“O Lakshmi, you are more beautiful than any other woman on earth or in heaven when you’re entering a house, but you, O Jyeshthadevi, words fail to describe your grace and elegance when you are leaving.
There is none to compare with you in beauty then.”
It was a judgement that pleased both the contestants because each thought she had been adjudged the winner.
But the real winner, of course, was the merchant.
He had won the favour of the goddess of plenty without displeasing her powerful rival!!