Arghya Prayer to Lakshmīnārāyaṇa
Lakshmīnārāyaṇa Arghya Prārthanā · lakshmīnārāyaṇa-arghya-prārthanā, “the arghya prayer to Lakshmīnārāyaṇa”
The arghya prayer to Lakshmīnārāyaṇa is the prayer with which arghya is offered to Bhagavān Vishṇu at the gift of the golden city in the Kāñcanapurī Vrata. Bhagavān Śrī Kṛshṇa tells how Bhagavān Vishṇu taught this vrata to Jaganmātā Lakshmī in Śvetadvīpa, in the Uttara Parva of the Bhavishya Purāṇa. Bhagavān Vishṇu calls it the best of vratas, as the Gaṅgā is best among rivers.
The setting
Devī Pārvatī with Bhagavān Śaṅkara, Sītā with Śrī Rāma, King Nala, the Pāṇḍavas with Draupadī, and many devīs and women kept it. On a chosen tithi the vratī bathes, sets a golden image of the Kāñcanapurī, the city of gold, on a kalaśa with plantain pillars and a toraṇa, places golden images of Lakshmī and Vishṇu in its midst, bathes them with pañcāmṛta and worships them, worships the Lokapālas, Gaṇapati and the Navagrahas, lights ten lamps of ghee, recites the Vishṇu-stavarāja and the Purusha-sūkta, and honours sixteen brāhmaṇa couples as Lakshmī and Vishṇu. With eyes covered, the vratī is led to the city and then has its darśana. Then, in a vessel of silver or copper or in a śaṅkha, he prepares arghya of the five gems, Gaṅgā water, fruit, mustard, akshata, rocanā and curd, and offers it.
The prayer
“Bhagavān Lakshmīnārāyaṇa, fulfiller of all desires, by the gift of this golden city fulfil the fruit my mind desires. Nārāyaṇa, Lakshmīkānta, Jagannātha, accept this arghya; namaskāra to you.”
The arghya to Lakshmī and the phala
He then offers arghya to Devī Lakshmī: “Devī, you are worshipped by Brahmā, Vishṇu, Śaṅkara, Pārvatī and Bhagavān Kārtikeya. With the wish for dharma I too worship you. Grant me saubhāgya, a son, wealth and a grandson; accept this arghya and grant me happiness.” A great utsava and jāgaraṇa follow, and keeping awake gives the fruit of a hundred yajñas. The vratī reaches Brahmaloka and dwells in bliss with Brahmā, then Rudraloka, then Vishṇuloka.
Sources
- Bhavishya Purāṇa, Uttara Parva, Chapter 147