Kalyani’s Devotion

Once, there lived an elderly woman named Kalyani, known for her unwavering faith and devotion to the deity Shukra. Every day, Kalyani would offer prayers and bathe an idol of Shukra in holy water. She would fast on specific days and worship with such sincerity that her modest home was always blessed with contentment, though not with wealth.

One day, Kalyani wished to go on a pilgrimage. Before departing, she asked her daughter-in-law, Gauri, to take care of the idol and continue the daily rituals. Gauri, however, was not religious and viewed these customs as burdensome. With reluctance, she agreed, but in Kalyani’s absence, she grew impatient with the idol-worship.

Instead of offering fresh food as Kalyani did, Gauri placed leftovers in front of the idol and eventually lost interest. One day, feeling fed up, she threw the idol away, thinking it unnecessary. Unaware of her daughter-in-law’s actions, Kalyani returned from her pilgrimage, eager to resume her rituals.

Seeing the idol missing, she inquired about it, and Gauri confessed to discarding it. Shocked and saddened, Kalyani searched until she found the idol lying in the garbage. She brought it back home, cleaned it with care, and resumed her devoted worship.

As days passed, blessings began to flow into Kalyani’s home once again. Prosperity returned, and Gauri realized her mistake. She saw that the wealth and happiness of the household were not tied to the idol itself but to Kalyani’s unwavering devotion and respect for the divine.

**Moral of the Story:** True devotion brings blessings that no wealth can buy. Kalyani’s story teaches us that faith and respect, even in humble acts, can transform a household. Spiritual wealth comes not from objects but from a sincere heart.