Saraswati and Lakshmi Devis

Markandeya Purana in the Chapter related to ‘Kamakshi Vilasa’, there was a reference on how Mahendra and Brahma became victims of the ego-clash of Devis Saraswati and Lakshmi. Motivated by her self-pride and arrogance, Sarasvati claimed that she was superior to Lakshmi as she was the Goddess of Learning in the whole Universe while Lakshmi claimed that she was the root cause of wealth and prosperity. Both the Devis approached Indra and the latter opined that Lashmi was not only the origin of ‘Bhoga Bhagyas’ but also the consort of Narayana. Saraswati was enraged at this reply, called Indra as characterless since he spoilt the purity of Ahalya Devi, that he was arrogant, schemy and partial minded; thus she cursed Mahendra to become an Elephant. Devi Lakshmi felt sorry that on account of her support to her he was victimised but since the curse of Saraswati was to be observed, Indra might descend from Swarga to Simhachala Kshetra in Bhuloka to pray homage to and seek permission from Narasimha Deva

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to enter Hari Kshetra in Kancheepura.

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Lakshmi further stated that in the form of an elephant he would meditate deeply and on entering the
Hari Kshetra would discover two lizards on his back which actually were Brahmana boys who on
instructions from their Guru were collecting wooden twigs for homams but were turned as lizards on
account of shaap by one Yaksha since he was disturbed. Soon as the elephant entered Hari Kshetra,
Indra recovered from Saraswati’s shaapa and the boys too got back their original forms and blessings
from Indra. Vishwakarma the Celestial Builder who construtced the Varada Raja Kshetra in Kanchi
arranged the two lizards -one made of gold and another of silver- as hung on a ceiling girder to the
East of the Temple still by bestowing the boon of prosperity by Lakshmi Devi once they are touched!

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Continuing the narration of the ego-clash of Saraswati and Lakshmi, Markandeya referred to the claim of mutual superiority as both the Devis approached Brahma Deva for his opinion and he favoured Lakshmi instantly. Sarasvati was highly disappointed with Brahma and took away the ‘Danda’ or the Insignia that Vishnu once gave to enable Brahma to undertake Srishti or Creation of the ‘Charachara Jagat’. This action of Saraswati disabled Brahma to undertake further Srishti.

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He did not desire to entreat Saraswati to return the Emblem but he performed a massive and unparelleled Yagna at the Harikshetra; however Brahma did not ask Saraswati to participate the Yagna. The latter felt that she was bypassed and out of fury created a Maya Shakti which created huge flames to destroy the Yagna.

But the saviour of Hari Kshetra Narayana arrested the hands of Maya. Saraswati took this as a
challenge and released Kapalika Shakti but Vishnu in the form of Narasimka Deva destroyed the
Shakti.

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Enraged by her discomfiture, Saraswati released Daityastra but Daityari Narayana disabled the Astra.

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Vagdevi then created a ‘Karaala Vadana Kalika’ but Vishnu materialised an Eight-Hand Maha Swarupa and suppressed the Kalika Devi by sitting heavy on her shoulders.

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Finally with all her powers being exhausted, Saraswati was humiliated and frustrated and took the Form of Pralaya Swarupi called Vegavati River with disastrous speed from Brahma loka down to Earth heading towards Hari Kshetra. Vishnu sensed the impending danger and decided to resort to her ‘manbhanga’ by his standing nude like a huge log of wood across the lightning flash of gushing waters. Saraswati having visioned Narayan’s nudity felt ashamed and instead of facing him entered a ‘Bhu Bila’ or a big fissure of Earth and escaped.

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Then the Yagna resumed without any hindrance and after the ‘Purnahuti’ Varaja Raja Swami manifested himself and handed over the Insignia to Brahma Deva to resume Srishti again.

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Such was the high drama that followed the ego-clash of Saraswati and Lakshmi Devis.

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