English
Sharad Purnima: The Kojagari Lakshmi Story
Source: The traditional vrat katha of the Kojagari (Kojagara) vow, as popularly told
According to the traditional story of the Kojagari vow, a Brahmin named Valit lived in the land of Magadha. He was learned and virtuous, but very poor.
His wife's name was Chandi. She was quarrelsome by nature and did the opposite of whatever her husband said. Whatever Valit asked, Chandi did exactly the reverse. There was never peace at home.
At last Valit found a way. Whatever he wanted done, he asked for the opposite. If he said, “Don't cook today,” Chandi would cook. Somehow the household went on like this.
Then came the day of the shraddha for Valit's father. By asking for the opposite, every task went right. But at the very end Valit forgot and said plainly, “Now immerse the pinda offering in holy water.”
As always, Chandi did the opposite and threw the pinda in an impure place. Even his father's shraddha was dishonoured. Valit's heart broke.
Full of sorrow, Valit left home. Walking on, he reached a dense forest. That day was the full moon of the month of Ashwin. The full moon shone in the sky, and in its light the whole forest looked white as milk.
Then he heard laughter and voices nearby. Going closer, he saw some divine maidens sitting in the moonlight with a board of chausar dice spread before them. One saw him and called out, “Brahmin, do not sleep tonight…”
They were Naga maidens. They told him that this was Kojagari Purnima. On this night they keep a vow and stay awake all night. They invited Valit to play chausar with them.
Valit sat down with them. The game began and the night wore on. Valit won game after game. His mind, which a little while ago had been sunk in grief, was now absorbed in the joy of the vigil.
Midnight came. The story says that at that very hour the Devi Lakshmi passed that way, wandering over the earth. Looking all around, she was asking: “Ko jagarti?”, “Who is awake?”
She saw that Valit was awake on this holy night. The Devi was pleased and showered her grace upon him. The Brahmin who had left home empty-handed received immense wealth.
In the morning Valit returned home with the wealth. By Lakshmi's grace his poverty ended, and he lived in happiness.
That is why this night is called Kojagari, from “ko jagarti”. It is believed that on the night of Sharad Purnima the Devi Lakshmi goes from home to home to see who is awake and remembering her, and blesses them with happiness and prosperity.
The meaning of the story is not only wealth. Valit did not give up dharma even in sorrow, and when fortune gave him a chance, he stayed awake. To be awake is to be alert: not to fall asleep in laziness and despair.
Note that the story is told somewhat differently in different regions. In some places it is told of a king and queen, in others of a Brahmin. The essence of all is the same: the vigil on this night and the worship of Lakshmi.
What this story teaches
The one who stays awake is the one who receives. Lakshmi comes to the home of the one who is alert, patient and steady in dharma.
The Kojagari vow is kept on the night of Ashwin Purnima, Sharad Purnima, with Lakshmi Puja and an all-night vigil. In many homes kheer is made and set out in the moonlight, and taken as prasad the next morning. In Bengal, Odisha and Mithila it is celebrated with great joy as Kojagari Lakshmi Puja.
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