Everyone was fascinated. Who does not want to gain wealth? Everyone started telling Lakshmiji, “come to me, I will look after you.” One said, “I have a big safe in my house, so come to me.”
Lakshmiji replied, “Stop pushing one another and stand in one line. I will present this garland to the one who is nice, I like and is handsome.”
Everyone neatly gathered in one line beginning from the ocean to the Himalayas. This included the old with white beards and also some ascetic scholars. Well, these scholars needed money to start a food hall for everyone. Even scholars and saints require money for the welfare of others.
So Lakshmiji began from the first person. Her friends introduced each person to her, “This is Brahma, and he created this earth and hence has a very high status.” Lakshmiji said, “Oh! His hair and beard is all white. He is old! Age does not deter one from the greed of money. He is short tempered; I will not marry him.”
Further on, her friends introduced Indra, the king of heaven. Lakshmiji said “No, no, he is too lustful. Let’s move further.”
“This is Durvasa, a great meditator.”
Lakshmiji said, “That’s fine but he is a very angry person.”
“This is Shiv, he lived in the Himalayas. He is immortal and the destroyer of this earth.”
Lakshmiji said, “That is good. He is not lustful or angry. He has a good nature but his dressing is inauspicious. Is there a shortage of clothes in this world? He has snakes crawling on his neck. I don’t want to marry him.”
Lakshmiji’s friends introduced Shri Parshuram and Lakshmiji refused saying he is cruel as he kills the little children of warriors. Thereafter, Lakshmiji’s friends introduced Shri Markandey. Lakshmiji refused again as he did not even have the time to open his eyes and see Lakshmiji. Shri Markandeyji’s eyes were closed at the time, his noble feeling was that yes you are invited Maa but I will only open my eyes if you come with my God Shri Vishnuji.
This way, Lakshmiji turned down every single person. Everyone is staring at Maa Lakshmiji’s face. However, lord Vishnu’s attention was at his feet. Lakshmiji thought that whilst all these people are eager to get married to me, he does not even look at me? Lakshmiji’s friends said, “This is Vishnu who lives in Vaikunth.”
Lakshmiji said, “Now all of you keep quiet and let me see with great attention. Wow! What beautiful dressing with pitambar and ornaments! He is neither staring at me nor are his eyes closed. He has a good nature and looks after his creation. He is not angry, but is peaceful and has a disc and mace in his hands, hence he will protect me. He also has a conch-shell in one hand. Conch-shell is my brother as he is also from the ocean so he must get along with him very well. He has a lotus in one hand, which is my seat. Apart from Vaikunth, he also lives in the ocean of milk, which is the same as my father’s home. I like that and also he rides on Garud, an eagle. “
Impressed, Lakshmiji presented the garland on Shri Vishnuji’s neck and was married to him.
Everyone hailed, “Shri LakshmiNarayan Bhagavan ki jai!” As soon as the garland was in Shri Vishnuji’s neck, he looked up at Shri Lakshmiji and welcomed her on his left side. Notice that at first Shri Vishnuji’s attention was on his feet and as soon as Shri Lakshmiji presented the garland, he raised his eyes and looked around. God says that the reason for this is that until you have not gained wealth, your attention should be on your behaviour. If your character is pure, then Shri Lakshmiji will come to you one day. Then, when she does arrive, look around you and notice how many are around who you can help. Do not let someone needy and starving around you go to bed without any food. Do not become selfish.
Shri Lakshmi Narayan Bhagavan ki Jai!
You can now view and enjoy the Navratri Anushthan by Pujya Bhaishri from day 3 of Navratri and also the highlights via the following links:
Navratri Anushtan Day 3
Navratri Anushthan Day 3 Highlight
