There were a large number of Vedic rituals in ancient India. They are said to have been used so wisely that when the sages prayed for rain, there was never a drought. Knowing this, one person began to pray to the Goddess of Wealth Lakshmi. He strictly observed all the rituals and begged the Goddess to make him rich.
A man prayed unsuccessfully for ten years, after which he suddenly saw the illusory nature of wealth and chose the life of a recluse in the Himalayas.
One day, while sitting in meditation, he opened his eyes and saw in front of him an incredibly beautiful woman, bright and shiny, as if made of pure gold.
- Who are you and what are you doing here? he asked.
“I am Goddess Lakshmi, whom you have praised for twelve long years,” the woman answered. - I came to fulfill your wish.
“Oh, my dear Goddess,” the man exclaimed, “since then I have experienced the bliss of meditation and have lost all interest in wealth.” You came too late. Tell me, why didn't you come earlier?
“I’ll answer honestly,” answered the Goddess. “You performed the rituals so diligently that you fully deserved the wealth.” But loving you and wishing you well, I was in no hurry to appear.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru