Chapter summary
लक्ष्मीस्थलमाहात्म्यम् Lakṣmī Sthala Māhātmyam
The Glory of Lakṣmīsthala
**The Sadguru said:**
In times past, within a village known as Lakṣmīsthāna, lived a merchant named Dhanapāla, renowned for his immense wealth yet foremost among the avaricious. He never offered alms to the poor, and though his relatives often censured him, he remained oblivious to the suffering of others. So consumed was he by the fear of losing his riches that he denied himself even basic comforts, constantly accumulating wealth and guarding it with the fierce possessiveness of a Yakṣa. (v.1-3)
Lakṣmī, by her very nature, is fickle and has no fixed abode; thus, neither poverty nor wealth is permanent in this world. A rich man may become poor, and a poor man may become rich—such is the way of the world. Therefore, one should always strive to practice Dharma. (v.4-5)
Gradually, all of Dhanapāla's accumulated wealth was stripped away by his brothers, relatives, thieves, wives, sons, and even kings. Distraught and tormented by his financial ruin, he constantly worried and repeatedly embarked on various new businesses. Yet, his wealth was lost again and again. Plunged into debt, he was overwhelmed by sorrow and scorned by his own kinsmen. (v.6-8)
Indeed, in this world, all kinsmen and friends are drawn by wealth; a wife and sons are sustained by it, and a happy home exists through wealth alone. It is by wealth that one commands respect, while one without it is deemed contemptible. A wealthy man is considered a scholar, whereas one without wealth is regarded as a fool. (v.9-10)
Having lost all his fortune, Dhanapāla found himself abandoned by every relative. In his despair, he sought out his family priest, a virtuous Brahmin, and tearfully recounted his tale of sorrow. The priest, a soul of great merit, consoled the merchant and then began to narrate a sacred, ancient historical account. (v.11-12)
**The Priest said:**
Once, Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of Dvārakā and son of Devakī, was worshipping Śrī [the Goddess Lakṣmī] alongside his wife, Satyā (also known as Satyabhāmā). Śrīdevī, seated upon a lotus, granted them her divine vision. Thereupon, Govinda addressed Kamalā, the Mother of the worlds, with a question. (v.13-14)
"O Devī," inquired the Lord, "why are you ever so fickle? You have no fixed abode anywhere, and indeed, those people whom you abandon invariably fall into sorrow." Thus questioned by Mādhava, Lakṣmī, the lotus-dweller, whose beautiful face was adorned with a gentle smile, spoke these sweet words. (v.15-16)
**Śrīdevī said:**
"Indeed, I myself choose people to inspire them towards acts of charity and Dharma. Yet, those who remain bereft of these virtues, I forsake, moving on to other abodes. Similarly, I depart from the company of fools addicted to gambling, given to intoxicating liquors, and intent on inflicting harm upon living beings. (v.17-18)
"I abandon those who delight in the company of courtesans, who speak untruth even when giving testimony, and who are consumed by greed and anger. I also depart from those who spend their wealth in improper places out of a desire to seize others' riches, and who are perpetually given to envy. (v.19-20)
"My presence leaves those who rejoice in the poverty of others, who are excessively proud of their own wealth, and who are engaged in self-praise. I forsake those foolish mortals who bestow gifts upon the unworthy but are miserly when a truly deserving recipient appears, and who harbor aversion towards cows, Brahmins, and the Devas. (v.21-22)
"Furthermore, I abandon those mortals who are lazy, atheistic, devoid of cleanliness and proper conduct, and deluded by despair. And what more is there to say? I depart from those men who are intent on hating Viṣṇu and those filled with hatred for Vaiṣṇavas, moving elsewhere." (v.23-24)
**The Lord said:**
"Your words are truly appropriate, O Kamalā, O Lotus-Seated One! Tell me now, O beloved of Viṣṇu, where is your permanent abode?" (v.25)
**Śrīdevī said:**
"My eternal abode is found within homes distinguished by virtuous conduct, dedicated to charity and Dharma, eager to serve the saints, and pure in spirit. I perpetually dwell in dwellings purified with cow dung, adorned with intricate Raṅgavalī [traditional floor patterns] and other auspicious decorations, and graced by the presence of Tulasī and Bilva plants. (v.26-27)
"I reside eternally in a house that is always illuminated by a lamp, especially in the evening, and is filled with happily married women [suvāsinīs]. My presence graces homes filled with the auspicious sounds of the conch and bell, resplendent with the worship of Viṣṇu, and frequented by Vaiṣṇavas and saints. (v.28-29)
"I eternally dwell in a house filled with the sacred chanting of the Vedas, accompanied by the recitation of hymns, and occupied by humble people. My abode is in homes adorned with relatives who are full of mutual love and are free from envy and anger. (v.30-31)
"I reside eternally in that house where there is never any shouting, quarreling, sorrow, harming of others, or weeping. Moreover, what more is there to say? I reside eternally in that house where the worship of Viṣṇu takes place day after day." (v.32-33)
**The Priest said:**
Having spoken thus, the Goddess, the Mother of the Universe who resides on Viṣṇu's chest, disappeared as Vāsudeva watched. The son of Yadu, Kṛṣṇa, after revealing to Satyabhāmā the reason for Padmā's permanent residence, instructed her once more. (v.34-35)
"Therefore, O Dhanapāla of great intellect," the priest continued, "you too must understand this: it is because of your own fault of greed that Kamalā has left you. Go to the great holy place of Lakṣmīsthāna, worship the God Hari, the husband of Lakṣmī, along with Śrī, and you shall surely obtain wealth again. O best of merchants, by the mere sight of Lakṣmīsthāna, your business will undoubtedly prosper once more, by a mere glance from Lakṣmī." (v.36-38)
**The Sadguru said:**
Thus instructed by the Brahmin, Dhanapāla, firm in his resolve, went to Lakṣmīsthāna and worshipped the Goddess Śrī on a Friday. Regaining the growth of his business and the acquisition of wealth as before, he indeed performed acts of charity and Dharma with unwavering faith. Honored once again by his relatives and having attained a happy life, he developed constant devotion to the Lord, who is the very life of devotees. (v.39-41)
Those devoted people who worship Jagannātha, Govinda, the life of devotees, in this holy place, their life is indeed happy. Mahālakṣmī, the Mother of the Universe, the deity of all auspiciousness, always desires a permanent residence in the homes of the righteous. In this city, all people are devoted to charity and Dharma, and it is due to the permanent residence of Lakṣmī that this city is called Lakṣmīsthāna. (v.42-44)
Here ends the seventeenth chapter, titled "The Glory of Lakṣmīsthala," in the Second Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
Thus ends Chapter 17, named "Lakṣmī Sthala Māhātmyam", in Dvitīya Bhāge, in the Divya Deśa Vaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
