Varalakshmi Puja - Amman descends into the rice

Tradition brings with it certain happiness, which is first followed mechanically and then realized along the way as the heart grows fonder.

Varalakshmi Amman, is worshiped on this day, as she is brought alive within the Kalash and coconut that hold her divine presence in a seat of mango leaves. What is visible to the eye is her presence dressed as a Bride, dressed as a Goddess, residing at her seat as all the lamps lights dance around her in joy.

What lies beneath this amazing spectacle, is her form that every lady draws on the surface of pot, covered in rice powder. Going back to the context of the Vishnudharmottara, this is what is called divine art. Every woman of the house takes part in this art, and draws the form of the Goddess onto the rice laden surface of the pot.

Divine art, the first step to pave the way for the Mother to descend into her residence.
Divine art, a drawing that is meditated upon, by every woman, that imbibes every good quality of a divine wife, that she aspires to be
Divine art, a sketch in kumkum, that signifies that her marriage is like that of Shiva and Parvati, intact, happy, and prosperous.
Divine art, that brings out the beauty of the perfect wife, the aspiration every sumangali worships Amman for, in her house, in her puja room, in her heart.
Divine art, she draws, that is the imprint of the Mother brought down to life, from the depths of her hopeful heart that she would render the most beautiful form.

What a lovely moment, to see a lady sit at her seat, holding a kalash in her hand smeared with rice paste that has dried, her canvas to draw when she never learned this art. How beautiful to see her draw with every line, the beauty she wishes to imbibe, the perfection she hopes to achieve, the life she wishes to lead as a bride, the love and devout feeling she has, the power that she hopes to receive, that will aid her to grow her family.

This moment, the lady of the house communes with the Goddess, sings to her, worships her, loves her, adores her, and looks up to the Mother with awe and asks her to bless her family with love, prosperity, happiness and peace.

There is such beauty in divine art, there is such potency in divine art! Its about the power of the mind, the sincerity of the lady, the love that she has in abundance to draw, to describe the beauty of the Goddess.

Divine Art, is that which is described by the Vishnudharmottara, to be superior art, because its not about skill but the Bhakti, the love for divinity, love for the Goddess, that makes even a non artist, one who would otherwise shy away, draw from the depths of their imagination and give it power, give it life.

Sage Agastya drew the form of Urvashi to describe the beauty of an Apsara, the Indian woman draws the form of the Divine Mother, Amman, the beauty of life, the beauty in character, the power center of the universe. Such power is not realized and yet the picture is drawn.

Divine art, we may not know its presence, but we live it every moment. This is tradition.


Related topics:
The mark of a brahmin woman
Meaning of the Bindi
The fun in a brahmin household