Diwali

Goddess Lakshmi was very happy, and it was the Diwali festival. She decided to visit the houses of her devotees and bless them with prosperity.

She started her tour to Earth.

Carrying a golden pot filled with gold, silver, diamonds, and other precious jewelry, she visited the first house. The house was beautifully decorated with flowers, lights, and diyas. She was happy and thought that she would bless the family with prosperity.

However, Goddess Lakshmi observed that the parents in the house were disrespecting their elders. They were busy making and enjoying a feast but didn't bother to offer a single meal to their old parents.

"How can I stay in a house where the children are not taking care of the living Gods, their parents?" said Goddess Lakshmi. She was very angry and sad, deciding to step her feet backward.

She decided to bless another house, but just a few minutes earlier, they had undergone sonography and had an abortion simply because the child was a girl.

"I will never stay in a family where girls are never respected, cared for, or welcomed," said Goddess Lakshmi, immediately leaving the house, leaving them to face the consequences of karma.

Goddess Lakshmi was highly disappointed by the Earth's conditions. She was fed up and regretted coming to Earth. While walking, she saw a hardworking man planting trees, feeding the poor, and taking care of cows that people had disowned because they were old and couldn't give milk anymore. Goddess Lakshmi was very happy seeing his selfless nature and service. She blessed the man, and soon he became famous and the richest person.

She visited another family where the members respected each other, and kept their homes and minds clean. She decided to stay in such a house, blessing it with prosperity, peace, and happiness.

Diwali, nowadays, has become a trend as a festival of lights, burning crackers, enjoying holidays, or feasting. But it has lost its importance as we all adopt Western culture.

Everyone celebrates the festival but forgets to touch the feet of their own parents, forgets to have food with the family together but remembers to give a party to friends.

Diwali is a festival of togetherness, spreading love, and care, and bringing smiles to the faces of people who may not even know what Diwali is.

We should visit old age homes or orphanages and spend time with them rather than burning crackers.