Vaidehi Bhargava
In Hindu tradition, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped together on Diwali, as they symbolize wealth, wisdom, and prosperity. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, brings blessings of financial abundance and success. Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the deity of wisdom and intellect, provides the foresight to make wise decisions and overcome challenges. This combination of wealth and wisdom is believed to bring holistic prosperity, making it an essential part of Diwali celebrations.
The tradition dates back to ancient legends. One popular story recounts that Lakshmi, though goddess of wealth, was once cursed to roam without stability or loyalty to anyone. To overcome this curse, she sought guidance from Lord Vishnu, who advised her to approach Ganesha, the wise and obstacle-remover. Ganesha agreed to bless Lakshmi, allowing her to become stable in the lives of those who venerated her with the assistance of Ganesha’s wisdom. Therefore, worshipping Lakshmi alone was seen as incomplete; without Ganesha’s blessings, the wealth she brought might lead to greed, misuse, or obstacles.
Another story links Diwali’s observance with the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, where he was welcomed with lights and festivities. To ensure his reign was prosperous and free from obstacles, the people of Ayodhya prayed to both Lakshmi and Ganesha. Since then, the tradition of worshipping them together on Diwali became popular.
In essence, the combined worship has a deep significance. Lakshmi grants material wealth, but without wisdom, such wealth can lead to attachment, arrogance, and problems. Ganesha, the wise, grants intelligence and mental clarity to use wealth responsibly and foster harmonious, fruitful lives. This combination underlines the importance of balancing material success with spiritual wisdom, a core principle in Hindu philosophy.
Thus, on Diwali, by worshipping Lakshmi and Ganesha together, devotees seek holistic blessings that include both wealth and the wisdom to handle it properly, promoting balanced and prosperous lives. This practice teaches that true success and happiness come when prosperity is accompanied by wisdom and virtue, making the Diwali puja a blend of spiritual and material aspirations.