July 08 , Issue 22
Date: 01/07/08

 

Laksmi.. The goddess of wealth, fortune, power, luxury and beauty.

 

She is very beautiful, the wife of Vishnu the protector,  Draped in a red saree, bedecked with gold ornaments, seated on a lotus, pot in hand, flanked by white elephants, the image of Laksmi adorns most Hindu homes and business establishments.
Laksmi is  one of the best known goddess in the Hindu tradition. Majestic on her red lotus, holding lotuses in her hand, she is said to grant wealth and fortune just by glancing at a person. Her left hand point to the ground; in hindu tradition this is varanda or boon giving gesture. Pictures on calendars often show her giving wealth to her devotees, a shower of gold coins flowing from her right hand.

One of the most striking of Laksmi is her persistent association with lotus. She is said to dwell on the lotus or indeed in a “forest of lotuses “, and lotuses are all about her. The association between Laksmi and the lotus consists in the fact that both are pure form of auspicious. Lakmi, also called Lakshmi, is the goddess of wealth, fortune, power, luxury, beauty, fertility, and auspiciousness.  She holds the promise of material fulfillment and contentment.  She is described as restless, whimsical yet maternal, with her arms raised to bless and to grant her blessings.

Shri is the sacred name of Lakmi.  Shri is written atop most documents and spoken before addressing a god, teacher holy man or any revered individual.  The word evokes grace, affluence abundance, auspiciousness and authority.  When the word is spoken or written an aura of holiness is established.  Whatever follows is imbued with divine blessing.  Just as the word “Om” is associated with the mystical side of life, Shri is associated with the material side of existence.

Laksmi represents the beautiful and bountiful aspect of nature.  As Bhoodevi, the earth-goddess, she nurtures life; as Shreedevi, the goddess of fortune, she bestows power, pleasure and prosperity on those who deserve her grace.  To realize her, one must respect the laws of life and appreciate the wonders of existence.

8 forms of Laksmi

Laksmi  is worshipped in eight forms, called Asta Laxsmi. The eight Laxsmis are the manifestation of Laxsmi and some of them represent her powers.
  • Laksmi as primeval …Adilaksmi
  • Goddess of grain .. Dhanyalaksmi
  • Fearless and stilling fearlessness in her devotees .. Dhairyalaksmi
  • One who is worshipped by elephants .. Gajalaksmi
  • Giving progeny through her favour.. Santanalaksmi
  • Victorious and making her devotees so .. Vijayalaksmi
  • Bestowing knowledge .. Vidyalaksmi
  •  Granting Wealth  .. Dhanalaksmi.
These eight forms are widely worshipped by hindus.

Emergence of Lakshmi

Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess who governs all form of wealth and success and the paths, means and results of all forms of prosperity. As the Consort of Lord Vishnu, who is the god of preservation, Lakshmi Devi is the goddess of health and beauty. Sri Lakshmi embodies sublime beauty, siddhi, peace, strength, balance, auspiciousness, opulence and wisdom.

Lakshmi's Incarnation into being
The story of Lakshmi's birth begins when the Devas (minor gods) were in a race against the Asuras (demons) to obtain amrit (the nectar of immorality). The Devas consulted Vishnu who was on earth as Kurma, a tortoise. They decided they would churn the oceans for the amrit. They created to churn by the threading the serpent Vasuki around MountMandara. Kurma dived to the ocean floor and balanced Mount Mandara on his back.

In the grip of Kurma's cosmic clutch, the mountain could not sink into the ocean bed. The gods churned and received the Nectar of Immortality from Lakshmi Devi and then fourteen treasures came to their hands. Lakshmi Chose Vishnu as Her Consort. Vishnu carried Lakshmi from the ocean into His heaven. Each time Vishnu descends on earth as an avatar. He is accompanied by an avatar of Lakshmi.

Meaning of Lakshmi

As a female counterpart of Lord Vishnu, Mata Lakshmi is also called "Shri", the female of the Supreme Being. Goddess Lakshmi means "Good Luck" to Hindus. The word "Lakshmi" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Laksya", meaning 'aim' or 'goal', and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. Also 'lakh' which means "one hundred thousand' as a monetary unit in India, is the first part of Lakshmi's name, symbolizing her blessings that pour forth abundantly.

Laxsmi and  Diwali

The word "Diwali" is the corruption of the Sanskrit word "Deepavali" - Deepa meaning light and Avali, meaning a row. It means a row of lights and indeed illumination forms its main attraction. Every home - lowly or mightly - the hut of the poor or the mansion of the rich - is alit with the orange glow of twinkling diyas-small earthen lamps - to welcome Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Multi-coloured Rangoli designs, floral decorations and fireworks lend picturesness and grandeur to this festival which heralds joy, mirth and happiness in the ensuring year.

Diwali is the festival of Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi visit everyone during Diwali and brings peace and prosperity to all. On the night of diwali "Lakshmi-Pujan" is performed in the evenings. A traditional Puja is performed after sunset in all the homes. Five pieces of ghee diyas (lamps) are lit in front of the deities, Naivedya of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess and devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung.

 

 

After the Puja people light diyas (lamps) in their homes to usher in light, and clear the darkness from the world. In villages cattle's are adorned and worshipped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. In south cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshipped on this day .