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| DHANALAKSHMI - GODDESS
OF WEALTH |
Bali and Lakshmi
Prahalad' s son was Virochana. His son was emperor Bali. Being a very powerful
man, he defeated Devendra and took possession of heaven. The gods became strong
by drinking the ambrosia produced during the churning of the sea. Then Indra
defeated emperor Bali and took possession of heaven again. Bali went into hiding.
Once when Devendra had come to the banks of the Ganga, he saw sage Narada also
there. Indra went near and saluted Narada. When both had enquired about the welfare
of each other, as it was morning, they observed religious rites of the morning.
By that time the sun's orb appeared brightly in the east. Both Indra and Narada
were looking at the sun's orb and were offering prayer. At that time a radiant
goddess was seen in the sky. She was adorned with a pearl necklace and holding
a lotus in her hand. While Indra and Narada were looking in wonder, that goddess
came down from the sky and approached them.
Devendra and Narada saluted her and eulogized her. Indra addressed her: "O
Goddess, who are you? What is the reason for your coming here?" Said she, "Indra,
I am Dhanalakshmi. Everybody in this world tries to seek my favor. I reside in
righteous people. The demons were so far righteous; their king Bali was virtuous.
I was residing in him. Now, as all of them are unrighteous and devoid of virtue,
I have abandoned them and come here to live with you." Indra devotedly saluted
her.
From these stories we learn the moral: Lakshmi resides in those who uphold virtue,
righteousness and truth. Lakshmi forsakes those who give up good conduct.
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