Shh! Let us tell you a secret about the moon! No. Not the one we all learned in school about the moon affecting the tides. This secret is way older. This is about one night of the year, when the moonlight is so bright, so full of ancient energy, that it is believed the Goddess of Wealth herself walks the earth, blessing only those who are awake.

The Moonlit Beginning

Picture this: It’s among the first clear nights after a long and rainy monsoon. Everything has been washed clean, the air is cool, and the sky is the darkest colour of blue you’ve seen all year. The moon is full and bright., the first of the autumn season. This magical night is called Sharad Purnima, or Kojagiri Purnima. 

Krishna’s Raasleela

Our legends speak of the happenings of a phenomenal night in a place called Braj. They say there was a huge moonlit field, sparkling like a million diamonds. On this night, Krishna decided to throw a dance party. He called it the ‘Raasleela’. He danced with all the Gopis, meaning milkmaids by essentially multiplying himself so every Gopi could feel she was dancing with him alone.

The night was so wonderful, even Shiva decided to join in, taking the form of a Gopi

The point though, is that this story tells us that on thins night, the energy of pure, selfless love and joy is at its peak. This is the blueprint of a perfect world, with everyone living in harmony..

Celebrating Sharad Purnima

So, what do people actually do on Sharad Purnima?

People choose to wear white, because it is a symbol of purity, and to please the moon, at its brightest, also worshipped on this night as Chandra.

Kheer, a sweet rice pudding is left out in the open for hours, with the belief that the moon’s energy will infuse with the kheer, making it extra healthy, giving you the moon’s blessings as well.

Another interesting part is the Kojagari Vrat. The word Kojagari means ‘One who is awake’, in a few Indian languages.

Here’s where Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, beauty, and good fortune makes her entry.

The Night the Goddess Visits the Earth

Our stories say that Lakshmi was born on a full moon night, rising from the churning ocean, and on Sharad Purnima, she descends to walk on the Earth, going from house to house, looking for people who are awake, to bless them, and the house they reside in.

The stories also say that if you’re asleep, she might even skip your house altogether!

Of course, this was also a way of telling ourselves to be alert and aware, and not sleep through our lives. If we wanted prosperity, we had to be actively looking for opportunities.

Sharad Purnima Beyond The Myth

Today, it is easy to dismiss such stories as simple myths, but maybe, looking beyond just the story is the key to wealth and prosperity.

The moonlit kheer is a metaphor that says we should appreciate and take in the simple and pure goodness of nature and seasons, and be mindful of what we put in our bodies.

Staying awake isn’t necessarily about keeping your eyes open. Rather, it’s about keeping the mind awake and ready. Are we aware of our goals? Are we actively working towards them, or do we spend the whole day on autopilot? The Goddess rewards those who are alert, keeping an eye out for opportunities to better themselves.

This night is also one of transition. The messy monsoon is over. It is time to begin again, to leave behind everything, just as nature has left the monsoon behind. This is a cue to shed the burdens of the past season and step into the future.

It also tells you to put on your best white clothes, eat kheer, sit under the moonlight and take it all in, without drifting away on autopilot.

The moon interestingly gives us a night of joy, of Krishna’s Raasleela, as well as a reflective grace of Lakshmi visiting our houses. Essentially, it tells us we don’t have to choose between being happy and successful. We can have them both.

So, we need to ask ourselves, how can we have the joy of Krishna’s Raasleela, and the success of Lakshmi’s blessing both, in today’s world?