NIRṚTI -Goddess of Misery

NIRṚTI -Goddess of Misery

Nirṛti, the Goddess of Misery is a sinister goddess representing suffering, poverty, disease, and death.

As the Embodiment of all sins, she appeared at the time of the churning of the ocean before the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī. Hence she is the older sister of Lakṣmī known as Alakṣmī.

Her abode is the sacred fig tree, the Pipal, where, every Saturday, Lakṣmī comes to visit her. To her realm belong gambling, prostitution, sleep, poverty, disease, and all the forms of trouble.

She is the wife of Sin (Adharma), the son of Varuṇa. Her sons are Death (Mṛtyu), Fear (Bhaya), and Terror (Mahā-bhaya).

In this world all those who are born with a handicap, in the families of thieves or evildoers, and yet are virtuous and kind are especially protected by Nirṛti.