Sharad Poornima

 Sharad Poornima is also known as Kumar Poornima or Kojagiri Poornima. It is the day when Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped.  Kojagiri literally means “Who is Awake” (Kon Jagrat).  Myth goes that Lakshmi Blesses the beings who are awake on Kojagiri Poornima.

The famous Ras Lila of Lord Krishna and Radha also took place on the night of Sharad Poornima.

It is also the day when Moon is celebrated. During this phase Moon is closer to earth and the rays Moon shed have curative properties. This traditional celebration of Moon is known as Kaumudi Celebration. Kaumudi in Sanskrit means Moon Light.

It is said that Supreme Goddess after killing Mahishasura on Dasara could not shed her Anger and Rage so she rested for few days and after cooling herself down took the form of Resplendent Goddess Lakshmi on Kojagiri poornima.

Lakshmi’s Four Hands Symbolise four directions & four ends of Human Life i.e. Dharma, Kama, Artha & Moksha. Her Red sari indicates activity. The Lotus indicates that while enjoying the wealth one should not get obsessed with it (Lotus flower though it grows in water never gets wet from the water it grows). The two Elephants standing beside her indicate Name and Fame implying that people should earn wealth to bring happiness in society.

It also signifies the end of Chaturmas a period during which Lord Vishnu goes to sleep leaving Cosmos in care of Goddesses and his Human Avatars.  Vishnu Sleeps from 11^th day of Shukla Paksha in Ashadh to 11^th Day of Shukla Paksha in Kartik. During his Slumber his Avtar’s on earth Ram, Krishna & Vaman ends up killing Rakshas & Asuras Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Naraka, and Bali.

During Chaturmas Shukra the Guru of Asuras uses his knowledge of Sanjivani vidya to rejuvenate the fertility of Goddess Prithvi. The seeds that are sowed during this period germinate and turn into crops generating food for mankind. This period is also known for its symbolic violence cutting of crops signifying that wealth generation involves violence.

Lakshmi is closely associated with Water which flows continuously. Hence she is known as Chanchala. Sharad Poornima marks the flow of wealth. Farmers who reap crops exchange their wealth with all the echelons of the society viz. Goldsmith, Ironsmith, Cloth Weavers, Potters, Carpenters, Herdsman and so on. This probably gives us a message that our Rishis were excellent Arthashastris or Economists.