In plain words
After keeping this Varalakṣmī vow, Sāvitrī, Anasūyā and Sumati found happiness and joy. Varalakṣmī removes faults, makes purity grow, and bestows divinity. The people of Bhārata call Varalakṣmī ‘the Mother of the World’. In our land of Bhārata the word ‘Mātā’ has very great value. When people are in pain they cry ‘Ammā’, not “Ayyā” or “Appā”. The word ‘Amma’ is most precious and most sacred. It is the very first word that comes to a child’s lips. A mother’s love is beyond description. That is why the culture of Bhārata gave the mother the first place, saying, “Mother, father, guru, God.” You must love your mother and bow to her command. If you do not satisfy your mother, the world will spurn you. If you satisfy your mother, it is as good as satisfying the whole world!
Women Are Embodiments of Lakṣmī
Embodiments of Prema! One could speak without end about the greatness of the sacred Varalakṣmī vrata. Women should worship Varalakṣmī, the Mother of the World, take refuge in her, rejoice, and share that joy with everyone around them. Men should give them the encouragement and support they need. They must not object that the expense will be great. After all, the wife’s vrata is for the long life, health and prosperity of the husband himself, is it not! So the husband must in no way stand in the way of the worship his wife performs. If it is in any way a difficulty for him, he may persuade her with kind words. But he must not behave as he pleases, thinking, ‘I am the man, after all.’ To tell the truth, women have more strength than men. Women will give up even their lives for their husbands. Is there any husband who brought his dead wife back to life? Good qualities such as dignity, courtesy, sacrifice, contentment and good character are found in women alone. In men, though, faults such as anger, stubbornness and obstinacy are the greater. That is why greater honour is given to women than to men. Even on wedding invitations they write ‘Śrīmati & Śrī’: the woman’s name first, and only after it the man’s. In names such as Rādhākṛṣṇa, Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa and Pārvatī-Parameśvara too, the woman’s name comes first. Women are embodiments of Lakṣmī. Only when you honour them will the world live in well-being and plenty.