Varalakshmi vrathamu…story to be read after completion of pooja

Sage Sootha started telling to other sages like Sounaka.Hey sages!there is a ritual or vratha which is the best vratha for family women.It was told to Parvathi devi by Lord Shiva. One day,Shiva was sitting on his throne in Kailash.Parvathi devi went to him and bowed to him in reverence.She asked...hey Lord!I want you to tell me a vratha that is benificial to all the women in the world.They should become prosperous and live happily with their kith and kin and grand children in bliss and happiness. Shiva replied thus.Parvathi! there is a vratha called varalakshmi vratham. It bestows wealth and prosperity of the family with children and grand children.It is to be conducted on friday coming before Sravana masa suklapaksha poornima.On hearing this,Parvathi was excited and asked him so mny questions.Hey Lord!how should we accomplish that vratham?How should we do it in a proper fashion?Which deity is to be worshipped?Did anyone do it in the past and got good results?I want the entire information and all the details. For all her questions lord Shiva started replying.Hey Parvathi!I will tell about this vratham in entirety as per your wish.There is a town named Kundinamu in Kingdom of Magadha.That place is so wealthy and prosperous.Entire city is built by golden bricks.There was a brahmin lady named Charumathi in that town.She was very good hearted .She took good care of her husband,inlaws with respect,love and concern.She was kindhearted,mild and good mannered. One day she dreamt like this.Goddess Mahalakshmi came in her dream.She called her and started telling her like this.Hey Charumathi!I am Varalakshmi devi.I came to bless you.You conduct pooja with reverence on Friday which comes before Sravana sukla poornima.Then I will fulfill all your wishes and desires.Charumathi did parikramas in her sleep only to the Goddess and praised her like this... slokam.. Namasthe sarvalokaanaam jananyai punyamoorthaye/ Saranye thrijagadvandve vishnu vakshasdhalaalaye/// CHARUMATHI praised the goddess still more.HEY GREAT MOTHER!we are blessed by your kindness.people become great scholars,wealthy and their life fulfilled by your healing and helping gesture.I might have done some really good deeds earlier.THAT IS WHY I AM ABLE TO SEE YOU NOW.SAYING so,Charumathi bowed down and touched the feet of the goddess in reverence.MAHALAKSHMI was happy and gave her many boons. Charumathi immediately woke up from her sleep and looked here and there.She realised that it was a dream and that she saw the goddess in her dream.She woke up her husband and her in laws and told them about her dream.THEY WERE all so happy and decided to do that vratham in Sravana masam.Charumathi told about this incident to all the other ladies in the town.THEY were also eager to perform that pooja. ON that auspicious day,they all got up early in the morning.THEY TOOK HEADBATH AND CLEANED THEIR PREMISES AND HOUSES.They all wore good clothes and ornaments and prepared a nice and suitable seat for the goddess.They all performed the pooja with conviction and reverence. sHolakm.... Padmaasane padmakare sarvalokaika poojithe/ Naaraayana priye devee supreethaa bhava sarvadaa// They made so many kinds of foods and fruits to appease the goddess.They tied an auspicious thread made up of nine knots with flowers to their right hand wrist.They did parikramas.On completion of fisr parikrama,they got silver anklets on to their feet.On completion of second parikrama,they were all adorned with diamond studded ornaments.On completion of the third parikrama,their houses became goldplated and they had carts with horses and elephants. Everyone was so happy.They praised the Brahmin who conducted the pooja for them and gave him gifts and dakshina.He blessed them all.They praised Charumathi for her luck.From then onwards,they did this pooja every year.They were all blessed with prosperity of their families and their homes. Shiva concluded the story by telling these words.Hey Parvathi! this pooja can be done by everyone.There is no restriction that some sections of community can do and others can not do.Everyone will be happy and content in their lives. this is varalakshmi vratha kalpa kadha/story told by lord Shiva to Goddess Parvathi.