by Goddess Lakshmi is the wife of Lord Vishnu (One of the Supreme Gods) and one of the most powerful Goddess in the Hindu mythology. She is the giver of prosperity, wealth and fortune. Her hands signify the four objectives of human life- Kama, Artha, Dharma and Moksha. Representations of Goddess Laxmi can also be traced in Jain monuments. She also resembles Goddess Vasudhara; mentioned in the Buddhist sects of Nepal, Tibet and Southeast Asia regions.
Mata Lakshmi is also known as Thirumagal as she possesses six propitious and divine powers equal to Vishnu. It is said that when Lord Vishnu took birth on Earth as avatars- Lord Rama and Krishna; she also descended as his wife as Sita (wife of Rama) and Rukmini (wife of Krishna). The marriage of Lakshmi and Vishnu as narrated by Patricia Monaghan is “the model for ceremonies and rituals for the groom and bride in Hindu marriages”.
Goddess Lakshmi icons and coinage have been found in various parts of Southeast Asia. Her statues are present in various Hindu temples, which are estimated to be from 1st Millennium AD.
Festivals like Sharad Purnima and Diwali festival are celebrated in her honour. In the present age, she is worshiped as the provider of wealth and fortune. Goddess Lakshmi blesses her devotees with all the divinities bestowed in her. Her blessings instill the real knowledge in her devotees, and they are enlightened about the greater aspects of life.
Different names of Goddess Lakshmi in Hindu mythology
Padma: Lotus-resident
Kamala: Lotus-resident
Padmapriya: One who likes lotuses
Padmamaladhara devi: One who wears a chain of lotuses
Padmamukhi: One whose face is as beautiful as a lotus
Padmakshi: One whose eyes are as beautiful as a lotus
Padmahasta: One who has a lotus in hand
Padmasundari: One who is as beautiful like lotus
Srija: Jatika of goddess Lakshmi
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Different Types of Goddess Laxmi
Lakshmi has many facet representing various forms of wealth. Hindu tradition recognizes eight forms of Lakshmi collectively known as Ashta lakshmi (eight Lakshmi), each represents a particular type of wealth, known as:
Adilakshmi (First),
Dhanyalakshmi (crops),
Dhairyalakshmi (courage, also known as Veera Lakshmi),
Gaja lakshmi (elephants),
Santanalakshmi (children),
Vijayalakshmi (victory),
Vidyalakshmi (education, also known as Aishwarya Lakshmi),
Dhanalakshmi (riches)
Mata Laxmi Beej Mantra
Maa Laxmi Beej Mantra is origin of all spiritual powers of Goddess Laxmi. The Beej Mantra of Goddess is only श्रीं (shree) , which is combined with other words to form various Mantras. Its a assured way to please the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. “Beej” means basic or the root. If prayed with complete devotion, it produces great results. This mantra cleanses and purifies our heart and opens doors for wealth, prosperity and well being that transforms our life.Find all Goddess Lakshmi Mantras.
Lakshmi Beej Mantra is:
ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्मीयै नमः||
OM Shreem Maha Lakshmiyei Namaha ||
ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं क्लीम महालक्ष्मी नमः||
OM Hreem Shreem Kleem Maha Lakshmi Namaha
The icons/symbols of Lakshmi
The sculptures, images and icons of Lakshmi are symbolic in nature. Her arms represent the four goals of a human life in Hinduism-Kama (search of emotion and love), Artha (quest of wealth, the way of life), Dharma (morality and ethic of life) and Moksha (freedom from the system of birth and rebirth).
Also Check: How to do Maa laxmi puja on diwali at home
Icons of devi Lakshmi are traditionally seen carrying a lotus in both the hands. Lotus has symbolized various things in the Hindu Mythology. It is a sign of self-realization, knowledge, consciousness and reality according to various puranic Indian texts. Lotus blossoms in dirty or clean water, meaning that purity grows irrespective of bad and good circumstances. Goddess Lakshmi is also, occasionally, revealed with an owl and two elephants. Owls cannot see the daylight, meaning that one should not be blinded when wealth and knowledge are accumulated. Elephants symbolize strength, activity, water and rain for unblemished prosperity. Few well known symbols of Goddess lakshmi are Lotus Flower, Elephant, Shri, Owl, Cowrie (कौड़ी) and Ekakshi Nariyal (Coconut).
How to worship goddess laxmi
(1) Always Keep your house and clothes clean; It is very important as most ancient books says that the Goddess appreciates cleanliness and visits the cleanest homes very first. Light lamps on main door of your home in the morning and evening.
(2) Decorate the pooja room with lights and fresh Rose & Lotus flowers; this is vital as it gives the whole atmosphere a spiritual feel.
(3) Have Silver Lakshmi statue in your pooja room and place it correctly. For this, place a small silver plate with a red cloth on it. Place statue of goddess with a few silver coins, Moti shankh (Pearl Conch), Cowrie (कौड़ी) and Ekakshi Nariyal. Everyday offer fresh Lotus and Rose flowers to devi.
(4) Place silver Ganesha statue to the southwest of Goddess Lakshmi in the same plate.
(5) Recite Goddess Lakshmi Mantras every morning and evening. In order to get prosperity, happiness and wealth, recite Mantras by offering lotus flowers and Kheer (White sweet) to Mata.
(6) Before chanting mantras, Light deep, dhoop or incense sticks, offer sweets, fresh flowers, saffron paste and fragrance to the idol.
The Female Energy of Vishnu
As the spouse of Vishnu, she enjoys all the divine powers of the Lord. Goddess Laxmi is worshiped in India from primitive times. Though there are legends narrating the various stories of the goddess, yet, otherwise it is impossible to tell the exact time of her existence. There are various temples supporting the truth behind the stories; however, there is no proof. It is the same with all gods and goddesses that exist in the world. They are a matter of belief. They exist for people, who believe in them and don’t for those who don’t believe.
One can never be sure about the existence of any god or goddess and can only offer their prayers on the basis of their belief. Likewise, Goddess Laxmi is the Goddess of Wealth and blesses those, who praise her with wealth and fortune. You can achieve all by worshiping her. She is equally famous in people from the business class as she is in any other. Every Hindu family offers her their prayers, with the thought that the Goddess will make all arrangements to keep that family wealthy and satisfied in life.
Maa Laxmi is the most cherished Goddess in Hindu festivals like Dusshera and Diwali. It is a popular belief that the Goddess blesses all those who worship at night during these festivals. Some people also go to the extent of keeping their doors open until midnight to allow free access to their homes when the Goddess Lakshmi visits.
She has eight forms according to the Hindu myths. She is also the provider of food grains, progenitor, prosperity and wealth, courage, valour, victory and knowledge. The one who is blessed by the divine deity will possess all that the Goddess gives. He will be victorious in life and his family will prosper. She is also known as AsthaLakshmi as she has eight forms.
Through all these forms, Goddess Lakshmi blesses her devotees and takes care of them. In the Hindu Mythology, huge importance is given to Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Laxmi is the giver of wealth, which is why everyone looks up to her in times of trouble.
The Purnakumbha
A pitcher or an earthen pot- known as the Purnakumbh of water with mango leaves and a coconut is placed at the side of the Goddess, before commencing the Puja. The Purnakumbha means a “full pitcher”. In this, the pot represents the mother earth; nobody can deny the importance of water for human life, so water is the life giver, the leaves are life and coconut is the divine consciousness.
The Prasad
Prasad is the food offered to the Goddess at the time of puja. In our ignorance (avidya), we offer food to Gods and Goddess. Maa Laxmi likes white color sweets like kheer, Mawa ke laddo and sweets made by Milk . The food thus stands for our ignorant consciousness, which we offer to the God for our divine enlightenment. After the deity permeates the food with light and knowledge and instills within us, a new life it transforms us into divinity. We share Prasad and the knowledge acquired in the whole process. It is also believed that the more the Prasad is distributed, the more knowledge and good it will do to us.
Goddess Lakshmi is considered to bless her devotees with unlimited wealth. In the true sense, God is not a being but energy. He is motionless, shapeless and even divine. He can neither be created nor be destroyed. He is just there. Goddess Laxmi is also referred to as “Shakti” or power to transform the life of anyone. She helps in the preservation, creation and destruction of the world to constantly evolve mankind. Knowingly or unknowingly, we are always being blessed or punished. Blessed for all the good deeds and punished for the bad ones. It is, therefore, said that one should perform good and pious deeds to lead a good and tension free life.
