Mahalakshmi fast is an important fast for Hindus. Lakshmi is called the goddess of wealth. Goddess Lakshmi is the religious consort of Lord Vishnu. The Mahalakshmi fast begins on the Shukla Ashtami of the month of Bhadrapada and this fast is observed for the next 16 days. This fast is observed on the day of Radhashtami. Mahalakshmi fast comes four days after Ganesh Chaturthi. This fast ends on Krishna Ashtami of Ashwin month. Depending on the frequency of the dates, the period of fasting can be fifteen days or seventeen. This fast is observed to please Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and to receive her blessings.
Bhadrapada Shukla Ashtami is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Goddess Radha. Goddess Radha Jayanti is known as Radha Ashtami. The day Mahalakshmi fast begins, it is considered very important, because Durva Ashtami fast is also observed on this day. Durva grass is worshiped on Durva Ashtami. This day is also celebrated as Jyeshtha Devi Puja, under which the three-day goddess is continuously worshiped.
Karishyehan Mahalaxmi vrat se pradarshyana |
Tavidhnen mein maatu samapti svatprasadatah ||
O Goddess! I will be ready to serve you and follow this Mahavrat. By your grace, this fast should be complete without any hindrance.
Take a cord of sixteen strings and put sixteen knots in it. Grind the turmeric knot and color the cord. Tie the string in the wrist of the hand.
This fast lasts till Ashwin Krishna Ashtami. After the fast is over, a mandapa can be made of cloth. Keep the idol of Laxmiji in it. Have the statue bathed with panchamrit. Do sixteen types of puja. In the night, the celestials should pray to God and Lakshmi towards the earth. The fasting women should provide food to the Brahmins. Offer Havan to them and offer Kheer. Put sandal, tal, patra, Pushpala, Akshat, Durva, red cotton, betel nut, coconut and various types of substances in the new soup in the number of sixteen-sixteen, then cover the new second soup and read the following mantra and dedicate it to Lakshmi
Kshirodarnavasambhuta Lakshmishchandra Sahodara |
Vratenappanen santushta bhavartodvapuballabha ||
Lakshmi, Moon's sister, Srivishnu Vallabha, Mahalakshmi, who appeared in the Ksheer Sagar, should be content with this fast.
After this, give food to four Brahmins and sixteen Brahmins and give them Dakshina, then leave and sit at home and eat themselves. Thus, those who fast, enjoy happiness in this world and enjoy happiness in the Lakshmi world for a long time.
It is a matter of ancient times that once a poor Brahmin lived in a village. That Brahmin used to worship Shri Vishnu regularly. Pleased with his worship and devotion, Lord Vishnu appeared to him and asked the Brahmin to ask for his wish -
The Brahmin expressed his desire to have Lakshmi's residence in his house. Hearing this, Shri Vishnu told the Brahmin the path of attainment of Lakshmi. In which Shri Hari told that a woman comes in front of the temple who comes here and serves. You invite her to come to your home and that woman is Goddess Lakshmi.
After Goddess Lakshmi ji comes to your house, your house will be filled with money and grain. Saying this, Shri Vishnu went away. The next day he sat in front of the temple at four o'clock in the morning. When Lakshmi ji came to set up the Brahmin, she requested him to come to her house.
After listening to the Brahmin, Lakshmi understood that all this was done by Vishnu.
Lakshmi ji told the Brahmin that you fast Mahalakshmi, by fasting for 16 days and praying to the moon at night on the sixteenth day, your desire will be fulfilled. The Brahmin fasted and worshiped as the goddess had said and called the goddess facing north, Lakshmi ji fulfilled her promise. From that day onwards, the person's desire to do this fast by law and law is fulfilled.