The Vedas mentions that as humans, the acquiring of wealth is one of the Purusharthas – Arth for which one has to strive and work for. However, the choice of acquiring is what makes it different.

Being a goddess who tests our virtues, Bhagawathi Lakshmi is dear to the one who is wise and beleives in Dharma. This, she proved when she emerged from the Milky Ocean and selected Bhagwan Vishnu as her soulmate. She signifies that her blessings are bestowed on the one who  doesn’t crave with greed for her, but worships her with utmost faith and never stops working for the betterment of his self and the others.

When the Samudra Manthan was going on, there arose a number of splendid things which both the Devas and the Asuras wanted to acquire for themselves. Each one had a great significance and represented a particular aspect of life. While the elephant Iravat represented righteous conduct with its white colour, the horse Uchaisrav represented Dharma which rode with swiftness in the world.

The heavenly Apsaras represented pleasure and the Madira represented the desire which one needs to keep in control Along with all these gifts arose the divine Bhagwathi Lakshmi as the Goddess of wealth.

The moment she rises from the Ksheer Sagar, all the Devas and Asuras rush to seek her. They forget the reason for which they were churning the ocean and starting debating among themselves to acquire her.

If not under control, wealth is such an attraction which makes man lose focus and travelling hastily on a different road from the one he actually started his journey, thus losing his focus and purpose of life. In reality, wealth also teaches that it comes to the person who strives hard on the goal and accomplishes it, rather than being attracted to diversions.

Bhagwathi Lakshmi sees that the only Bhagwan Vishnu chose to remain calm and focus on the task present in front of him which was obtaining the Amrit. He does not get diverted by any attractions that were coming out of the Milky Ocean. Bhagwathi Lakshmi gets attracted to this very simple, yet determined nature of Bhagwan Vishnu and garlands him to be her husband. With this gesture, Bhagwathi Lakshmi clarifies to the whole world that while the whole world seeks her, she seeks to reside in the heart of one who is detached from the worldly desires and focusses on his deeds and karma.

Bhagwan Vishnu never tries to control Bhagwathi Lakshmi and treats her with respect and hence she enjoys being in his company. Wealth is the one materialistic need which every human needs for sustenance of life. However, it is on the perception of the human as to what means is used to acquire it and how he spends it. When one controls wealth, it leads to attachment to worldly desires and losing sight of life. Bhagwathi Lakshmi always surrenders to such an entity that does not control wealth all for him, but uses it for the benefit of all. Bhagwathi Lakshmi resides in the heart of Bhagwan Vishnu as it is the place of pure love and it is her nature to reside in places of purity and she proves that a pure heart, a good home is always a residing place for her.

( Today is Varalakshmi Vrat festivity )