Vaishno Devi - Defeat of Bhairon Nath

Dadi: "Guddu, have you heard of the Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat?"

Guddu: "Is that a fast? Mummy does fasts sometimes."

Dadi: "It's a special Friday fast dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Let me tell you the story behind it."

Guddu: "Tell me, Dadi!"

Dadi: "There was a woman named Sheela whose life had turned very sad. Her husband had fallen into bad company and started gambling, drinking, and making bad investments."

Guddu: "That sounds terrible."

Dadi: "It was. He lost all their savings. He even sold her jewelry. Their peaceful home became filled with fighting and tears."

Guddu: "Poor Sheela."

Dadi: "One day, a mysterious old woman appeared at Sheela's door. "Why do you look so sad?" she asked. "Don't you remember me? I used to see you at the Lakshmi temple.""

Guddu: "Who was the old woman?"

Dadi: "She seemed like an ordinary visitor, but she knew exactly what Sheela needed. She told her about the Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat - a simple practice to be done every Friday."

Guddu: "What does the vrat involve?"

Dadi: "Taking a bath, wearing clean clothes, not speaking ill of others, and in the evening, sitting facing east to worship Goddess Lakshmi with rice, a copper pot, and a lamp. You do this for eleven or twenty-one Fridays."

Guddu: "That doesn't sound too hard."

Dadi: "The old lady promised that all Sheela's hopes would be fulfilled through this practice. And then something strange happened."

Guddu: "What?"

Dadi: "When Sheela opened her eyes from taking blessings, the old woman had vanished completely! There was no one at the door, no sign anyone had visited."

Guddu: "It was Lakshmi herself!"

Dadi: "That's what Sheela realized. Goddess Lakshmi had come in disguise to help a devoted worshipper find her way back to happiness."

Guddu: "Did the vrat work?"

Dadi: "After faithfully observing it for twenty-one Fridays, everything changed. Her husband abandoned his destructive behaviors. He became prosperous again. He even got back her lost ornaments!"

Guddu: "That's wonderful!"

Dadi: "The neighbors saw this transformation and asked Sheela what had happened. When she shared the Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat with them, they began practicing it too. The blessings spread throughout the community."

Guddu: "So doing the vrat helps everyone around you?"

Dadi: "Good energy multiplies, beta. When one person becomes prosperous and peaceful, they lift others around them. That's how blessings work."

Guddu: "Is the vrat magic?"

Dadi: "It's faith. When you commit to something with discipline - praying every Friday, eating pure food, thinking positive thoughts - you're training your mind for success. The goddess responds to sincere hearts."

Guddu: "But does it really bring money?"

Dadi: "Not magically appearing in your pocket! But it brings clarity, peace, and focus. With a clear mind, you make better decisions. With peace at home, work becomes more productive. With focus, opportunities appear."

Guddu: "So the vrat helps from inside, and the outside changes as a result?"

Dadi: "Beautifully said, beta! That's exactly right. The outer wealth is a reflection of inner wealth. Goddess Lakshmi blesses those who create the conditions for blessing."

Guddu: "I understand now."

Dadi: "And remember - even goddesses come in disguise as old women at the door. Always be kind to everyone who crosses your path!"