Lakshmi is a beloved Hindu Goddess with a deep and powerful meaning.
She is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and she is widely worshipped across India and many other parts of the world.
Her presence is known to bring good luck, fortune, and abundance to those who venerate her.
She is also said to bring good health, wisdom, and contentment.
This article introduces the Indian Goddess Lakshmi.
Who is Lakshmi?
Lakshmi is one of the Hindu goddesses.
And she is the wife of Vishnu, one of the supreme gods of Hinduism.
In addition, Lakshmi is said to have an older sister, the goddess of misfortune, Alakshmi.
On becoming the wife of Vishnu, She asked Vishnu
Give my sister a spouse as a condition of becoming your wife.
There is a myth that to marry a certain saint (rishi) and Alakshmi.
Lakshmi is the goddess of:
- Wealth
- Prosperity
- Beauty
- Fertility
- Good luck
Worship of Lakshmi is an important part of Hindu life.
Diwali (Festival of Lights) is held in late October and early November to celebrate Lakshmi.
During this time, many Hindus perform Lakshmi Puja (prayers) to please Lakshmi and bring her blessings.
Moreover, shopping during the 5 days of Diwali is considered auspicious.
By the way, Lakshmi is also incorporated into Buddhism and is called Kisshoten.
She is the god of happiness, beauty, and wealth.
What does Lakshmi look like?
Lakshmi's form has lotus eyes, lotus-colored skin, and a lotus robe.
It is then depicted as riding on a red lotus flower floating in the water.
She has four arms and symbolizes the four human goals of goodness in Hinduism.
The four goals are:
- Dharma: Pursuit of ethical, moral life
- Artha: Pursuit of wealth, means of life
- Kama: Pursuit of love, emotional fulfillment
- Moksha: Pursuit of self-knowledge, liberation from Samsara
She usually holds a lotus in one or both hands.
In some cases, it is depicted as holding a piggy bank overflowing with gold coins.
What is the origin of Lakshmi?
There are various theories about the origin of Lakshmi.
The most influential myth about Lakshmi is that it was born during the Samudra Manthana(Creation Myth in Hinduism).
The gods and the Asuras (the beings that oppose the gods in India) had a conflicting relationship.
One day, the gods lost their power due to a certain curse.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Asuras invaded, but the gods were helpless.
It's not good as it is!
The king of gods asked Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma for help, but they could not break the curse.
Therefore, the king of gods visited Lord Vishnu.
Vishnu said
Drink the Elixir of Immortality (Amrita).
Therefore, the gods decided to the Samudra Manthana in order to create the elixir of immortality (Amrita).
But, this was an impossible task for the gods alone and needed Asura's cooperation.
So the gods reconciled with Asura.
Let's cooperate on the condition of sharing Amrita.
The gods and the asuras used the mountain to pull each other and succeeded in churning the sea.
Thousands of years of churning continued, during which time various things were born from the ocean of milk.
One of them was Lakshmi.
Lakshmi is said to have emerged from the sea on a lotus flower.
By the way, when Lakshmi was born, the Asuras tried to get her, but they failed.