Row between two sisters

Goddess Lakshmi has a younger sister, named Dharithra. They both argued on who is most beautiful. The contestation found no end. Where there is argument, we cannot miss our beloved Bhaktha Narad to settle the row in his own elegant way. Be it between God's, Goddess's or Devtha's. So, here too, Narad made his presence to ensconce the dustup of the sisters. They told him why they were fighting and asked him to judge who was the most beautiful.

Narad, having thought over for a minute, told them to walk a few distance and come back to where they started. They did what was said and returned. Narad with his ever problem solving knack he pronounced " Lashmi you look beautiful while coming and Dharithra, you look beautiful while going".

Isn't it true?Lakshmi is at her best when she comes to us, and Dharithra is at her best while retreating frm us.
So, on this occasion of Diwali-month, I would like to wish the beauty queens to visit your house with their respective beauty.

Hi,

Who will not agree that Lakshmi is beautiful while coming and Dharithra is beautiful while going.... Nice story....

On the lighter side... When you invited all the beauty queens, are you referring to Aish, Sushmitha and co.....

Padma,

Yes, a simple story, but filled with much sense. Usually, in Bombay the houses get cleaned thoroughly before Diwali. I recently learnt that in Kerala also, there is a traditional practice of sweeping the whole house with a stiff palm stick broom before Deepavali (though the festival is not celebrated as such in Kerala). This is called driving out of 'chetta'. Chetta here refers to Jyeshta which means elder sister (Of Lakshmi/Sreedevi) which happens to be Dhartithra/Mudevi. In Kerala, they do not even enunciate the word Mudevi. Apparently, this Devi never has anyone calling out to her, so the minute she hears her name, she rushes to that household. So, she is always referred to as Chetta.

hi padma,

Though a simple story...guess it has many variations...

but i think she is jhestha, (elder one of lakshmi...)
In pillaiyar patti she has a special sanctum for herself. there is a temple dedicated to her in Kerala ( Thachanattukara)

Lakshmi is known to be chanchala — unsteady and fleeting. She is also dukhamoola — the cause of misery and misfortune. Lakshmi is the source of happiness only in appearance. In truth, underneath, she is the source of misery. The fight for Lakshmi moolah, dukhamoola) debases and often inhumanises man. The world loves and worships Lakshmi because it is cursed to love and worship appearance. Lakshmi is the goddess of appearance.
Jyeshta is poor and indigent, but she has strength of character. She is not chanchala. She is not seductive. She discounts appearance. She is steady and unflinching. She has grit. It is the strength of the soul that gives man real strength and happiness, not moolah. Beneath the level of appearance, Jyeshta is the giver of real strength and happiness. Actually, the roles of Lakshmi and Jyeshta are interchanged. In the deep spiritual sense, Lakshmi is Jyeshta and Jyeshta is Lakshmi. The wise worship Jyeshta, not Lakshmi.
Lakshmi is the goddess of persona and Jyeshta is the deity of anima. Jyeshta has no worshippers in the world because the world worships only persona or appearance and glamour — and not anima or inner soul.

(courtesy hindu wisdom)

Again views differ..........

Oh sure you can invite them too Vysan, Why not?

Dear vidya,
I over heard this story from some one, so i wasn't sure if it was younger or elder. But i decided to settle on younger. May be it is elder. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Dear shanti,
As you said the roles of beauty's are reversed in the spiritual side of one's life. Because only when one is endured with poverty or sudden loss, they learn to alleviate and stand to one's guns.
The source of happiness is not only inviting Lakshmi into our house, but she gives peace only when she is accompanied by Lord Vishnu. When Ravana captured Sita, he was courting trouble. He tried to seperate her from Lord Rama, which caused him to lose his entire kingdom and himself at last.Till date the land(Sri lanka) is suffering But Hanuman, who was a Rama Duth(a messenger) tried to bring together Sita and Rama, is worshipped and he is also a Chiranjeevi(will live eternally).
Actually Anna(sri sri krishna premi maharaj)says the place is called "Sri" Lanka, because "Sri" Goddess Lakshmi, in her avatar of Sita, lived there for 10 months.

Thanks for giving a chance to ponder into the little story further.

Dear Shanthi,

Your version to the post is perfect.

Laxmi is only the appearance and people fall for appearance. Once Laxmi starts staying in our house we open the door for "Ego", "Pride", "Competition", "Cruelty", distancing away from near and dear ones. Whilst her sister is the real test for the character. She gives "Strength", "Courage", "Stamina", "Bravery", "No fear for hard work", "Respect", "Humble", "Love", "Tears", "Tolerance" and the list is endless again... Our life is not built with only Laxmi, it is strengthened like CEMENT by her sister...

Originally Posted by Vidya24

Padma,

Yes, a simple story, but filled with much sense. Usually, in Bombay the houses get cleaned thoroughly before Diwali. I recently learnt that in Kerala also, there is a traditional practice of sweeping the whole house with a stiff palm stick broom before Deepavali (though the festival is not celebrated as such in Kerala). This is called driving out of 'chetta'. Chetta here refers to Jyeshta which means elder sister (Of Lakshmi/Sreedevi) which happens to be Dhartithra/Mudevi. In Kerala, they do not even enunciate the word Mudevi. Apparently, this Devi never has anyone calling out to her, so the minute she hears her name, she rushes to that household. So, she is always referred to as Chetta.

hi v24,

There is another tradition that is followed. the one of lighting the lamps. before lighting the lamp we close the back door...and then open the front door reason being jyeshta should not enter from the back when we are inviting lakshmi from the front...

Hi friends,
Enjoyed reading this thread and its replies!

sriniketan