Lakshmi

For South Indian actress, see Laxmi (actress)

Lakshmi Image of Goddess Lakshmi God of wealth and beauty Devanagari: लक्ष्मी Sanskrit Transliteration: lakṣmī Affiliation: Devi Consort: Vishnu Mount: Ulooka

Lakshmi (Sanskrit: लक्ष्मी lakṣmī) is the Hindu goddess of wealth, light, wisdom, the lotus flower and fortune, and secondarily of luck, beauty, courage and fertility. Representations of Lakshmi (or Shri) are found in Jain and Buddhist monuments, in addition to Hindu temples. She is also kind to children and gives presents. Due to Her Motherly feelings and being the consort of Narayan (Supreme Being), She is believed as the Mother of the Universe. She is the consort of Vishnu and married his incarnations Rama (in her incarnation as Sita), Krishna (as Rukmini) and Venkateshwara (as Alamelu). In Vaishnava traditions, She is believed to be the Mother Goddess and the Shakti of Narayan. She is one of the most widely worshipped goddesses in the Hindu pantheon.

Early Conceptions

Lakshmi herself does not appear in the early Vedas, although the term sri with which she is closely related often does. In these early texts Sri is related to capability, skill and advantage, as well as beauty, glory, and exaltation. In the later Vedas, it comes to refer to ruling power associated with the office of kings. It involves prosperity and well-being which is attainable by anyone. The goddess Sri is listed as personifying ten qualities which are coveted by the other gods: food, royal dominion, holiness, kingdom, fortune, sovereignty, nobility, power, righteousness and beauty. Clearly, this term is related to the later conceptions of the goddess as a matron of royalty and dignity.

In the Sri Sukta, an appendix to the Rg-Veda, the character of Sri-Lakshmi begins to become more evident. Here the goddess is called upon to bring fame and prosperity, bestowing livestock and other riches upon her worshipper. She is also described here as decadently ornamented in gold and silver, seated upon a chariot drawn by the finest horses, adding to her regal persona. She is also closely linked with the lotus and the elephant. The lotus symbolizes her fertility, as it is rooted in the mud of the primordial waters while blossoming in uncontaminated form above the water, therefore illustrating her transcendence of the physical world. The elephants, meanwhile, shower her with water, probably representing the fertilizing power of rain, as well as her royal authority. Here she is also associated with fertility, closely linked with the frecund soil of harvest, cowdung and odors.

Later Conception

As Hindu mythology developed and the character of Lakshmi herself emerged, she maintained many of the traits of the Vedic Sri. In such a way, she came to be the personification of royalty. As such, she was identified as the consort of a number of kingly dieties (see below). Her partnership maintains virtue in these male dieties, and in some cases even cultivates it. For example, one myth tells of Bali and Prahlada, a pair of demons who abandon the whole of their demonic properties while Lakshmi lives with them. In her presence, they rule their kingdoms proprietously, and both their inner and outer virtues are refined. Bali is even able to defeat Indra in battle in the company of Lakshmi. When she leaves them, however, he return to their unfortunate ways, losing their his royal might and promptly returning to their respective paths of evil.

Lakshmi is also a goddess of plenty and prosperity, visiting many rewards upon her followers. One myth tells the story of how Lakshmi's association with Indra caused him to pour down fertile rains and allowed crops to grow. Meanwhile, cows produced and abundance of milk, and the all beings on earth prosper.

In some circles, Lakshmi has attained supremacy among the other gods. In the Pancharata school, Lakshmi is central in the creation of the universe, as she represents the shakti, or the creative power of Vishnu. Thus, she is the active participant in creation, while Vishnu himself is relatively lax. With this in mind, Lakshmi has come to dominant the Pancharata conception of the divine creator and ultimately the supreme divine principle. She comes to assume the role of creator, sustainer and even destroyer of the universe in this school. As such completely dominates their conception of the divine, and is a common focus of Pancharata worship. In the Lakshmi-tantra, a popular Pancharata devotional text, it is solely she and not Vishnu who bestows grace upon her devotees, while maintaining her previous associations with the material aspects of reality.

Although Lakshmi assumes a position of subordination Vishnu within the cult and mythology of Sri-Vaishnavism, she accompanies him at all times. Further, she plays a special role as the mediator between Lord Vishnu and his worldly devotees. While Vishnu's transcendence may seem insurmountable to the worldly devotee, Lakshmi is warm and approachable. While Vishnu is often conceived of as a stern, easily-bothered patriarch, Lakshmi represents a more soothing mother figure who willingly intervenes on his behalf. Often, it is Lakshmi who acts as the advocate for the request of a given mortal. In one such case, Vishnu insisted upon the punishing a sinner. However, before Vishnu could act, Lakshmi convinced her husband that his quickness to visit punishment upon the sinner would only compromise his reputation. In many comparable cases, Lakshmi is able to use her beauty in order to distract Vishnu, thereby causing him to stray from his original intentions. Thus, when asking for grace or forgiveness of sins, one is safest to approach Vishnu through the intermediary presence of Lakshmi.

Legends

The appearance of goddess Lakshmi is related to an ancient story. Durvasa the short-tempered sage once presented Indra, the king of the gods (devas) with a garland of flowers which would never wilt. Indra gave this garland to his elephant Airavata. Sage Durvasa saw the elephant trampling the divine garland and cursed Indra, for he had shown disrespect to the sage. The sage cursed Indra that he and all the gods would lose their power because it had made them so proud and vain. Due to the curse, the demons vanquished the gods out of the heavens.

Some versions of the story claim that Lakshmi has left the three worlds due to the fact she was insulted by Indra. In her absence, all religious activity, including sacrifice, austerity and charity, ceases to exist, and the gods lose their strength. only when she returns does the world regain its vigour and vitality, giving purpose to both human beings and gods alike.

The defeated gods then went to seek refuge to the Creator Lord Brahma who asked them to churn the ocean of milk, Ksheersagar ,to obtain the nectar of immortality. The gods then went to Lord Vishnu, to seek his assistance. Lord Vishnu took the Avatar Kurma (Tortoise) and supported the Manthara Parvata (mountain) as a churning rod, while the king of the serpents, Vasuki, became the churning rope. The gods and the demons (under the leadership of the pious and wise King Bali Chakravarti) both helped each other in churning the ocean of milk.

Amongst the host of divine gifts which appeared from the ocean, goddess Lakshmi appeared and then chose Shri Vishnu as her consort, as only He had the power to control Maya (illusion). Because of this, Lakshmi is also called the daughter of the sea; since the moon also appeared from the ocean during the churning, the moon is called her brother. Alakshmi, the goddess of misfortune, is Lakshmi's older sister. She is said to have also arisen from the sea of milk.

According to the Vishnu Purana, Lakshmi is the daughter of Bhrigu and Khyaati and resided in Swarga but due to the curse of Durvasa, she left Swarga and made Ksheersagara her home. The reappearance of Lakshmi after Samudra manthan and her marriage to Vishnu thereafter, remain [[the same. Laxmi is the power and Maya of Lord Vishnu. In some places She is seen in two forms, Bhudevi and Sridevi, both either side of Vishnu. Bhudevi is the fertility form in which She is Mother Earth. Sridevi is the wealth and knowledge of Her which is seen with Narayan. Most people are mistaken that they are separate beings although they are one, Laxmi.

Epithets

Lakshmi has many names. She is known to be very closely associated with the Lotus, and her many epithets are connected to the flower, such as:

• Padma: lotus dweller.
• Kamala: lotus dweller.
• Padmapriya: One who likes lotuses
• Padmamaladhara devi: One who wears a garland of lotuses
• Padmamukhi: One who is as beautiful as a lotus
• Padmakshi: One whose eyes are as beautiful as a lotus
• Padmahasta: One who holds a lotus
• Padmasundari: One who is as beautiful as a lotus

Her other names include:

• Bhargavi: One who is the incarnation of the daughter of Sage Bhrigu
• Sridevi: Goddess of wealth
• Chanchala: One who is fickle and does not stay at one place
• Bhumi Devi: Earth goddess
• Indira: Beautiful goddess
• Rama devi: Wife of Vishnu
• Jalaja: Born from sea.
• Aiswarya: Wealthy.

Attributes

Appearance

Sculpture of Lakshmi

Physically, goddess Lakshmi is described as a fair lady, with four arms, seated on a lotus, dressed in fine garments and precious jewels. Her expression is always calm and loving. The most striking feature of the iconography of Lakshmi is her persistent association with the lotus. The meaning of the lotus in relation to Shri-Lakshmi refers to purity and spiritual power. Rooted in the mud but blossoming above the water, completely uncontaminated by the mud, the lotus represents spiritual perfection and authority. Furthermore, the lotus seat is a common motif in Hindu iconography. Goddess Lakshmi's traditionally accepted vehicle, the owl (Ulooka in Sanskrit), is a bird that sleeps through the day and prowls through the night.

In many representations, Lakshmi is pictured along with her husband Vishnu. In most of these depictions, the couple is shown smiling, holding hands, or touching each other tenderly. Often they gaze into one another's eyes. Typically, Lakshmi is shown in a subservient position to Vishnu — this is communicated by her dramatically smaller size in comparison to him, as well as her two arms as opposed to the four she possesses when shown alone. Often, Vishnu is pictured standing while Lakshmi sits of the ground leaning upon him. In pictures or sculptures of the Lakshmi-Narayana variety, the goddess usually sits on Vishnu's left thigh, with her right arm around his neck, and his left arm around her waist. Occassionally, the two are often merged into one bisexual figure, suggesting their inseperable unity.

Consorts

Lakshmi's main consort is Vishnu, the exalted god responsible for preservation of the universe. Mythologically, they become linked in the story of the milk ocean, which is churned by the gods and demons in hopes that they will create the elixir of immortality (amrta). Vishnu presides over this activity, aiding its progression by providing Vasuki, a serpent who is used as the churning rope, and Kurma, the cosmic tortoise, an avatar of Visnu who rests the churning stick upon his back. Lakshmi arises from the churned ocean of milk and is immediatly attracted to Visnu in his position of authority. Lakshmi is thereafter linked to Lord Vishnu as his queen, and together they reside in Vaikuntha, his heavenly court. In this role she is the ideal Hindu wife, loyal and subdued, and is often pictured knelt before Vishnu, massaging his feet. Together they represent marital contentment, domestic order and the benefits of interdependence of man and wife.

Just as Vishnu incarnates into the material world to restore dharma when it has declined, so to does Lakshmi, accompanying him in the form of his wife. Most notably, Lakshmi incarnated as Sita, wife of Rama, the seventh avatar, as well as Radha, wife of Krishna, the eighth avatar. These two incarnations of Lakshmi have gone on to acquire their own significant following in Hindu mythology and religioous activity.

Lakshmi has played the role of a wife or queen to various other divine monarchs in the Hindu pantheon. She is sometimes associated with Soma, personification of the sacrificial beverage. Lakshmi attends to him after he performs the great sacrifice. Considering the almost royal authority Soma takes over the sacrifice, it is fitting that Lakshmi should accompany him. Also, Soma is closely related to plants such as the one which produces the intoxicating effects of his beverage, hence the fertile sap connects with Lakshmi's own fertile properties. Lakshmi is also considered the wife of Dharma, an apparent personification of the universal moral principle. She along with a number of her other goddesses were given to Dharma for marriage. This may serve to associate virtuous conduct, represented by the dharma, with wealth and prosperity as represented by Lakshmi. Lakshmi is also closely associated with Indra, who at one point ruled over the rest of the Vedic gods as the prevailing sky god. In this role as monarch over the rest of the henotheistic pantheon, it is fitting that he was linked with Laksmi, the personification of royal authority. Lakshmi's association with the fertile earth and Indra's association with the sky and other celestial phenomenon marks them as archetypal mythological pair of earth mother and sky god. In another fitting match, Lakshmi has also been associated with Kubera, king of the forest-dwelling race of gods called Yaksas. Kubera is considered a possessor, guardian and distributer of wealth, and as a Yaksa, is considered to be fertility symbol in Indian art. Thus, his relation with Lakshmi is obvious.

Considering all these male consorts, as well as the general inconsistency of material fortune, it is not surprising that Lakshmi gained a reputation for being somewhat fickle in character. That said, her link with Vishnu became virtually exclusive by 400 C.E., and gradually her character came to represent steadfastness and restraint.

Celebration in Hindu Society

Hindus worship Lakshmi the most on Diwali, the festival of lights. According to tradition people would put small candles outside their homes on Diwali and hope Lakshmi will come to bless them.

The prefix Sri (also spelled as Shri, pronounced as shree) renders as 'one who takes delight in Sri' Lakshmi, meaning wealth, wealth of any kind. Primarily eight kinds of wealth are established, associated with goddess Lakshmi. They are:

1)	आदि लक्ष्मी	Ādi Lakṣmī	[The main goddess]
2)	धान्य लक्ष्मी	Dhānya Lakṣmī	[Granary wealth]
3)	धैर्य लक्ष्मी	Dhairya Lakṣmī	[Wealth of courage]
4)	गज लक्ष्मी	Gaja Lakṣmī	[Elephants, symbols of wealth]
5)	सन्तान लक्ष्मी	Santāna Lakṣmī	[Wealth of progeny]
6)	विजय लक्ष्मी	Vijaya Lakṣmī	[Wealth of victory]
7)	विद्या लक्ष्मी	Vidyā Lakṣmī	[Wealth of knowledge]
8)	धन लक्ष्मी	Dhana Lakṣmī	[Monetary wealth]

Any thing that need be affluent gets the auspicious prefix or suffix 'Lakshmi', or 'Sri' like Rajya Lakshmi (Wealth of Empire), Shanti Sri (Wealth of Peace), etc. In modern India, common titles standing in for the English Mr. and Mrs. are Shri (also Sri or Shree) and Shrimati (also Srimati or Shreemati), as in "Sri Gupta" or "Srimati Mangeshkar".

Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped by those who wish to acquire or to preserve wealth. It is believed that Lakshmi (wealth) goes only to those houses which are clean and where the people are hardworking. She does not visit the places which are unclean/dirty or where the people are lazy.

Some women of villages are said to sometimes worship Sri in the form of cow dung.

In Uttarakhand, after the worship of the goddess on Diwali night, the Shankh or Conch is not blown. This is because the shank is also from the ocean like the goddess herself, so it is given a day of rest.

Laxmi is the patron goddess of Kolhapur city, Maharashtra.

Two of the most famous prayers for worshipping Ma Lakshmi are: Sri Lakshmi Stuti By Indra and Sri Sukta. There is another famous prayer pronounced by the great sage Agasti: Agasti Lakshmi Strota

Temples

• Ashta Lakshmi Temples, Chennai and Hyderabad.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Kinsley, David. "Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions" University of California Press, 1988. ISBN 978-0520063396
• Pattanaik, Devdutt. "Lakshmi: The Goddess of Wealth and Fortune-An Introduction" Vakils Feffer & Simons Ltd, 2003. ISBN 978-8187111580
• Saraswati, Swami Satyananda. "Lakshmi Puja" Sunstar Publishing, 2001. ISBN 978-1887472845

External links

• Know about Goddess Sri Lakshmi - Know about Sri Lakshmi and Her other Forms.
• Devotional hymns and eulogies on Lakshmi

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