Lakshmi by Raja Ravi Varma
It is just about that time of the year when many Indians engage in a worshipful ritual in honor of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune. Coming from the most business saturated city of the must business saturated state of India (Ahmedabad and Gujarat respectively) I do know a thing or two about this ritual.
The most important thing to know is that money does buy happiness, or at any rate a large measure of it. What it cannot buy, does not really matter. Also, that wealth has to be wooed and courted and cajoled and coaxed for it to come your way. There is, of course, no guarantee that after all the wooing, courting, cajoling and coaxing she would come your way. And there is a reason for that.
In the Hindu pantheon, gods have their own specific vehicles or carriers or vahanas of choice. In Lakshmi’s case it is an owl, the bird, which it seems,is known for its random flight and unpredictable resting spots. I know from firsthand experience that myth to be accurate. Lakshmi has pointedly flown past whichever abode I have dwelled in in whichever city, including Ahmedabad, where she appears to have made many successful landings.
Many Indians believe that since Lakshmi travels on an owl, it is impossible to predict where she might go and whom she might bless. Ornithology does not at all support the popular myth that the owl just flies randomly. The myth may have something to do with the fact that it is a largely nocturnal bird. There are owls that prey during twilight hours. But that is science; we are talking mythology here.
It is certainly true that wealth is quirky. It is also very hard to domesticate. It is never fully domesticated as those who have lost wealth would testify. Wealth is like an orgasm--it is great while it lasts. When it leaves, it leaves you profoundly fatigued. My fatigue has nothing to do with either.(This is an example of how unnecessarily I throw in metaphors).
