Goddess Lakshmi The word 'Lakshmi' is derived from the Sanskrit word Laksya, meaning 'aim' or 'goal', and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. Samudra manthan (Story of the churning of the milk Ocean). Maha Lakshmi is one expression of the divine Aadi Parasakti. Maha Lakshmi represents the beautiful and the bountiful. As Bhudevi, the Earth-goddess, she nurtures life; as Shridevi, the goddess of Fortune, she bestows power, pleasure and prosperity on those who deserve her grace. However, to realize her, one must respect the laws of life and appreciate the wonders of existence. One such story that reflects this is documented as follows: In the distant past, "Wealth and power corrupted the Asuras ruled by King Baali. Pleasure and comfort had weakened the Gods under King Indra neither could hold on to dharma for long. Maha Lakshmi who lived with both the king of the Asuras (Bali) and the king of the Devas (Indra) said “Neither deserves my grace." And in so saying, the goddess dissolved herself in the ocean of milk before it was known by that name. With her disappearance, an instant gloom descended upon the world of the Devas and Asuras: it no longer reverberated with song and dance. Weapons lost their power, gems their lustre, men their vigour. Cows did not give milk, fields became barren, and trees bore neither flower nor fruit. The cosmos became a desolate place bereft of joy and laughter. The Devas approached Lord Brahma with their dilemma who enlightened them through his wisdom/Sarasvathi and advised them to approach Lord Vishnu (Preserver in the trinity), then the Asuras (their compatriots after being banished from Heaven) and Lord Siva (Redeemer in the trinity) for help to overcome the cataclysmic event that had befallen all of creation....and so began the epic task of churning the milk ocean in order to attain the ultimate treasure of Immortality. Lord Vishnu would incarnate in the Turtle Avathaar (Kurma Avathaar) and support Mount Mandara used as a churning tool whilst Vasuki (Serpent King). Eons passed, nothing happened, both the Gods and Asuras, having started churning with zest and enthusiasm, began to have doubts of attaining the prized nectar of immortality. Lord Vishnu sensed the loss of momentum ...worried that they may become disillusioned, he appealed to Maha Lakshmi, who emerged as a Lakshmi, the desirable one, in all her splendour. Seated on a dew drenched Lotus, dressed in red silk, bedecked in gold, she was the very the embodiment of affluence, abundance and auspiciousness. As she arose, rasa, life giving sap, began flowing in every direction. The earth palpated with life. Joy filled the air. The gods saluted her; the demons sang songs to her glory. Sacred elephants that hold up the sky came from the eight quarters of the universe raised their trunks and consecrated her with life sustaining water. Thus the Devas and Asuras were invigorated, re-energised and increased their churning effort. Likewise in the present time, the Earth is being poisoned by the ever increasing results of urbanisation, commercial farming, mining and industrialisation...the contamination of ground water occurs through mining activity, the use of pesticides and herbicides runs off into the river systems, air pollution from factories, increased waste disposal through urbanisation etc. All these activities are poisoning our oceans, the source of all life on Earth. The cold and warm currents responsible for generating winds, weather systems and rainfall control the seasons that allows man to farm and sustain himself. Our actions have lead to the present Global Warming phenomenon and as the story of Samudra Manthan confirms, history may repeat itself if we don’t pay heed to the warning signs. So what is the essence of the story? 1. As the Devas and Asuras made peace with each other and surrendered to God seeking his grace, our congregation, the community, needs to put aside any petty differences and come together to work and pray for the common good and not for individualistic, selfish desires. It is said that if we take one step towards GOD, GOD will take a hundred steps towards us. 2. Wealth and corruption spoiled the Asuras, Comfort and Pleasure spoiled the Devas, so Mother Lakshmi feeling abused left both sides. It was only when the Devas and Asuras collaborated in “right action” that she arose from the Milk Ocean teaching us that reward equal’s effort. Right Action means 1
that our effort needs to be sincere, respectful of the laws of life and appreciative of the wonders of existence. 3. Righteous Living implies starting small. Aspire to: - THINK GOOD THOUGHTS - SPEAK GOOD WORDS - PERFORM GOOD ACTIONS Then we would have achieved our AIM. Mother Lakshmi will enter and brighten our lives. The Lakshmi Form Lakshmi is depicted as a beautiful woman of golden complexion, with four hands, sitting or standing on a fullbloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud, which stands for beauty, purity and fertility. Her four hands represent the four ends of human life: dharma or righteousness, kama or desires, artha or wealth, and moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Cascades of gold coins are seen flowing from her hands, suggesting that those who worship her gain wealth. She always wears gold embroidered red clothes. Red symbolizes activity and the golden lining indicates prosperity. Lakshmi is the active energy of Vishnu, and also appears as Lakshmi-Narayan - Lakshmi accompanying Vishnu. Two elephants are often shown standing next to the goddess and spraying water. This denotes that ceaseless effort, in accordance with one's dharma and governed by wisdom and purity, leads to both material and spiritual prosperity. Lotus Symbol. The meaning of the lotus refers to purity and spiritual power. Rooted in the mud but blossoming above the water, completely uncontaminated by the mud, the lotus represents spiritual perfection and authority. Some of her names in connection with the lotus are: Padma: lotus dweller. Kamala: lotus dweller. Padmapriya: One who likes lotuses Padmamaladhara devi: One who wears a garland of lotuses Padmamukhi: One whose face is as beautiful as a lotus Padmakshi: One whose eyes are as beautiful as a lotus Padmahasta: One who holds a lotus Padmasundari: One who is as beautiful as a lotus Ashta Lakshmi - 8 Forms of Goddess Lakshmi Ashta Lakshmi or Ashtalakshmi ("eight Lakshmis") are a group of eight secondary manifestations of the goddess Lakshmi, who presides over eight sources of wealth and thus represent the powers of Shri 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. They are: 1) Adi Lakshmi or Maha Lakshmi [The First Manifestation of Lakshmi or The Great Lakshmi) : An ancient form of Lakshmi and incarnation of Lakshmi as daughter of sage Bhrigu. She is depicted as four-armed, carrying a lotus and a white flag, other two arms in Abhaya mudra and varada mudra. 2) Dhanya Lakshmi [Lakshmi as goddess of grain"]: Giver of agricultural wealth. Depicted as eight-armed, in green garments, carries two lotuses, gada (mace), paddy crop, sugarcane, bananas, other two hands in abhaya mudra and varada mudra. 2
3) Dhana Lakshmi [Monetary wealth - money and gold]: Depicted as six-armed, in red garments, carries chakra (discus), shankha (conch), kalasha (water pitcher with mango leaves and a coconut on it) or Amrita kumbha (a pitcher containing Amrita - elixir of life), bow-arrow, a lotus and an arm in abhaya mudra with gold coins falling from it 4) Gaja Lakshmi [Giver of animal wealth like cattle and elephants]: Gaja Lakshmi brought back the wealth lost by Indra (king of demi-gods) from the ocean. Depicted as four-armed, in red garments, carries two lotuses, other two arms in abhaya mudra and varada mudra, surrounded by two elephants bathing her with water pots. 5) Santana Lakshmi [Wealth of continuity, progeny]: Bestower of offspring. Depicted as six-armed, carries two kalashas (water pitcher with mango leaves and a coconut on it), sword, shield, a child on her lap, a hand in abhaya mudra and the other holding the child. The child holds a lotus. 6) Vijaya Lakshmi or Jaya Lakshmi ["Victorious Lakshmi" Wealth of victory]: Giver of victory, not only in battles but also over conquering hurdles in success. Depicted as eight-armed, in red garments, carries chakra, shakh, sword, shield, lotus, pasha, other two hands in abhaya mudra and varada mudra. 7) Vidya Lakshmi [Wealth of knowledge and education]: The bestower of knowledge of arts and sciences. Depicted as eight-armed, in red garments, carries chakra, shakh, sword, shield, lotus, pasha, other two hands in abhaya mudra and varada mudra. 8) Veera Lakshmi or Dhairya Lakshmi [Wealth of courage]: Bestower of valour in battles and courage and strength for overcoming difficulties in life. Depicted as eight-armed, in red garments, carries chakra, shakh, bow, arrow, trishul (or sword), gold bar or book ?, other two hands in abhaya mudra and varada mudra
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