Kojagari
Awake in the Full Moon Night
On the full moon day of Ashwin the Kojagari feast is celebrated. The
rainy season is over and the brightness of the full moon brings special joy.
This feast is also called the Kaumudi celebration, Kaumudi meaning moonlight. At
night Laxmi is worshipped. Some people believe that on this night Laxmi moves
about from place to place asking, "Who is awake?" ("Kojagarti?") and shows her
pleasure on those she finds awake. So people sit in the moon light singing
songs, or keep themselves entertained in some other way. They fast from solid
food and take only fluids like coconut water or milk.
The Poor Brahmin
There was a very poor Brahmin. He was not interested in becoming rich,
but preferred to lead a simple life. But his wife was always complaining and
asking him to go and earn some money. "Even if you have to steal, please, do
away with this poverty."
Finally one day he went out determined to get money by any means. He reached
the seashore. In a lonely place he heard some ladies' voices. After he told them
about his pitiful condition they took him to their house and gave him coconut
water to drink. Then they invited him to play "songatya" with them. At first he
refused as he thought it was sinful to play for money. But they insisted so much
that finally he had to yield. Since he did not know the game, he kept on losing
every time and had to give up even his sacred thread.
That night it was the Kojagari full moon. When the Brahmin had nothing else
to give, the three ladies asked him, "Now, if you lose again what will you give
us?" He answered, "I shall become your servant." But then he asked them, "And if
you lose what will you give me?" They said, "We shall give you anything you
ask."
Then he said, "If you lose you must marry me." "Yes, yes, yes they all
agreed, knowing for sure that the poor Brahmin could never win a game.
Laxmi Gives Wealth
Then at midnight Laxmi came and began to look with favor towards that
Brahmin. So he won the game. The three rich ladies married the poor Brahmin, and
brought plenty of wealth. Prosperity and happiness came to his house and every
year he kept the Kojagari vow and became a faithful devotee of Laxmi.