67 -  Lakşhmitirtha and other Holy Centres

Brahmå said: 

1. The holy centre well known as Lakşhmitirtha is directly conducive to the increase of wealth and prosperity. O Nārada, listen to the sacred narrative that destroys Alakşhmi (poverty. ignominy, etc.). 

2-3. Dcar sir, formerly there was a dispute between Lakşhmi and Daridra(Poverty). They approached the universe as mutual antagonists. There is nothing in all the three worlds that is not pervaded by them. Both of them said to each other, "Superiority is mine," "Superiority is mine". Poverty said emphatically to Sri, "It is I who am born earlier". Srilakshmi said: 

4. I alone am the nobility of birth, good conduct and the very life of embodied beings. Even though (physically) alive, the embodied beings are like dead ones if they are bereft of me. 

Brahmā said: 

5-8. She was then told by Daridră: "I am superior to all. Liberation is perpetually dependent on me. Love, anger, greed, arrogance and malice never stay where I am present; fear does not rise up. Madness, jealousy and haughtiness too never stay where I am present. 

On hearing the words of Daridra Lakşhmi replied to her. 

Lakşhmi said: 

9-14. Every creature embellished by me becomes honoured and worshipped. A man devoid of wealth is attacked by all even though he may be on a par with Siva. 

The following five deities present in the body immediately quit the body through the word "dehi” (Please give), viz., Dhi (Intellect), Sri (Splendour), Hrī (Sublimated bashfulness), Shānti (Peace) and Kīrti (Fame). 

Good qualities and venerability are present in one, only as long as one does not seek and beg of others. If a man becomes a suppliant where are his good qualities? Where is his venerability? A creature is the most excellent of all, the abode of all good qualities and worthy of being bowed to by all the worlds, only as long as he does not beg of others. This is a painful thing. The state of deficiency in wealth is (the result of) great sin of the embodied beings. People neither honour nor speak to nor even touch the man without wealth. Therefore, I alone am the most excellent one, O Daridrā, listen to my words.

Brahmā said: 

15-17. On hearing those words of Lakşhmi Daridrā said: Daridrā said: 

O Lakşhmī, you are not ashamed to say frequently "I am superior". You enjoy with sinners always forsaking the excellent person (i.e. Vişhnu). You are guilty of breach of trust. How can you boast of yourself? In attaining you one does not derive as much happiness as repentance. 

18. Men do not become so much terribly elated and haughty through liquor as through your mere presence, even if they be learned men. 

19. Generally you take delight in sinners always. I reside always in deserving men of righteous conduct. 

20-22. O Lakşhmi, I always reside in persons devoted to Siva and Vişhnu, in men of grateful nature, in calm and quiet men of good conduct, in persons eager to serve elders, in good men in learned men, in heroic men and in good men of well developed intellect. Hence superiority abides in me. I will reside in pure brahmins, in mendicants, in persons who perform holy rites and are fearless. Now listen where you are stationed. 

23-24. You cling to sinners who hover round kings (and serve them), in cruel persons, in wicked persons, in scandal mongers, in miserly persons, in rogues of great aberration, in ungrateful persons of ignoble nature, in those who always violate rules of piety, in those who harass and betray even their friends, in those who are frustrated in their minds and in those who cause evil. Brahmā said 

25. Mutually arguing thus, both of them came to me. After listening to their statements they were told thus by me. 

26. "The Earth is anterior to me. The waters are still anterior. Only women know the (intricacies of) dispute between women, none else. 

27. Particularly, the waters arising from the special types of water-pots (kamandalu) are better than all others. Even there the divine deity Gautaini will be able to say decisively. 

28-30. She also is the dispeller of all agonies. She alone is the dispeller of all doubts.” 

They went to Earth along with waters at my instance. Accompanied by Earth and waters they went to the river Gautami, The Earth and waters stated entirely to Gautami the rival claims of the two (Lakşhmi and Daridrā) after bowing down to her. They intimated the statements of Daridrā and Lakşhmi in the manner expressed by them both. They put up the case as ncutral observers or umpires. 

31. Even as the guardians of quarters were listening, even as the Earth was listening, O Nārada, even as the waters were listening, Gautami Gangă spoke these words to Daridră. Praising Lakşhmi, Gautami spoke thus. 

Gaulami said: 

32-36. Everything that exists in the world consisting of mobile and immobile beings, is pervaded by Lakşhmi. Such things are: the splendour of Brahman, of penance, of Yajñas, of renown, of wealth, of reputation, of lcarning, of intellect, of Sarasvati (speech), of enjoyment, of worldly pleasures, of liberation, of bashfulness, of forbearance, of forgiveness, of spiritual attainment, of contentment, of nourishment, of peace, of waters, of Earth, of Ego, of medicinal herbs, of the Vedas, of purity, of night, of heaven, of moonlight, of blessings, of hailings, of pervasion, of illusion and of the auspicious dawn. Whatever is beautiful in the following is the display of the power of lakṣhmi: Brahmins who are bold, self-possessed, of great patience, and good, others of great erudition and who follow the path of salvation and worldly enjoyment. 

37-39. Why go into so much detail? The entire universe is pervaded by Lakşhmi. Whatever excellence is seen in anyone is the overwhelming power of Lakşhmi. There is nothing devoid of her. Aren't you ashamed to compete with her maliciously? 

Then Gangā spoke these words to Daridrā. “Go away, Go away". Thenceforth, the waters of Ganga are inimical to Daridra (Poverty). 

40-41. The harassment by poverty occurs only so long as Gangă is not resorted to. 

Thenceforth that holy centre has bccome an auspicious one that dispels ALakşhmi (ill fame and absence affluence). By taking holy bath there and offering charitable gifts one shall be wcalthy and meritorious. 

O highly intelligent one, in that holy spot there are six thousand holy centres, frequented by Devas, divine sages and mortal sages and they bestow all spiritual achievements.