Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi Alongside Lord Ganesha

O Goddess Lakshmi, the giver of wealth,
Prosperity, abundance and grandeur,
I bow to you a thousand times,
With a heart filled with devotion, pure and sincere.

The whole world worships you,
With reverence and folded hands.
Immersed in the pride of your divine glory,
The Goddess once asked Lord Vishnu:

“Why am I not worshipped first,
When I bless everyone with wealth and prosperity?
Why don’t I receive the honour
Of being the first deity to be worshipped?”

Recognising the hidden pride
Deep within Goddess Lakshmi’s heart,
Lord Vishnu gently explained to her
With words of wisdom and insight:

“O Mahalakshmi, you are indeed great,
You bless everyone with wealth and riches.
But you are not yet a mother,
The giver of the precious treasure called children.

Without becoming a mother,
You cannot attain the highest honour.
Therefore, this desire of yours
Can never be fulfilled on its own.”

Longing for the blessing of motherhood,
Goddess Lakshmi journeyed to Mount Kailash.
She shared her special concern
With Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Goddess Parvati, with great affection,
Happily offered Lord Ganesha, saying,
“Take him as your adopted son,
And worship him alongside yourself.”

Blessed with a son, Goddess Lakshmi rejoiced,
She lovingly accepted Ganesha as her own.
Together, they descended swiftly to Earth,
To fulfil her dream of being worshipped first.

Ganesha, the deity of wisdom and intellect,
Became Lakshmi’s beloved son.
He began teaching the world
To earn and spend wealth with wisdom and good sense.

For those who lack wisdom,
Wealth itself can become their downfall.
Leading them towards foolish deeds,
It may ultimately bring their ruin.

The arrival of Ganesha alongside Lakshmi
Brings auspiciousness, prosperity and good fortune.
It fills life with abundance and grandeur,
And brings happiness, harmony and peace.

In our worship, throughout the world,
We always place the two deities together.
They guide our wealth towards the right purpose,
And help it multiply manifold.

Goddess Lakshmi sits on the right,
While Lord Ganesha occupies the left.
Together, they bless their devotees,
Teaching us to spend wealth wisely
And safeguard both income and expenditure.

— Vidya