The Birth of Alakshmi
Lakshmi, the cosmic goddess of wealth and prosperity, had an older sister named Alakshmi, who was the epitome of undivine qualities. When the ocean was churned and emptied, Alakshmi emerged from its depths, wearing a garland full of blood and clothes stained with it. Every part of her was covered in blood, making her a sight that terrified even the gods, demons, and asuras. No one dared to marry the dark, ugly-looking Alakshmi.
Duhsha’s Decision
Desperate and angry, Alakshmi wondered who would marry her. The great sage Duhsha, known for his devoted practice of austerities, decided to take on the challenge. “It is my will to do what nobody else can do,” he declared. “If no one wants to marry Alakshmi, then I will marry her. Not because I love her, but because nobody dares to marry her. If necessity demands, I will love her too. But let me first marry her, at least.”
The Marriage
So, Duhsha married Alakshmi, making her extremely happy. Alakshmi adorned herself with dirty, filthy garments and jewels made of iron. She was the cause of all unfortunate events in the family and always brought calamities. Her entire body was smeared with a sandal paste made of pebbles and stones, and she always carried a broom in one hand. She was ugliness and unkindness incarnate, with every part of her being a symbol of destruction.
Duhsha’s Realization
Duhsha soon realized the gravity of his decision. “I have passed my first examination; I married her, which no one else could do. But I don’t even want to sit for my second examination. I don’t want to love her.” He lived with her for a few years before praying, “O God, save me. It is not always advisable to go against the current. When most people do things in one way, it is advisable to follow their way and not try to do things differently just to win appreciation and admiration. I did not do the right thing by marrying this undivine woman. Let me get rid of her and return to my spiritual, austere life. I shall enjoy only divinity in its purest form.”
The Separation
Deciding to end his misery, Duhsha threw Alakshmi out of his house. In anger, she cursed him, saying, “You will be destroyed.”
Duhsha replied, “Good. But I will be destroyed by someone else, not by you. I am ready to be destroyed, but not by you. And if I have spiritual power, occult power, yogic power, then let us see who can destroy me. Needless to say, you cannot.”
“No, I cannot destroy you, true, but there will be someone to destroy you someday, somewhere, somehow,” Alakshmi retorted.
Duhsha said, “Let us wait and see who that person will be. But for now, let me get some joy in my life. You get out of my life and let me get joy, joy, joy. I need joy in my life.”
Thus, Alakshmi had to leave her husband, and Duhsha returned to his spiritual practices, seeking joy and divinity in its purest form.
Moral of the Story
It is not always advisable to go against the current or to take on challenges just to prove oneself. True happiness and fulfillment come from following the right path and seeking divine guidance.
Reflection on the Story
The Dangers of Defiance:
- The story illustrates the dangers of defying natural order and societal norms without due consideration. Duhsha’s decision to marry Alakshmi, despite her undivine nature, brought him great misery.
The Power of Spiritual Strength:
- Duhsha’s confidence in his spiritual power highlights the importance of inner strength and faith. Even in the face of curses and adversity, he believed in his own resilience and spiritual protection.
Seeking True Joy:
- The ultimate goal for Duhsha was to find true joy and divinity. This reflects the idea that material or superficial challenges and victories are not as fulfilling as spiritual enlightenment and peace.
Consequences of Unwise Decisions:
- The story warns against making unwise decisions to prove a point or gain admiration. Duhsha’s initial decision led to years of unhappiness, demonstrating the importance of thoughtful and wise choices.
Lessons to Be Learned
- Follow the Right Path:
- Adhering to the right path and divine guidance brings true happiness and fulfillment. Defying natural order for the sake of proving oneself can lead to misery.
- Inner Strength and Faith:
- Having confidence in one’s spiritual strength and faith can protect against adversity and bring peace.
- Seek True Joy:
- True joy comes from spiritual enlightenment and peace, not from superficial victories or challenges.
- Wise Decision-Making:
- Making thoughtful and wise decisions is crucial. Unwise decisions made to gain admiration or prove a point can lead to negative consequences.
Conclusion
The story of Lakshmi, Alakshmi, and Duhsha teaches us about the importance of following the right path, the power of inner strength and faith, and the pursuit of true joy. It also warns against making unwise decisions to prove oneself, highlighting the significance of thoughtful and wise choices in achieving true fulfillment and peace.
