Chapter 24: chapter 24

Sage Yagnavalkya came near Laxmi and awakened her from meditation. He instructed her,"Laxmi! 25 miles away from our hermitage, there is a lake named "Devamrit", there are very divine and auspicious golden lotuses in that lake. People say that one who possess those golden lotuses can fulfill all their wishes. They can create abundant wealth. I want to get one such lotus, and use it to create unlimited food for the people residing in our hermitage. Many people went in search of them but couldn't even came back. I want you to bring one of such golden lotuses."Laxmi accepted her gurus order grinning,"Ha gurudev! Sure. I'll start immediately"Gurudev interrupted," Laxmi! One shouldn't use their magical powers in quest of those golden lotuses since they are very celestial. One can use their human strength, intelligence only. One with very pure heart and flawless character can only get those in that pond. Devi Laxmi! You have such prominent character and clean heart. I wish you bring it. Leave all your celestial powers here and go for your quest."" Ha furudev! As per your command!", immediately Laxmi Devi closed her eyes. A divine light emanating radiantly in all directions came from her body. She condensed all that power in a small ball, stored it in the bilvavriksha in his hermitage and began her journey.Her journey was quite strenuous and was with full of obstacles and hurdles. Even though she left all of her powers, her persistence, determination and perseverance hadn't alter. She had to bear the hard paths, sharp thorns pricking her foot but she didn't quit. After a tremendous struggle, she finally reached the river. She felt very happy and was about to enter.Immediately stopped her path, a giant, sturdy, mighty and blood curdling Brahmrakshas, who was looking petrifying. He said,"Balika! I am the guardian of this pond. Unless you answer my riddle, I won't allow you inside. It's the rule of this pond."Laxmi replied bravely," I am ready for your question."Brahmrakshas got amazed at her bravery and faith on her, he uttered,"What does a human need to attain moksha? Karma (good actions) or Gnaan (Knowledge)?"Laxmi ponered for a while and answered very confidently,"A bird needs both of it's wings to fly in the sky. In the same way, a human needs both to attain moksha. Good Karm (wing) cleanses the sins and heart. Knowledge (wing) removes ignorance."" Bhala! Marvellous answer.", praised Brahmrakshas being amazed at her intelligence."Shall I enter now?", Laxmi asked excitedly. But Brahmrakshas interrupted," Yes but you have to hand over one of the golden lotuses to me while you return. It's the condition, I'll allow if you accept for this."" But why?", doubted Laxmi " Even though I'm the guardian of this river, I can't enter as per the rules of this river. But I want to become a viswavijetha (conquerer of the universe) and rule the whole world. It's possible only if I have one such golden lotus. So bring me one. Don't try to cheat me otherwise I'll eat you. I am undefeatable. I'll be staying here, you should bring as soon as you get those", Brahmrakshas warned Laxmi and disappeared all of a sudden.Laxmi Devi dipped into the water and searched all over. She could be able to find only one such lotus. She contemplated,"Brahmrakshas has been waiting outside for me. He wants me to handover this lotus but he'll devastate the entire universe if this lotus goes into his hand."She came out and Brahmrakshas who was eagerly waiting for her asked about the lotus. Laxmi Devi told,"There is no single lotus in the pond."Brahmrakshas frowned at her, reddening his eyes, " I am Brahmrakshas. Don't try to cheat me else I'll eat you up."Laxmi Devi contemplated in her mind," If Brahmrakshas eats me, I may die. If the lotus comes into his hand, whole world will have to suffer his ravage. For the safety of this world, I'm ready to sacrifice my life. Lieing is a sin, I lied so I have to bear that sin. But this lie causes the welfare of the entire universe. I won't step back even if I have to bear the sin. If I make him believe that there are no lotuses in the pond, he will leave and won't threaten others also to bring it. It's the permanent solution for world for getting rid of him. After I make him believe, I have to leave. I couldn't fulfill guru"s wish. I'll apologize him. Even if he punishes, I'll bear", she thought,"World can be developed in other ways too but this is the only way to save world. Safety of humans is more important than their later development."She hadn't quiver, she saw directly into his eyes, and answered valiantly," I am saying truth. No lotuses in this pond! Stop craving about it, it's waste of your time." Brahmrakshas scowled at her, she thought that it'd kill her but she wasn't caressing about her life.Suddenly to her amazement, that Brahmrakshas suddenly disappeared, the pond disappeared and the place around her suddenly changed into vaccum. She had been in astonishment.In Brahmraksha's place, appeared before Laxmi, the supreme of Chaturbhuvan, PRABHU NARAYAN in his enormous chaturbhuj swaroop, holding his sankh, chakr, gadha padma, streching his body all over the sky, emanating bliss all the four sides and with a divine smile etched on his face. He grinned at her, overwhelmed as the time for their union finally arrived,Appearance of her beloved lord, made Laxmi exhilarated. She exuded her content with happy tears. She uttered excitedly," Prabhu?!! You? Finally my prolong await is over Nath? Finally you came for marrying me? My penance got it's result? "" Ha Laxmi! Not only yours but also mine! I have been suffering with our detachment till now. Finally it has been over by today. I came in the form of a brahmrakshas to test you, show your eligibility as the goddess of wealth and happiness to entire world. I'll take you to Vaikunth Priya! Yagnavalkya ordering you and whatever happened here is my leela.""I lied right, Madhusudana? I have failed. I may not be", Lakshmi doubted" No Not at all", Vishnu interrupted,"First of all, you are the mother of this creation. I came from your heart. You are the supreme goddess. You are always deserved  for position as my consort. Actually you wished to be born as a normal human being so that you can teach humans the way towards me. You wanted to be as an inspiring guide for all who wish union in me. So you left all your powers and entered into the  womb of Khaati, wife of Bhrigu.You also proved you are the deserved one for goddess of wealth position in this form too. You lied but it's for the welfare of the world. Main duty of a god/ goddess is to ensure the safety of his/ her people. You lied inorder to save universe from a malicious Brahmrakshas. It's not at all wrong. When a patient is going to die with some dangerous disease, the doctor says that he'll live for hundred years even though. Because doctor doesn't want to stress him because of which he may die before. A lie helps a human there, then it's not bad. You thought very intelligently and with good spontaneity. You're also selfless. You even dared to sacrifice your life for the universe. You can reoccupy your Jaganmata, Mahalaxmi position now and your penance made you free from human manacles, gain your divine powers. We can marry now, Laxmi undoubtedly",he overwhelmed, "You'll remain as an eminent example to this world. Your hardwork, determination, strict penance teach people the way to supreme lord."Laxmi jubilated along with Narayan. He introduced her powers into her, which she hid inside bilvavriksha. Laxmi got her divine swaroop again. She was too glowing radiantly and celestially now. TO BE CONTINUED.. KRISHNASHTAMI 2019 special GRAND MARRIAGE CEREMONY of Adidampath- Laxmi NarayanAnd the beginning of Leelas of Laxmi-Narayan.Stay tuned😊😊😊