Why Lakshmi Chose Vishnu

Dadi: "Guddu, when the gods and demons churned the cosmic ocean, many treasures emerged. But the most beautiful of all was not a jewel or a weapon - it was a goddess standing on a lotus flower."

Guddu: "Goddess Lakshmi?"

Dadi: "Yes! And this is the story of how she chose Lord Vishnu as her husband, when every being in the universe wanted her."

Guddu: "Why were they churning the ocean?"

Dadi: "It began with a curse. King Indra, ruler of the gods, was traveling on his elephant Airavata when he met the short-tempered sage Durvasa. The sage offered Indra a magical garland, but Indra, in his arrogance, carelessly put it on his elephant's head instead of honoring it."

Guddu: "That was disrespectful!"

Dadi: "Very! Durvasa cursed Indra and all the gods - they lost their power, their wealth, their divine glow. To regain everything, they had to churn the cosmic ocean to obtain Amrita, the nectar of immortality."

Guddu: "And during the churning, Lakshmi appeared?"

Dadi: "Many treasures emerged - Kamadhenu the wish-fulfilling cow, the divine Parijat tree, the moon god Chandra, the celestial dancers, the physician Dhanvantari with Amrita. But when Lakshmi rose from the waves, everyone forgot everything else."

Guddu: "She was that beautiful?"

Dadi: "So beautiful that the gods and demons stopped churning and simply stared! The apsaras danced for her, handed her a garland. In those days, a woman could choose her own husband - a ceremony called swayamvara. Everyone waited breathlessly."

Guddu: "She could choose anyone she wanted?"

Dadi: "Anyone in the universe! The demons stood on one side, the gods on another. Among the gods were Indra the powerful, Brahma the creator, Shiva the destroyer - all waiting. And among them stood Vishnu in his beautiful dark form."

Guddu: "What made Lakshmi choose Vishnu?"

Dadi: "She studied each face carefully. Some were handsome but arrogant. Some were powerful but restless. Some were brilliant but distracted. Then her eyes found Vishnu - calm, steady, eyes twinkling with gentle amusement, a mysterious smile playing on his lips."

Guddu: "He was different from the others?"

Dadi: "He wasn't there trying to win her. He wasn't performing, competing, showing off. He simply stood in his own truth, complete in himself. He embodied righteousness without needing to prove it."

Guddu: "So she chose him?"

Dadi: "She smiled once - and placed the garland around his neck. Every being who had wanted her saw that moment. The gods celebrated. The demons fumed. And Vishnu welcomed Lakshmi into his heart - literally. He placed her symbol, the Shreevasta, on his chest."

Guddu: "She sits on his chest even in statues!"

Dadi: "That's her eternal seat. They became inseparable - wherever Vishnu goes, Lakshmi follows. Wherever Lakshmi is, Vishnu must be present."

Guddu: "What does their marriage mean, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Think about it, beta. Vishnu is the Preserver - he maintains order, stability, dharma. Lakshmi is prosperity - wealth, abundance, well-being. What happens when you have wealth without righteousness?"

Guddu: "It doesn't last? Or it causes problems?"

Dadi: "Exactly! Wealth without dharma corrupts. And what happens when you have righteousness without prosperity?"

Guddu: "Good intentions but no ability to do anything?"

Dadi: "Right! Dharma needs resources to flourish. A doctor needs hospitals. A teacher needs schools. Good deeds need good means. Vishnu and Lakshmi together represent this complete truth - that preservation and prosperity must go together."

Guddu: "So their marriage is actually a teaching?"

Dadi: "A profound one! When we try to chase wealth without righteousness, Lakshmi stays away - she only dwells where Vishnu is honored. And when we try to be righteous while ignoring practical needs, we become ineffective. The divine couple reminds us that spirit and matter, virtue and prosperity, must dance together."

Guddu: "That's why people worship them together during Diwali!"

Dadi: "You understand well, beta. On Diwali night, we light lamps to invite Lakshmi - but true prosperity only comes to homes where dharma is also honored. The goddess chose Vishnu once at the ocean's churning. She chooses him still, in every heart that balances righteousness with abundance."