Difference between revisions of "Lakshmi" - New World Encyclopedia
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==Later Conception== | ==Later Conception== | ||
| − | As Hindu mythology developed and the character of Lakshmi as she is known today emerged, she maintained many of the traits of the Vedic Shri. In such a way, she came to be the personification of royalty, and was identified as the consort of a number of kingly dieties (see below). By way of her partnership, these divine monarches are able to maintain their virtue; in some cases they are even able to cultivate virtue which they did not already possess. For example, one myth tells of Bali and Prahlada, a pair of demons who abandon the whole of their demonic traits while Lakshmi lives with them. In her presence, they rule their kingdoms proprietously, and both their inner and outer virtues are refined. With Lakshmi as his side, Bali is able to defeat the mighty [[Indra]] in battle. When Lakshmi leaves each of these demons, however, they promptly lose their royal might and regress to their respective paths of turpitude. | + | As Hindu mythology developed and the character of Lakshmi as she is known today emerged, she maintained many of the traits of the Vedic Shri. In such a way, she came to be the personification of royalty, and was identified as the consort of a number of kingly dieties (see below). By way of her partnership, these divine monarches are able to maintain their virtue; in some cases they are even able to cultivate virtue which they did not already possess. For example, one myth tells of Bali and Prahlada, a pair of demons who abandon the whole of their demonic traits while Lakshmi lives with them. In her presence, they rule their kingdoms proprietously, and both their inner and outer virtues are refined. With Lakshmi as his side, Bali is able to defeat the mighty [[Indra]] in battle. When Lakshmi leaves each of these demons, however, they promptly lose their royal might and regress to their respective paths of turpitude. |
Further, she plays a special role as the mediator between her husband Lord Vishnu and his worldly devotees. While Vishnu is often conceived of as a stern, easily-bothered patriarch, Lakshmi represents a more soothing, warm and approachable mother figure who willingly intervenes in the lives of devotees on his behalf. Often, it is Lakshmi who acts as the advocate for the request of a given mortal. A myth tells of one such case where Vishnu insisted upon the harsh castigation 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 as a god of mercy and forgiveness. 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 Vishnu for grace or the forgiveness of sins, one is safest to approach him through the intermediary presence of Lakshmi. | Further, she plays a special role as the mediator between her husband Lord Vishnu and his worldly devotees. While Vishnu is often conceived of as a stern, easily-bothered patriarch, Lakshmi represents a more soothing, warm and approachable mother figure who willingly intervenes in the lives of devotees on his behalf. Often, it is Lakshmi who acts as the advocate for the request of a given mortal. A myth tells of one such case where Vishnu insisted upon the harsh castigation 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 as a god of mercy and forgiveness. 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 Vishnu for grace or the forgiveness of sins, one is safest to approach him through the intermediary presence of Lakshmi. | ||
| − | Thus, it is not surprising that Lakshmi has also maintained her role as 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. This association with abundance still includes fertility, just as with the Vedic Shri. | + | Thus, it is not surprising that Lakshmi has also maintained her role as 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. This association with abundance still includes fertility, just as with the Vedic Shri. In this function she has been given the epithet ''Aiswarya'' or "the wealthy." |
In some circles, Lakshmi has attained supremacy among the other gods and goddesses. In the [[Pancaratra]], an early school of Hinduism, Lakshmi is central in the creation of the universe, since she represents the ''shakti'', or creative power, of Vishnu. She is considered the active participant in creation, while Vishnu himself is relatively lax. With this in mind, Lakshmi has come to dominant the Pancharatra conception of the divine creator and ultimately the supreme divine principle. As such, she dominates the Pancaratra conception of the divine, and is a common focus of their worship. In the ''Lakshmi-tantra'', a popular Pancharatra devotional text, it is solely she and not Vishnu who bestows grace upon devotees. | In some circles, Lakshmi has attained supremacy among the other gods and goddesses. In the [[Pancaratra]], an early school of Hinduism, Lakshmi is central in the creation of the universe, since she represents the ''shakti'', or creative power, of Vishnu. She is considered the active participant in creation, while Vishnu himself is relatively lax. With this in mind, Lakshmi has come to dominant the Pancharatra conception of the divine creator and ultimately the supreme divine principle. As such, she dominates the Pancaratra conception of the divine, and is a common focus of their worship. In the ''Lakshmi-tantra'', a popular Pancharatra devotional text, it is solely she and not Vishnu who bestows grace upon devotees. | ||
==Legends== | ==Legends== | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
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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. | 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)]]. | + | 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)]]. |
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| − | + | Because of this, Lakshmi is also called the daughter of the sea or ''Jalaja''; 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.<ref>Pattanaik, Devdutt. ''Lakshmi: The Goddess of Wealth and Fortune-An Introduction''. Vakils Feffer & Simons Ltd, 2003 (ISBN 8187111585)</ref> | |
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| − | + | According to the [[Vishnu Purana]], Lakshmi is 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. | |
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==Attributes== | ==Attributes== | ||
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===Appearance=== | ===Appearance=== | ||
[[Image:Lakshmi.jpg|thumb|Sculpture of Lakshmi]] | [[Image:Lakshmi.jpg|thumb|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. | + | 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]]. Hence, she has been given several epithets, including ''Padma'' or ''Kamala'' ("lotus dweller"), as well as ''Padmamaladhara devi'' ("One who wears a garland of lotuses") and ''Padmasundari'' ("One who is as beautiful as a lotus"). 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. | 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. | ||
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===Consorts=== | ===Consorts=== | ||
| − | Lakshmi's main consort is Vishnu, the exalted god responsible for preservation of the universe. Although Lakshmi assumes a position of subordination Vishnu within the cult and mythology of Sri-Vaishnavism, she accompanies him at all times. Mythologically, the twp 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. | + | Lakshmi's main consort is Vishnu, the exalted god responsible for preservation of the universe. Hence, she is sometimes referred to as ''Rama devi'':, the wife of Vishnu. Although Lakshmi assumes a position of subordination Vishnu within the cult and mythology of Sri-Vaishnavism, she accompanies him at all times. Mythologically, the twp 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 (earning her the epithet ''Jalaja'' or "daughter of the sea"<ref>Alternative stories of Lakshmi's origin hold her to be the daughter of [[Bhrigu]] and Khyaati. Originally, she resided in the heavenly realm of [[Swarga]] but due to the curse of [[Durvasa]], she left Swarga and made Ksheersagara her home.</ref>) 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 religious activity. | 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 religious activity. | ||
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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 [[henotheism|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. | 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 [[henotheism|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. | + | 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. Hence, she has been given the epithet ''Chanchala'', or "the one who does not stay at one place." That said, her link with Vishnu became virtually exclusive by 400 C.E., and gradually her character came to represent steadfastness and restraint. |
==Worship== | ==Worship== | ||
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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]] | 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]] | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 17:59, 16 May 2007
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Lakshmi (Sanskrit: लक्ष्मी lakṣmī;) is the Hindu goddess of wealth, luck, beauty and fertility. She is also commonly known as Shri, connecting her to a very similar goddess from the Vedas of the same name who was prototypical of Lakshmi in many ways (hence she is commonly given the moniker Shri-Lakshmi). Lakshmi is the consort of Vishnu, the preserver god in the Hindu Trinity, and is said to have married each one of his earthly incarnations including Rama (in her incarnation as Sita), and Krishna (as Radha). She is commonly described as having pleasant, motherly traits, and as such serves as a kind of intermediary between human beings and her more irascible husband. Representations of Lakshmi are common in Hindu temples, and she is one of the most popular deities in the entire Hindu pantheon. She is particularly prominent in Sri-Vaishnavism, the monotheistic devotional school of Hinduism which worships Vishnu, as well as in the Pancarata school, where she is worshipped as the supreme creator.
Early Conceptions
Lakshmi herself does not appear in the early Vedas, although the term shri to which which she is closely related often does. In these early texts shri is related to a quality all at once encompassing 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. Early myths also speak of Shri as a goddess, who is said to personify ten qualities which are coveted by the other divine beings: food, royal dominion, holiness, kingdom, fortune, sovereignty, nobility, power, righteousness and beauty. Clearly, this term sri and its early personification 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 probably dating back to the 7th century B.C.E. or earlier, the character of Sri-Lakshmi begins to become more evident. Here the goddess is called upon to bestow fame and prosperity to her worshipers, as well as more concrete rewards such as livestock and riches. She is also conceived in this hymn as the epitome of augustness, ornamented in decadent gold and silver, all the while seated upon a chariot drawn by the finest horses. It is also here that Lakshmi becomes linked with the lotus and the elephant, two symbols which have been closely related to her ever since. The lotus symbolizes her transcendence of the physical world, since it is rooted in the mud of the primordial waters yet blossoms in uncontaminated form above the water. The elephants, meanwhile, shower Lakshmi with water, representing the fertilizing power of rain, as well as her royal authority. She is also associated in this hymn with symbols of fertility, such as fertile cowdung and the fecund soil of harvest.
Later Conception
As Hindu mythology developed and the character of Lakshmi as she is known today emerged, she maintained many of the traits of the Vedic Shri. In such a way, she came to be the personification of royalty, and was identified as the consort of a number of kingly dieties (see below). By way of her partnership, these divine monarches are able to maintain their virtue; in some cases they are even able to cultivate virtue which they did not already possess. For example, one myth tells of Bali and Prahlada, a pair of demons who abandon the whole of their demonic traits while Lakshmi lives with them. In her presence, they rule their kingdoms proprietously, and both their inner and outer virtues are refined. With Lakshmi as his side, Bali is able to defeat the mighty Indra in battle. When Lakshmi leaves each of these demons, however, they promptly lose their royal might and regress to their respective paths of turpitude.
Further, she plays a special role as the mediator between her husband Lord Vishnu and his worldly devotees. While Vishnu is often conceived of as a stern, easily-bothered patriarch, Lakshmi represents a more soothing, warm and approachable mother figure who willingly intervenes in the lives of devotees on his behalf. Often, it is Lakshmi who acts as the advocate for the request of a given mortal. A myth tells of one such case where Vishnu insisted upon the harsh castigation 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 as a god of mercy and forgiveness. 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 Vishnu for grace or the forgiveness of sins, one is safest to approach him through the intermediary presence of Lakshmi.
Thus, it is not surprising that Lakshmi has also maintained her role as 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. This association with abundance still includes fertility, just as with the Vedic Shri. In this function she has been given the epithet Aiswarya or "the wealthy."
In some circles, Lakshmi has attained supremacy among the other gods and goddesses. In the Pancaratra, an early school of Hinduism, Lakshmi is central in the creation of the universe, since she represents the shakti, or creative power, of Vishnu. She is considered the active participant in creation, while Vishnu himself is relatively lax. With this in mind, Lakshmi has come to dominant the Pancharatra conception of the divine creator and ultimately the supreme divine principle. As such, she dominates the Pancaratra conception of the divine, and is a common focus of their worship. In the Lakshmi-tantra, a popular Pancharatra devotional text, it is solely she and not Vishnu who bestows grace upon devotees.
Legends
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 or Jalaja; 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.[1]
According to the Vishnu Purana, Lakshmi is 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.
Attributes
Appearance
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. Hence, she has been given several epithets, including Padma or Kamala ("lotus dweller"), as well as Padmamaladhara devi ("One who wears a garland of lotuses") and Padmasundari ("One who is as beautiful as a lotus"). 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.
It is almost as common to see Lakshmi depicted with Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, as it is to see her with Vishnu, particularly in Northern India. This is not surprising, since Ganesha is comparable to Lakshmi in his ability to remove obstacles, bestow blessings of material wealth, and provide worshipers with good luck. Further, this association hearkens back to Lakshmi's early connection with elephants.
Consorts
Lakshmi's main consort is Vishnu, the exalted god responsible for preservation of the universe. Hence, she is sometimes referred to as Rama devi:, the wife of Vishnu. Although Lakshmi assumes a position of subordination Vishnu within the cult and mythology of Sri-Vaishnavism, she accompanies him at all times. Mythologically, the twp 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 (earning her the epithet Jalaja or "daughter of the sea"[2]) 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 religious 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. Hence, she has been given the epithet Chanchala, or "the one who does not stay at one place." That said, her link with Vishnu became virtually exclusive by 400 C.E., and gradually her character came to represent steadfastness and restraint.
Worship
Lakshmi is one of the most widely worshipped Hindu deities, which is most likely attributeable to her reputation for granting good luck, material fortune and fertility.
Hindus worship Lakshmi the most on Diwali, the festival of lights. This festival is held in late autumn. According to tradition people would put small candles outside their homes on Diwali and hope Lakshmi will come to bless them. This is a time in which people hope for material prosperity. Often during this festival many Hindus, particularly businessmen, can be seen worshiping their account books. Diwali is also associated with agriculture. Farmers worship their crops and offer sacrifices of goats and sheep. Furthermore, they will often pay visits to the dunghill, which is collected for the purpose of fertilizing future crops, genuflecting before it so as to ensure abundant crops in the future. Since this festival comes near the end of the year, it is said that ghosts of the dead return to earth. A demon by the name of Bali emerges from the underworld and rules for a span of three days, while goblins and ghosts roam about. All throughout the festival Lakshmi is invoked so as to mitigate the effects of the demon king's rule. By lighting lamps and creating cacophony by way of pots and pans, Hindus believe that they are assisting Lakshmi as she banishes the demonic female spirit Alakshmi related with bad luck and misfortune. Over the course of Divali, small clay images of the goddess along with Ganesha, the elephant-headed god thought to remove obstacles, are worshiped within homes and shops throughout Northern India.
Lakshmi is also venerated during the Kaumudi-purnima festival. Here, women venerate Lakshmi upon a mound of new grain, recounting a story which describes Lakshmi's disappearance the subsequent disappearance of crops. With her return comes the return of abundance. Similarly, during the Durga-Puja festival, Lakshmi is also praised for her ability to renew vigor in the crops.
There are a number of festivals which place focus upon Lakshmi in her relation to Vishnu. During the summer, it is thought that Vishnu falls asleep for several months. Thus, during this time a festival is held in which Hindus pray that they will not lose their spouse by untimely means. During this festival, Lakshmi and Vishnu are celebrated as the archetypal figures of marital bliss, and Lakshmi is recognized in her role as a devoted wife. During another festival involving the divine couple, Lakshmi is said to leave his home in order to take on another consort for a brief period of time. Meanwhile, Lakshmi plays the role of a jealous wife, breaking Vishnu's vehicle and temporarily locking him out of their home.
Lakshmi is a consistent focal point of vratas, religious vows in which devotees ask for her blessing while promising to undertake some act of devotion to her in return. The boons requested or Lakshmi most commonly are marital fidelity, longevity of the marital partner, fertility of crops, and material fortune.
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
Notes
- ↑ Pattanaik, Devdutt. Lakshmi: The Goddess of Wealth and Fortune-An Introduction. Vakils Feffer & Simons Ltd, 2003 (ISBN 8187111585)
- ↑ Alternative stories of Lakshmi's origin hold her to be the daughter of Bhrigu and Khyaati. Originally, she resided in the heavenly realm of Swarga but due to the curse of Durvasa, she left Swarga and made Ksheersagara her home.
ReferencesISBN 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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