The Grand Worship

Motilal, the merchant, worshipped a certain deity, aware that his prosperity was due to her presence in his house. He relied on her blessings to maintain his success.

One night, the deity grew annoyed with him. In a dream, she declared, “I am leaving your abode!” Motilal was deeply troubled. The thought of the goddess abandoning him signified certain ruin.

Desperate to retain her presence, he pleaded, “Mother, won’t you grant me a small boon before you leave?” The deity agreed, intrigued by his request. “I am planning to offer you a grand worship, adorned in gold. Give me your word of honor that you will not leave until the grand worship is complete.”

“I give my word of honor,” the delighted deity responded.

As months passed, Motilal not only failed to prepare for the grand worship but also neglected his daily rituals. The goddess appeared to him again in a dream, asserting, “I leave!”

Motilal, surprised, replied, “Who has ever heard of a goddess violating her word of honor?” However, the deity recognized his slyness and understood that he would likely never fulfill the promise of the grand worship.

“Hmm! Will you at least revive the daily worship?” the deity inquired, hoping to maintain some semblance of their relationship.