“Sree said, ’In the three worlds full of the seeds of auspiciousness, all creatures, mobile and immobile, strive with their whole hearts to win an association with me.  I am that Padma, that Sree decked with lotuses, who sprang from the lotus that blooms at the touch of the rays of Surya, for the prosperity of all creatures.  I am called Lakshmi, Bhuti, and Sree, O slayer of Vala!  I am Faith, I am Intelligence, I am Affluence, I am Victory, and I am Immutability.  I am Patience, I am Success, I am Prosperity.  I am Swaha, I am Swadha, I am Reverence, I am Fate, and I am Memory.  I dwell at the van and on the standards of victorious and virtuous sovereigns, as also in their homes and cities and dominions.  I always reside, O slayer of Vala, with those foremost of men, viz., heroes panting after victory and unretreating from battle.  I also reside for ever with persons that are firmly attached to virtue, that are endued with great intelligence, that are devoted to Brahma, that are truthful in speech, that are possessed of humility, and that are liberal.  Formerly, I dwelt with the Asuras in consequence of my disposition of being bound by truth and merit Seeing, however, that the Asuras have assumed adverse natures, I have left then and wish to reside in thee.’

“Sakra said, ’O thou of fair face, in consequence of what behaviour of the Asuras didst thou dwell with them?  What didst thou see there for which thou hast come hither, having deserted the Daityas and the Danavas?’

“Sree said, I attach myself steadfastly to those that are devoted to the duties of their own order, to those that never fall away from patience, to those that take a pleasure in walking along the path which leads to heaven.  I always reside with those that are distinguished for liberality, for study of the scriptures, for sacrifices, for other scriptural rites, and for worship of Pitris, deities, preceptors, seniors, and guests.  Formerly, the Danavas used to keep their abodes clean, to keep their women under control, to pour libations on the sacrificial fire, to wait dutifully on their preceptors, to restrain their passions, to be obedient to the Brahmanas, and to be truthful in speech.  They were full of faith; they kept their wrath under control; they practised the virtue of charity; they never envied others; they used to maintain their friends and advisers, and their spouses; they were never jealous.  Formerly, they never assailed one another, filled with wrath.  They were all contented and never felt pain at the sight of other people’s affluence and prosperity.  They were all charitable and economical; of respectable conduct, and endued with compassion.  They were excessively inclined to grace, possessed of simplicity of conduct, steadfast in faith, and had their passions under complete control.  They used to keep their servants and counsellors contented, and were grateful and endued with sweet speech.  They used to serve every one as each deserved in consequence of his position