Lakshmi Pooja

The third day of the Diwali festival is the most important one. It marks the worship of Lakshmi during Lakshmi Pooja.

Despite the fact that this day falls on an Amavasya day it is regarded as the most auspicious.

On this day ‘Lakshmi Panchayatan’ enters the Universe. Its elements are as follows:
1) Vishnu - Happiness
2) Indra - Opulence
3) Kubera - Wealth
4) Gajendra - Carries the wealth
5) Lakshmi - Divine Energy (Shakti)

According to legend, on this day Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagar during Samudra manthan.

The story behind this is mentioned in the Vishnu Purana.
Once Rishi Durvasa was taking a stroll. Suddenly he saw a pretty woman with a beautiful garland. He asked for it and the lady gave it to him. As he walked further, he met Indra riding on his elephant Airavata. Durvasa gave the garland to Indra as a gift. Indra placed it on Airavata's head. The elephant wanted to experience the fragrance and curled his trunk to the head. In the process, the garland fell to the ground. Durvasa became furious and cursed Indra that Lakshmi would dessert Devaloka. As a result Devas were overpowered by the Asuras. The latter appealed to Vishnu for help. It was then that the plan for the churning of the ocean was hatched using Mount Mandara and the snake Vasuki.

Amongst all the other things and beings that came out of the Manthan , Laxmi was one.

There is another legend related to Lakshmi Pooja.
On this day the Vamana avatar of Vishnu came back to his abode, Vaikuntha. Therefore those who worship Lakshmi on this day receive the benefit of her benevolent mood, and are blessed with mental, physical and material well-being.

‘Ashta Lakshmi’ is a group of eight secondary manifestations of Lakshmi who preside over eight sources of wealth and thus represent the powers of Shri Lakshmi.

1) Adi Laxmi - The First manifestation of Lakshmi
2) Dhanya Laxmi - Granary wealth
3) Dhairya Laxmi - Wealth of courage
4) Gaja Laxmi - Elephants, symbols of wealth
5) Santana Laxmi - Wealth of continuity, progeny
6) Vijaya Laxmi - Wealth of victory
7) Vidya Laxmi - Wealth of knowledge and education
8) Dhana Laxmi - Monetary wealth

It is believed that Lakshmi (wealth) goes only to those houses which are clean and where the people are hardworking. She does not visit the places which are unclean/dirty or where the people are lazy.

So let us pledge this Diwali that we will get rid of our 'laziness' and welcome 'Lakshmi' into our homes and spirits. Happy Diwali :)