Kurma Puranam : Chapter 2 : Vishnu explains why Lakshmi Devi is to be worshipped.
A link to posts on Kurma Puranam and Kurma Avataram on this site : Kurma Puranam, Indradyumna.
At the end of the first chapter, we learned that bhagwAn viSNu, in the form of a kUrma, that savior of the people, that dEva who had gone to rasAtala , when questioned by nArada and other rishis, spoke the entire, excellent kUrma purANam.
Chapter 2.
s’rI kUrma said,
“I am nArAyaNa dEva. There was no one beyond me in the past. After my vipula nidrA, extensive sleep, as I lay contemplating creation, I felt an excessive joy and the four-faced Brahma, the grandfather of the world came to be. Then I felt angry and mahEs’wara rudra dEva, with a s’Ula in his hand and three eyes, with the brilliance of the sun, looking like he could burn up the three worlds in anger, came into being.
Then the lotus eyed s’rI dEvI came into being. Of beautiful form and face, who fascinates all embodied ones, with a pure smile, well-pleased, auspicious, full of greatness-es (miracles), full of divine radiance, shining with divine garlands,nArAyaNi, mahAmAyA, mUlaprakRti, the unchanging one.
http://www.vedpuran.com/brahma.asp?bookid=20&secid=1&pageno=010&Ved=Y&PuranName=Kurma
Filling the world with her brilliance, She came and sat next to me. Then BhagwAn brahmA, the lord of the world said, “Maadhava! Please engage this lovely lady in fascinating all the beings, by which my entire creation will grow!”.
Then I smilingly said to dEvI, “By my order, please fascinate the entire universe along with all the mAnuSAs , devAs and asurAs and make them fall into samsAra (worldly ways)!
‘But please exclude the following.
‘Those engaged in gnyAnayOga, those dedicated to the brahman, the truthful, the un-angered,those studying the vEdAs, vEdAnta, vignyAna, destroying all their doubts, those performing great yagnyAs, brahmins, those who meditate, who are peaceful, who are dhArmik, and those who seek support of the vEdAs. Please make an effort to leave unfascinated – Those who worship dEva dEva maheS’wara with japa or hOma, self-study, yagnya (worshipful action), bhakti yOga, who have dedicated their minds to Is’vara, who love prAnAyAma etc, who are pure.
‘Those whose minds are interested in praNava, rudrajapa, those who know dharma, those who know the atharva vEda – please exclude them.
‘Those who protect/practice their svadharma, those who are engaged in adoring Is’vara please leave alone by my order.”
Thus was the darling of Hari sent forward by Me.
She did as I said. She gives plenty of welfare, prosperity, brilliance, strength and fame when worshiped. This is why Lakshmi, the wife of the bhagwAn must be worshipped well.
s’rI paramAtmanE namah! harih um!
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Satya Sarada Kandula
