Aniruddhāya namah

Maharishi Śuka continued,

“Mother Goddess Lakshmi, who emerged from the ocean, held a lotus-flower garland in her hand and began to walk. The bees encircling the lotus flower garland were buzzing melodiously. Her attractive face with its beautiful cheeks, glowed even more radiantly due to the reflection of her dazzling earrings. She had a tender charming smile. It was a modest, tender yet charming smile.

She had a delicate, tender waist. She possessed proportionate breasts that were covered with sandal paste and kumkum powder. As she walked, the sound of her tinkling anklets stole everyone’s heart. She glowed like a moving wire of gold.

Mother Goddess Lakshmi thought of seeking shelter in a husband who was absolutely faultless; filled with good traits and who was eternal. She carefully scrutinized all the Gandharvas, Yakshas, Siddhas, the Devatas who were the inhabitants of heaven as well as the Caranas but failed to locate the ideal entity who had all the qualities she was looking for.

One was undoubtedly a great ascetic but had failed to conquer anger. Another was an erudite scholar nevertheless he was extremely attached to worldly bondages. Yet another was undoubtedly a great personality but had no control over his lustful desires. Even though a living entity is exceedingly prosperous, for some requirement or the other he will have to depend on others. How can such entity be declared totally independent?

One person strictly abided by the rules of dharma, but lacked compassion towards all forms of life. Another was extremely benevolent, but this noble trait cannot become the cause for liberation. Yet another possessed unfathomable might, however, this might fails to withstand the power of eternal time. Yet another does not have any attachment towards this material world composed of the trigunas, but eternally remains in the state of non-dual samadhi.

One had longevity but did not possess the most auspicious quality called good character. Another had a very good character but was short-lived. Yet another had both longevity and good character but his appearance was inauspicious.

‘Who then is that exceptional entity in whom all forms of auspiciousness reside?’- thought Goddess Lakshmi. She had scrutinized every single Yaksha, Kinnara, Gandharva, Devatas etc.

She realized that Srihari alone possessed all the qualities she desired. ‘However he does not desire me’- she thought. She deliberated for some time and then mentally accepted Srihari has her husband.

In Him, all noble qualities eternally seek shelter. He seeks shelter eternally in His own original form. He does not seek shelter in this material world composed of the trigunas. In other words, he does not seek the support of this world for experiencing bliss. He is an embodiment of bliss. Even if Anima and other supernatural accomplishments seek Him ardently, He does not aspire for them. For all these qualities, Goddess Lakshmi found Him endearing.

Goddess Lakshmi then married Him by placing around His neck the garland of lotuses she had been carrying in her hand. With a charming smile and with feelings of shyness she stood beside Him gazing at His chest, which is her residence.

Srihari is the father of all the three worlds. She is the mother for all the worlds. To Goddess Lakshmi, who resides in the form of prosperity, Lord Srihari offered His chest for her residence. With this He was known as Srinivasa. Seated in His chest, Mother Goddess Lakshmi gazed compassionately at all the three worlds, their inhabitants and their Guardian-deities, who were her children. She was the mother of all the universes. She blessed them all with prosperity.

At that moment celestials blew conches, bugles, drums and other musical instruments. Gandharvas together with Apsarasas sang and danced in happiness making loud, deafening noises.

Lords Brahma, Rudra, Prajapatis such as Angira and others, rained flowers upon the all-pervading Supreme Lord Srihari. They glorified Him with Vedic hymns that extolled His divine transcendental glories. ** Śriyāvalokitā devāḥ saprajāpatayaḥ prajāḥ Śīlādi-guṇa-sampannā lebhire nirvṛtiṁ parām**

Due to the compassionate glance of Mother Goddess Lakshmi, all the Devatas, Prajapatis, and all other living beings were blessed with good character and other noble traits. They derived great bliss.

O Emperor! Goddess Lakshmi neglected the demons who were descendants of the Diti and Danu clans. With this, they lost all their glory and power and instead shamelessly became even more inclined towards material sensual pleasures. They were disheartened.

As the churning continued, a damsel, who is the presiding deity for liquor and other intoxicating drinks, emerged. She had lotus-like eyes. With the permission of Lord Srihari, the demons took this girl.

The Devatas and demons, who were the sons of Maharishi Kasyapa, continued to churn. Then an extra-ordinary man appeared from the ocean. His neck resembled a conch. He had long powerful arms. He was of blackish complexion and had reddish eyes. He had adorned himself with all ornaments and had worn beautiful garlands around his neck. He had draped himself in yellow clothing. With a broad chest and with glittering gem-studded earrings, he was very handsome. The ends of his hair were oiled and curly. In prowess he appeared like a lion.

**amṛtāpūrṇa-kalasaṁ- **he was holding a pot of nectar in his hands. He was the partial incarnation of Lord Srihari. He was born from the ocean and became popular as Dhanvantari. He is the divine seer (dṛṣṭa) who propagated the branch of medicine known as Ayurveda. He was entitled to receive a share in the Yagna offerings.

The demons saw the pot of nectar that Dhanvantari was holding in his hands. The greed to grab every object that emerged from the ocean was uncontrolled in them”.

Sankarśanāya namah