Lakshmi is the consort of lord Vishnu. She is regarded as the goddess of
wealth and fortune. The word ''Lakshmi'' has been derived from the
Sanskrit word Lakshay, meaning "aim" or ''goal''. Thus the Goddess
suggests all the worldly and spiritual success in life. Lakshmi provides
material and spiritual wealth, luxury, fertility, fortune, purity,
beauty, power, generosity and auspiciousness to its devotees.
Goddess
Lakshmi is visualized as a beautiful golden complexioned lady draped in
red saree bordered with golden lining, bejeweled with much jewelry
sitting or standing on lotus. The auspicious red color symbolizes
activity and the golden embroidery denotes prosperity. Each of the four
hands of Lakshmi represents the four ends of human life, Dharma
(righteousness), Kama (desires), Artha (wealth), and Moksha (liberation)
from the cycle of birth and death. The four arms represent the four
directions and symbolize omnipresence and supremacy of the deity. The
obverse hands represent the activities in material world and the back
hands indicate the pious activities.
The lotus bud
in both the rear hands stands for beauty, purity, spirituality and
fertility. The seat of Laxmi, fully blossomed lotus is a seat of divine
truth, it signifies that as lotus don’t get wet even growing in water
one should never get obsessed with the wealth and just enjoy it.
Continuous
flow of gold coins from her hands, illustrates that she blesses people
with wealth. The two elephants standing next to the Goddess symbolize
the name and fame. Sometimes many pictures depict four elephants
standing next to the goddess and spraying water from golden pots. The
vessels are wisdom and purity and water being sprayed means gain of
spiritual as well as material prosperity by virtue of continuous
self-support governed by dharma, wisdom and purity.
Owl, the
symbol of wisdom is considered her vehicle or vahan.
MahaLaxmi
Mula Mantra:Om Sri Maha Lakshmyai Namah
"Shri'' Another
name given to Laxmi in Hindu mythology is ''Shri''. The word therefore
relates with money or finance. Hindus whenever starts any new work,
especially related with business write ''Shri'' on top of the documents.
It also symbolizes respect, grace, affluence, abundance, authority and
auspiciousness. That is why Indians usually speak “Shri” before
addressing a god, or any revered individual.
Goddess Lakshmi
on DiwaliPeople believe Lakshmi resides only where there is
virtue, truth and compassion. She stays at a clean place. Hindus worship
Lakshmi ceremonially and pray for well being and prosperity of the
family on Diwali. Firmly it is believed that the goddess visits every
home in the night and blesses the people with wealth.