The tantric aspect in Devi Upanishad, says June McDaniel, is the usage of the terms yantra, bindu, bija, mantra, shakti and chakra. Friday is believed to be the most auspicious day for her worship. Jean Holm and John Bowke (1998), Picturing God, Bloomsbury Academic. Book 7, Chapter 115 of Atharva Veda describes the plurality, asserting that a hundred Lakshmis are born with the body of a mortal at birth, some good, Punya ('virtuous') and auspicious, while others bad, paapi ('evil') and unfortunate. Complete collection of Goddess Durga names. She represents the Rajas guna, and the Iccha-shakti. In the ancient scriptures of India, all women are declared to be embodiments of Lakshmi. Complete collection of Goddess Lakshmi names. 'Noble'),[12] is one of the principal goddesses in Hinduism. Worshipping Goddess Parvati gives determination and strength. [1][2], Devi and deva are Sanskrit terms found in Vedic literature around the 3rd millennium BCE. It is said that Lakshmi resides in places of hard work, virtue and bravery, but leaves whenever these qualities are not apparent any more. [39] She is a major goddess in Puranas and Itihasa of Hinduism. When Lakshmi attempted to soothe Saraswati's anger by reasoning with her, the jealous goddess grew angry with her as well, accusing her of disloyalty towards her. Sometimes, another kind of fruit, the Mahaliilga (a citron) is shown instead of Bilva. Roveda, Vitorio. bhadrai lakmrnihitdhi vci, "an auspicious fortune is attached to their words", In Atharva Veda, transcribed about 1000 BCE, Lakshmi evolves into a complex concept with plural manifestations. Her colour is variously described as dark, pink, golden yellow or white. She is the consort and active energy of Vishnu . [28] She is the mother of Hindu gods Ganesha and Kartikeya. https://www.learnreligions.com/lakshmi-goddess-of-wealth-and-beauty-1770369 (accessed December 12, 2022). Kali appears as an independent deity, or like Durga, viewed as the wife of Shiva. In Hinduism, especially Shaktism (a theological tradition of Hinduism), Shakti (Devanagari: , IAST: akti; lit. In the medieval era composed texts such as the Puranas, she emerges as a prominent goddess in the context of crisis, when evil asuras were on the ascent. In Buddhist sects of Tibet, Nepal and Southeast Asia, goddess Vasudhara mirrors the characteristics and attributes of Hindu goddess Lakshmi, with minor iconographic differences. He is the ocean, she is the shore. This caused drought conditions upon the earth, but Vishnu assured that the ocean would be filled by the flow of Ganga on the planet. Lakshmi. Others represent peace, protection, love and other religious meanings. The gods approach Prajapati and request permission to kill her and then take her powers, talents, and gifts. When Ganga appealed to her husband to help her, he opted to remain neutral, not wishing to participate in a quarrel between his three wives, whom he loved equally. Red symbolizes activity, and the golden lining indicates prosperity. [39] These include:[124], A representation of the goddess as Gaja Lakshmi or Lakshmi flanked by two elephants spraying her with water, is one of the most frequently found in archaeological sites. Mahalakshmi Temple Kallur [Second Kolhapur], Sri Lakshmi Kuberar Temple,Rathinamangalam, Kanakadhara Mahalakshmi Temple,Punnorkode, Pazhamthottam, Mahalakshmi Kollapuradamma Temple,Ratnagiri, Shri Kollapuradamma Sri Mahalakshmi temple , Chitradurga, Mahalakshmi temple delaware, United States, This page was last edited on 24 November 2022, at 21:38. A Parasarthy (1983), Symbolism in Hinduism, CMP. SN Desai (2005), Hinduism in Thai Life, Popular Prakashan. 30, No. 118, page 17. 14, No. Due to their request, Ganga began drowning each son upon birth while Shantanu watched without questioning. Sage Kapila advised that only the water of the Ganges, which flowed flowed from Svarga, could liberate them. There is a traditional celebration of the moon and is also called the Kaumudi celebration, Kaumudi meaning moonlight. "Lakshmi: The Hindu Goddess of Wealth and Beauty." The sacred lotus flower representing Lakshmi. Tracy Pintchman (2001), Seeking Mahadevi: Constructing the Identities of the Hindu Great Goddess, State University of New York Press. In honour of this, on the second day of Diwali people light candles in their homes to guide Lakshmi, in the hope that she will bestow good fortune on their home for the coming year. They too had been cursed and had asked Ganga to end their life when they were born to her on earth. [13] When Ganga descended, Bhagiratha led her to the sea. [75][76][77], Devi Bhagavata Purana gives prime position to Mahadevi as the mother of all-encompassing the three worlds and gives her the position of being all of universe the material and the spiritual. In Puranic literature such as the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, she is known as the Goddess of love and is also described as the "Prakriti" along with goddess Lakshmi, Parvati, Saraswati and Gayatri. Known by many names, Ganga is often depicted as a fair, beautiful woman, riding a divine crocodile-like creature called the makara. Vasuki, the great venom-spewing serpent-god, was wrapped around the mountain and used to churn the ocean. In the feminist Shaktidharma denomination of Hinduism, the supreme deity Mahadevi manifests as the goddess Mahasaraswati in order to create, as the goddess Mahalaxmi in order to preserve, and as the goddess Mahakali (Parvati) in order to destroy. Some sources propose Mahanishita Kaal also to perform Lakshmi Puja. Wandering about from place to place, The word Lakshmi is derived from the Sanskrit word Laksya, meaning "aim" or "goal," and in the Hindu faith, she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity of all forms, both material and spiritual. A host of divine celestial objects came up during the churning. Parvati's face turns pitch dark, and suddenly Kali springs forth from Parvati's forehead. In RV 1.116.1819, the Jahanvi and the Ganga River Dolphin occur in two adjacent verses. The story tells us that Rama had been cast out of his rightful kingdom, and had gone to live in a forest with his wife and brother. In Hinduism, Ganga is seen as a mother to humanity. [93] In many parts of the region, Andal is considered as an incarnation of Lakshmi. As a female counterpart of Lord Vishnu, Mata Lakshmi is also called "Shr," the female energy of the Supreme Being. John Stratton Hawley and Donna Marie Wulff (1998), Devi: Goddesses of India, Motilal Banarsidass, Stella Kramrisch (1975), The Indian Great Goddess, History of Religions, Vol. She is also known as Kaushiki, Katyayani, Asthadasabuja Mahalakshmi and Mahishasuramardini Ganga Jayanthi falls on Saptami of Vaishakh month's shukla paksha. Tripura Sundari (Sanskrit: , IAST: Tripura Sundar), also known as Rajarajeshwari, Shodashi, Kamakshi, and Lalita is a Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of supreme goddess Mahadevi mainly venerated in Shaktism, the goddess-oriented sect of Hinduism.She is also a prominent Mahavidya. A ml of crystals, representing the power of meditation, a pot of water represents powers to purify the right from wrong. Tvarita: This is a unique name for Goddess Durga and stands for her strength. For example, she is exhibited with Vishnu in Parshvanatha Jain Temple at the Khajuraho Monuments of Madhya Pradesh,[132] where she is shown pressed against Vishnu's chest, while Vishnu cups a breast in his palm. They are Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshvari, Indrani, Kaumari, Varahi and Chamundi or Narasimhi. Parvati's numerous aspects, states Gross, reflects the Hindu belief that the feminine has universal range of activities, and her gender is not a limiting condition. The devas and asuras both sought immortality and decided to churn the Kshira Sagara with Mount Mandhara. [83] The adepts ritually construct triangle yantras with proper use of visualization, movement, and mantra. On this day, sisters of all ages tie a talisman or amulet called the Rakhi around the wrists of their brothers. The ancient Romans were staunch believers in the powers of amulets, pendants and other good luck charms, but few talismans are as unusual as the tintinnabulum. [60] In this aspect, she represents the omnipotent Shakti of Shiva. It is believed that on this full moon night the goddess herself visits the homes and replenishes the inhabitants with wealth. The story of the Churning of the Ocean tells of how the gods worked together to churn the ocean. [45][46] In modern times, Lakshmi is worshipped as the goddess of wealth. Many of the hindu symbols in this religion represent the many gods, goddesses, teachings and philosophies of Hinduism. In her first incarnation, according to the Puranas, she was the daughter of the sage Bhrigu and his wife Khyati. [51] She is also part of Tridevi which consists of Saraswati, Parvati (goddess of power, fertility, love, beauty), and Lakshmi (goddess of material wealth, prosperity, and fortune). Vishnu incarnated as Kurma, the tortoise, and a mountain was placed on the tortoise as a churning pole. Her vehicle is the white owl. Since the Vedic period, the Ganga River has been considered the holiest of all rivers by Hindus. Lakshmi, also called Sri, is the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity (both material and spiritual). [18][19][20], Devi-inspired philosophy is propounded in many Hindu texts such as the Devi Upanishad, which teaches that Shakti is essentially Brahman (ultimate metaphysical Reality) and that from her arises prakti (matter) and purusha (consciousness) and that she is bliss and non-bliss, the Vedas and what is different from it, the born and the unborn and all of the universe. The good are welcomed, while the bad urged to leave. [35], Lakshmi in Sanskrit is derived from the root word lak () and laka (), meaning 'to perceive, observe, know, understand' and 'goal, aim, objective', respectively. [61]:58,64. Subhamoy Das is the co-author of "Applied Hinduism: Ancient Wisdom for Today's World." She continues to be worshipped by modern Hindus, particularly in the home (every Friday) and on regular festival days throughout the year. Goddess Lakshmi means Good Luck to Hindus. The Mahadevi goddess has many aspects to her personality. When he appeared as Vamana, Rama and Krishna, she appeared as Padma (or Kamala), Sita and Rukmani. It is equally used in symbolizing Lakshmi, Brahma, and Vishnu. The concept and reverence for goddesses appears in the Vedas, which were composed around the 3rd millennium BCE. 209226, Ananda Coomaraswamy, Saiva Sculptures, Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin, Vol. She holds a water lily in her right hand and a flute in her left. She holds both the creative and destructive power of time. She has both peaceful and wrathful forms; the latter form is known as Palden Lhamo, Shri Devi Dudsol Dokam, or Kamadhatvishvari, and is the principal female protector of (Gelug) Tibetan Buddhism and of Lhasa, Tibet. 108 Most Famous Temples of Shiva A Must Visit, Bakasura The Rakshas of Ekachakranagara, Sapta Matrika- 7 Motherly Incarnation of Goddess Shakti. Flood, Gavin, ed. One of the most compelling stories in Hindu mythology is that of the Churning of the Milky Ocean. Learning that the horse had disappeared, King Sagara sent his sixty thousand sons to look for it. He is the Sun, she the light of the Sun. The golden temple of Sripuram is a spiritual park situated at the foot of a small range of green hills in a place known as Malaikodi in the city of Vellore in Tamil Nadu. A very sacred day for the worship of Goddess Lakshmi falls on Chaitra Shukla Panchami, also called, Lakshmi Panchami, Shri Panchami, Kalpadi and Shri Vrata. [76]:22, Inside temples, Lakshmi is often shown together with Vishnu. In this aspect, she is known by the name Durga. Updates? Lakshmi is commonly portrayed as a beautiful woman with four arms, standing on a lotus flower. Durga form represents the power to fight, conquer and punish the demons and anti-gods. Very often elephants are shown on either side, emptying pitchers of water over her, the pitchers being presented by celestial maidens. 20, No. How-ever- much we may toil and labour, unless the Mother is gracious enough to grant the fruits of our labour, nothing will be of any avail. Others represent peace, protection, love and other religious meanings. For most Hindu families, Lakshmi is the household goddess, and she is a particular favorite of women. If it is a pomegranate or a citron, it signifies that the various created worlds are under her control and that she transcends them all. [33] In Indian art, this vision of ideal couple is derived from Shiva and Parvati as being half of the other, represented as Ardhanarishvara. In ancient and medieval Japan, Kishijoten was the goddess worshiped for luck and prosperity, particularly on behalf of children. Lakshmi is particularly worshipped during the festival of Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi names with meanings as per Hindu mythology. In Sanskrit, this name means efficient, swift and agile like Goddess Durga. Although Goddesses Lakshmi is worshipped daily, the festive month of October is Lakshmis special month. Omissions? Lost in destructive behavior. [12] Wanting to show his sovereignty, King Sagara performed a ritual known as ashvamedha, where a horse was left to wander for one year. The Chaurashi Temple is situated at Bhramour which is 65 kilometers from Chamba Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Many of the hindu symbols in this religion represent the many gods, goddesses, teachings and philosophies of Hinduism. 14, No. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. [2][67]:10312, In the Epics of Hinduism, such as in Mahabharata, Lakshmi personifies wealth, riches, happiness, loveliness, grace, charm, and splendor. "The Archaeology of Khmer Images.". [9][87] According to Lakshmi Tantra, Nila Devi, one of the manifestations or incarnations of Lakshmi is the third wife of Vishnu. [11], Devi identifies herself in the Devi Upanishad as Brahman in her reply to the gods stating that she rules the world, blesses devotees with riches, that she is the supreme deity to whom all worship is to be offered and that she infuses tman in every soul. Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrata is observed on Friday for prosperity.[109]. [63] The Upanishad identifies Sita with Prakrti (nature) which is constituted by "will" ichha, activity (kriya) and knowledge (jnana). Ganga is represented as a fair-complexioned woman, wearing a white crown and sitting on a crocodile. [14][15] Ganga and Shantanu were cursed by Brahma to be born on earth. [14], Within the goddess-oriented Shaktism, Lakshmi is venerated as the prosperity aspect of the Mother goddess. Legends focus on her descent to earth, which occurred because of a royal-sage Bhagiratha, aided by the god Shiva. Brahma: Also known as the Creator, Brahma is a member of the Trimurti, or the Hindu Trinity, which also includes Vishnu and Shiva.Brahma has four faces, each of which corresponds to one of the four Vedas, the oldest Hindu scriptures. The word Lakshmi is derived from the Sanskrit word Laksya, meaning "aim" or "goal," and in the Hindu faith, she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity of all forms, both material and spiritual. [7] Deva is short for devat and devi for devika. When asking Vishnu for grace or forgiveness, the devotees often approach him through the intermediary presence of Lakshmi. Lakshmi has 8 primary forms. [1]:95[57], Vedic literature does not have any particular goddess matching the concept of Durga. Just as her husband has many avatars when he descends to earth so too Lakshmi takes on different forms: Sita, wife of lord Rama,; Dharani, wife of Parashurama, He told Indra that the gods would need to churn the Milky Ocean to regain Lakshmi and her blessings. [94], Ashta Lakshmi (Sanskrit: , Aalakm, 'eight Lakshmis') is a group of eight secondary manifestations of Lakshmi. [61] She is the power that supports the earth, with all its seas, islands, forests, deserts and mountains, asserts Yoga Vasistha. For the Indian painter, see, 19th century Kalighat painting of goddess Ganga. [citation needed] Kali, also called Kalaratri, is called in Yoga Vasistha as Prakti or "all of nature". Her waters are considered holy in Bali. "Saubhagya-Lakshmi Upanishad." Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Also, the worship of Lord Shiva is incomplete without worshipping Goddess Parvati. Trinetra: According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga is three-eyed or Trinetra. ORIGIN: Ancient Rome. The Ramayana describes her to be the firstborn of Himavat, the personification of the Himalayas, and the sister of the mother goddess Parvati. Ganga (Sanskrit: or , romanized: Gag) is the personification of the river Ganges, who is worshipped by Hindus as the goddess of purification and forgiveness. [48] She is the consort of Brahma.[49]. 'she who leads to one's goal'), also known as Shri (Sanskrit: , romanized:r, lit. Sage Jahnu later released the water out of his left ear after Bhagiratha explained his mission for Ganga's descent. [8], The worship of Devi-like deity dates back to period of Indus Valley civilisation. Sri is the sky, Vishnu the Self of everything. [30] Her connection with motherhood and female sexuality does not confine the feminine or exhaust their significance and activities in Hindu literature.She manifests in every activity, from water to mountains, from arts to inspiring warriors, from agriculture to dance. [2], Ganga is described as the melodious, the fortunate, the cow that gives much milk, the eternally pure, the delightful, the body that is full of fish, affords delight to the eye and leaps over mountains in sport, the bedding that bestows water and happiness, and the friend or benefactor of all that lives.[3]. Her worship is prescribed to acquire supernatural powers, especially ", ""Glimpses of the 'Feminine' in Indian Religion and Society: A Christian Perspective" by Johnson Thomaskutty", The festival of Vasant Panchami: A new beginning, "Sita Upanishad: Translated from the Original Sanskrit text", Studies in Goddess Cults in Northern India, with Reference to the First Seven Centuries AD, Images of Indian Goddesses: Myths, Meanings, and Models, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Devi&oldid=1115011491, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 9 October 2022, at 11:19. He has written several books about Hinduism for children and young adults. Chandika is a powerful form of Mahadevi who manifested to destroy evil. Her waters extinguished the ritual fire there, which angered the sage Jahnu, so he drank up all of Ganga's waters. Lakshmi Puja Muhurat. The Routledge Companion to Religion and Science, Routledge. [12] Another epithet that Ganga is known by is Jahanvi, because she flooded the ashram of Sage Jahnu while being led by Bhagiratha. [74] In the Hindu mythology, Devi and Deva are usually paired, complement and go together, typically shown as equal but sometimes the Devi is shown smaller or in the subordinate role. [90][91][92] This threefold goddess can be found, for example, in Sri Bhu Neela Sahita Temple near Dwaraka Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, and in Adinath Swami Temple in Tamil Nadu. [76] Composed in the 1st millennium BCE through the 16th century CE, they are short poems, proverbs, couplets, or aphorisms in Sanskrit written in a precise meter. [69] In Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Ganga is often depicted with her divine mount, the makara an animal with the head of a crocodile and tail of a dolphin. Finally, the treasures began to rise to the surface. In one of the iconography in Maha Virat-rupa, she holds a jar of amrita, rosary, lotus or shivalinga and varada mudra. While in the company of Vishnu, she is shown with two hands only. She is the goddess of wealth, fortune, power, beauty, fertility and prosperity,[13] and associated with Maya ("Illusion"). The festivals of Diwali and Sharad Purnima (Kojagiri Purnima) are celebrated in her honour. Vishnu and the Churning of the Milky Ocean. For most Hindu families, Lakshmi is the household goddess, and she is a particular favorite of women. Chandi (Sanskrit: , Ca) or Chandika (Caika) is a Hindu deity.Chandika is another form of Mahadevi, similar to Durga. [15][16] Lakshmi is both the consort and the divine energy (shakti) of the Hindu god Vishnu, the Supreme Being of Vaishnavism; she is also the Supreme Goddess in the sect and assists Vishnu to create, protect, and transform the universe. B. van Buitenen translates passages describing Lakshmi in Vishnu Purana:[75]. Fridays are traditionally the day on which Lakshmi is worshipped. Ganga is mentioned in the Rigveda, the earliest and theoretically the holiest of the Hindu scriptures. 2004. Indra, the warrior god, was given the responsibility of protecting the world against the demons. She is also considered as the internal potency of Krishna. [1] The medieval era Puranas witness a major expansion in mythology and literature associated with Devi, with texts such as the Devi Mahatmya, wherein she manifests as the ultimate truth and supreme power. [85] In Hindu Bengali culture, Lakshmi, along with Saraswati, are seen as the daughters of Durga. Parvati, along with other goddesses, are involved with the broad range of culturally valued goals and activities. Vishnu is knowledge, she the insight. [83], A tantric text titled "Vigyan Bhairav Tantra", 'Vigyan' meaning "consciousness" is a conversation between Shiva and Parvati rendered in 112 verses, elaborates on "wisdom and insight of pure consciousness. Cascades of gold coins are seen flowing from her hands, suggesting that those who worship her gain wealth. From his higher self, In the sixth century when Devi Mahatmya came into practice the name Devi (goddess) or Mahadevi (Great Goddess) came into prominence to represent one female goddess to encompass the discrete goddesses like Parvati and so forth. When she appeared, she had a choice to go to Devas or Asuras. The warrior goddess, Parvati, kills the asura, and is thereafter invincible, and revered as "preserver of Dharma, destroyer of evil". According to Hindu belief, this disply of arrogance upset Lakshmi, who left the world of the gods and entered into the Milky Ocean. [29] In the Skanda Purana and the Venkatachala Mahatmayam, Sri, or Lakshmi, is praised as the mother of Brahma. Saraswati issued the same curse against Ganga, informing her that sinful men would cleanse themselves of their sins with her water. Shantanu trying to stop Ganga from drowning their eighth child. [64] The hymns of Shatapatha Brahmana thus describe Sri as a goddess born with and personifying a diverse range of talents and powers. She is, states Devi, the eternal and infinite consciousness engulfing earth and heaven, and 'all forms of bliss and non-bliss, knowledge and ignorance, Brahman and Non-Brahman'. 1950. [127], A 1400-year-old rare granite sculpture of Lakshmi has been recovered at the Waghama village along Jehlum in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. According to Vishnu Purana, the universe was created when the devas and asuras churned the cosmic Kshira Sagara. To symbolize her many attributes, Lakshmi may appear in any of eight different forms,representing everything from knowledge to food grains. (2013). [11] Her creation of the sky as father and the seas as mother is reflected as the 'Inner Supreme Self'. In Japan, where Lakshmi is known as Kisshten, she is commonly depicted with the Nyoihju gem () in her hand. In the Lakshmi Tantra and Lakshmi Sahasranama of Skanda Purana, Lakshmi is given the status of the primordial goddess. [107], Gaja Lakshmi Puja is another autumn festival celebrated on Sharad Purnima in many parts of India on the full-moon day in the month of Ashvin (October). [36] These roots give Lakshmi the symbolism: know and understand your goal. He is dharma, she the virtuous action. He had protected it successfully for many years, and the goddess Lakshmi's presence had made him sure of success. Pilgrims immerse the ashes of their kin in the river Ganga, which is considered by them to bring the souls (purified spirits) closer to moksha, the liberation from the cycle of life and death. I permeate the earth and heaven, and all created entities with my greatness and dwell in them as eternal and infinite consciousness. [75] Some goddesses, however, play an independent role in Hindu pantheon, and are revered as Supreme without any male god(s) present or with males in subordinate position. MB Wangu (2003), Images of Indian Goddesses, Abhinav Publications, Bert van den Hoek (1993) "Kathmandu as a sacrificial arena. Lakshmi, also spelled Lakm, also called Shri, Hindu goddess of wealth and good fortune. Every woman is an embodiment of you. Lakshmi, along with Parvati and Saraswati, is a subject of extensive Subhashita, genomic and didactic literature of India. On the full moon night following Dusshera or Durga Puja, Hindus worship Lakshmi ceremonially at home, pray for her blessings, and invite neighbors to attend the puja. I have created all worlds at my will without being urged by any higher Being, and dwell within them. [129], Lakshmi is also an important deity in Jainism and found in Jain temples. Examples of this are Parvati with Shiva in Shaivism, Saraswati with Brahma in Brahmanism and Lakshmi with Vishnu, Sita with Rama and Radha with Krishna in Vaishnavism. Sri is described as a resplendent and trembling woman at her birth with immense energy and powers. [69], In Valmiki Ramayana, Sita is repeatedly expressed as manifestation of Lakshmi, as the one who blesses abundance in agriculture, food, and wealth. As this worship is in the first week of the Hindu new year, by Hindu calendar, it is considered very auspicious. In Hinduism, the goddess Tara (Sanskrit: , Tr) is the second of the Dasa (ten) Mahavidyas or "Great Wisdom goddesses", and is a form of Adishakti, the tantric manifestation of Parvati.Her most famous centre of worship is the temple and the cremation ground of Tarapith in West Bengal, India. She is the conduct, he the behavior. [47], Saraswati, is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom and learning. The fruit stands for the fruits of our labours. In the Mahabharata, Draupadi is described as a partial incarnation of Sri (Lakshmi). This symbolism implies wealth and prosperity are coupled with the maintenance of life, justice, and peace.[50]. [65][66] She is extolled as one of the Panchakanya for her virtuous qualities; taking their names destroys all sins. Two elephants are also shown near her head and by this we can say that Lion is also the vahana of Lakshmi along with Garuda". She is also praised as Mahalakshmi (she who is great Lakshmi), Mahakali (she who is great Kali) and Mahasaraswati (she who is great Saraswati) who are the primary deities in Devi Mahatmya. MB Wangu (2003), Images of Indian Goddesses: Myths, Meanings, and Models. [26][27][28], Below, behind, or on the sides, Lakshmi is very often shown with one or two elephants, known as Gajalakshmi, and occasionally with an owl. In Hinduism, my is also an epithet for goddess Lakshmi, and the name of a manifestation of Lakshmi, the goddess of "wealth, prosperity and love". Ancient prayers dedicated to Lakshmi seek both material and spiritual wealth in prayers.[39]. Devi Lakshmi is also the wife of Lord Vishnu and is said to have taken different forms in order to be with him in each of his incarnations. It finally settles in Brahmaloka or Brahmapura, the abode of the Brahma, before descending to the planet earth at the request of Bhagiratha, and held safely by Shiva on his head, to prevent the destruction of Bhumi Devi (the earth goddess). Amshtakalasa also signifies the same thing, viz., that she can give us the bliss of immortality. Dev (/devi/; Sanskrit: ) is the Sanskrit word for 'goddess'; the masculine form is deva. 25862 in, "Translating the secrets of Makara Sankranti", O goddess where art thou? [42][43] Dutch author Dirk van der Plas says, "In Lakshmi Tantra, a text of Visnuite signature, the name Mahamaya is connected with third or destructive of Goddess' three partial functions, while in supreme form she is identified with Lakshmi".[44]. [105] This festival dedicated to Lakshmi is considered by Hindus to be one of the most important and joyous festivals of the year. [132] This commonality is reflected in the praise of Lakshmi found in the Jain text Kalpa Stra. The presence of Vishnu-Lakshmi iconography in a Jain temple built near the Hindu temples of Khajuraho, suggests the sharing and acceptance of Lakshmi across a spectrum of Indian religions. She is glorified in many Shakta texts, with There is usually one, or sometimes two elephants behind her, anointing her with water. She is worshipped together with goddess Phra Mae Thorani within Thai Bushhism and goddess Phosop in Tai folk religion. 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