Secret of Success : Courage. Ashta Lakshmi.

Once there was King whose kingdom is very wealthy and proserous. People lived happily and peacefully. The Kingdom was very successful because of the 8 Goddesses.

Those 8 Goddesses (Lakshmi in Tamil lanaguage) are :

Adi Lakshmi is the manifestation who supports a seeker to reach their source, or Atman or Soul.

Dhana Lakshmi (Wealth Lakshmi) is Lakshmi in her form as the goddess of material wealth.

Dhanya Lakshmi (Grain Lakshmi) is the form of Lakshmi who represents the wealth of agriculture

Gaja Lakshmi (Elephant Lakshmi) is the giver of animal wealth (such as cattle), or the being who offers royal splendour.

Santana Lakshmi (Eternal Lakshmi) is the goddess’s manifestation who bestows offspring.

Dhairya Lakshmi (Courage Lakshmi), or Veera Lakshmi (Valourous Lakshmi), is a form of Lakshmi inspired by Durga for courage.

Vijaya Lakshmi or Jaya Lakshmi (Victorious Lakshmi) is also a manifestation drawn from Durga. She is form of the goddess who bestows victory, not only in battles, but also for conquering hurdles in order to achieve success.

Vidya Lakshmi (Knowledge Lakshmi) is the goddess and the bestower of knowledge of arts and the sciences.

These Goddesses were blessing the boons to the king so far. Every morning, the king used to do prayers to all the 8 Goddesses before starting his everyday plans for the kingdom growth and welfare.

Suddenly one morning in his prayers, First Goddess Adi Lakshmi came before the King and Said “King, Its time for me to leave you. “

King replied “Thank you Mother for staying with me all these years.”

The Goddess left. Likewise all the 7 Goddesses left. The king bid Good bye to them. Finally Goddess Dhairya Lakshmi (Courage Lakshmi), or Veera Lakshmi (Valourous Lakshmi) told the King “ Son, Its time for me to leave.”

The King fell at the Goddess feet and begged Her not to go away from him forever. The Goddess took mercy on the King and stayed with him.

King was very happy and continued his prayer rituals. When he finished his prayer, to his surprise, He saw all the 7 Goddesses who left, came back to him. He asked the Goddesses “Dear Mothers, I am very happy you all are back. May I know the reason How I got the boon of all of you back with me?”

The Goddesses replied, “Oh King, We all should be there in the place where there is Valor and Courage. Thats the rule of Nature.”

The King understood the importance of Valor and Courage and encouraged his offspring and his people to be always courageous.

Lord Krishnar and His friend Kuselar — Unknown story

When Lord Krishnar was aboy, He and his brother Balaramar was sent to Gurukulam (School in ancient times). In Ancient times, all the children need to stay in teacher’s house usually hut in the forest until they finish their studies.

So Lord Krishnar and Balaramar went to schooling in ashram of Guru Sandipani. One day, Guru Sandipani’s wife asked Lord Krishnar, Balaramar and their friend Kuselar to collect dried branches from forest. The wife of Guru Sandipani gave a small bag of boiled rice to Kuselar to share and eat in the forest. All the three went to forest.

Lord Krishnar, Balaramar and Kuselar started collecting dried branches. They collected as much needed and felt tired. Balaramar went to nearby river to get water. Lord Krishnar and Kuselar rested under a tree.

Lord Krishnar asked Kuselar “ Dear Kusela, Do you have anything to eat?”

Kuselar replied “Krishna, If I have anything to eat, I would share with you and brother Balaramar”

Being God, Lord Krishnar laid his head down on Kuselar’s lap and pretended to sleep. Kuselar confirmed Krishnar is fast asleep. Slowly took the bag of boiled rice and started eating.

Lord Krishnar slowly opened the eyes and asked, “Kusela, what are you chewing in your mouth?”

Kuselar replied “ I am just chewing the empty mouth, my beloved Krishna”.

Lord Krishna knew everything and stayed silent.

In later years, this was the reason for Kuselar’s extreme poverty and sadness in life. In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishnar lists all the deeds that will bring sadness in one’s life. In that list, the first one listed is,

“The one who gives no food to the poor,The one who does not willing to share with the hungry, The one who gives bad food to the other, The one who visits a house empty handed, The one who gives old inedible food to the guest, are listed to live life of Sadness and Misery”

My grandmother advised me always to buy good eatables like fruits or sweets while visiting any house without expectations. I am following it always and will make my children follow too. I am really happy in my life following my grandmother’s great advises.