13.011

The abodes of prosperity;

Yudhiṣṭhira said.

O grandsire, O bull among the Bharatas, tell me in what kind of man or among what kind of women Śrī Padmā always dwells. (13-11-1)

Bhishma said.

Here I shall tell you exactly as I have seen and heard. Rukmini questioned in the presence of the son of Devaki. (13-11-2)

Seeing Śrī, radiant and lotus-faced, seated on the lap of Nārāyaṇa, the mother of Makaradhvaja, her beautiful eyes wide with astonishment and curiosity, asked. (13-11-3)

Which beings here do you serve, and which do you not serve? O beloved of beings, consort of the lord of the three worlds, tell me truly, O daughter of the great sage. (13-11-4)

Thus, at that time, Lakṣmī, being addressed by the goddess in the presence of Garuḍa-bannered Viṣṇu, the moon-faced and gracious one, spoke charming and sweet words. (13-11-5)

I reside in those who are truthful, fortunate, bold, and competent, who are engaged in action. I do not reside in those who are inactive, atheistic, impure, or ungrateful. I am not present in those of deviated or cruel conduct, nor in thieves, nor in those who envy their elders. (13-11-6)

O goddess, I do not remain among those men who, having little energy, strength, spirit, and essence, rejoice and become angry here and there, and whose desires are asleep. (13-11-7)

O goddess, I do not reside among those men who, in themselves, desire nothing at all and whose inner self is afflicted by their own nature, who are always content with little.

I reside among those of righteous character, those who know dharma, the great souls, those who serve elders, the self-restrained, and those who know the essence, among the great souls. (13-11-9)

I dwell among women who are patient, self-restrained, devoted to gods and the twice-born, truthful in conduct, and intent on their own nature. (13-11-10)

I avoid a woman who scatters her utensils, acts without consideration, always speaks against her husband, delights in another's house, and is shameless. (13-11-11)

I avoid a woman who is fickle, unattractive, greedy, lacking in courage, fond of quarrels, always overcome by sleep, and always lying down. (13-11-12)

I always reside in women who are truthful, pleasant to look at, endowed with good fortune, and possessed of virtues; who are devoted to their husbands, of auspicious conduct, and adorned. (13-11-13)

I dwell in vehicles, maidens, ornaments, sacrifices, clouds and those bearing rain; I am present in blossoming lotuses, in the paths of stars, and in all things of autumn. (13-11-14)

In the mountains, cow-pens, and forests; in lakes filled with blooming blue and red lotuses; in rivers resounding with the calls of swans and beautified by the cries of cranes. (13-11-15)

I always dwell in places adorned with lakes with wide banks, frequented by ascetics, perfected beings, and twice-born; in places with abundant water, where the waters are stirred by lions and elephants. I am present in the intoxicated elephant, in the cow, in the bull, in the king, on the lion-throne, and always in the virtuous man. (13-11-16)

In the house where Agni is offered oblations, where the cow, brāhmaṇa, and deities are worshipped, and where offerings are made with flowers at the proper time, in that house I always choose to dwell. (13-11-17)

I always dwell among the twice-born who are ever devoted to self-study, among kṣatriyas who are always engaged in righteousness, among vaiśyas devoted to agriculture, and among śūdras who are always engaged in service. (13-11-18)

With single-minded devotion, I dwell in Nārāyaṇa, having become wholly identified in feeling and body. In him, indeed, is established the highest dharma, as well as devotion to Brahman and supreme dearness. (13-11-19)

O goddess, I do not dwell by the body; it is not possible for me to state it thus here. But in whatever man I dwell by disposition, he prospers in virtue, fame, wealth, and desires. (13-11-20)