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—Swami Sivananda—
God Narayana once came home very late. Goddess Lakshmi, her beloved consort, asked Him, "My Lord! why have you returned very late today? I was anxious all the while." God replied, "I was busy today. I had been to distribute food to my countless children of this vast universe." Lakshmi said, "Art thou the real distributor of food to the denizens of the earth? Dost thou sustain the worms, the ants and all other insects also?" The Lord said, "Yes, dear Lakshmi."
Lakshmi wanted to find out the truth of her Lord's statement. She hid an ant in a small cup on the following day and concealed it in a small box. The Lord returned that day after distributing food to all creatures. Lakshmi said, "My adorable Lord! hast thou finished the distribution of food to all creatures today?" The Lord replied, "Yes." Lakshmi said, "Thou hast not supplied food to one ant which I have kept in a small box." The Lord replied, "First look into the box."
Lakshmi opened the box. She found out that the little ant had a piece of rice grain in its mouth. Lakshmi fell at the feet of her Lord and said, "My Lord! Thou art the ocean of mercy and love. Thou neglectest not even the tiny creatures that crawl on this earth. What an unbounded love Thou hast towards the creatures! Thy grace is limitless. Who can describe Thy motherly care? Thou art the sustainer and nourisher of all beings. Thou art the biggest householder, for the entire universe is Thy family. Thou art the father of this world, the mother, the supporter and the grandfather too. Glory unto Thee!"
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