Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, prosperity, well-being in India, the wife of Vishnu. We invite you to find out her birth story, names, symbols and their meaning. Mantras and hymns of Lakshmi.
Lakshmi is a multi-armed Indian goddess who personifies family well-being, good fortune, immortality, material wealth, abundance, and blessing. She is the embodiment of the creative energy of Vishnu and, concurrently, his wife. Often the goddess in images appears with a lotus - sitting, standing or holding this sacred flower in her hand. And this is not without reason, because in Hinduism the lotus symbolizes spiritual purity, bright thoughts, motherhood . Find out more about the lotus in Indian culture.
From Sanskrit Lakshmi means “happiness”, “luck” . In addition, the name Lakshmi itself can be interpreted as a lucky sign and a favorable opportunity for doing something good , since “lakṣ” is interpreted as “goal”, “understand the goal”, “perceive”.
Laxmi (Lakshmi) is also the goddess of success and love. In honor of her, memorable holidays, performances with fireworks and fun are organized in India. After all, as legend says, she seeks rest where joy reigns and laughter sounds, where everything is brightly lit. In gratitude for such a cozy environment, she generously bestows wealth, prosperity, mutual understanding and a sense of happiness.
The story of the birth of the many-armed goddess
According to one of the most common legends, the goddess of abundance, prosperity and wealth appeared sitting on a lotus flower. This is stated in the Vishnu Purana, Mahabharata and Ramayana. Allegedly, at this time the devas and asuras were churning (churning) the Ocean of Milk. During this, various herbs were thrown into the ocean waters, which, thanks to the churning, turned into 14 treasures, one of which was Lakshmi.
“Then, from the waters, shining with beauty, the goddess Sri rose, confusing her thoughts, she stood in a shining lotus, she had a lotus in her hands. Overwhelmed with joy, the great rishis glorified her with a hymn dedicated to Sri; in front (of the goddess) were the Vishvadevs and the Gandharvas sang. Before her, O brahmana, the ghritachas and hosts of apsaras danced; The Ganga and other (sacred) rivers served her with their waters for bathing. The heavenly elephants, taking golden jugs with the purest water, washed the goddess, the great Ruler of all worlds.”
(“Vishnu Purana”, chapter IX, slokas 98–101).
This is perhaps the most popular version of the birth of the goddess Lakshmi. But, there are other mythological assumptions. According to one of them, Sri Lakshmi is the child of the sage Bhrigu and his wife Khyati. And this is stated in the Vishnu Purana:
“In the beginning, Sri was born from Bhrigu and Khyati, and (then) was born again from the ocean, when the gods and Danavas were diligently churning the nectar of immortality. Just as the Master of the world, the king of the gods Janardana, is born (in various forms) as an avatar, so is his girlfriend Sri. When Hari was the son of Aditi, she was born from a lotus; when he was (born) as Rama of the Bhrigu family, she was Dharani. He was born as Raghava, she as Sita; when he was (born as) Krishna, she was (born as) Rukmini, and in other avatars of Vishnu she was his friend. Whatever form Vishnu took, whether divine or human, she also took the form corresponding to him.”
(Vishnu Purana, Book I, Chapter IX).
There is also an opinion that the goddess accompanies her husband Vishnu everywhere and in all avatars. There is even an assumption that it appeared from a lotus flower located above his head.
In the Mahabharata you can find a mention that Lakshmi is introduced as Draupadi, the wife of the Pandava brothers. They are the embodiment of gods who were born on earth from Indra, Vayu, Dharma, Ashvins. The following lines confirm this:
“And a particle of (the goddess) Sri, for the sake of satisfying (Narayana), incarnated on earth in the family of Drupada in the form of his impeccable daughter.”
(Mahabharata, book I, Adiparva, chapter 61).
Durga is the incarnation of several goddesses
Gods in Hinduism can reincarnate and have several appearances. They appear on earth, taking on different divine guises. Goddess Durga also does this. She has many faces: Kali, Bhavani, Ambika, Lalita, Gauri, Kandalini, Java, Rajeswari, Lakshmi. Durga also appears in her own form, which has 9 forms (deities). She combines the powers of several goddesses. Each such goddess has her own Hindu calendar holiday. On such a day, people say special prayers. They sing songs in praise of the goddess.
Numerous names of the Goddess
Lakshmi has many names, each of which has a specific meaning. Her sacred name is the name Sri, translated from Sanskrit as “prosperity”, “happiness”. In the Vishnu Purana, various shlokas and puranas of ancient scriptures, the goddess is called exactly that and is given the role of Mother of the world.
The Skanda Purana, which describes the life path of Kartikeya (the son of Shiva and Parvati), lists the names of Lakshmi. Surprisingly, in it you can find references to 1008 names of the goddess! They are also called Lashkmi-sahasranama. They are read on Fridays early in the morning. The names of the Indian goddess are also described in the Brahma Purana.
Here are just some of the names of Lakshmi (the most traditional) and their meanings:
- Srija - Born in prosperity;
- Kamala, Padmasundari - Beautiful as a lotus;
- Padma - Lotus-like;
- Padmapriya - Loving lotuses;
- Padmahasta - Holding a lotus;
- Padmamaladhara - Wearing a lotus garland;
- Padmakshi - With beautiful eyes like a lotus;
- Padmamukhi - With a beautiful face like a lotus;
- Jagadishwari - Mother of the world;
- Ulkavahini - Moving on an owl;
- Vishnupriya - Vishnu's Beloved
Other, not so popular names of Lakshmi: Aishwarya, Mohini, Lalima, Indira, Nandika, Nandini, Sridevi, Madhavi, Shriya, Tripura, Malti, Devi, Savitri, Aruna, Akhila, Avashya, Sita, Sharanya, Anumati, Durga, Rujula, Sujata, Jalaja, Bala, Kriyalakshmi, Kamalika and many others.
Temples
Worshipers of the goddess can be found not only in India, but throughout the world. Several temples were built in her honor where believers say their prayers. For example, in the temples of Vishnu and Narayana (this is the name of one of the incarnations of Vishnu from cosmic reality).
There are temple complexes built in honor of Lakshmi at Birla Mandir (Delhi), Varadaraja (Kanchi), Jagannath (Puri), Ranganatha (Srirangam). There are places of worship in big cities, such as: Mahalakshmi (Mumbai), Ashtalakshmi (Chennai), Ashtalakshmi (Hyderabad). The spoken prayers and requests will sound in a special way.
Goddess symbols and their meaning
“I pay respects to the mother of all beings, who emerged from the lotus Sri - her eyes are like lotuses blooming after sleep - she clung to Vishnu’s chest! You are a wonderful power, you are a sacrifice to the gods and a sacrifice to the pitaras, you are the mother, the purifier of the worlds, you are the morning and evening twilight and night, power, well-being, sacrifice, faith, Saraswati!
"Vishnu Purana", book. I, ch. IX, slokas 115–116.
These words describe the Goddess in the Vishnu Purana. However, this is only part of what is said about the lotus-eyed goddess in the writings. They like to depict her in different guises, with different objects and different blessing gestures (the so-called Lakshmi mudra), which have a deep spiritual meaning.
The Indian goddess with many arms is most often shown sitting on a lotus, which is a symbol of motherhood and spiritual purity. Incredibly beautiful, she fascinates, makes you look at every symbol depicted with her.
You can find a variety of pictures in which Lakshmi appears in various images. The goddess of prosperity can be depicted with a different number of hands. And this is not without reason. If she has eight hands, then in them she holds a gada (staff), dhanus (bow), shankha (shell), arrow, ankus (goad), wooden pestle, chakra (wheel), padma (lotus).
If Lakshmi has four arms, then there may be several options:
- Padma (lotus), shankha (shell), gada (rod), chakra (wheel).
- Padma (lotus), lotus, nectar vessel, mahalunga (lemon-like fruit).
- Padma (lotus), sankha (shell), bilva fruit (wooden apple), ambrosia vessel.
- In the upper hands there is a lotus, and from the lower hands gold coins are pouring, or coins are pouring from only one, and the fingers of the other are folded in a blessing gesture.
Lakshmi may also . In this case, she holds a lotus in one hand and a conch shell in the other. With Vishnu, she most often has exactly two hands. In one of them she has a lotus, in the other she has srifala (coconut) or lotuses in each hand. She sits on the snake Ananta, the left thigh of Vishnu or the eagle. Sometimes you can find images showing a goddess with six arms .
It can also be noted that the Indian goddess, or more precisely, the color of her skin, can be described in different ways. It can be pink, golden yellow, white, dark. If Lakshmi is the color of a thundercloud, then this directly indicates that she is the wife of Vishnu, the dark-faced God. The color pink represents Lakshmi's essence as compassion for all living beings, as she is the Mother of all things .
Goddess Lakshmi is often dressed in golden robes, standing or sitting on a blooming lotus flower. Sometimes I come across pictures in which elephants are waist-deep in water next to her. These are Gaji Lakshmi, symbolizing the splendor and glory of the great goddess . By the way, the Lakshmi lotus may be at different stages of opening. And this is not just like that. He personifies beings at different stages of development of consciousness .
So, Lakshmi is the goddess of prosperity and the goddess of wealth, a symbol of love and motherhood, grace and beauty. She is the embodiment of spiritual purity, immortality, good luck, happy destiny. And each Lakshmi symbol has a deep meaning.
Yantra
The Sri Yantra is considered universal; it depicts the goddess Lakshmi in the form of a complex structure consisting of geometric shapes (a symbol of the cosmic essence of the universe). Such a yantra is mentioned in the Atharva Veda as a ritual one: 9 triangles intersect in the picture.
Also in the yantra you can see a protective square, which has gates in the cardinal directions (Bhupura). The energy of shakti dwells in it throughout the entire existence of the world. There are also two circles with lotuses inside (each with 16 and 8 petals), inside the circles there are five rings with 43 triangles. The center of the yantra is decorated with the Bindu point, personifying “non-existence” and higher consciousness, the so-called “center of the Universe”.
This design combines the two energies of Shiva and Shakti. In this case, the masculine principle manifests itself in triangles directed upward. And the feminine principle looks like triangles looking down. The Yantra creates a beneficial effect for the person looking at it.
Ashtalakshmi
Ashtalakshmi (Ashta-Lakshmi) is translated from Sanskrit as “eight Lakshmi” . When this word is mentioned, they mean the secondary manifestations of the Indian goddess, which are represented by a group of female goddesses. These Indian deities are also called Lakshmi avatars. All of them symbolize various forms of well-being: offspring, power, prosperity, strength, knowledge, health . In honor of Ashtalakshmi, figures are created, decorated thematically, and hymns and printed images are dedicated to them.
Ashtalakshmi
Avatars of Lakshmi:
- Adi-Lakshmi (from Sanskrit means great Lakshmi) - this hypostasis is the daughter of the great sage Bhrigu. She is depicted with four arms. The lower hands show varada mudra (mercy, sincerity, compassion) and abhaya mudra (confidence, protection, fearlessness, calmness).
- Dhana-Lakshmi (Lakshmi, the giver of wealth) - symbolizes material wealth. In her six hands are a shankha, an akra, a bow and arrow, a jug of amrita, and a lotus. One hand demonstrates Abhaya mudra. She stands in red robes under a rain of sparkling gold coins.
- Dhanya-Lakshmi (Lakshmi of agriculture) is a symbol of fertility and patronizes agriculture. Six of her eight hands hold rice shoots, two lotuses, bananas, sugar cane, a mace, and two hands show abhaya mudra and varada mudra. This hypostasis of Lakshmi is dressed in green clothes.
- Gaja-Lakshmi (Lakshmi surrounded by elephants) - demonstrates power, patronizes animal husbandry. In two hands there are two lotuses, and two more hands show varada mudra and abhaya mudra. On both sides there are elephants who hold jugs of water in their trunks and water the goddess with it. According to legend, it was Gaja-Lakshmi who was able to return the wealth lost by Indra.
- Santana-Lakshmi (Lakshmi of offspring) - patronizes, protects families, helps to have offspring (primarily boys). In the image he has six arms. In two hands she holds jugs with amrita, in two more - a shield and a sword. With one hand she shows abhaya mudra, and with the other she hugs the boy sitting on her lap and holding a lotus in his hands.
- Vira-Lakshmi (courageous or valiant Lakshmi) - personifies courage, valor. It gives people strength and courage so that they can overcome difficult life obstacles. She is depicted in red robes and with eight arms. Holds a bow, arrow, shankha, chakra, sword or trident, Vedas (written on palm leaves). The two hands are folded in the varada mudra and abhaya mudra gestures.
- Jaya-Lakshmi (Lakshmi of success) - gives success in business, good luck and victory. Has eight arms. They hold a shield, sword, chakra, lotus, pasha, shankha, show varada mudra and abhaya mudra.
- Vidya-Lakshmi (Lakshmi of wisdom) - personifies knowledge and wisdom. First of all, he patronizes schoolchildren and students. Her eight hands hold a jug with amrita, shankha, bow, chakra, and demonstrate abhaya mudra and varada mudra. Traditionally dressed in yellow.
The cult of Ashtalakshmi originated in the 70s of the last century. This happened thanks to Vidvan Mukur Srinivasa Varada, a theologian of Sri Vaishnavism. He dedicated a hymn to Ashtalakshmi called "Ashta Lakshmi Strotam". Today this teaching is most widespread in South India.
Lakshmi - wife of Vishnu
(the embodiment of his creative energy) and the Goddess of wealth and material well-being.
Lakshmi ( Laksmī
, "good omen", "happiness", "beauty") is usually depicted and described as a Goddess of extraordinary beauty, standing on a lotus and holding a lotus in each of her two hands.
Perhaps that is why she is also called Padma or Kamala. She is also decorated with a lotus garland. Its color has been variously described as dark, pink, golden yellow or white. Together with Vishnu, she is depicted with only two hands. When she is worshiped in a temple (separate temples for Lakshmi are quite rare), she is depicted sitting on a throne in the form of a lotus with four hands holding a padma
(lotus),
shankha
(shell),
amrit-kalash
(vessel with the nectar of immortality) and fruits
bilva
(wild apple tree).
Sometimes she holds mahalunga
(lemon) instead of bilva.
Now we can try to explain what is hidden behind this highly symbolic picture. If Lakshmi is depicted as dark in color (the color of a thundercloud), this indicates that she is the consort of Vishnu, the dark-faced God. If she is depicted as golden yellow, it means that she is the source of all wealth. If it is white in color then it denotes the purest form of prakriti
(nature).
Pinkish color, the most common color, reflects her compassion for all beings, as she is the Mother of all things
.
Her four hands indicate the ability to bestow four purusharthas
(main goals of human life):
1 - dharma
(righteousness based on observance of religious and social principles), 2 -
artha
(prosperity achieved as a result of the realization of one’s talent), 3 -
kama
(bodily pleasures that do not violate the harmony of man and the laws of the universe ) 4 -
moksha
(spiritual liberation).
Lotuses in various stages of opening symbolize worlds and beings at various stages of the evolution of consciousness. The fruits in her hands are the fruits of our labor. No matter how hard we work, unless Lakshmi is merciful enough to give us the fruits of our labors, everything will be useless. If the fruit in the hands of the Goddess is a coconut, consisting of a shell, core and juice, then this means that three levels of creation come from her - the gross, subtle and causal worlds. If this fruit is a pomegranate or a citron, then this means that the various worlds are under her control and she is superior to them all. If it is a bilva fruit, which is not very pleasant to taste, but is very good for health, then it means moksha
, the highest fruit of spiritual life.
Amrit Kalash
means that Lakshmi is capable of bestowing immortality.
Goddess Lakshmi traditionally rides on an owl (uluka), a bird that sleeps during the day and watches at night. In most Hindu and Buddhist temples, Lakshmi can be flanked by elephants on either side, pouring water from jugs donated by the celestial maidens. Such an image is called Gaji Lakshmi
.
The elephant represents the glory and splendor of Lakshmi. In our Universe, she initially took birth from the holy sage Bhrigu
and Daksha's daughter,
Khyati
.
Khyati gave birth to an unusually beautiful daughter. She was so beautiful that she seemed to be the embodiment of all the best qualities in this world. She was named Lakshmi. Since goddess Lakshmi herself incarnated as the daughter of Bhrigu, she also came to be called Bhargavi
.
From childhood, Lakshmi heard about the glory of Lord Vishnu, she grew up ecstatically listening to stories about his radiance, greatness and power. Her mind was captivated by the image of Vishnu, and, overcome with the desire to possess him as her husband, she began to perform the most severe austerities on the seashore
.
Her austerities lasted a thousand years, and then the king of the demigods Indra
, enchanted by her beauty, appeared before her in the guise of Vishnu and said: “I am pleased with your devotion.
Demand any good you desire." Lakshmi replied, “Give me the grace to see you in your true form (visvarupa).” Unable to fulfill her request, hiding under someone else's guise, Indra left, ashamed. Many other demigods also made similar attempts, but they were all exposed and expelled. And then Lord Vishnu himself appeared before her and asked what mercy she required for herself. Lakshmi replied, “O God of gods, if You are truly and truly Lord Vishnu, then appear to me in Your Vishvarupa form, in Your true divine form.” Vishnu fulfilled her wish and revealed to her the secret that she was in fact his eternal companion and wife. Vishnu, the keeper of the cosmos and in images She either lives on His chest, sits next to Him, on His lap or at His feet
.
Vishnu protects the world, Vishnu nourishes it. He is a virtuous father, She is a compassionate mother. He is the blue sky watching over Lakshmi, the red Earth. When Vishnu sleeps, the whole world dissolves. When He awakens, the world manifests itself. When Vishnu sleeps, Lakshmi is Yoganidra
, the cause of sleep.
When Vishnu awakens, Lakshmi becomes Yogamaya
, the power of creation.
Lakshmi is said to massage Vishnu's feet to give strength to his joints fighting the forces of adharma
.
By placing Lakshmi at his feet, Vishnu does not allow the wealth of the world and power to enter his head. In other words, he keeps a close eye on Lakshmi, knowing full well the power of wealth to corrupt minds. The son of Vishnu and Lakshmi is the god of Love Kama
(Desire), who is often compared to the ancient Greek Eros.
He is depicted as a handsome young man sitting on a parrot (sometimes on a chariot). In the hands of the beautiful god is a bow made of sugar cane with a bowstring made of bees and five arrows made of flowers. The goddess Rati is considered to be Kama's consort. Kama embodies the love of Vishnu and Lakshmi. Vishnu (in countless avatars and expansions) lives with his eternal consort Lakshmi on the Vaikunthas - spiritual planets, places of eternal bliss.
The Vaikuntha planets are located above the material universes, and even Brahma and other Devas dream of going to them.
The material world is a distorted reflection of the spiritual reality of Vaikuntha. In Vaishnavism, it is believed that those who have achieved the highest spiritual perfection, by the grace of Vishnu, go to the Vaikuntha planets and are liberated from the cycle of samsara
.
The most exalted planet in Vaikuntha is Goloka, the abode of Radha-Krishna.
Lakshmi does not like places where violence is committed, anger, lies, greed, hypocrisy and envy are exuded.
But most of all, she hates any perversions in love. Especially if somewhere prostitution and homosexuality are encouraged. Lakshmi leaves such places and everything immediately collapses. Luck, happiness and prosperity also gradually disappear. This is especially true for society leaders. Everything around them depends on their behavior. There have been many examples in history when entire empires, countries, cities, religious and social movements were destroyed due to the sexual perversions of leaders. Lakshmi will never stay in such places, which means there will be no harmony, happiness, or good luck. And even if you manage to save wealth, they will not bring joy. Goddess Lakshmi manifests her energy through all flowers, which are large in size, have extraordinary beauty and tenderness. For example, flowers of roses, lotus, daffodils, dahlias. Usually these flowers, after being cut, can only live on the love of the one who gave them or who has them. In minerals, Lakshmi manifests her energy through violet ruby, almandine, lapis lazuli, chrysoberyl, spinel (lal), red and yellow jade. Of metals, it is associated with gold. In humans, Lakshmi, together with Surya
(Sun), rules
the Anahata chakra
.
It controls lipid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as the distribution of maja
(fat tissue) throughout the body.
Lakshmi stimulates insulin synthesis. A conflict with Lakshmi in a previous incarnation leads to the fact that a person does not receive a beautiful and harmonious body. If this happens in this life, the body becomes too thin or, conversely, obesity develops. Goddess Lakshmi is the patroness of cosmetology. Traditionally, Lakshmi is worshiped in the following forms and manifestations (ashta-Lakshmi), each of which bestows upon humanity one of the highly desired gifts, or siddhis: * Adi-Lakshmi
-
Primordial Mother
*
Go-Lakshmi
-
Cow-goddess
.
Cows were worshiped as Go-Lakshmi. Cows are called Kamadena
, the wish-granter, because a person who has a milk cow does not depend on anyone to provide the basic needs of life.
* Vasudha-Lakshmi
-
Goddess of the Earth (planet Earth)
.
Since she carries the burden of life on her back, she must be very patient, strong and humble. But when people begin to benefit from her wealth and become greedy and arrogant, she refuses to bear their weight.
She takes the form of a cow and begs Vishnu, her guardian, to protect her. He does so, taking the form of Parashurama, Rama and Krishna. Sometimes, Bhudevi takes matters into his own hands, allowing his rage to manifest itself through earthquakes and volcanoes. *
Maha-Lakshmi
-
Wife of Vishnu
.
She is the highest manifestation of Lakshmi that man, God and demon can perceive, understand and meditate on. She represents the benevolent and generous aspects of Nature. * Gaja-Lakshmi
-
Goddess of Elephants
.
Lakshmi is especially fond of elephants: they have no natural enemy in the jungle and also have easy access to food due to their size and strength. They became a symbol of strength, grace and royalty. * Dhana
-Lakshmi -
Goddess of Wealth
.
Everyone, except ascetics and beggars, seeks wealth and real estate to secure the future. * Dhanya
-Lakshmi -
Goddess of Food
.
Always present in our kitchens in the form of grains, beans, fruits and vegetables. Her presence keeps hunger at bay. * Raj
-Lakshmi -
Goddess of Power
*
Griha
-Lakshmi -
Goddess of the Home
.
Her presence fills the room with love and life. Traditionally, the daughter-in-law is considered Griha-Lakshmi as she has the responsibility to raise the next generation of her family. * Deepa
-Lakshmi -
Goddess of lamps
.
Darkness is considered inauspicious and symbolizes ignorance and inertia. Light, on the other hand, signifies vitality, order and life. Lakshmi lives in every lamp and brings light and warmth to everyone's life. * Arogya
-Lakshmi -
Goddess of Health
.
Without health, the pleasures of life have no meaning. * Sundarya
-Lakshmi -
Goddess of Beauty
*
Bhagya
-Lakshmi -
Goddess of Luck
*
Santan
-Lakshmi -
Goddess who gives children
.
Helps women give birth to children, She also protects children from diseases. * Vira
-Lakshmi -
Goddess of courage
*
Vidya
-Lakshmi -
Goddess of learning and the arts
.
Helps transform knowledge into wealth. * Kadak
-Lakshmi -
Fierce Goddess
.
Every time society insults a woman, She places the curse of drought or disease on the offending society. Lakshmi's main mission is to bring eternal happiness to Earth
, so She helps us make a meaningful career.
She understands that wealth alone is not enough to become endlessly happy; spirituality and a sense of accomplishment are necessary. Therefore, Lakshmi leads us to such activities that bring joy and prosperity not only to us, but also to others. Lakshmi brings grace, beauty and love into our homes and provides for all our household needs. Ganesha
adores her, and they often work together to help people meet their main purpose in life.
Saraswati - wife of Brahma
and
Goddess of wisdom, art, music and poetry
.
Saraswati, literally meaning "she who reveals the essence (Sara) of our own Spirit (Swa)", invented writing and dwells with teachers and in schools. Brahma, with Her help, creates the world, through His four heads She appears as the four Vedas, She is rarely depicted in pictures next to Him, when they are seen together, the relationship looks less matrimonial and more intellectual. Saraswati gives a person the power of speech, wisdom and education. Her other Sanskrit name is Vagishvari
(Sanskrit
Vāgīśvarī
, lit. “Goddess of Speech”).
Saraswati originated from the forehead of her father Brahma. As soon as Brahma saw this beautiful woman, he immediately desired her, despite the fact that she was his daughter. Saraswati did not like the attentions of this old lover of God, she tried to avoid him, but wherever she went, Brahma appeared everywhere. As a result, he grew four faces on four parts of his neck, and above them another head so that he could see Saraswati, even if she moved upward. But she still avoided him. Brahma was very angry. As a creator, he was very powerful. We don’t know how, but according to legend, he managed to marry this elusive girl and create the four main Vedas with the help of her mind. According to legend, Brahma discovered that His wife was too distant and absent-minded to love. He organized the main ritual of sacrifice to fire, during which his wife was obliged to be with him. He warned Saraswati not to fiddle with her toilet for a long time and not to be late at the right time. She was to take her traditional place on the left next to Brahma. But Saraswati took so long to get ready that the hour of the main joint sacrifice to fire by husband and wife passed, and they still did not have time to perform the ritual. When she finally came, Brahma was angry. He threw out Saraswati and took the sage's daughter, Gayatri,
.
Saraswati did not experience family happiness; she did not have children. She had a short temper, was easily provoked, and was very grumpy. She had a very independent will and was not very kind to the male gods. Saraswati lived in exile, which she herself strove for. Her calm, dispassionate gaze looks at the past as a very real experience. Her ability to remember things without anger or resentment is the greatest gift for her children: writers, musicians and creators of various forms of art. They all fought against traditions and old foundations, but this fight was not emotional, but intellectual. Saraswati sits on a peacock throne in the Lalita Asana
, her body is white.
A distinctive feature of this Goddess is that a veena, a lute, and a sitar are depicted in her hands. She has four arms, representing the four cognitive aspects of the human personality: mind, intellect, wakefulness and ego. She holds the scriptures in one hand and a lotus - a symbol of true knowledge - in the other. With her other two hands she plays the music of love and life on a stringed instrument called Viina (Vina). She is dressed in white - a symbol of purity - and sits on a white swan, symbolizing Sattva guna - the guna of purity and discrimination, the guna of goodness. Saraswati is also associated with anuraga
, a rhythm that expresses all emotions and feelings through music or words.
It is believed that if children are named after her, they will be very successful in their studies in the future. A white swan swims at Saraswati's feet. According to legend, the sacred swan, if offered a mixture of milk and honey, will drink one milk from it. Thus, the swan symbolizes the distinction between good and bad, between the eternal and the fleeting. Due to this inextricable association with the swan, Goddess Saraswati is also addressed as Hamsavahini
, that is, the one "who uses the swan as a means of transportation."
The Goddess of Knowledge and Learning, Sri Saraswati is the embodiment of the Upanishad philosophy. Experience of the Supreme Reality and possession of Knowledge are the necessary qualities of a Guru, a Spiritual Teacher. Goddess Saraswati, therefore, is the image of an ideal Teacher, because has these two qualities. When the seeker practices self-control, deep study, constant introspection and regular meditation, his limited ego achieves liberation (moksha). This state of absolute freedom that a person experiences when he discovers the Higher Self within himself is symbolized by the lotus that Goddess Saraswati holds in her hand - the ego. Saints and spiritual people attach great importance to the worship of Saraswati. People of education and learning revere Saraswati for enlightenment and enlightenment. They say there is no comparison between the status of a king and that of a scholar or spiritual man. A king is limited to the boundaries of his kingdom, while a learned or spiritual man is respected and revered throughout the world. She is revered in both Hinduism and Buddhism. For Buddhists, She is the consort of Manjushri
, the bodhisattva of wisdom.
Buddhists appeal to Manjushri, asking for understanding, wisdom, mastery of teaching, the ability to interpret sacred texts, eloquence and memory. He works with Lord Maitreya
.
Sometimes Maitreya and Manjushri are depicted together with Gautama Buddha
, with Manjushri representing the wisdom aspect and Maitreya the compassion aspect of Buddhist teachings.
Like Saraswati, Manjushri bestows the gift of insight. The goddess Saraswati is associated with water
(Saraswati is the name of one of the three main rivers in India), therefore the mantras dedicated to her are cleansing.
They bestow vitality, cure diseases, and eliminate imbalance through cleansing of negative vibrations. The Vedas say that the Saraswati was the largest river in India, and although for many years scientists claimed that this was nothing more than a myth, archaeological excavations carried out in 1985 discovered an ancient river bed that matches the description of the Saraswati. This great river, from six to ten meters wide for most of its length, originated in the Himalayan mountains, carried its waters to the west and there flowed into the sea. The Rig Vedas call Saraswati "the best mother, the best river and the best Goddess." As the Goddess of the river (water), Saraswati personifies fertility and prosperity. It is associated with purity and creativity, especially in all things related to communication, such as literature and public speaking. In the post-Vedic era, she began to lose her status as a river Goddess and became more and more associated with the arts: literature, music and others. Her name in literary translation means "she who flows", which can equally refer to thoughts, words or a river flow. Goddess Saraswati manifests her energy through all flowers
, which have a very strong and pleasant aroma.
For example, flowers of lilac, jasmine, bird cherry, magnolia, apple tree. Minerals associated with Saraswati energy are amethyst, heliotrope, olivine, mother of pearl, charoite, chrysolite and white jade. Metals: silver. In humans, Saraswati, together with Varuna
(Neptune), controls the creative intellect,
Vishuddha chakra
, kidneys and water-salt metabolism.
It controls the functioning of the endocrine cells of the pancreas. Saraswati is the one who gives essence ('sara') to our own Self ('swa'). She is the wife of Brahma, the Creator. Creation, creation, can be supported only by “knowing how to create.” Symbolism of Saraswati: Lotus - shows that the teacher is established in the subjective experience of Truth. Peacock - shows that the ego must be suppressed. Four arms: - Manas
(mind),
Buddhi
(intellect),
Chitta
(conditioned consciousness) and
Ahamkara
(ego). Manas and Buddhi together hold the Vina, an Indian lute. This shows that truly knowledgeable teachers tune the mind and intellect of the seeking student and bring out from him the music of life. If the mind is not “tuned,” then mental agitation and disharmony with the world dominate. - Chitta holds the Holy Scriptures, implying that only knowledge of the Holy Scriptures can lead us to the Truth. — Ahamkar holds a rosary, showing the importance of mantras and meditation. Her sari, always white, reminds us that all valuable knowledge must be pure and untainted by untruth. The beautiful swan reminds us that we must separate the husk from the grain of true knowledge.
Parvati - wife of Shiva
and
Goddess of Love
and
Devotion
.
Parvati (Sanskrit: पार्वती, pārvatī
“mountain”) is one of the names of the wife of the god Shiva.
Is the good form of Devi
, shakti (that is, female creative energy) of Shiva.
Another name of good form is Gauri
.
In her cruel form, Devi bears the names Kali, Shyama, Chanda, Durga
...According to legend, Shiva's first wife Sati,
after
self-immolation on a sacred fire, was reborn some time later in the form of Parvati (or
Uma
), the daughter of the king of the mountains
Himavata
and the apsara
Menaka
(Mena).
To win the heart of Shiva, Parvati settled next to him on Mount Kailash, but Shiva, who indulged in severe asceticism, rejected her advances. The gods, wanting Shiva to have a son capable of crushing the asura Taraka, Indra’s enemy, sent Kama to arouse Shiva’s love, but Shiva burned him with the fire of his third eye. Then Parvati herself indulged in asceticism for the sake of Shiva. Testing her, Shiva came to her in the form of a young brahmana and began to blaspheme himself. Parvati rejected the slander and, moved by her devotion and beauty, Shiva married her. From this marriage the victor Taraka Skanda
(or
Kumara
) and the elephant-like god
Ganesha
.
Together they are a tremendous force. The love of Parvati and Shiva became the basis of the famous epic poem by Kalidasa. The trinity of Shiva-Parvati-Ganesh symbolizes the ideal type of divine family in Indian folk belief.
Shiva and Parvati are an eternal married couple who strived to be together in all their incarnations. In fact, inseparable from each other, they represent the ideal union of a man and a woman. Often depicted with her husband and Divine sons, Goddess Parvati is a manifestation and example of the feminine principle, an ideal harmonious family life.
Parvati is power (energy) - Shakti
, which is a manifestation of the mystery of the feminine essence and the female universal hypostasis.
Goddess Parvati fills the world with magic in order to show how happy family unions can be and how harmonious and beautiful the feminine manifestation of man is. The image of Parvati, personifying the creative feminine principle and the fertile power of the earth, absorbed the features of ancient tribal goddesses, and therefore she was worshiped under different names. She was considered the main female deity of India and bore the name Devi
- Goddess.
Shiva symbolizes divine power, the cosmic masculine principle and the highest consciousness of man, and Parvati symbolizes the divine mother, mother nature, the cosmic feminine principle and the feminine principle of man, his feminine half and internal energy. Therefore, Shiva is not only God, but also a kind of ideal for Himalayan men, and every girl dreams of being the same as Parvati, the girl prays every day that the Gods will give a husband like Shiva. Parvati appears before the inhabitants of the Himalayan valleys mainly as a merciful and giving Goddess, therefore women of the northern Himalayas turn to her with any questions and problems, on all holidays and family events. In the paintings, Parvati is depicted as a beautiful woman with the usual number of arms and legs. She is credited with performing only a few miracles. However, when this goddess appears in the guise of Durga, Kali and others, divine abilities awaken in her and characteristics are found that are different from those possessed by Parvati. She is usually depicted with a lion (sometimes with a tiger). Shri Durga (Jagadamba)
represents Parvati without Shri Shiva.
She is located in the central part of the heart and is known as the "Mother of the World" due to her nurturing and protective qualities. It gives us a sense of internal security and stability in the world around us. Respecting our mothers and understanding the importance of their influence on our personalities comes through Jagadamba. The name Durga has its own meaning, as the syllable du
recalls the four
asuras
(demons): poverty (
daridra
), suffering (
duhkha
), hunger (
durbhiksha
) and bad habits (
durvyasana
).
The sound r
means disease (
rogaghna
), and the syllable
ga
means sins (
papaghna
), injustice, anti-religion, cruelty, laziness and other bad habits.
Thus, the Goddess destroys all types of evil, symbolized by the sounds du, r
and
ga
.
The name Kali
means Black in Sanskrit.
Her other names are Durga
(Inaccessible),
Chandika
(Cruel) and
Bhairavi
(Terrible).
Kali is usually depicted as a nude or panther-skin-clad, four-armed, blue-skinned woman riding a lion or tiger. There is a fierce fire in her eyes, her long tongue sticks out from her bright scarlet mouth, from which drops of blood flow. In her upper left hand she holds a bloody sword, destroying doubt and duality, in her lower left hand she holds the severed head of a demon, symbolizing the ego. With her upper right hand she makes a protective gesture that drives away fear, and with her lower right hand she blesses for the fulfillment of all desires. She is wearing a belt made of human hands, which symbolize the inexorable action of karma. Not on her neck is a garland of skulls, which means a series of human incarnations. The three eyes of the goddess are creation, preservation and destruction. She personifies the merciless time, in the blue color of which she is painted. Goddess Kali symbolizes superiority over everything perishable, temporary, everything that is subject to destruction and death. It defeats the false concepts of the ego, the idea of identifying oneself with the body, and points the way to the knowledge of the immortal nature of the spirit.
Kali is often depicted trampling a corpse under her feet.
She leads her adherents to the understanding that in order to gain eternal life we must sacrifice our temporary, mortal nature.
That is why to the uninitiated in its mysteries it seems so frightening and destructive. According to the scriptures, it is Kali who triumphs over evil in the great confrontation between good and evil. So, in order to fully understand the true purpose of the female path, to know perfection and to touch the essence of the great cosmic Shakti, a woman must see in herself both hypostases of the great Goddess, become the embodiment of both Kali and Parvati at the same time. This means - to create and protect the beauty of the “earthly” and at the same time be devoted to the “eternal”, to that which is beyond time and death, to give love and compassion and to be merciless to manifestations of moral and spiritual decline, to remain faithful to goodness and to be merciless to evil. In relationships with men, this means being selective, devoted to a worthy partner who has high goals in life, maintaining and protecting fruitful relationships that give development to both partners. In relation to the unworthy behavior of a man, be tough and ruthless, without regret, break off relationships that are unconstructive, humiliating for a woman, leading partners to degradation. Always remember that severity is one of the manifestations of true love
Lakshmi and Vishnu: a love story
The Indian goddess of love is described as a fickle, independent and multi-faceted personality. Her peculiarity is that she is capable of being both very soft, gentle, and jealous, showing discontent and wayward character . As various myths and legends describe, Lakshmi is quite capable of leaving one ruler for another, because she is inextricably linked with the attributes of power. As long as one is in the royal place, the goddess invariably belongs to him. As soon as he loses power, the Goddess leaves him.
Despite her fickleness, Lakshmi developed a strong relationship with Vishnu . In order for his wife to always remain happy and satisfied, he constantly makes efforts. And this bears fruit - the goddess reciprocates his feelings, remaining faithful. She follows her beloved husband everywhere, living in harmony with him.
Lakshmi and Vishnu are one. They complement each other, penetrate each other, fill each other. They are the embodiment of everything that exists. Lakshmi is the source of God's power, which continuously fills him with energy. She can often be seen in images as an amazingly beautiful goddess present next to Vishnu.
The relationship between Lakshmi and his husband, the god Vishnu, as well as the place of the goddess in the Universe is spoken of in various myths and scriptures, including the Vishnu Purana:
“Vishnu is the meaning (of a word), she is its sound, Hari is guidance, she is good conduct. Vishnu is the creator, she is the creation; Hari is the Holder of the earth, she is the earth; Bhagavan is joy and Lakshmi is constant contentment. Sri is desire and Bhagavan is love, he is the sacrifice, she is the sacrificial gift; the goddess is a sacrifice of clarified butter, Janardana is a (sacrificial) cake made from ground rice... Lakshmi is a temple for women, and the Demon Destroyer Madhu is a temple for husbands; … Bhagavan is the embodied Samaveda, and the One who dwells in the lotus is the rhythm (of the verses of the Samaveda), Lakshmi is a sacrifice to the gods, and the Patron of the world Vasudeva is (sacrificial fire). Bhagavan Shauri is Shankara, and Sri is (his consort) Gauri; Keshava is the sun, O Maitreya, and She who dwells in the lotus is his light.”
And these words also perfectly reflect who Lakshmi’s husband is and who she herself is:
“Why so many words? Bhagavan Hari is (all) that among gods, animals, people and others is called a man, and Lakshmi is (all) that is called a woman. And besides them, there is nothing new.”
(Vishnu Purana, Book I, Chapter VIII).
Ancient Indian painting “Vishnu and Lakshmi”
In the tantric direction, the consort of the god Vishnu represents his potency-energy. It awakens passion, excites, gives strength. The Creator creates worlds, and his wife helps them flourish. Yes, Lakshmi acts independently, but she does it in such a way that all her activities reflect the will of her husband. Complementary union is the key to harmony.
Essentially, Lakshmi is the female manifestation of Vishnu. It reflects God-partnership, God-love. The masculine and feminine principles together form Brahman, who is called Lakshmi-Narayana. Born together with Vishnu, she maintains the beauty, harmony and prosperity of the whole world. He is everything masculine, and she is everything feminine.
If you work correctly with the energy of Lakshmi, you can attract true happiness and love into your life. This can be useful both for married people who have lost touch with their partner, and for single people who are just at the stage of searching for a soul mate.
Appeal to Lakshmi. Things to remember
- Before reading mantras, it is very important to pronounce the intention! Remember that if you do not express requests-intentions, you may not get what you want. The intention or dedication is stated in your own words, it determines the purpose of the reading and, preferably, the timing of reading the mantra.
- While reading mantras, it is favorable to fast (do not eat meat, garlic/onions), and offer flowers and incense to the image of Lakshmi.
- Along with mantras, another important way to attract Lakshmi's favor is through donations of goodness and service to others. To worthy people/organizations/temples. This greatly and significantly improves your karma (including financial!).
- When turning to the Goddess, remember that luck, as Lakshmi understands it, is the ability to see opportunities and use them! That is, luck will not fall on your head. You need to communicate more, not sit still and try all the chances that fate sends.
And finally, Lakshmi loves grateful and receptive hearts. Therefore, calling on her, imagine that all your desires have been fulfilled in a Divine way.
Feel grateful for it!
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Holidays dedicated to Lakshmi
Many holidays are dedicated to the goddess, during which she is revered. One of these is Navratri, which falls in the period September-October . It is celebrated for nine days, because according to myth, the goddess Durga fought with the demon for nine days in a row, taking the form of a buffalo. On the ninth and last day, she won. In Bengal, Durga, her two daughters (Lakshmi and Saraswati) and two sons (Kartikeya and Ganapati) are worshiped as the embodiment of wealth, knowledge, strength and intelligence respectively. In southern India, this holiday is celebrated for three nights three times. The first three nights the goddess is treated as Lakshmi, the second three as Saraswati, the third three as Kali. In Gujarat, at this time, women dance and sing, glorifying the fertility of the earth goddess Bhu-devi.
Photo from Navaratri holiday
Another holiday that is widely celebrated in India is Diwali (Deepavali). It is even called the “festival of lights” and is also dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi, who is revered with special respect these days. Lakshmi Puja is a ritual of worshiping Goddess Lakshmi. It is a very important part of Diwali. During the puja, believers invoke the deity, hoping for improvement in well-being, financial situation, love and family relationships.
For five nights (that's how long Diwali is celebrated) after Sharad Purnima on the arrival of the new moon, which occurs in October-November, people explode firecrackers, light lanterns, oil lamps, garlands, distribute sweets, and light incense. Each of the five nights is celebrated in a special way. But, in any case, during Diwali, women try to thoroughly clean their homes and decorate the thresholds with auspicious symbols and ranglis (colored patterns) . Before night falls, people decorate the house with as many lights and garlands as possible, dress up in their best clothes, have a festive dinner and exchange gifts with loved ones.
Happy Diwali
Along with Lakshmi, on these same days they also worship other “money” gods - Ganesh and Kuber. It is especially recommended to contact this trinity for those who are engaged in business or have just embarked on the path of organizing their own business. Some enterprises even prefer to create new accounting books, and many businessmen try to enter into new deals and agreements.
Diwali is celebrated throughout India, but it is most popular in its northern part, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.
Onam is celebrated in August-September. It is celebrated on a special scale in the state of Kerala. In Punjab, this holiday is called “Baisakhi” or “Vaisakhi” - equivalent to the harvest and New Year festival. In the morning, people begin to prepare the most significant symbols of Lakshmi: gold, rice, vegetables, fruits, mirror, flowers, water.
On the festival of “Varalakshmi nombu” or “Vra-lakshmi vrata”, everyone who desires blessings turns to Lakshmi. It is celebrated most of all in the southern part of India, namely in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telingan. Those who believe ask the Indian goddess for health, children, wealth, property, food, spouse, happiness. During the special puja, 108 names of Lakshmi are chanted. In order not to upset or offend her, you should not leave this ritual before its completion.
Sitting on a tiger or lion. Holidays dedicated to Durga
Hindus depict their goddess sitting on a tiger or lion. By this they show the will, determination and strength of Durga. Sometimes Durga stands on the top of a mountain. She controls a wild beast, this is how her mastery in all qualities is manifested. The tiger is a symbol of unlimited power. The pose in which Durga stands is called Abhay Mudra.
It means that the goddess is free from fear. The Defender fearlessly confronts the forces of evil. She uses her energy to eradicate evil and protect good. Durga is depicted wearing a red sari. This is how artists show that it protects people from pain and suffering. Hindus should behave like their goddess. Her energy is divine light (jyoti), feminine creative energy.
Durga is dedicated to numerous Hindu holidays, which are celebrated several times a year. The most famous of them is Durga Puja. It is celebrated for four days in September or October. It depends on the lunar calendar. Durga Puja is a celebration of victory over evil. On this day, Hindus read prayers and sing songs praising the goddess. They decorate temples and houses, and performances about the legend of Durga are held everywhere.
Another festival dedicated to the goddess is celebrated for nine nights. It is called Navratri. On the last day, an effigy of Ravana is burned. Animals are sacrificed to Goddess Durga, for example, turtles, kids, poultry, and fish. Sometimes human blood is spilled on the altar. There are several mantras dedicated to the eight-armed goddess. By pronouncing “Om Sri Durgaya Namah”, a person eliminates physical, psychological, worldly problems. The soul becomes boundless, spiritualized and blessed.
Who does Lakshmi protect?
The many-armed goddess Lakshmi is a reliable support for those who are engaged in creativity and have connected their lives with this direction . She loves no less those who have found themselves in a profession related to the production of clothing or household items, cosmetology, finance, jewelry making, raising children, cooking, farming, and social assistance. Perhaps it is simply impossible to list all the areas of activity under the patronage of the goddess.
It is also worth remembering that Lakshmi can be both infinitely kind and merciful and angry - however, quite deservedly. She doesn't like it when people are too greedy and when, on the contrary, they waste too much money . If a person shows disrespect for food, has an unkempt appearance, there is dirt and strife with relatives in his house, conflicts at work - Lakshmi will turn away from such a person . She also does not encourage the killing of animals, poor treatment of natural resources, or the destruction of beautiful things.
Particular attention should be paid to wearing gold. If this is done incorrectly, luck, happiness and material well-being can turn away from a person. Since gold is one of the manifestations of Lakshmi and the Sun God (Surya), it must be treated with respect . You should not wear it on your ankles as a bracelet, as this part of the body is considered dirty. At the same time, the goddess does not limit the desire of both women and men to wear gold jewelry on any other parts of the body.
Lakshmi values courage, strength, the ability to withstand powerful opponents and win in the fight against them. The goddess patronizes people who are able to show determination.
The lotus-eyed goddess shows women by her own example how they should treat their spouses. They must honor their husbands as gods, remain faithful to them, always be wonderful housewives, attractive, and homemakers. At the same time, a grateful husband will surround his wife with care, attention, and give her what she wants.
Tips and tricks for beginners
If you have never used Buddhist prayers before, chanting mantras can be a little challenging. Therefore, it is better to start by listening to audio recordings.
In order for the session to give the desired result, you should properly prepare for it:
- Take a bath by adding sea salt or aromatic herbs to the water.
- Light incense in the room, then take a comfortable position (you can even lie down in bed).
- Focus on your desire.
- Now you can turn on the recording and relax, feeling how positive energy fills every cell of the body.
You need to listen to the mantra until you reach a state of pleasant fatigue.
How to earn the favor of the goddess?
In order for Lakshmi to bring good luck, prosperity, love and mutual understanding to the house, various techniques are used.
The very first thing you need is to pay special attention to the home into which you want to attract the goddess . It is better if we place a figurine of Lakshmi or at least her image in the house. Since Lakshmi is interested in financial affairs and material well-being, and she herself does not tolerate inaction, it is best to place her image in the hallway or study. This is because these parts of the house have a connection with material wealth, financial wealth, and an increase in financial wealth. also advisable to focus on the southeast direction when placing the symbolism of the goddess . The southwestern direction is also allowed as the personification of travel and help.
Modern feng shui experts say that you can put a photo on the desktop of a computer device. It should depict the goddess with those symbols that represent your most pressing needs. There are enough necessary pictures and photos on the Internet.
You should do your best to stop quarreling and not keeping promises . Lakshmi loves when people take responsibility for their actions and take initiative . Special attention should also be paid to the cleanliness of the home. It is necessary to clean it as often as possible. You can periodically light incense sticks (ideally made from lotus and other flowers).
Goddess Figurines
To further appease Lakshmi, an altar should be installed and its surface covered with a beautiful cloth embroidered with gold threads. In its center there should be a figurine or image of this deity. The altar should be decorated with gold items, fresh large flowers, and precious stones (especially red and yellow jade, lapis lazuli).
Lakshmi is compassionate and merciful. She does not tolerate cruel, aggressive, envious and vicious people. therefore, in order to earn her favor, it is important to work on your spirituality.
Lakshmi will never stay where there is anger, hatred, lies, envy, hypocrisy and violence. She is also intolerant of sexual perversions, and therefore does not encourage non-traditional sexual orientations, accompanied by unhealthy hobbies, and the trade in intimate services. She simply leaves this place and does not want to return there anymore. And behind it goes prosperity, well-being, luck and happiness. Life in peace, love, harmony - that’s what she likes. And for this she generously rewards.
Lakshmi as srivatsa
The word "srivatsa" in Sanskrit means "beloved Sri". This is a curl of hair or an auspicious sign that is located on the chest of Vishnu - the beloved husband of Sri, that is, Lakshmi. This sign testifies to Vishnu's fidelity to his wife. Since Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, it is natural that srivatsa can bring good luck. We also have an interesting article about the Aum symbol.
Srivatsa symbol in different versions
Krishna is the eighth avatar of Vishnu. In the center of his chest is srivatsa. This symbol is also called “nandyavarta”, which translates as “curl of happiness”. It is a combination of hooks forming a Greek cross, or has the shape of a swastika.
The so-called endless knot (granthi) has been known for a long time. It was depicted on clay products 2500 thousand years BC. Buddhism later borrowed this symbol, which is believed to bring good luck.
What is the deity responsible for?
Lakshmi is associated with prosperity, beauty, luck, she is able to help people achieve both material and spiritual benefits, as she is the source of any wealth, all universal abundance.
She is considered a special goddess in the Hindu pantheon. Why? Because it allows people to realize 4 basic goals in life:
- Dharma - living righteously, fulfilling your destiny.
- Arthi - to achieve prosperity by realizing your natural talent.
- Kamu is physical pleasure that occurs harmoniously, without violating the laws of the Universe.
- Moksha – spiritual freedom.
Wherever the divine Lakshmi is, she spreads the energy of abundance and good luck everywhere. Hindus usually call it “Sriyam”, which means the possession of 6 graces: wealth, strength, influence, beauty, knowledge and self-denial. A person can receive any of them, if, of course, he deserves it.
In the process of glorifying the goddess, she is given the title “sati” (that is, chaste), since her thoughts are always occupied only by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and no one else.
Lakshmi deservedly received the title of an ideal wife. In many of her images, she massages Vishnu's feet, showing her love and commitment to him. She acts as the Primordial Mother. In ancient times, it was believed that she was the first before everything else, and in her womb life itself and all the other gods were born.
Mantras, prayers and hymns praising Lakshmi
There are many prayers, stotras, hymns, slokas and mantras dedicated to the Indian goddess of wealth. The most famous Lakshmi mantra is: “ Om Hrim Shrim Lakshmi Byo Namaha .” It actually means “ Goddess Lakshmi resides within me and bestows abundance in all aspects of my existence .” But, there are a large number of other mantras with different meanings. Often people read a mantra without knowing its true purpose. But each of them has a specific purpose and effect.
The mantra “Om Lakshmi Vigan Sri Kamala Dharigan Swaha” helps those who want to find peace, fulfill their cherished desires, and improve their financial situation. For it to be as effective as possible, it should be repeated from April 13 to May 15, 108 times daily.
Audio
Features of the mantra
The Goddess is known for her unpredictable character, so before you start reading mantras, you should familiarize yourself with some rules:
- The goddess listens to the prayers of only people with pure thoughts, which means that before practice it is important to get rid of negative emotions. A relaxing bath with incense and meditation will be useful.
- You cannot make requests to Lakshmi that could harm another person.
- The goddess demands worship, love and admiration from her followers. There is no doubt about the power of Lakshmi. During spiritual practice, a person should feel sincere gratitude to the supreme deity.
