Dhanteras Story

Once, Lord Vishnu decided to visit Earth. When he informed Goddess Lakshmi, she wished to accompany him. Lord Vishnu agreed but warned her that she must follow his instructions completely. Goddess Lakshmi accepted this condition and joined Lord Vishnu on his journey. Upon reaching Earth, Lord Vishnu told Goddess Lakshmi that he would go towards the south and instructed her not to follow him or leave the place until his return. However, curiosity overwhelmed Goddess Lakshmi about what was in the south that Lord Vishnu didn’t want her to see. Unable to resist, Goddess Lakshmi secretly followed him. On her way, she encountered a mustard field full of beautiful yellow flowers. Enchanted by their beauty, she plucked some flowers and adorned herself. Later, she came across a sugarcane field, where she picked sugarcanes and enjoyed their juice. At that moment, Lord Vishnu appeared before her. Angered by her disobedience and theft from the farmer's fields, Lord Vishnu declared that as a punishment, she must serve the farmer for 12 years. Saying this, Lord Vishnu returned to his heavenly abode. Goddess Lakshmi disguised herself and began living at the farmer's home. One day, she advised the farmer's wife to bathe, worship an idol of Goddess Lakshmi made by her, and then prepare food. She promised that whatever they prayed for during the worship would come true. The farmer's wife followed these instructions, and soon their home was blessed with wealth and happiness. Their 12 years passed in prosperity, thanks to Goddess Lakshmi's blessings. After 12 years, Goddess Lakshmi was ready to leave. Lord Vishnu came to take her back, but the farmer resisted, not wanting her to leave. Lord Vishnu explained that she was under a curse, which had now ended, and that she couldn’t stay in one place permanently. Goddess Lakshmi then told the farmer that if he wanted her blessings to remain in his home, he must clean and decorate his house on "Teras" (the day before Diwali), light a lamp of ghee at night, perform her worship in the evening, and place coins in a copper pot, where she would reside invisibly. She promised that this one day of worship would ensure her presence and blessings in his home forever. Goddess Lakshmi disappeared after giving these instructions. The farmer followed her words and performed the rituals properly. From then on, his home always remained prosperous.