Manabasa Gurubara Brata

My Prarthana O Subhakamana on the Ayamarambha of Manabasa Gurubara to All the Fellow Odias and Odianees....

The Brata: In Odisha, it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, visits homes in the month of Margashira. Hence the Manabasa Gurubara- a festival where Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on every Thursday is celebrated in this month. Like most bratas, this particular Lakshmi brata, called Manabasa Gurubara brata, with which Lakshmi Purana is associated, is woman-centric.

The Legend:

The Legend of Manabasa Gurubar is based on the ancient scripture “Lakshmi Puran”. The untouchables were not allowed to pray, worship and perform rituals to the gods and goddesses in the ancient ages. It was in this era that Shriya, a Chandaluni (woman from the lower caste) dares to pray and worship Goddess Lakshmi. Eventually she wins over the goddess of wealth and gains her support. Though Goddess Lakshmi ends discrimination amongst people on earth based on their caste and encourages the untouchables to conduct rituals and worship to gods/ goddesses she is forced to move away from her home and her consort Lord Jagannath, by his brother Lord Balabhadra. As Goddess Lakshmi moves out of Lord Jagannath's home, both Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra undergo immense suffering including starvation without water and food. The curse of Goddess Lakshmi had a severe impact on both the brothers for 12 years and they had a tough time. This is when they realised the importance of Goddess Lakshmi and were keen to bring her back to their home. Goddess Lakshmi agreed to return to Lord Jagannath's house on one condition, that there no longer will be any caste based discrimination on earth. It is only in the end through the divine sage, Narad Muni it is revealed that Lord Jagannath to end discrimination based on caste from this earth, set up these series of events which highlighted the social message, along with the strength of true spirituality.
This story gives message to the society that women should be respected, given proper attention and care. A house becomes home only due to a woman. This is the reason why women are considered as the Lakshmi of a home. When a woman is disrespected all the glory and happiness vanishes from the house. It reflected the reforms and progressive stance of Gods from the ancient times.

The other message is of social equality, that everyone has the right to become wealthy and gain fortunes by their hard work and diligence and that social structure based on caste and discrimination of people is an unfortunate manmade procedure. This unique story highlights the fact that in the eyes of the creator, everyone is equal. The story not only draws ones attention towards discrimination but also gives a message of Women Empowerment.

The Rituals:

According to Odia scripture, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on every Thursday during the Odia month of Margasira. During this period the houses are kept neat and clean by the Odia women. Special pujas are offered to Goddess Lakshmi , with utmost devotion. The women wake up very early in the morning on Wednesday and clean the homes, doorsteps as well as the entrance and decorate them with Jhoti or Chita to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi . It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi never visits a house if it is untidy and dirty. The typical decoration is done with aesthetically designed motifs using the ground semi liquid rice paste or pithau. The white jhoti or chita is created on a smearing of red earth on Wednesdays and the Lakshmi puja is performed on Thursdays. 

The decoration also includes placing the measuring equipment - a jar made of bamboo/ cane used in the earlier days for measuring paddy (known as Mana) in the centre of the large circular jhoti that is madenear the puja altar. It is filled up to the brink with newly harvested paddy. This mana is a symbolic representation of the bountiful and generous Goddess Lakshmi. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits every house during this period. This puja is performed on all the 4/5 Thursdays of that month. The celebrations conclude with the preparation of the tasty Odia cuisine like Manda Pitha, Khiri, Kakara, Chitau, etc., that are prepared and distributed to neighbours. On this day all Odia women read or sing the Lakhmi Purana with utmost devotion. This marks the end of this auspicious occasion.

Lakshmi Purana has two parts; the first part is the poor, low-caste woman Shriya’s story and the second, goddess Lakshmi’s and her consort Jagannath’s. The first part contains an ethical code, and the second, a corrective to it.Lakshmi Purana is a narrative based on a domestic conflict and the housewife is the heroine here. She is shown to be central to the family; she can break her family or bring it happiness and prosperity. There are do’s and don’ts mentioned in this purana which relate to what would please goddess Lakshmi, but most of these are statements about living in accordance with dharma....