Lakshmi

Stephanie Mavin and Erika Lewis

About Lakshmi

• goddess of wealth, fortune, love, prosperity, beauty, fertility, auspiciousness
• worrshipped by those who wish to acquire or preserve wealth
• worshipped in home shrines and temples, given special poojas during Diwali (Festival of Lights)
• is the consort of Lord Vishnu
• took various forms to accompany Vishnu - Sita with Rama, Rukmini with Krishna
• mother of Brahma
• Ashta Lakshmi are her eight different forms/secondary manifestations, each of which bestows a different wealth on her devotees
• cut off her breast in worship of Shiva; Shiva transformed Lakshmi's breast into Bael fruit
• originally known as being restless and fleeting, very inconstant
• later united with Vishnu, became a loyal, steadfast, and obedient wife who vowed to meet with her husband in every future reincarnation

Description

Lakshmi is sometimes shown sitting and sometimes sttanding, but is always on a lotus flower. Although she is depicted as a young woman, she has a motherly air about her. Lakshmi has four arms, a serene expression, and a red saree. In each of her two topmost hands she holds a lotus flower and wears a garland of lotus. Her lower hands hold abhaya and varada mudras. In her lap there is a pot overflowing with riches and gold. She is accompanied by two to four elephants holding lotus garlands or spraying water.

Symbols

Four Arms: represent the four directions and her willingness to and availability to help in all four directions in space; also signify the four ends of human life – dharma, wealth, pleasure, and moksha

Lotus Flower: we should enjoy the wealth and prosperity she brings, but should also not get attached to material goods; live life like a lotus that is untouched by water even when it dwells in it; represents spiritual perfection and authority, purity and power

Owl: Lakshmi relies on Uluka (the owl) for transportation; flies at night watching for thieves and bad deeds, then reports to Lakshmi; dull and lethargic (meant to be amusing that it has been chosen to transport someone)

Red Saree: always busy distributing wealth and prosperity to devotees

Gold and Riches: representative of the wealth recieved from her

Elephants: two elephants signify the fame and name associated with worldly wealth; four elephants signify the four ends of human life - dharma, wealth, pleasure, and moksha

Alternate Names

• Lola - means capricious
• Jaya
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