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Laxmi the Hindu Goddess of Wealth “Beautiful goddess seated on a chariot, delighted by songs on lustful elephants, bedecked with lotuses, pearls and gems, lustrous as fire, radiant as gold, resplendent as the sun, calm as the moon, mistress of cows and horses – take away poverty and misfortune bring joy, riches, harvest and children.”
Vishnu’s Three Steps Power made Bali arrogant. He declared, “The earth belongs to me; I can give anyone anything he desires.” These words greatly disturbed the earth-goddess. She belonged to no one and certainly not a commodity to be given to away as a gift.
Indra, leader of the devas,
meanwhile, bereft of Shreedevi’s grace had been reduced to poverty. He
approached Bali and begged for some land. To mock him, Bali pointed to
Vamana the dwarf and said, “I shall give you as much land as this little
one can cover in three strides.” Vamana was no ordinary dwarf but
rather an incarnation of Vishnu the Preserver. Vishnu thus wrested control of the earth for the gods.
Vishnu’s Detachment Vishnu, who had conquered the earth for the gods, let Indra become king. “Don’t you want to be lord of the universe and enjoy the splendors of the cosmos?” asked Shreedevi. “I desire nothing. By defeating the demon Bali, I have done my duty. I seek no reward for it.” These words of Vishnu pleased Shreedevi. Indra Angers Bhoodevi and Shreedevi The goddess said, “He who takes good care of the earth-goddess Bhoodevi, wins the affection of Shreedevi, goddess of fortune and becomes king of the cosmos.” But Indra did not heed her words. Soon after being crowned king, the leader of the devas, he retired to the pleasure gardens. There, he drank wine, enjoyed song and dance and neglected his royal duties. The earth, left ungoverned was plundered. Bhoodevi’s lamentation fell on deaf ears. This made Shreedevi very angry. She turned away from Indra.
Laxmi rises The churn twisted and turned, the ocean frothed and fumed, waves roared and spewed foam in every direction. Eons passed. Nothing emerged. But the gods and demons were determined to bring the goddess back and continued to churn the great ocean. Pleased by their efforts, the goddess finally emerged as a Laxmi, the desirable one, in all her splendor. Seated on a dew drenched Lotus, dressed in red silk, bedecked in gold, she was the very embodiment of affluence, abundance and auspiciousness. As she rose, rasa, life giving sap, began flowing in every direction. The earth palpated with life. Joy filled the air. The gods saluted her; the demons sang songs to her glory. Sacred elephants who hold up the sky came from the eight quarters of the universe raised their trunks and consecrated her with life sustaining water. Birth of Alaskshmi Along with Laxmi rose ALaxmi, the goddess of barrenness and misfortune from the churning of the ocean milk. She was ugly with matted hair, sunken cheeks, shriveled breasts and coarse limbs. Said the goddess, “Laxmi will dwell where there is nobility and righteousness, cleanliness and beauty, virtue and compassion. ALaxmi will dwell elsewhere, attracted by sloth, envy greed, lust and pride.” And so it is that people who wish to keep ALaxmi away keep their houses clean, their bodies beautiful and their minds pure. Gifts of Prosperity With Laxmi came a cow called Kamadhenu with enough milk to feed the world for all eternity, a wish fulfilling gem called Chantamani and a tree called Kalpataru that bore every flower and fruit desirable. In her hand she held the basket of bounty: the Akshaya Patra overflowing with grain and gold.
Gifts of Power Along with Laxmi came the six tusked, white skinned elephant, Airavata and the seven-headed flying horse, Ucchaishrava. The gods claimed the elephant, the demons claimed the horse. The goddess also brought forth a throne, a crown, a footstool, a parasol, a fly-whisk, a cushion, a fan, a bow and a conch. “These symbols of kingship,” she said, “will go to a worthy being, one who will use power to preserve and protect life.” “Give them to me,” said Indra the king of gods. “No you are too obsessed with pleasure,” said Laxmi. “Give them to me,” said Bali King of demons. “No wealth corrupts you and makes you arrogant.” Laxmi sought someone who would not succumb to the allure of power, pleasure and prosperity; someone strong, wise and virtuous, capable of using force, charm and guile with discretion to uphold the laws of life. She chose Vishnu. Laxmi Marries Vishnu Laxmi placed Vaijayanati, the fragrant garland of victory round Vishnu’s neck and made him her consort. He became known as Shreenatha, beloved of fortune. Vishnu placed Shreevasta, the symbol of Laxmi on his chest. Their abode, Vaikuntha, became the pivot of the universe. Vishnu battled the forces of chaos and corruption and diligently performed his duties as guardian of the world, pleasing Laxmi who rewarded him with her love and affection, tending to his every need as his devoted wife. |
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