Dharma is the Only Route to Lakshmi
Today, many of us have jettisoned righteousness in our pursuit of material wealth. Here's a story which chronicles the interplay of Dharma and Lakshmi. In ancient India, there lived a pious and righteous Brahmin. Saubhagya-Lakshmi, Yasho-Lakshmi and Kula-Lakshmi (the goddesses of good fortune, fame and one who protects families) resided in the Brahmin's forehead. Thanks to their blessings, his every action was holy and he tasted success everywhere. Paap (the demi-god of sin) was jealous and irritated by his righteousness. One day, he approached Alakshmi (the demi-goddess of misfortune) and brought her to the Brahmin's residence. Paap requested the Brahmin to provide shelter to Alakshmi, who was described as а homeless, unfortunate lady. The Brahmin welcomed Alakshmi and said, it was his duty to provide shelter and assistance to the needy. Even Paap was invited to stay on as a guest, but he declined the offer since Dharma (the god of righteousness) also resided in his body. As soon as Alakshmi entered the premises, the Brahmin's household was witness to a series of unwelcome develop- ments. All the fruit and flower-laden trees suddenly withered At night, the Brahmin heard someone crying. Soon, a lady emerged from his forehead. When the Brahmin asked who she was, the lady replied: "I'm Saubhagya-Lakshmi. I resided in your forehead for so many years, and now I'm being forced to leave..." The Brahmin again asked the goddess: "But mother, what is my fault?" She said she was leaving since the Brahmin had chosen to give shelter to Alakshmi and obviously, she and Alakshmi cannot stay at the same place. The Brahmin sighed, offered his pranams to the goddess, but did not utter a word. The next morning, the trees had become bare, the lakes had dried, the standing crop in the fields had died, and the milch cows had become barren. That night, the Brahmin again heard someone crying. This time, goddesses YashoLakshmi and Kula-Lakshmi emerged out of his self. They said, "Saubhagya-Lakshmi has abandoned you because you chose to assist Alakshmi Now, even we are going..." The Brahmin paid his respects in silence as the goddesses departed. Next day, the Brahmin woke up to hear people alleging he was lecherous and involved in an illici relationship with the new girl in his household. The Brahmin chose not to retort. The following day, towering, enlightened perso emerged from his body. Th person identified himsel as Dharma. "Why are you leaving me, O Lord? Have committed an sin?" the Brah min asked Dhan ma. "Surely, as sisting the need was not a sin," th Brahmin persi ted. Dharma the reasoned that h was following th example of th other goddesses. The Brahmi then said, "It is their very nature to follow each other... they com together and leave togethe But why are you leaving m I can't let you go because you're the source of m existence. And, until I as you to leave, you do not hav the right to abandon me... Dharma realised his fol He then blessed the Brahm and re-entered his body. The same night, t Brahmin once again hea someone weep. This time, was Alakshmi who stood fore him. "I'm leaving," s said. Thanks to Dharma influence, Alakshmi found impossible to live in t Brahmin's household. The same night the three goddesses a prosperity returned to Brahmin's family. Moral of the story: Tho who choose to live their liv in unattached righteousn never need be bothered the ups and downs of life.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Aditya Chatterjee views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Aditya Chatterjee and Speaking Tree,Times of India
Dharma is the Only Route to Lakshmi
Today, many of us have jettisoned righteousness in our pursuit of material wealth. Here's a story which chronicles the interplay of Dharma and Lakshmi. In ancient India, there lived a pious and righteous Brahmin. Saubhagya-Lakshmi, Yasho-Lakshmi and Kula-Lakshmi (the goddesses of good fortune, fame and one who protects families) resided in the Brahmin's forehead. Thanks to their blessings, his every action was holy and he tasted success everywhere. Paap (the demi-god of sin) was jealous and irritated by his righteousness. One day, he approached Alakshmi (the demi-goddess of misfortune) and brought her to the Brahmin's residence. Paap requested the Brahmin to provide shelter to Alakshmi, who was described as а homeless, unfortunate lady. The Brahmin welcomed Alakshmi and said, it was his duty to provide shelter and assistance to the needy. Even Paap was invited to stay on as a guest, but he declined the offer since Dharma (the god of righteousness) also resided in his body. As soon as Alakshmi entered the premises, the Brahmin's household was witness to a series of unwelcome develop- ments. All the fruit and flower-laden trees suddenly withered At night, the Brahmin heard someone crying. Soon, a lady emerged from his forehead. When the Brahmin asked who she was, the lady replied: "I'm Saubhagya-Lakshmi. I resided in your forehead for so many years, and now I'm being forced to leave..." The Brahmin again asked the goddess: "But mother, what is my fault?" She said she was leaving since the Brahmin had chosen to give shelter to Alakshmi and obviously, she and Alakshmi cannot stay at the same place. The Brahmin sighed, offered his pranams to the goddess, but did not utter a word. The next morning, the trees had become bare, the lakes had dried, the standing crop in the fields had died, and the milch cows had become barren. That night, the Brahmin again heard someone crying. This time, goddesses YashoLakshmi and Kula-Lakshmi emerged out of his self. They said, "Saubhagya-Lakshmi has abandoned you because you chose to assist Alakshmi Now, even we are going..." The Brahmin paid his respects in silence as the goddesses departed. Next day, the Brahmin woke up to hear people alleging he was lecherous and involved in an illici relationship with the new girl in his household. The Brahmin chose not to retort. The following day, towering, enlightened perso emerged from his body. Th person identified himsel as Dharma. "Why are you leaving me, O Lord? Have committed an sin?" the Brah min asked Dhan ma. "Surely, as sisting the need was not a sin," th Brahmin persi ted. Dharma the reasoned that h was following th example of th other goddesses. The Brahmi then said, "It is their very nature to follow each other... they com together and leave togethe But why are you leaving m I can't let you go because you're the source of m existence. And, until I as you to leave, you do not hav the right to abandon me... Dharma realised his fol He then blessed the Brahm and re-entered his body. The same night, t Brahmin once again hea someone weep. This time, was Alakshmi who stood fore him. "I'm leaving," s said. Thanks to Dharma influence, Alakshmi found impossible to live in t Brahmin's household. The same night the three goddesses a prosperity returned to Brahmin's family. Moral of the story: Tho who choose to live their liv in unattached righteousn never need be bothered the ups and downs of life.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Aditya Chatterjee views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Aditya Chatterjee and Speaking Tree,Times of India