Today's Subhashita.(in both praise and criticism of Goddess Lakshmi)

     In Sanskrit literature a popular theme is comparison between  the Goddesses Saraswati and Lakshmi, the former representing learning and the latter riches.It is generally believed that those who are learned do not become rich. and those who are rich are seldom learned. These persons are respectively called 'Saraswati Putra' aand 'Lakshmi Putra' . (Putra = son).

     On the auspicious occasion of Mahalakshmi Pooja here are two Shlokas depicting the virtues of Goddess Lakshmi as also criticising her.

यत्राSभ्यागतदानमानचरणप्रक्षालनं  भोजनं
सत्सेवापितृदेवताSर्चनविधिः सत्यं गवां पालनं ||
धान्यानामपि संग्रहो न कलहश्चित्ताSनुरूपा प्रिया
हृष्टा पराः हरिं वसामि  कमला तस्मिन् गृहे निश्चला.

Yatraabhyaagatadaanmaancharanprakshlaanam bhojanam.
Satsevaapitrudevataarchanvidhih satyam gavaam palanam;
Dhaanyaanaamapi samgraho na kalahshchittaanurupaa priyaa.
Hrushtaa praah harim vasaami kamalaa tasmin gruhe nishchalaa.

i.e.    In a household where guests are greeted by washing their feet (a ritual in olden times) and provided with meals and gifts, where elders are worshipped like Gods, members  of the houshold are truthful and cows are reared, foodgrains are properly stored, there is no quarrelling, the wife is healthy,loving and obedient, in such a household Goddess Lakshmi resides permanently.

     Now, here is another Subhashita  condemning the attitude of Goddess Lakshmi in not favouring the  devotees of Goddess Saraswati i.e. learned, religious and righteous persons :-

हे लक्ष्मि  क्षणिके स्वभावचपले मूढे च पापोधमे
न त्वं चोत्तमपात्रमिच्छसि खले  प्रायेण दुष्चारिणी |
ये देवार्चनसत्यशौचनिरता ये चाSपि  धर्मे रता
स्तेभ्यो लज्जसि निर्दये गतमतिर्नीचो जनो बल्लभ: ||

He Lakshmi kshinike swaabhavachapale moodhe cha paapodhame.
Na tvm chottamapaatramicchasi khale praayena dushchaarinee.
Ye devarchansatyashauchnirataa ye chaapi dharme rataa
Stebhyo lajjasi nirdaye gatamatirneecho jano ballabhh.

i.e.    O Lakshmi !  you are most fickle minded, swift, stupid and wicked.  You do not like righteous and honourable persons  but  instead generally patronise wicked and immoral persons. On the other hand you very cruelly belittle those persons, who are engaged in worshipping Gods , are truthful, religious and lead a chaste life.