How to bring Lakshmi home ..... long-aged myth -
HAPPY DIWALI
Everyone wants her badly, so does my doodhwala, my neighbour, my boss and I want her too. Not really a classic case of ‘ek anaar sau bimaar’, considering Lakshmi is the goddess of the universe and can take n number of forms much like her beloved did while with the gopis. But the question here, much like it was in Ras-Leela, is who gets the real thing. Who gets the real Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, home on Diwali?
You must have lit a thousand lamps to date on the many Diwalis you have lived and if you are reading this then you are one of the lucky few with money to spare on things like PCs, Internet and iPods. This means Lakshmi has often dropped by your house during the festival of lights. But these are small glories when it comes to the wealth she can bestow on the true seeker. For that, one must understand the true Lakshmi and the significance behind her puja on Diwali.
The word Lakshmi is derived from the Sanskrit term Lakshya meaning the ‘goal’. Lakshmi thus represents the ultimate goal in life and bringing her home to worship means the supreme importance of the goals in one’s life. Only the person who works hard towards one’s goal gets prosperity and peace in life- boons bestowed by Lakshmi. She does not visit the places which are unclean/dirty or where the people are lazy. This also means one has to keep one’s mind and heart clean, pure and beautiful.
Not only her name, Lakshmi’s form also gives a hint or two about the path she chooses to one’s house and the path she shows towards universal acclaim.
Lotus Seat: The most striking feature of the iconography of Lakshmi is her persistent association with the lotus. The meaning of the lotus in relation to Shri-Lakshmi refers to purity and spiritual power. Rooted in the mud but blossoming above the water, completely uncontaminated by the mud, the lotus represents spiritual perfection and authority.
Gold Coins: The gold coins continually flowing from her left hand signify unending material prosperity.
Owl: The owl is the vehicle of Lakshmi. It’s a wise bird that stays wake in the night and sleeps during the day. This is symbolic in that a sadhak(devotee) remains aware and conscious when the world is in slumber of the material world.
Four Elephants: Lakshmi is often seen being poured with water by four elephants. They are the symbols of Kaam(desire), Dharm(duty), Arth(wealth), Moksh(enlightenment). It means that Lakshmi is the symbol of an ideal life and the person who keeps a balance between the four values stands best to receive Lakshmi.
Ganesha and Lakshmi: Ganesha and Lakshmi are not consorts but are worshipped together. The significance is that with prosperity and power one needs ‘vivek’ i.e. discernment as symbolized by Ganesha. His large stomach indicating kindness, wise elephant head, plate full of laddoos- all go with the accumulation of prosperity and wealth.
One would ask why Diwali is the day of her worship. Diwali itself signifies enlightenment. The lighting up of lamps is the celebration of inner light, awakening the individual to one`s true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, imminent and transcendent reality. With the realization of the Atman, comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Ananda (inner joy or peace).
And Lakshmi is all but Ananda.
Alright, enough of symbolism. Let’s come to the point. How do you earn more money this Diwali? How to light up your home’s path for Lakshmi to see it clearly and drop the wealth neatly under your pillow? Here’s a rundown on how you can do all of that and more. Believe it at your own sweet risk!
1. Get married, NOW!
Lots of gifts, cash cards and of course blessings. Food also.
2. Make plenty of friends
Gift your friend something to cherish and keep telling them a month in advance what would your ideal Diwali present be. If not new, then call up old forgotten pals, scrap them, meet up- tell them entry to your house is only after they deposit something in your account first.
3. Gamble, bet but don’t rob
We are high on morals. Gamble only during Diwali and don’t bet too much. And don’t tell mommy. Women can indulge in mega kitties…
4. Whos afraid of the bears?
The bourses are going up again and you may think that its not the right time to invest in them because of all the risk involved. But believe me you this is not exactly a bad time to put your money in the market. Long-term investment is the key here. If you are a short term investor you may still be able to make a few good bucks- but at the risk of loosing it all any second. Ofcourse buying gold was never as alluring- it will make Lakshmi doubly happy because that bling is her favourite metal really.
5. Sale ! Sale! Sale!
From the friendly neighbourhood flea market to the glitzy malls, it’s the season of discounts. Go grab your deal before it’s fresh stock all over again. Never mind if it’s summer wear- stock up for next year!
6. Burn crackers indoors
Do the unthinkable, the exact opposite of what the fire department chief keeps telling from inside boring government ads- burn crackers indoors. As soon as the house is lit up shout ‘insurance, insurance!’ instead of ‘fire, fire!’
Ok, bad advice. You can also set up stalls at Diwali melas and earn some quick bucks or go stall hopping yourself and see if the wealthy lady smiles at you. Meanwhile here are a few amusing things you ought to know about money:
· Money is the leading cause of disagreements in marriages
· At least 92% of us would rather be rich than find the love of our lives.
· Let’s flip a coin and try to guess whether it will come up heads or tails. Three times as many people guess ‘heads’ than ‘tails’.
· When it comes to houses, more than anything else, people want a state-of-the-art kitchen.
· People tip more on sunny days than on dreary ones.
· And believe it or not- more of our fantasies are about money than sex!!
A very Happy Diwali!
HAPPY DIWALI
Everyone wants her badly, so does my doodhwala, my neighbour, my boss and I want her too. Not really a classic case of ‘ek anaar sau bimaar’, considering Lakshmi is the goddess of the universe and can take n number of forms much like her beloved did while with the gopis. But the question here, much like it was in Ras-Leela, is who gets the real thing. Who gets the real Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, home on Diwali?
You must have lit a thousand lamps to date on the many Diwalis you have lived and if you are reading this then you are one of the lucky few with money to spare on things like PCs, Internet and iPods. This means Lakshmi has often dropped by your house during the festival of lights. But these are small glories when it comes to the wealth she can bestow on the true seeker. For that, one must understand the true Lakshmi and the significance behind her puja on Diwali.
The word Lakshmi is derived from the Sanskrit term Lakshya meaning the ‘goal’. Lakshmi thus represents the ultimate goal in life and bringing her home to worship means the supreme importance of the goals in one’s life. Only the person who works hard towards one’s goal gets prosperity and peace in life- boons bestowed by Lakshmi. She does not visit the places which are unclean/dirty or where the people are lazy. This also means one has to keep one’s mind and heart clean, pure and beautiful.
Not only her name, Lakshmi’s form also gives a hint or two about the path she chooses to one’s house and the path she shows towards universal acclaim.
Lotus Seat: The most striking feature of the iconography of Lakshmi is her persistent association with the lotus. The meaning of the lotus in relation to Shri-Lakshmi refers to purity and spiritual power. Rooted in the mud but blossoming above the water, completely uncontaminated by the mud, the lotus represents spiritual perfection and authority.
Gold Coins: The gold coins continually flowing from her left hand signify unending material prosperity.
Owl: The owl is the vehicle of Lakshmi. It’s a wise bird that stays wake in the night and sleeps during the day. This is symbolic in that a sadhak(devotee) remains aware and conscious when the world is in slumber of the material world.
Four Elephants: Lakshmi is often seen being poured with water by four elephants. They are the symbols of Kaam(desire), Dharm(duty), Arth(wealth), Moksh(enlightenment). It means that Lakshmi is the symbol of an ideal life and the person who keeps a balance between the four values stands best to receive Lakshmi.
Ganesha and Lakshmi: Ganesha and Lakshmi are not consorts but are worshipped together. The significance is that with prosperity and power one needs ‘vivek’ i.e. discernment as symbolized by Ganesha. His large stomach indicating kindness, wise elephant head, plate full of laddoos- all go with the accumulation of prosperity and wealth.
One would ask why Diwali is the day of her worship. Diwali itself signifies enlightenment. The lighting up of lamps is the celebration of inner light, awakening the individual to one`s true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, imminent and transcendent reality. With the realization of the Atman, comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Ananda (inner joy or peace).
And Lakshmi is all but Ananda.
Alright, enough of symbolism. Let’s come to the point. How do you earn more money this Diwali? How to light up your home’s path for Lakshmi to see it clearly and drop the wealth neatly under your pillow? Here’s a rundown on how you can do all of that and more. Believe it at your own sweet risk!
1. Get married, NOW!
Lots of gifts, cash cards and of course blessings. Food also.
2. Make plenty of friends
Gift your friend something to cherish and keep telling them a month in advance what would your ideal Diwali present be. If not new, then call up old forgotten pals, scrap them, meet up- tell them entry to your house is only after they deposit something in your account first.
3. Gamble, bet but don’t rob
We are high on morals. Gamble only during Diwali and don’t bet too much. And don’t tell mommy. Women can indulge in mega kitties…
4. Whos afraid of the bears?
The bourses are going up again and you may think that its not the right time to invest in them because of all the risk involved. But believe me you this is not exactly a bad time to put your money in the market. Long-term investment is the key here. If you are a short term investor you may still be able to make a few good bucks- but at the risk of loosing it all any second. Ofcourse buying gold was never as alluring- it will make Lakshmi doubly happy because that bling is her favourite metal really.
5. Sale ! Sale! Sale!
From the friendly neighbourhood flea market to the glitzy malls, it’s the season of discounts. Go grab your deal before it’s fresh stock all over again. Never mind if it’s summer wear- stock up for next year!
6. Burn crackers indoors
Do the unthinkable, the exact opposite of what the fire department chief keeps telling from inside boring government ads- burn crackers indoors. As soon as the house is lit up shout ‘insurance, insurance!’ instead of ‘fire, fire!’
Ok, bad advice. You can also set up stalls at Diwali melas and earn some quick bucks or go stall hopping yourself and see if the wealthy lady smiles at you. Meanwhile here are a few amusing things you ought to know about money:
· Money is the leading cause of disagreements in marriages
· At least 92% of us would rather be rich than find the love of our lives.
· Let’s flip a coin and try to guess whether it will come up heads or tails. Three times as many people guess ‘heads’ than ‘tails’.
· When it comes to houses, more than anything else, people want a state-of-the-art kitchen.
· People tip more on sunny days than on dreary ones.
· And believe it or not- more of our fantasies are about money than sex!!
A very Happy Diwali!
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