Deepawali - Goddess Lakshmi (Deity of Wealth & Prosperity) -:

Deepawali - Goddess Lakshmi (Deity of Wealth & Prosperity) -: 

Wealth is a phenomenon which has existed ever since man has toiled for a livelihood. The status of prosperity has undoubtedly been debated and discussed through the ages, and many socio-religious groups have found solace in shying away from addressing the most basic wants and needs. The Sanatan Dharm too has wrongly been portrayed as a religious tradition whose fundamentals teach that riches and/or affluence are detrimental in an effort to lead a spiritual life. The cardinal four-fold doctrine of the Purushaarth, namely Dharm, Arth, Kaam, and Moksh, are to be visited in full measure bearing in mind the appropriate time. The Vedic tradition is possibly the only religious philosophical body which not only advocates the importance of money, but emphasizes the importance of wealth in one’s life.

त्यजन्ति मित्राणि धनैर्विहीनं पुत्राश्च दाराश्च सुहृज्जनाश्च ।
तमर्थवन्तं पुनराश्रयन्ति अर्थो हि लोके मनुषस्य बन्धुः ॥

If a man suffers from poverty, his friends, sons, wife and relatives leave him, and if the same man earns wealth, all those who abandoned him return. Evidently, wealth is one’s only companion.

Hindu philosophy alone can be so bold as to assess the importance of money, elaborate the significance of success, and in so doing exemplify the insatiable, leech-like nature of humans. Notions such as these prove that the Sanatan Dharm is far more than a philosophical tradition; it is in fact a logical stance on life and its necessities, intertwined with values, engineered to deliver success in this life and beyond. Maa Lakshmi, the Goddess of opulence, who showers Her blessings to Her devotees is an example of how the Supreme incarnates as our Mother Goddess, to relieve our suffering, grant our wishes, and support our being to lead a fulfilling yet “God-centric” life.

वन्दे पद्मकरां प्रसन्नवदनां सौभाग्यदां भाग्यदां
हस्ताभ्यां अभयप्रदां मणिगणैर्नानाविधैर्भूषिताम् ।
भक्ताभीष्टफलप्रदां हरिहरब्रह्मादिभिः सेवितां
पार्श्वे पंकजशंखपद्मनिधिभिर्युक्तां सदा शक्तिभिः ॥
I bow to the One whose hands are lotus-like, who has a pleasant face, and is the giver of good fortune and destiny; who bestows fearlessness through Her hands, and who is ever adorned with precious gems, and beautiful clothes. She is the provider of the fruits of devotion, gracefully waited upon by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiv, along with others; and who is decked with a Lotus, a Conch shell and an unlimited amount of wealth, Maa Lakshmi is naturally the most powerful.

This incantation describes the multi-faced Mother of the universe, Maa Lakshmi in Her form as the benefactor of Vishnu’s love, who bequeaths triumph, fearlessness, and even Heaven to those She deems as worthy.  This particular prayer to the Mother has vivid lotus-themed imagery which is synonymous with Maa Lakshmi Herself. The lotus has been viewed in the Vedic texts as the most beautiful flower to come from the earth. It is for this very reason that Vishnu, the divine consort of Maa Lakshmi has a clear inclination to it, from His description as being पद्मनाभ, He with a Lotus Navel, to his Lotus-like eyes कमलनयनम्. Bhagwan Vishnu’s love for the lotus is inspired by his affection towards Maa Lakshmi, hence the names Vishnupatni, and Vishnuvakshah, She who resides in Vishnu’s heart.

The priceless stones and stunning clothes which decorate Maa Lakshmi lose their charm when compared to Her pleasing face, or to the compassionate gaze by which She bestows the greatest of fortunes. It is only inevitable that those who are utterly absorbed in devotion to Vishnu, are blessed with the fruits of the three worlds by Maa Lakshmi Herself (सौभाग्यदां भाग्यदां). The Kanakdhara Stotram sung by Adi Shankaracharya extols this virtue of Maa Lakshmi with utmost reverence.

इष्टा विशिष्टमतयोऽपि यया दर्याद्
दृष्ट्या त्रिविष्टपपदं सुलभं लभन्ते ।
दृष्टिः प्रहृष्टकमलोदरदीप्तिरिष्टां
पुष्टिं कृषीष्ट मम पुषकरविष्टरायाः ॥
To Her devotees, and to those who are worthy, She (Maa Lakshmi) grants them a place in Heaven which is immensely difficult to attain. Just by a glance of Her compassion filled eyes, Let the glance of Her sparkling eyes, which resemble the efflorescent beauty of the lotus, fall on me and grant me all my desires!

Maa Lakshmi is foremost our Mother, who nourishes our every need. At times, materialistic pleasures fail to protect us from the grave troubles we may face. It is here where She takes the form of the Navdurga, One divine Mother who encompasses the power of all 9 Durgas and grants protection through Her hands (हस्ताभ्यां अभयप्रदां) to all those who seek Her protection.

There are four types of Dhan, or wealth, prescribed in the scriptures, each with its own attributes and situations.

विदेशेषु धनं विद्या व्यसनेषु धनं मतिः ।
परलोके धनं धर्मः शीलं सर्वत्र वै धनम् ॥
On foreign soil, knowledge is the greatest wealth, at a time of distress, cleverness is what pays off, only Dharm, or righteous deeds can help attain Heaven, but civilised conduct is the greatest wealth at all times, and everywhere.

Surely money, knowledge, and righteousness, all are important from time to time, however one’s conduct is one’s greatest attribute, and one’s most prised possession.

Wealth is the blessing of Maa Lakshmi and must be treated with utmost respect, neither perceiving it to be the root cause of all troubles, neither basking in the short-lived glow of it.

अतितृष्णा न कर्तव्या तृष्णां नैव परित्यजेत् ।
शनैः शनैश्च भोक्तव्यं स्वयं वित्तमुपार्जितम् ॥
One should refrain from disposing completely all desires, as should one not drown oneself in extreme desires. One is in fact encouraged to enjoy self-earned wealth for one’s own pleasure.

Lakshmi Pujan, Diwali, and the Hindu New Year are three events which occur on consecutive days. We pray to Maa Lakshmi to give us a fruitful life of affluence, family unity, and security. May Lakshmi Maa bless the homes of Her followers with riches, success, harmony, and righteous living. May the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of this world, our Mother Goddess Maa Lakshmi, bless our homes and hearts with the riches for this world, and devotion for the hereafter.

Happy Deepawali!!

Om Tat Sat!
By: Raahul S Saraaswat
Raahul S Saraaswat -Vedic Astrologer
www.enlightenthroughstars.webs.com
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