How
to Receive Mother Lakshmi's Grace
During the Month of Sravana
In 2008, the Hindu month of Sravana falls from August 1st to August
30th. During this very auspicious month, Mother Lakshmi's grace overflows
in abundance, and so this month is dedicated to the worship of Sri
Maha Lakshmi Devi. Tuesdays and Fridays are two very auspicious days
for any form of Divine Mother, and they become even more powerful
during Sravana. Through worshipping Sri Lakshmi Devi in a Sri Chakra
on the four Fridays in the month of Sravana, one can eliminate commotion,
anxiety, poverty and ill health. One will attain the blessings of
immense peace, brilliance, prosperity and one will achieve all noble
desires.
For the worship of Mother Lakshmi,
Amma recommends the chanting of Samputita Sri Suktam. For those who
don't know Samputita Sri Suktam, they can listen to a recording of
it, they can do japa of any Lakshmi Devi or Devi mantras, or they
can just do more meditation.
For
the entire month of Sravana, it is best to eat only sattwic food,
like dairy foods, fruits, nuts, chapatis, vegetables, lentils, and
rice. It is also beneficial to reduce salty, sour, spicy and oily
foods in the diet. Spiritual aspirants should do their sadhana with
great care, making sure to maintain their purity and to speak only
the truth in a kind way.
By worshipping
Divine Mother in the Sri Chakra, aspirants attain every kind of blessing
and even attain moksha – spiritual liberation. When one offers
flowers to the Sri Chakra while chanting Samputita Sri Suktam on
all the thirty days of the month of Sravana, Sri Dhana Lakshmi will
come to stay in one's home, bringing peace, love, harmony, and true
abundance. The soothing, compassionate glances of Mother Dhana Lakshmi
will fill that entire place with radiant divine light. Dhana means
wealth, and Sri Dhana Lakshmi grants every kind of wealth, whether
it is financial wealth, wealth of good health, or the wealth of a
rich inner life.
When
you sit in front of a Sri Chakra and chant the Samputita Sri Suktam,
the sound vibrations from the mantras fall on your six chakras and
untie the subtle granthis, or knots, allowing all the chakras to
open like beautiful lotus blossoms. In this way, you will be protected
from any negative karma or ill health. Those powerfully auspicious
sound vibrations will give you courage, mental balance, and the ability
to dwell in your higher Self. In addition, those who wholeheartedly
worship Divine Mother in the Sri Chakra will be blessed with harmony
in all their relationships. May all receive Divine Mother's abundant
grace by worshipping Sri Maha Lakshmi in the month of Sravana!
Aside from Tuesdays and Fridays, there are other days of special note
in the month of Sravana.
August
15th – This day is known as Sri Vara Lakshmi Vratam,
and on this day, Mother Lakshmi grants every kind of auspicious
boon. For more information on how to observe this day, please see Amma's
Special Guidance for Sri Vara Lakshmi Vratam.
August
16th – This day is Sravana Purnima, the full moon
day of Sravana. This day is very auspicious for worshipping Divine
Mother, and you can chant the Khadgamala Stotram. Performing Sri
Chakra puja on any full moon day fulfills all desires, gives abundant
divine radiance, and grants moksha itself. One can offer kumkum,
flower petals or milk to a Sri Chakra while chanting Sri Khadgamala
Namavalih.
This day is also known as Rakhi
Purnima, because on this day the festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated.
This is a very touching festival which honors the special bonds of
affection between brothers and sisters. No matter what our family
situation may be, we always have a loving mother and father in Sri
Devi and Lord Siva. Since Sri Ganesha is their son, that means he
is like a loving older brother for all of us. Thus, imagining Sri
Ganesha as your brother, you can observe Raksha Bandhan by offering
him a rakhi (new white cotton string to which turmeric is applied).
Imagine that you are tying that rakhi on his wrist, and offer him
some sweets or fruits. Then you will feel and experience that Sri
Ganesha is your own brother, and that he is always with you to protect
you!
Additional Resources for Learning
and Practice
Lokah
Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
May
All Beings Be Happy
Om
Shantih Shantih Shantihi
May
the Whole World Be in Peace
