksheersagar, to obtain the nectar of immortality. The godsthen went to Lord Sri Mahavishnu, to seek his assistance. Lord Sri Mahavishnu took the

AvatarKurma(Tortoise) and supported the Manthara Parvata (mountain) as a churning

rod, while the king of the serpents, Vasuki, became the churning rope. The gods and the

demons (under the leadership of the pious and wise King Bali Chakravarti) both helpedeach other in churning the ocean of milk.

Amongst the host of divine gifts which appeared from the ocean, Goddess SriMahalakshmi appeared and then chose Lord Sri Mahavishnu as her consort, as only He

had the power to control Maya (illusion). Because of this, Lakshmi is also called the

daughter of the sea; since the moon also appeared from the ocean during the churning, themoon is called her brother. Sri Mahalakshmi has many names. She is known to be very

closely associated with the Lotus, and her many epithets are connected to the flower, such

as:

Padma: lotus dweller.

Kamala: lotus dweller.

Padmapriya: One who likes lotus

Padmamaladhara devi: One who wears a garland of lotuses

Padmamukhi: One whose face is as beautiful as a lotus

Padmakshi: One whose eyes are as beautiful as a lotus

Padmahasta: One who holds a lotus

Padmasundari: One who is as beautiful as a lotus

Her other names include:

Bhargavi: One who is the incarnation of the daughter of Sage Bhrigu

Sridevi: Goddess of wealth

Chanchala: One who is fickle and does not stay at one place

Bhumi Devi: Earth goddess

Indira: Beautiful goddess

Rama devi/Vaishnavi: Wife of Vishnu

Jalaja: Born from sea.

Aiswarya: Wealthy.

Adilakshmi: The beginning

8/11/2019 Story of Sh Ravana Maasam

3/3

Primarily eight kinds of wealth are established, associated with Goddess Sri

Mahalakshmi. They are:

Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi is worshipped by those

who wish to acquire or to preserve wealth. It is

believed that Sri Mahalakshmi (wealth) dwells inthose houses which are clean and where the peopleare hardworking.

SHRAVANA POORNIMA ( RAKHI POORNIMA ) UPAKARMA

Raksha Bandhanor Rakhi Purnimais perhaps the most sublime andsentimental of festivals falls on Purnimaday. ARakhior amulet, may

be of silk thread, is tied around the wrist of brothers by their sisters as

a charm protecting them from evil or harm and, consequently inreturn seeking their help when in trouble. The Rakhi name derives

from the word 'raksha' that is to protect. It symbolizes the abiding andchaste bond of love between the brothers and the sisters. There are abounding episodes of

women seeking protection for their husbands' lives even from rival heroes throughRakhi.It is said Alexander's wife tiedRakhi on their mighty adversary Pururuvas seeking safety

of her husband's life. The great King, true to the kshatriya tradition and word, avoided

striking the fatal blow when he saw theRakhion his hand.

SRI KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI

Also known as Krishnashtamiis a well-known festival, the birthday of Lord Krishna fallson the eight day of Shravan Krishna i.e. the dark half of the lunar cycle. The day is

celebrated in honor of Lord Krishna, the eighth Divine Incarnation of Hindus. A Twenty-

four-hour fast is observed on this day which is terminated only at midnight becauseKrishna was born at midnight. This is one of the greatest of all Hindu festivals. Mathura,

the birthplace of Lord Krishna is an important town sacred to Vaishnavas. Spiritual

gatherings are held and pilgrims from all over India flock to Mathura to participate in thefestival. Due to His immeasurable roles played in this world, He is regarded as a

complete manifestation of God. The divine stories and deeds are beautifully narrated inBhagavat Purana.

1) di Lakm [The main goddess]

2) Dhnya Lakm [Granary wealth]

3) Dhairya Lakm[Wealth of courage]

4) Gaja Lakm [Elephants, symbols of wealth]

5) Santna Lakm[Wealth of progeny]

6) Vijaya Lakm [Wealth of victory]

7) VidyLakm [Wealth of knowledge]

8) Dhana Lakm [Monetary wealth]