Unveiling the Mystery of Worshiping Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha Together in Diwali

The Indian Vedic story has a vast amount of interesting mythology that teaches that one must follow the path of Dharma to defeat Adharma. One must fulfill their duties towards the community and seek wisdom. However, one such ancient Hindu story is connected with Lord Rama, and that is the Ramayana. Lord Rama, the 7th avatar of Lord Vishnu, defeated Demon King Ravana, freed Sita from his capture, and restored Dharma. Thus, the arrival of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana after 14 years of exile in Ayodhya is celebrated as Diwali, a festival of lights and good over evil in Hinduism.

Diwali welcomes Sita, an incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi, back to her home so that the region can thrive with prosperity, happiness, and wisdom. Lord Rama restores Dharma, karma, and the security of society. However, there are always questions about why Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha are worshiped during Diwali.

People must worship Sita-Rama, the goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Vishnu, as they are the divine consorts who took birth to restore righteousness to society. Why do we worship Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha? Well, our Sanatan Dharma and ancient texts have the answer to this question. Let’s find out!

Vedic Story-1

Mythological Legends of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu

Lord Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi were intrigued by a conversion at their abode, Vaikuntha. She was constantly praising herself. I am a goddess of wealth. I make people’s lives worthy. They thrive in careers and life due to the abundance I bestow. Therefore, she is the one who must be worshipped the most in the world. People get all the luxury and pleasure because of her grace, and happiness comes with wealth and makes a family fulfilled with everything.

Goddess Lakshmi: An Incomplete Divine Mother Without Motherhood

By hearing such self-praising of the goddess Lakshmi in her mouth, Lord Vishnu said suddenly, “You might have all the qualities, but still you could not feel the joy of motherhood as you do not have a child, and a child completes a life of women. Motherhood is the most precious thing in the universe. Without the joy of having a child in this world, everything is incomplete.”

Parvati and Her Help to Goddess Lakshmi

Lord Vishnu’s revert to goddess Lakshmi’s self-praising disheartened her. She felt the pain of incomplete motherhood and went to her sister-in-law, Goddess Parvati, Para Shakti of Dasha Mahavidhya. Goddess Lakshmi narrated the whole scenario to her, and Parvati asked, “How may I help you to decrease your pain?”

Goddess Lakshmi said, “Lovely Parvati, you are the mother of two beautiful and intelligent sons. May I ask if you could give me one of your sons so that I could embrace motherhood and fulfill the deserted loneliness of a mother?

The Adoption Story of Ganesha

Parvati was calm and understood how Goddess Lakshmi felt. Therefore, she said to her, Devi Lakshmi, I have two sons. They are my life. Kartikeya and Ganesha Kartikeya have six mouths or faces; therefore, he needs me all the time to feed him. Ganesha is very naughty, and I keep my eyes on him all the time; if I miss a bit, he ruins everything. Goddess Sri, you could not stay in one place for a long time, right? How could you take care of my sons if I consider giving one of them to you?

Ganesha—The Son of Goddess Lakshmi and the Heir of Her Prosperity

Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Devi Lakshmi replied to Parvati, “I will keep your sons in my heart and will shower all my love on them, whoever you wish to give me to soothe my motherhood.

I will assign all of my servants in Vaikuntha to serve them day and night. Please be assured of my word and give me one of your sons as my adopted child.”

To this assurance by goddess Lakshmi, she decided to give Lord Ganesha as her adopted son. Devi Sri became so happy with the fulfillment of her motherhood and declared, “From today, I am Goddess Lakshmi, giving all my luxury, accomplishments, and prosperity to my dearest son, Ganesha.

A Promise to Parvati and the Marriage of Ganesha with Ridhi-Sidhhi

Riddhi and Siddhi, the daughters of Lord Brahma, are like my daughters. I am promising you, Parvati, that I will get Ganesha married with them.

I, goddess of wealth, promise you that I will fulfill all the desires of naughty Ganesha. Whoever worships in all three lokas (universes) will get prosperity, luxury, and goodwill, and whoever does not worship him, I will make sure to not get anything.

Whenever and whoever will worship me, first they need to worship Ganesha. He could not get my blessings if they do not perform puja for him first.”

On hearing such a great boon from Goddess Lakshmi for her son, Ganesha, she became thrilled and handed over her younger son. Thus, Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha are worshiped together.

Vedic Story-2

Epic Tale About Goddess Lakshmi Roaming and an Old Woman

According to an ancient Hindu myth, the goddess Lakshmi was once wandering on earth, and the day was Kartik Amavasya—a night without a moon. She was keen on roaming around and forgot that the night had begun. Due to the moonless night, or Kartik Amavasya, goddess Lakshmi lost her way and decided to remain with humans on that day.

She found out that the houses were not lit with Diya and were closed. Finally, she saw a broken hut and the burning Diya of an old woman.

The Old Woman Invited Goddess Lakshmi to Stay on Kartik Amavasya

Goddess Lakshmi reached the hut and asked her if she could stay. The old woman invited goddess Lakshmi with her open arms and said a maiden like her, ethereal, must not roam around on a night.

She offered her little food and a bed to rest on for the night.

Goddess Lakshmi Blessed the Old Woman with A Palace and Prosperity

The next morning, when the old woman woke up, she found the maiden had already left without informing her.

However, she was surprised when she discovered that her broken hut had turned into a beautiful palace, with gold and diamonds scattered everywhere. So, the old woman came to know that she had unknowingly served Goddess Lakshmi and was pleased with her service to her.

Thus, it is believed that, from that day on, people began to light up lamps on Kartik Amavasya and welcome Goddess Lakshmi with open arms.

Vedic Story-3

Folklore of Seven Brothers and a Sister-in-Law

The third story is similar to the second; however, in this Vedic story, seven brothers live in a village. The youngest brother marries a girl and takes her home in poverty.

The Diwali festival was about to come, and thus she asked everyone to help her manage the house, go outside to work, and get something to survive.

Soon, they were living a good life.

Queen’s Necklace

However, after some time, there was a public proclamation that one eagle had stolen Qeen’s necklace when she was bathing in the river. And she declared that whoever finds the necklace will get the reward.

At the same time, the eagle was flying with a queen’s necklace over the seven brothers’ house. The necklace on the roof, seeing the dead snake, which was brought by one of the brothers after the sister-in-law asked them to go out and work. The eagle picked up the snake and flew off.

The brothers were happy and decided to return the necklace; however, the sister-in-law wanted to go to return it. Brothers agreed.

A Reward for a Sister-in-Law

King was happy to see the sister-in-law and her gesture of returning the Queen’s necklace. He asked her what she wanted to get as a reward. She said, “I wish that you would allow me to light up my whole house with lamps, and the city must be in darkness on the day of Diwali.” King granted her wish, and then she cleaned her home except for one room she asked her brother-in-law to clean.

Goddess Lakshmi Visits the Sister-in-Law

At night, the goddess Lakshmi came to the city. She found the entire city in darkness and was looking for a little light, which she found in her sister-in-law’s home. She went there and knocked on the gate. “Who is there?” the sister-in-law asked. Goddess Lakshmi said, “It’s me, Lakshmi. Let me come into your home. The city is in darkness, and I am scared of that.”

The girl said, “I am about to open the gate, as you don’t stay in one place, and there is no promise or guarantee that you will stay tomorrow.” Goddess Lakshmi was scared and promised that she would go away from her home and stay forever.

The girl opened the door, welcomed Lakshmi Devi, and asked her to rest in her home full of lights. She worshiped her devotedly and then went to the dark room, began to beat the Daridra or Narak, and kicked him out of her house.

Thus, we at Vedic Story believe that you might get the answer to your question about why Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha are worshipped together in Diwali.