Hindu mythology uses metaphor of human relationships to explain concepts. This can be confusing as metaphors are rarely consistent. This confounds those who see mythology as history and insist on reading stories literally. The case of the three goddesses, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga, who embody wealth, knowledge and power, makes this conundrum obvious.

In common understanding, these three goddesses are wed to the three gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The goddess of knowledge, Saraswati, is the wife of the creator god, Brahma. The goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, is linked to the preserver god Vishnu. The goddess of power, Shakti or Durga, is linked to the destroyer god, Shiva. There are tales where the three goddesses quarrel with the three gods, and get them to do their bidding. There are tales where the creator, sustainer and destroyer are reminded that they can do nothing without wealth, power and knowledge. But, things are not so simple.