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246
Gaüdavaho
limelight and publicity (CTTH). Such is the contradictory dispensation (विण्णास) of wealth. Of. अपनयति गुणान ददाति च दोषान् । griafaud J TUTTI Gifa TOT T rufa Com.
928. The great warriors, who face the sword-blades (459) of enemies on the battle-field, are blessed, lit. touched by Lakşmi (furafait), who is forcibly (259) made to stay with them there (afon).
929. Good men have long been accustomed (37879T) to the use of one hand only, in all their acts of smashing (3719TET), striking (featz) etc. And they are so proud that they will not take the help of their other hand even, although necessary. Would such people look up to others for help even in emrgency?
930. If we have to find out who is wicked among these two viz. wealth or virtues, I would say, it is virtues or merits that are wicked; because Laksmi does not refuse to stay (3 ) with men of virtues; but on the other hand, merits do not tolerate the association of Laksmi or wealth with them. Men of merits may happen to be rich; but the really rich men are devoid of merits. Cf. प्रायेण गुणिनां लक्ष्मी श्यते न तु श्रीमतां गुणा: इति लक्ष्मी गुणा द्विषन्ति न maasortat - Tut: 1 Com.
931. It is an established fact (ai offezzi) that for Laksmi, the creeper, the root ( ) is merits. Men of merit, like poets, painters, musicians, get rich awards from the State and the public for their talents in the various fields of arts. But at the same time, when this creeper viz. Laksmi or wealth grows up with him (facut) and when he becomes richer and richer, his merits get buried underground (TETTHOT). He loses those very merits in the vanity of his wealth. Cf. लतावृद्धौ हि मूलान्यधस्ताद् गच्छन्ति । Com.
932-933. The two Gāthās give one sentence. Lakşmi is a fickle (7597) goddess. Earlier, when she emerged from the ocean, she was surrounded by many a god who stood unsteady in nervous fear ( H) expecting to be chosen as her consort at her Swayamvara. To them all she gave the ignominy (3 ) by her rejection and stumbled with unsteady steps over to Visnu (HEHE). Having stayed for long (fa T3IT) in the darkness of the nether world, her eyes are compressed (Farfst) and contracted. How can she now immediately open them fully (3rfuri qura), to look
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