A folk tale from Northern India

Lord Vishnu was cross. He had decided to visit the Earth. Alone. But, Lakshmi, his wife, had pleaded with him to take her. Finally, he had given in.

The divine couple touched down at the foot of a tree.

"Stay here", Vishnu told his wife, "while I first go and see things for myself."

Lakshmi protested, but Vishnu made her promise to remain where she was, until he returned.

"And another thing", warned Vishnu, "Don't look South - it will bring you bad luck."

With that, he disappeared.

At first, Lakshmi passed the time singing songs. She kept her eyes fixed to the North. But then, a thought struck her. "I am a goddess," she told herself. "I can look in whatever direction I please."

Saying this, she looked towards the South, where she saw a field of yellow mustard flowers. The flowers looked so beautiful that the goddess ran into the field and started dancing with joy. Decorating herself, she wandered into the neighbouring field where she found some ripe sugar cane.

The sight of Lakshmi not only looking South, but wandering in that direction covered in flowers and sucking sugar cane, made Vishnu very angry. "If you enjoy the fields of the Earth so much, my darling," he sneered, "perhaps you will also enjoy working in them."

And so, Lakshmi was changed into a farm labourer. She worked in the fields for twelve long years and the farmer, who owned those fields, enjoyed twelve excellent harvests.

After twelve years, Lord Vishnu returned to collect Lakshmi. But the farmer objected angrily. "That girl has brought me good luck. You will not take her away."

"Let's not argue," said Vishnu. "Instead, why don't you go and cool down in the river? We promise to stay here until you return."

As the farmer set off for the river, Lakshmi pressed four small shells into his hand. "Please give these to the river goddess," she said.

"Who gave you these shells?" the river goddess demanded. "A girl who works on my farm," spluttered the farmer. "She is no girl," scoffed the river goddess. "She is my sister goddess Lakshmi in disguise." Immediately, the farmer understood the reason for his twelve good harvests. "If you want to stay rich," said the river goddess. "Never let Lakshmi leave your house."

Lord Vishnu and the farmer argued back and forth. Until, at last, Lakshmi spoke up. "Listen, farmer," she said. "I have spent twelve years with you. I can stay no longer. But I promise that if you worship me faithfully and keep darkness away from your house on the night of Divali, then I will return, bringing riches for you and all your family."

Since then, Hindus all around the world have cleaned their houses and lit lamps on the night of Divali. And as she had promised, the goddess comes that night to bless them all.