Lakshmi Devi ( LAKSHMI MAA) ----------------------------------- Maa Lakshmi or Laxmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity (both material and spiritual), light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Maa Laxmi also known as MahaLakshmi. Mahalakshmi is said to bring good luck. She is believed to protect her devotees from all kinds of misery and money-related sorrows. Lakshmi in Sanskrit is derived from its elemental form laks, meaning “to perceive or observe”.This is synonymous with laksya, meaning “aim” or “objective”. The Hindu Sacred Texts Vedas call Mahalakshmi as Lakshyayidhi Lakshmihi which means she is the one who has the object and aim of uplifting mankind. Goddess Mahalakshmi is called as Shri or Thirumagal (because she is endowed with six auspicious and divine qualities or Gunas and also because she is the source of strength even to Lord Narayana(Vishnu). She is the consort of Vishnu and married Rama (in her incarnation as Sita) and Krishna (as Radha). Lakshmi is the embodiment of God’s superior spiritual feminine energy, or the Param Prakriti, which purifies, empowers and uplifts the individual. Hence, she is called the Goddess of Fortune. Due to her motherly feelings and being the consort of Shri Narayan (Supreme Being), she is believed as the Mother of the Universe. Maa Vaisbhav Lakshmi has many names. She is known to be very closely associated with the lotus, and her many epithets are connected to the flower, such as: a. Prakruti – Goddess Mahalakshmi is the very personification of nature, the centre of all, the manifested and the unmanifested. b. Vikruti – Goddess Mahalakshmi is the Multi-Faceted Nature, who assumes many forms, known by numerous names, yet is attributeless. c. Vidya - Goddess Mahalakshmi is the very personification of Wisdom. d. Padma – Lotus dweller. Goddess Mahalakshmi is also known to preside over 16 forms of worldly wealth excluding Ashta siddhis, gnana(knowledge) and imparting gnana(Knowledge). They are as follows: (1) Fame; (2) Knowledge; (3) Courage and Strength; (4) Victory; (5) Good Children; (6) Valor; (7) Gold, Gems and Other Valuables; (8) Grains in abundance; (9) Happiness; (10) Bliss; (11) Intelligence; (12) Beauty; (13) Higher Aim, High Thinking and Higher Meditation; (14) Morality and Ethics; (15) Good Health; (16) Long Life. Maa Mahalaxmi worshiped as in Eight forms named Ashta Lakshmi. Ashta Lakshmi, also spelled as Ashtalakshmi are a group of eight Hindu goddesses, who preside over eight sources of wealth and thus represent the powers of Shri-Lakshmi (The Hindu goddess of wealth). Thus, the ‘Ashta Lakshmi’ are considered secondary manifestations of the goddess Lakshmi. “Wealth” in the context of Ashta-Lakshmi means prosperity, good health, knowledge, strength, progeny, and power. The Ashta Lakshmi are always depicted and worshipped in a group in temples. The Ashta Lakshmi listed as per the prayer Shri Ashta Lakshmi Stotram are: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Adi Lakshmi or Maha Lakshmi : an ancient form of Lakshmi and incarnation of Lakshmi as daughter of sage Bhrigu. * Dhana Lakshmi : for money and gold. * Dhanya Lakshmi : Giver of agricultural wealth. * Gaja Lakshmi : Giver of animal wealth like cattle and elephants Swami Chidananda interprets Gaja Lakshmi as giver of power of royalty. According to Hindu mythology, Gaja Lakshmi brought back the wealth lost by Indra (king of demi-gods) from the ocean. Vasudha Narayanan intrepret the name as “one who is worshipped by elephants”. * Santana Lakshmi : Bestower of offspring. * Veera Lakshmi : Bestower of valour in battles and courage and strength for overcoming difficulties in life. * Vijaya Lakshmi or Jaya Lakshmi : Giver of victory, not only in battles but also over conquering hurdles in order to beget success. * Vidya Lakshmi : the bestower of knowledge of arts and sciences. In some Ashta Lakshmi lists, other forms of Lakshmi are included: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Aishwarya Lakshmi : “Goddess of riches” * Saubhagya Lakshmi : “Giver of prosperity in general.” * Rajya Lakshmi : “She who blesses rulers (with secular power)” * Vara Lakshmi : “The lady who bestows Beautiful Boons”. **** JAI LAKSHMI MAA ****
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 05:12:55 +0000
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