Once, after Dussehra had passed and Diwali was approaching, a group of young men and women, arrived at a college.
They asked a few questions to the students; however, one question brought silence to the college!
They asked, “When Diwali is celebrated as the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, then why do we worship Lakshmi on Diwali? Why not worship Shri Ram?”
There was silence because, in those days, there was no social media, no smartphones. No one knew the answer. Then, breaking the silence, a hand was raised to answer the question!
The answer was that the “Diwali” festival is associated with two eras, “Satya Yuga” and “Treta Yuga”!
“In Satya Yuga, Goddess Lakshmi emerged on that day during the churning of the ocean!” That’s why “Lakshmi Pooja” is performed.
Lord Shri Ram also returned to Ayodhya on the same day in Treta Yuga. The people of Ayodhya welcomed him by lighting lamps. Hence, it is called Diwali.
Thus, this festival has two names, “Lakshmi Pooja,” linked to Satya Yuga, and “Diwali,” which is associated with Treta Yuga, Lord Shri Ram, and the lamps.
After our answer, there was silence for a while because no one knew the answer – not even the group who had posed the question!
There was also another question about the relationship between Lakshmi and Shri Ganesh. Why do we worship both on Diwali.
The correct answer is:
When Goddess Lakshmi emerged during the churning of the ocean and married Lord Vishnu, she became the goddess of wealth and prosperity. She appointed Kubera as the manager of wealth distribution.
Kubera, however, was somewhat miserly. Instead of distributing wealth, he became the sole keeper of it.
Distressed, Goddess Lakshmi shared her troubles with Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu suggested, “Change your manager!”
Lakshmi hesitated, saying, “Kubera, the king of the Yakshas, is my devoted follower. It might offend him!”
Then Lord Vishnu advised her to take advantage of Shri Ganesh’s vast wisdom.
Goddess Lakshmi requested Shri Ganesh to become the distributor of wealth.
Shri Ganesh, being highly intelligent, agreed, saying, “Mother, bless whomever I name without any hesitation or objections!” Mother Lakshmi agreed.
Shri Ganesh then began clearing the obstacles to prosperity for people and opened the doors to wealth.
Kubera remained a mere treasurer, while Shri Ganesh became the bestower of wealth.
Seeing Shri Ganesh’s generosity, Goddess Lakshmi blessed her adopted son, saying that wherever her husband Narayan was not present, her son Ganesh would accompany her.
Diwali arrives on the new moon of Kartik month. During this time, Lord Vishnu is in yogic slumber. He awakens eleven days later on Dev Uthani Ekadashi.
Goddess Lakshmi visits the earth between Sharad Purnima and Diwali, and she brings Shri Ganesh along. This is why Lakshmi and Ganesh are worshipped together on Diwali.
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(Isn’t it ironic that the most significant festival of the nation and Hindus is not comprehensively covered in our educational curriculum? And even where it is mentioned, the description is incomplete!)
Please read, benefit from this article, educate the next generation, and share it with others!
Best wishes to you all for Diwali!🕉️🕉️🕉️🕉️🕉️