Who is More Beautiful?
Once upon a time, the heavens were disturbed by a dispute between Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, and her elder sister, Jyestha Devi . Each claimed to be more beautiful than the other. Their argument grew intense, and eventually, they turned to Lord Vishnu for a judgment. However, he referred them to Lord Brahma, who diplomatically stated, “I believe you are both equally beautiful. I cannot decide which of you is more beautiful, so you should consult Lord Shiva.”
A Search for Judgment
Determined to find a resolution, Lakshmi and Jyestha Devi hurried to Mount Kailash and presented their dilemma to Lord Shiva. He calmly shook his head and replied, “How can I provide an answer that has not been settled by Lord Vishnu? Your best option is to consult Sage Narada.”
A Celestial Suggestion
Just then, Sage Narada arrived, strumming his celestial lyre. Instantly, the sisters seized the opportunity and begged for his opinion. Narada, after a moment of contemplation, said, “Ladies, I am a bachelor and know nothing about the beauty of women. However, I know a person on earth who can satisfy your curiosity. His name is Dhanapal Chettiar. Go and ask him.”
The Wealthy Merchant
Dhanapal Chettiar, as his name implied, was a wealthy merchant who delighted in amassing riches. He had an insatiable appetite for wealth, always focused on earning more. When the two goddesses arrived at his dwelling, he was thrilled and asked what had brought them there. They replied, “Tell us, who is more beautiful?”
The Clever Verdict
In response, Chettiar asked the sisters to walk ahead of him while he trailed behind. He then instructed them to walk towards him. After observing them closely, he declared, “Lakshmidevi is more beautiful when she approaches me, while Jyestha Devi appears more beautiful when she moves away.”
Returning to Heaven
The two sisters were delighted by this clever response and returned to heaven satisfied with his verdict. On earth, it is believed that Lakshmidevi is synonymous with wealth, and everyone desires her presence, while Jyestha Devi , the Goddess of Poverty, is often unwelcome. Dhanapal Chettiar, wishing to please both deities without offending either, had tactfully resolved their argument based on age-old beliefs.