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| LAKSHMI - THE GODDESS
OF WEALTH AND FORTUNE |
Although much is not said about the various incarnations of Lakshmi, the mythology
brings into light the various legends where Lakshmi has been born in various
names. More than avatars or incarnations these are mere instances when Lakshmi
took various forms in order to fulfill the wishes of the one's who worshipped
her.
Vedavati
A long time ago there was a king by name Rathadhwaja. In his family, worship
of Lakshmi had a long tradition. The king gave up the worship of Lakshmi due
to indifference. Consequently he lost the grace of Lakshmi. The enemies invaded
with an army. Rathadhwaja was defeated in war and lost the kingdom.
Rathashwaja had two sons Kushadhwaja and Dharmadhwaja. They felt sorry for their
father's mistake. They observed rigorous penance, meditating for Lakshmi. When
she appeared they prayed, "Bless us so that we get back our kingdom. Grant
us a favor by being born as our daughter." Lakshmi granted the boons. They
bravely fought, won the kingdom again and were living happily.
Malavati was the name of Kushadhwaja's wife. Goddess Lakshmi, in fulfillment
of the boon granted by her, entered the womb of Malavati in subtle form and was
born as a daughter. It is said that even at the time of birth she was reciting
Vedic verses clearly. Therefore, the parents named her 'Vedavati'. Kushadhwaja
looked after her and brought her up with great affection. Vedavati grew up to
be a beautiful, virtuous girl. She came of age. Both gods and demons came forward
to wed her. She did not accept anybody. She went away to Pushkara, a place of
pilgrimage and undertook a rigorous penance praying for Vishnu's becoming her
husband. The penance dragged on for a long time. One day a voice from heaven
was heard: "Vedavati, you have to be born again. In your next birth, Vishnu
will also be born and he will become your husband." Even then, Vedavati
continued her penance without losing heart.
Ravana was in aerial chariot, PUSPAK, and in course of travel came there. Thinking
that a guest had come to the hermitage, Vedavati was hospitable to him. Then
Ravana asked her about her life. Vedavati said: "I am the daughter of king
Kushadhwaja. My name is Vedavati. I have undertaken a penance with a view to
getting Sriman Narayana himself to become my husband." On hearing this Ravana
laughed derisively and said: "You, beautiful woman, should you, a young
woman, observe penance? You talk about Narayana! Who is he? Has he as much wealth
as I have? Is he strong? I am Ravana, king of Lanka. Marry me and be happy." Replied
Vadavati, "Ravana, don't talk so. Narayana means the king of the universe,
Vishnu. Should you abuse him? A big fool you are." Realizing that she was
not amenable to persuasion, Ravana caught her head and dragged her by hair. Enraged
Vedavati immediately sheared her hair with her hand. Due to the influence of
penance her hand itself cut her hair like a sword. She turned to Ravana and said, "You
scoundrel, are you compelling me? By your touch my body became tainted. Be looking
on, now itself I will give up my body. I will take birth as the daughter of another
righteous person and will myself be the cause for your death." Immediately
she jumped into a burning fire in the hermitage and gave up her life. Ravana
returned to Lanka grief stricken.
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