Wealth and prosperity are the most desired things in the society. Wealth is needed for almost everything in life. Whether you live a worldly life or live an ascetic life you need money to sustain yourself. Sometimes it becomes very difficult for some of us to earn enough money to fulfill even our basic needs.

Everybody desires to raise their standard of living and prestige in society. But when after a lot of effort if we fail to earn money, we start blaming our stars and seek some astrological solutions or blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Shri Kuber.

A simple suggestion for you is that, keep 2-3 points in your mind this Diwali and perform Lakshmi pooja, blessings will shower upon you. First adhere to the timings, second; always perform pooja in the guidance of a qualified pundit, as we are not capable of following all rituals systematically. The third point is on mantra chanting. Some mantras chanted by great sages like Vashishtha, Pulatsya and Shankaracharya have been mentioned. Every year we perform Lakshmi pooja with full devotion but the situation remains same. So, this year try these mantras and receive the blessings of mother Lakshmi.

Muhurta of Pooja

PradoshKaal begins after sunset and lasts roughly for 2 hours and 24 minutes. The best time for Lakshmi Puja is during PradoshKaal when sthirlagna (fixed sign) prevails. If Lakshmi Puja is done during SthirLagna, Lakshmiji will stay in your home; hence this time is the best for Lakshmi Puja. VrishabhaLagna is considered as Sthir and mostly overlaps with PradoshKaal during Diwali festival.

Some sources propose MahanishitaKaal(Cancer ascendant) also to perform Lakshmi Puja. In my view,MahanishitaKaal is best suited for Tantrik community and practicing Pandits who know very well about Lakshmi Puja during this special time. Actually, the tantrik rituals, vedaarambhsanskara, havana, yagya, and other supernatural powers are adored or called upon during MahanishitaKaal. For common people PradoshKaalMuhurta is ideal. However, there is a prevailing custom of performing Lakshmi pooja in many business establishments in SimhaLagna (also a sthirlagna).

Some scholars also add Choghadiya Muhurta to be considered while deciding pooja timing. I don’t think it is required at all because ChoghadiyaMuhurta is basically observed for travelling purposes.

Diwali Date: 11thNovember 2015(Wednesday)

Amavasya Tithi Begins = 21:23 on 10/Nov/2015

Amavasya Tithi Ends = 23:16 on 11/Nov/2015

Pradosh Kaal Muhurta

Lakshmi Puja Muhurta = 17:42 to 19:37

(ContainsPradoshKaal, SthirLagna (Taurus Lagna) and Amavasya is prevailing) Duration = 1 Hour 55 Mins

PradoshKaal = 17:25 to 20:05

VrishabhaKaal = 17:42 to 19:38

Mahanishita Kaal Muhurta

MahanishitaKaal = 23:38 to 00:31+

SimhaKaal = 00:13+ to 02:30+

Choghadiya Puja Muhurat

Auspicious ChoghadiyaMuhurat for Diwali Lakshmi Puja

Morning Muhurta (Labh, Amrit) = 06:44 - 09:25

Morning Muhurta (Shubh) = 10:45 - 12:05

Afternoon Muhurta (Char, Labh) = 14:45 - 17:26

Evening Muhurta (Shubh, Amrit, Char) = 19:06 - 23:16

Lakshmi Puja vrat and rituals

Traditionally, most Pooja rituals are performed after keeping a day long fast. Hence, the devotees of Goddess Lakshmiobserve a day long fast on the day of Lakshmi Puja. The fast is broken after Lakshmi Puja in the evening.

Lakshmi Puja Preparations

During Lakshmi Puja Hindu families are seen decorating their homes and offices with flowers preferably marigold along with Ashoka, mango and banana leaves. It is auspicious to keep MangalikKalash covered with unpeeled coconut the two sides of the main entrance of your home.

For Lakshmi Puja preparations, one should keep a red cloth at the right hand side on anelevated platform and set upnew idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on it after adorning them with silk clothes and jewellery. After this, one should keep a white cloth at the left hand side on anelevated platform for installing Navgraha gods. One should prepare nine slots of Akshata (unbroken rice) for theNavgraha on the white cloth. One should accomplish Lakshmi Puja with full rituals. An outline of how it should be performed is as follows:

1. Atmasodhan (self-purification): You must take a bath, and wear new, or at least clean, clothes, before starting to arrange for the actual ceremony. The yajaman, should sit facing the east if the idols faces the west (purvabhimukhamupaviseva). If the idols face the east, you should sit facing the west (pascimabhimukhamupaviseva).

2. Sankalp (pledge vow):With proper mantra.

3. Shanti Path- Mantras to bring peace, happiness and prosperity.

4. Mangal Path- For the benefit of everyone.

5. KalashSthapana-This is a pot in the shape of an expanded vase (a lota can be used in place of Kalash). Place water inside the Kalash. Place the bunch of 5 Mango Leaves inside the neck and place a saucer of rice on top of the Kalash. (This Saucer represents the Moon).

6. Bhagwan Ganapati Pooja- Perform proper Ganpatipooja in short

7. Navgraha Pooja- All nine planets should be worshipped.

8. ShodashMatrika Pooja- Worship of 16 mothers: Gouri, Padma, Sachi, Medha, Savitri, Vijaya, Jaya,Devasena, Svadha, Svaha, Mataro,Lokamatrah, Hrstih, Pustistatha, Tusti, and Atmakuladevata.

9. Pooja of New Ganesh Idols- Shodasopachaar pooja (16 rituals of services to God)

10. New Lakshmi Idol Pooja- Shodasopachar pooja of Shri Lakshmi.

11. Maha Kali Pooja

12. Saraswati Pooja

13. Shri Kuber Pooja

14. Deep Malika Pooja- Pooja of Diya kept on rice platform.

15. Aarti- Finally, perform the aarti for goddess Lakshmi. Always remember that she dislikes loud noise. So the aarti should include only by a small bell. Do not clap hands, as is the practice whiledoingaarti for other goddesses or gods. A serene and uplifting atmosphere should prevail during the pooja. It should be taken care that the Deepak lit during Diwali Pooja continues to light throughout the night.

Special Mantras for this Diwali

Lakshmi Puja by Rishi Vashishth

Rishi Vashishth once told his disciple Aarambikthat he was sitting for Lakshmi Sadhanato have a glimpse of the Goddess. There is no other Sadhanagreater than this. There is no other Mantra more powerful than it. He wanted to accomplish this Sadhana so that he could have the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.

On a Friday, Rishi Vashishth placed a Lakshmi Yantra before himself and made itconsecrated with Shreerodaya Mantra. After that he lit four lamps representingRiddhi (wealth),Siddhi (spiritual powers), Shubh (luck) and Laabh (gains). Then with a Sfatik(quartz stone) rosary hebegan to chant the following Mantra.

The Mantra given by Vashishth is -

Om Hreem Kamal Vaasinyei Pratyaksham Hreem Phat.

He took a bath at night and sat on a yellow mat facing East and as he completed 21 rounds of the Mantra,Goddess Lakshmi appeared and said that she was very pleased with him and blessed his hermitage with wealth and prosperity. She said that he would never have to face any scarcity, povertyor sorrow in his life again.

Lakshmi Puja by Maharishi Pulatsya

Rishi Pulatsyacompleted a very special Lakshmi Sadhana in order to gain wealth and prosperity. Many texts have reference to this Sadhana. He placed a Shree Lakshmi Yantra on a copper plate and lit a ghee lamp. Then he sat on a yellow mat facing north. After that witha White Hakeek rosary he completed 11 rounds of a Mantra, which pleased Lakshmi and she appeared to bless him. This proved that the Mantra devised by the sage was very divine and valuable.

The Mantra used by the Rishi Pulatsyawas -

Om Hreem Hreem Hreem Kamal Vaasinye Aagachch Aagachch Hreem Hreem Hreem namah

Lakshmi Puja by Shankaracharya

Shankaracharya was the greatest scholar and Sanyasi of his times. His Guru told him thatuntil he accomplishes the Sadhana and worship of Goddess Lakshmi he would not be ableto attain totality in life. Therefore, he revealed a very secret Sadhana to Shankara that is incrediblypowerful.On any Sunday night take a plate of copper or bronze and smear black lamp over it. Thenwith a silver straw draw a picture of Goddess Lakshmi on it. Place andAishwaryaLakshmi Yantra on it. Then wear white robes and sit facing north. Prepare four lamps of doughand fill them with sesame or mustard oil. Place them on the four corners of the plate.

Then with a Coral rosary chant 31 rounds of the following Mantra.

Om Hreem Hreem Shreem Shreem Hreem Hreem Phat.

On completion of the chanting, sleepat that very spot.

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