Goddess Lakshmi Resides in Cow Dung and Urine

Once, Goddess Lakshmi, in her beautiful form, entered a group of cows. Seeing her beauty, the cows were astonished and asked her identity. 

Lakshmi said:  

'O cows! everyone calls me Lakshmi. The entire world desires me. I abandoned the demons, and they were destroyed. I supported Indra and the other deities, and they now enjoy happiness. It is through me that the gods and sages achieve success. If I am not with someone, they perish. Righteousness, wealth, and desires can bring happiness only with my cooperation. Such is my power. Now, I wish to reside in your bodies forever. For this, I have personally come to you. Accept me as your refuge and become prosperous.'  

The cows replied:  

'Devi, What you say is true, but you are very fickle. You do not stay anywhere permanently. Moreover, you have connections with many. Hence, we do not wish for you. May you be blessed. Our bodies are naturally strong, healthy, and beautiful. We have no need of you. You may go wherever you desire. By talking to us, you have honored us.'  

Lakshmi responded:  

'O cows! What are you saying? I am very rare to attain and supremely virtuous, yet you do not accept me! Today, I have realized the truth of the saying, 'Going to someone uninvited leads to disrespect.' O noble and disciplined cows, gods, demons, Gandharvas, spirits, Nagas, humans, and Rakshasas attain the fortune of serving me only after performing intense penance. Recognize my greatness and accept me. In this world, no one disrespects me.'  

The cows said:  

'Devi, we do not disrespect you. We are merely rejecting you because your mind is restless. You do not stay in one place. Moreover, our bodies are naturally beautiful. So, you may go wherever you wish.'  

Lakshmi said:  

'O cows! You are those who give honor to others. If you reject me, then I will be disrespected everywhere in the world. I have come to seek refuge in you. I am blameless and will be your servant. Knowing this, please protect me. Accept me. You are highly fortunate, ever benevolent, a refuge to all, virtuous, pure, and auspicious. Tell me, where in your body should I reside?'  

The cows replied:  

'O illustrious one! We must honor you. Very well, you may reside in our dung and urine. These two things of ours are very pure.'  

Lakshmi said:  

'O benevolent cows! You have shown me great kindness and upheld my honor. May you be blessed. I will do as you say.'  

(Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva, Chapter 82)

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi