Diwali and Lakshmi

Almost everyone knows that Diwali, the Festival of Lights, represents light or truth shining through darkness, or ignorance.  A key part of Diwali is inviting Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, to our homes.  We clean our houses, draw rangoli to make it beautiful, and light diyas (clay oil lamps)  to show her the way to our front door.  While many people pray to Lakshmi for financial success and prosperity, the deeper meaning is even more beautiful.  She's portrayed as a fickle goddess, because money is fickle - it comes and goes. But she stays put wherever Vishnu, her partner is also worshipped.  Why Vishnu?  He represents righteousness, truth, and peace. The takeaway is pretty cool: long-standing material success occurs when you achieve it through honor and good choices.  Otherwise, it is fleeting (insider trading, anyone?)