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Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The Goddess Approaches


Looking down from her lotus blossom perched high in the heavens, the Goddess Lakshmi witnessed the daily trials and tribulations suffered by mankind. In her four hands, she held the secrets of the four ends of man: dharma/righteousness, kama/desires, artha/wealth, and moksha/escape from the wheel of reincarnation.

She saw her loyal followers struggle to make ends meet, she saw their dearest dreams shattered under the yoke of reality, and she saw their faith weaken with each new disappointment, and she grew sad.

But tonight was different. Tonight was, finally, the first full moon after the festival of Durga Puja, the one night a year she could descend from above and walk amongst her faithful.

The Goddess of Luck and Wealth used this night to reward those individuals who had shown faith and perseverance, those who worshipped her daily, no matter their circumstances. The goddess looked forward to dispensing her blessings. Why else would she exist if it were not to bring succor to others?

As Lakshmi prepared to descend amongst the mortals, she looked about her one final time. So much sadness in the world this year. War, death, famine. She sighed as she realized even her blessings could not defeat all of the ills of mankind.

But perhaps she could ease away some of the pain.

The Goddess descended, golden light spilling from her hands, beating back the darkness for another year.

Written by Dr Mandragora