THE GLORY OF LAXMI

 THE GLORY OF LAXMI

One day Laxmi's elder sister Jyeshtha said, "Laxmi, I have been thinking a long time over a matter. I don't know if I should ask you or not."

"You must ask, sister. Do not brood over something for too long without bringing it out. Come clean," Laxmi encouraged.

"I always think we two are equally beautiful. But everyone likes you whereas I am despised. No one likes me. Many shut their doors in my face. We are sisters as well. Why so?"

Laxmi smilingly explained, "Being sisters or of equal beauty does not earn one other's respect, sister. Some other factors count. Wherever I go I create or cause riches, luxuries, celebrations and happiness. That's why everyone adores and worships me. But wherever you go you take along miseries, diseases, woes and tragedies. That is why you are disliked. Bring happiness to others if you want love and respect."

Laxmi is the goddess of fortune and Jyeshtha is the goddess of poverty. The elder sister did not like the sermonizing tone of her younger sister. To her Laxmi sounded egoistic.

She hissed, "Laxmi! You are junior, in age and influence too. Don't preach to me. If you take pride in your riches I too can change fates. That is in my power. I can turn a millionaire into a pauper in a jiffy."

Laxmi smirked saying, "Alright, you can take advantage of your age. But in influence, I am no lesser than you are. Anyone you turn into a pauper can again become wealthy at my wish instantly."

"So what? I can again condemn him for poverty."

"Don't forget the fact that only he can be condemned to poverty who loses my favour. Anyone blessed by me is safe from the miseries of wants. If you are so keen to prove your superiority you can try. I would like to see it tomorrow itself."

"All right, how do you want it proved?"

"I have an idea. In a nearby village there lives a Brahmin called Deenanath". He worships me and I intend to reward him with riches, you can show your worth by keeping him poor."

Jyeshtha accepted the challenge. She jerked her hand aggressively saying. "All right, we will see. You will face defeat tomorrow," She went away in a charged-up mood.

Laxmi watched her go and pitied her attitude. The next day, they arrived at the Vishnu temple of Anuradhapura village. They were in the guises of simple rural women and sat on the stone wall of the temple stairs. No one took an interest in them. The temple was visited by similar village women every day. Most of them were suffering folk. So, every one by habit remained withdrawn into oneself. The deity was the only one they would confide in.

Then, Deenu (Deenanath) arrived. The sisters paid attention to him. When he came out of the temple Jyeshtha said, "There comes your devotee. Help him, dear sister."

"Just watch." Laxmi put a bamboo pole on his way. The hollow of the pole was filled with gold coins.

Jyeshtha also touched the pole to cast her spell.

Deenu saw the hand stick length pole and picked it up. A bamboo pole can have a hundred uses in a rural household besides serving as a walking stick or a lathi.

A little ahead he was met by a boy. The boy greeted Deenu and said, "Panditji, we need a bamboo stick for our cot like the one you carry. The grandpa asked me to buy one in the market. Which shop should I go to?"

Deenu said, "Son, I didn't buy it. I found it lying on the way. You can take it if you like. It will cost you at least one rupee in the market."

The boy gave him a 25 paise coin saying, "I have only this at present. I will give you the rest of the money in the evening." Deenu nodded his head. He was happy to have earned a rupee for doing nothing. He handed the boy the bamboo stick.

The goddess sisters were watching the scene from a nearby spot. Jyeshtha spoke, "See? Your stupid devotee gave away gold coins for only 25 paise. Let us follow him and you will see that I will make him lose that coin also."

The sisters followed Deenu. On the bank of a pond, he put down his pooja carry bowl and began picking lotus flowers. In the meanwhile, a shepherd kid arrived there. He took out the 25 paise coin from the bowl and ran away with the steal.

Just then, the other boy arrived carrying that bamboo stick. He said, "Punditji! My grandpa says that this pole is too heavy to be suitable for our cot. Please take your bamboo stick back." The boy thrust the stick into Deenu's hands.

Deenu looked into his carry bowl to return the boy's coin. He was shocked to find the coin gone. He said, "Son, come with me. I will give you your 25 paise at home. I seem to have lost your coin."

"Don't worry, uncle. I will come to you in the evening." the boy expensively said.

The bamboo pole was again with Deenu. Laxmi smiled. Her smile greatly annoyed Jyeshtha. In a fury she raged, "The game has just begun. Watch what I will do to your stupid devotee!"

Unaware of the background drama Deenu went on, on his way. He knew not that he had become a pawn of the goddess sisters.

Up ahead a fisherman accosted Deenu. He gave a 25 paise coin to Deenu and spoke, "Punditji, My prankster son had picked this coin from your carry bowl. The lad is a spoilt one. Please forgive my son. I already have given him a piece of my mind." Deenu thanked the man and took the coin. Now he called out to the boy who he owed the coin and who was supposed to come to him in the evening. The boy had not gone far. He came back and took the coin gratefully. The coin went into the boy's pocket again.

Deenu resumed his journey with the bamboo stick in his right hand and the carry bowl in the left.

This time Deenu was thinking, This stick is heavy and unusual for a bamboo. That boy was right. Maybe, this one is solid...a very stout variety. It could serve as a thatched roof support. Should carry weight for years.’

His thoughts angered Jyeshtha as she read them. She knew it was due to the influence of Laxmi that he was thinking positively.

It infuriated her. Now Deenu was almost home.

Jyeshtha saw that the game was coming to an end. In frustration and in the face of stark defeat she decided to kill the stupid devotee of her rival Laxmi She transformed into a deadly cobra with its hood menacingly raised up.

Laxmi watched her with a smile. She did not look concerned. Deenu heard a hissing sound, and he looked behind. He saw a dangerous-looking cobra coming at him with evil intentions. He ran in a panic. The cobra increased its speed. It looked like a crooked arrow flying at ground level. Frightened Deenu ran faster but he could not shake the cobra off. It was gaining ground on him. He prayed in his heart, 'Naga god, please spare my life. I will worship you all my life.

The cobra had no noble intentions. It was the goddess Jyestha who wanted to keep Deenu tied to her kingdom of poverty. But the man was holding a stick of fortune provided by her rival sister. The traitor Deenu must die.

As soon as the cobra came within striking distance of Deenu it swung its head backwards for the sting charge. Faced with death Deenu acted in self-defense. He brought down the heavy stick on the cobra in a flash. The blow broke the back of the cobra and the stick itself also broke in two spilling all the gold coins. In a happy surprise, he stared gleefully at the treasure as the beaten and broken cobra slithered towards the nearest bush.

Deenu filled his carry bowl with gold coins and walked away for his home whistling merrily at the change of his fortune for the better.

Standing by the side of the bush Laxmi asked her moaning sister, "Well now tell me who won the match? Who is more powerful? The benefactor is always superior to the destroyer."

Jyeshtha stood rubbing her back sadly saying nothing. Laxmi graciously said, "Anyway, we are sisters and shall remain so forever. Now let’s go."