Dharma is the Only Route to Lakshmi

[Guest guest]

The "Times of India" published this fine editorial by Aditya

Chatterjee today (Oct. 11, 2003):

 

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 a 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 developments. 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 Yasho-Lakshmi 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 illicit relationship with the new girl

in his household. The Brahmin chose not to retort.

 

The following day, a towering, enlightened person emerged from his

body. The person identified himself as Dharma. "Why are you leaving

me, O Lord? Have I committed any sin?" the Brahmin asked

Dharma. "Surely, assisting the needy was not a sin," the Brahmin

persisted.

 

Dharma then reasoned that he was following the example of the other

goddesses.

 

The Brahmin then said, "It is in their very nature to follow each

other... they come together and leave together. But why are you

leaving me? I can't let you go because you're the source of my

existence. And, until I ask you to leave, you do not have the right

to abandon me..."

 

Dharma realised his folly. He then blessed the Brahmin and re-entered

his body.

 

The same night, the Brahmin once again heard someone weep. This time,

it was Alakshmi who stood before him. "I'm leaving," she said. Thanks

to Dharma's influence, Alakshmi found it impossible to live in the

Brahmin's household.

 

The same night, all the three goddesses and prosperity returned to

the Brahmin's family.

 

Moral of the story: Those who choose to live their lives in

unattached righteousness never need be bothered by the ups and downs

of life.

 

URL:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?

msid=226814