Lakshmi and Alakshmi: A lessor known Story of Divine

 

Lakshmi and Alakshmi: A Story of Divine

Jyestha or Jyeshtha (Sanskrit: ज्येष्ठा, Jyeṣṭhā, "the eldest" or "the elder") is the Hindu Goddess of adversity and misfortune. She is regarded as the elder sister and antithesis of goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity and auspiciousness. She is commonly referred to as Moodevi in South India.

In Kerala, the month of Karkitakam (Cancer) starts after Sankranti. During this time, the entire area inside and outside is cleaned, the walls are painted, and everything looks new. This month begins with 'Ramayana Masam', during which Ramayana is recited in both houses and temples. Sankranti is observed in Tamilnadu as well before the month of Adi.

ALAKSHMI: A STORY OF DIVINE BALANCE

Lakshmi and Alakshmi: A Story of Divine Balance

This story compares the destinies of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, and her sister Alakshmi, who was born from impurities. It shows how their different natures led to Vishnu stepping in to find a proper place for Alakshmi to live.

Characters in the story:

Goddess Lakshmi: Goddess Lakshmi is associated with wealth, prosperity, and fortune. She is often depicted with four arms holding lotus flowers and other symbols of wealth and abundance.

Alakshmi: Alakshmi is a “Goddess of misfortune” meaning “not Lakshmi”. She is described as being “cow-repelling, antelope-footed, and bull-toothed.” She “has a dry shriveled body, sunken cheeks, thick lips, and beady eyes and rides a donkey.

Lord Vishnu: Lord Vishnu is one of the three major deities in Hinduism, known as the preserver of the universe and the protector of dharma (righteousness). He is often depicted with four arms holding a conch shell, a discus, a mace, and a lotus flower.

Once, when asked to compare Lakshmi and Alakshmi, the wise sage Narada eloquently replied: it is a blessing when Alakshmi leaves the house, and it is a blessing when Lakshmi enters.

Alakshmi was born from the mud left after the great deluge (pralaya) when all pure beings merged into Narayana, leaving impurities in the water. Brahma created the universe anew as time passed, including both living and non-living entities. This new creation left no place for the residual mud, eventually transforming into Varuna’s daughter, Alakshmi.

During the churning of the ocean of milk, the beautiful Lakshmi emerged. To please Vishnu, Varuna arranged Lakshmi’s marriage to him, despite Lakshmi being the younger daughter. Varuna had tried to find a husband for Alakshmi, but no one wanted to marry her because she was unattractive and uncouth.

Living in Vaikuntha, Lakshmi was worried about her father’s problem. According to custom, a father had to find a husband for his daughter, especially if she was unattractive, or he would incur a religious demerit (papa). Lakshmi pleaded with Vishnu to help.

Understanding the difficulty, Vishnu approached sage Uddalaka, asking if he would marry his sister-in-law and become his brother-in-law. The sage agreed, not realizing Alakshmi’s nature. At the wedding, attended by gods and sages, the sage might have been disappointed upon seeing Alakshmi but accepted her as it was Vishnu’s will.

After the wedding, Alakshmi found the sage’s ashram unsuitable. The chanting of sacred hymns and the serene atmosphere suffocated her. She ran out of the house, crying. The sage, distressed, asked her what was wrong. She explained she could only live in a tamasic (spiritually degenerate) environment, filled with violence, hatred, jealousy, quarrels, self-praise, malicious talk, theft, and the smell of cooked meat.

The sage realized they could not live together. Such a woman would only bring unhappiness and disgrace to the family. He decided to abandon her. One day, without telling her, he took her to the woods under the pretext of fetching food and never returned. This act was uncharacteristic of his virtuous nature, possibly done to avoid hurting her. Alone in the forest, Alakshmi cried loudly, her lament reaching her sister Lakshmi in Vaikuntha.

Lakshmi, saddened by her sister’s plight, pleaded with Vishnu to help. Vishnu visited Alakshmi, who calmed upon seeing him. He offered to take her to Vaikuntha, but Alakshmi declined, explaining that purity and virtue suffocated her. She would be miserable in Vaikuntha, always jealous of Lakshmi. She asked Vishnu to find her a place suitable for her nature.

Vishnu, understanding her nature, told her to live in houses where people quarrel, cheat, lie, bring suffering to others, have no respect for women, are addicted to gambling, and are unclean. From then on, she would receive worship with him every Saturday under the Ashwattha tree, a form of Vishnu.

This story emphasizes Vishnu’s all-pervasiveness, present both where devotees sing his glory and in the dens of vice. Vishnu found a place for Alakshmi to live according to her nature, illustrating the balance between purity and impurity. This story highlights Vishnu’s all-encompassing presence, showing that he watches over all aspects of the universe, both virtuous and vice-filled.