Lakshmi (deity)

Symbols: Lotus; elephant; shri; gold; earthen lamp; Hindu swastika; om; dhanya (cereals)

Culture: Hindu

Mother: Khyaati

Father: Sage Bhrigu

Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth and good fortune. She is the consort of Lord Vishnu, the second god of the Hindu triumvirate (trimurti). Vishnu is the Preserver or the Protector, in the trimurti concept of Hinduism, which personifies the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction. Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva personify creation and destruction respectively.

Lakshmi is commonly depicted as a beautiful woman with four hands, standing on a lotus flower. In two hands she holds lotus flowers that represent realization of the Self as the supreme goal of life. Her lower right hand is shown offering blessings of fortune, while her lower left hand is shown in benediction or blessing.

In Mythology

Lakshmi’s hands represent the four highest blessings of human existence, namely dharma (acts of righteousness and duty), artha (wealth), kama (sensual pleasures), and moksha (final liberation). She wears a lotus garland, and the elephants seen on either side of her are depicted offering items such as garlands or pouring water over her. When her complexion is golden yellow, she is represented as the source of all fortune and wealth. When pinkish, it represents her mood of mercy or compassion toward all creatures since she is also the mother of all beings. When her complexion is white, she is seen as the highest mode of nature from which the universe has sprung.

In her first incarnation, Lakshmi was the daughter of the sage Bhrigu and his wife Khyati. In her second incarnation, according to Hindu mythology, she appeared out of the churning of the Milky Ocean. Indra, the warrior god, was responsible for protecting the world against the demons, which he had successfully done for many years. The presence of the goddess Lakshmi had made him certain of success, which made him arrogant.

One day Indra, the King of Devas (gods), while riding on an elephant came across Sage Durvasa who offered him a special garland. Indra accepted the garland and placed it on the trunk of the elephant to prove that he was not an egoistic god. But the elephant, knowing that Indra had little control over his ego, flung the garland the ground, which enraged the sage. The garland, a dwelling of Sri (fortune) and was to be treated as a prasada or religious offering. The enraged sage cursed Indra and all Devas, causing them to lose their strength, energy, and fortune. The power of the gods declined and the asuras (demons) grew powerful.

Indra turned to Vishnu for advice and Vishnu told Indra that the gods needed to churn the Milky Ocean to regain Lakshmi and her blessings. The ocean also held other treasures, including the elixir of life, a potion bestowing immortality, which would help them defeat the demons. Vishnu also told him to be diplomatic with the asuaras. The Devas formed an alliance with the asuras to obtain the elixir and share it with them, but Vishnu told the Devas he would arrange that they alone would obtain the elixir.

Acting on the advice, the gods worked together with the asuras to churn the ocean for many years, but it was 1,000 years before the treasures rose to the surface. The treasure included a beautiful woman standing on a lotus flower. Lakshmi had returned to the world and thanks to her presence, the gods eventually defeated the demons and chased them out of the world.

The story highlights how Lakshmi bestows fortune and success upon those who work hard and seek help sincerely. It also holds a moral lesson against becoming arrogant or complacent in success.

Hinduism recognizes the concept of Ashta Lakshmi, in which there are eight secondary manifestations of Shri-Lakshmi. Adi Lakshmi is the first manifestation of Lakshmi and in this incarnation she is the daughter of Bhrigu, a sage. The second, Dhana Lakshmi, symbolises wealth. The third is Dhanya Lakshmi and in this manifestation she is the giver of life-sustaining corn. Next come Gaja Lakshmi, giver of elephants and cattle, and Santana Lakshmi, symbolizing wealth of continuity and progeny. The sixth incarnation is Veera Lakshmi, who bestows valor in battle and courage and strength to overcome obstacles. Vijaya Lakshmi is the seventh incarnation and symbolizes wealth of victory, and Vidya Lakshmi, the eighth incarnation, bestows knowledge and education.

Origins and Cults

There are not many temples dedicated exclusively to the goddess Lakshmi. In most Hindu temples she has a spot next to Lord Vishnu, or a small shrine. But in some temples dedicated to Lakshmi she is seen on a central throne, along with her eight secondary manifestations, four on either side of her, with the hands holding various objects representing her different powers. In Gajalakshmi, which is the most popular of the manifestations, Lakshmi is portrayed with four arms, standing on an eight-petaled lotus. This aspect is found mostly positioned above doorframes of houses or temples.

According to Hindu belief one should worship Lakshmi sincerely, and not out of greed, to be blessed with fortune and success. Lakshmi is said to reside in places of hard work and bravery, but leaves the place in the absence these virtues. Lakshmi is particularly worshipped during the festival of Diwali, which commemorates the epic story Ramayana. Ramayana is the legend of Lord Rama and his victory over the demon king, Ravana. Hindus across the world celebrate Diwali in honor of the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana from exile fourteen years after Rama defeated Ravana. Diwali is also celebrated as a five-day-long festival in many parts of India. The festival starts off with Dhanteras, which also marks the day Lakshmi rose from the churning Milky Ocean. On that day, Hindus buy gold and silver and start new business ventures. On the third day, Lakshmi Puja, which is the main festive day, people wear new clothes or their best outfits and as the evening approaches, diyas(earthen lights) are lit, and pujas (prayers) are offered to Lakshmi.

In India, Hindus are not the only ones who venerate the goddess Lakshmi. Buddhists and Jains also venerate her. The Buddhist Jatakas include tales of men and women who call upon the goddess Lakshmi to rid them of the goddess of misfortune, Kalakanni. According to Jain scriptures, when an exalted soul like a Tirthankara is about to be born, the goddess Lakshmi appears in his mother’s dreams along with other auspicious things.

Bibliography

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Das, Subhamoy. "Ashtalakshmi—The 8 Forms of Lakshmi." About Religion. About.com, 2016. Web. 28 Feb. 2016. <http://hinduism.about.com/od/hindugoddesses/ss/Ashtalakshmi.htm>.

Devdutt. "Demon Father." Devdutt. Devdutt, 18 April 2012. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <http://devdutt.com/articles/indian-mythology/demon-father.html>.

"Lakshmi." BBC: Religions. BBC, 24 Aug. 2009. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/deities/lakshmi.shtml>.

Pattanaik, Devdutt. "The ancient story of goddess Lakshmi—bestower of power, wealth and sovereignty." Quartz India. Quartz, 10 Nov. 2015. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. <http://qz.com/545655/the-ancient-story-of-goddess-lakshmi-bestower-of-power-wealth-and-sovereignty/>.