The Vighneswara temple in Vatapi was full of sculpturesbased on the ‘leelas’ of the Lord, especially how He wentto the help of devotees whenever they ardently prayedfor his benevolence.
Satyasarma and Lobhagupta lived in the same village,and were neighbours. Lobhagupta’s original name wasLabhagupta; however, when people saw how greedy hewas, they began to call him Lobhagupta. The name stuck.
Both, he and Satyasarma, regularly visited the nearbySiva temple. The latter would first offer prayers at thesmall temple of Ganesa at the entrance. Only then wouldhe go and pray before the main sanctum sanctorum. Onthe other hand, Lobhagupta would prostrate before theidol of Siva, all the while praying for more wealth.
One day, as Satyasarma was leaving the temple,Lobhagupta had reached the entrance. The sacredNandikeswara, the mount of Lord Siva, guarding theentance, was heard asking Ganesa: "O Vighneswara! Youare aware how your devotee Satyasarma is struggling inlife. Why don’t you go to hishelp?"
"All right, Nandi," saidVighneswara, "by evening today,he will receive a thousandrupees."
Lobhagupta, who happendto over hear this conversationbetween the statue of Nandi andidol of Vighneswara stood stupefied for some time. By thetime he concluded his worship ofLord Siva, he had thought up aplan to earn some money.
He went to Satyasarma’shouse. He told him, "Satyasarma,I know you’ve financialdifficulties. I shall give you five hundred rupees. You may return the amount when you get some money in theevening." as they were keen to perform their daughter’s marriage, and the boy’s parents had been asking for money to buy jewellery.
Satyasarma was surprised for a moment. He also suspected Lobhagupta’s motive as he was notorious forhis greed. When Satyasarma’s wife saw him hesitating, she called him aside and prodded him: "The boy’s parentsare waiting. Let’s take the money and send them away."
