Lakshmi

Lakshmi, also known as Śrī, is the principal goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity, beauty, fertility, and auspiciousness in Hindu tradition. She is the consort of Vishnu, the preserver deity, and together they represent the ideal household and cosmic harmony. Her earliest mention is in the Śrī Sūkta, a hymn appended to the Rigveda, where she is invoked as the bestower of gold, cattle, and glory. The Puranic narrative of her emergence from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) is detailed in the Mahabharata (Vana Parva) and the Vishnu Purana; she arose from the cosmic ocean seated on a lotus, choosing Vishnu as her eternal consort.

Iconographically, Lakshmi is depicted with four arms, seated or standing on a fully bloomed lotus, symbolizing purity and spiritual sovereignty. She holds lotus buds in two hands, while the other two hands shower gold coins (varada mudra) or display the abhaya mudra. Two elephants (Gaja Lakshmi) often flank her, pouring water from pots, representing royal authority and fertility. Her golden complexion and serene expression convey generosity and grace.

Principal myths include her periodic incarnations as Sita (wife of Rama) and Rukmini (wife of Krishna), as narrated in the Ramayana and Bhagavata Purana. She is also central to the Devi Mahatmya, where she emerges as a form of the supreme goddess. Regional worship varies: in South India, Varalakshmi Vratam is observed on the last Friday of Shravan; in the North, Lakshmi Puja on Diwali is the most prominent festival, where homes are cleaned and lit to welcome her. She is also worshipped during Dhanteras and Navaratri.

In Hindu cosmology, Lakshmi embodies the principle of abundance and is the active energy (Shakti) of Vishnu, ensuring the sustenance and prosperity of the universe. Her presence is invoked in every household and business, and her blessings are sought for material and spiritual well-being.

The name Lakshmi derives from the Sanskrit root 'lakṣ' (लक्ष्), meaning 'to perceive, observe, know, understand,' and 'lakṣa' (लक्ष), meaning 'goal, aim, objective.' Thus, Lakshmi symbolizes the understanding and attainment of one's goals. A related term is 'lakṣaṇa' (लक्षण), meaning 'sign, target, attribute, auspicious mark.' In the Rigveda, the word 'lakṣmī' appears once, signifying 'kindred mark' or 'sign of auspicious fortune.' The goddess is also widely known as Śrī (श्री), a term that pervades Vedic literature, appearing about 130 times in the Rigveda, denoting prosperity, fertility, and auspiciousness.

While 'Śrī' emphasizes general prosperity and glory, 'Lakṣmī' specifically connotes material wealth. In Tamil traditions, she is called 'Ilakkumi' or 'Tiru.' The Taittirīya Saṃhitā mentions Lakṣmī and Śrī as two wives of Āditya, according to the commentator.

The Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa describes Śrī as issuing forth from Prajāpati. Dowson's 1879 dictionary notes that Lakshmi is also known as Padmā (lotus-born), Kṣīrābdhi-tanayā (daughter of the ocean of milk), and other epithets like Indirā, Lola (the fickle), and Loka-mātā (mother of the world).

Lakshmi's earliest textual presence is in the Śrī Sūkta, a hymn appended to the Rigveda (khila portion), where she is invoked for gold, cattle, and glory. The term 'lakṣmī' appears in the Rigveda (10.71.2) meaning 'auspicious sign,' but the personified goddess emerges in the late Vedic period. The Taittirīya Saṃhitā (2.3.10) and Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa (11.4.3) develop Śrī as a personification of royal authority and prosperity.

The goddess gains prominence in the epic and Puranic periods. The Mahābhārata (Vana Parva, chapters 100-102) narrates her birth from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), where she arises seated on a lotus and chooses Vishnu as her eternal consort. The Viṣṇu Purāṇa (Book 1, Chapter 9) elaborates on her origins as the daughter of Bhṛgu and Khyātī, and her subsequent births as Padmā, Sītā, and Rukmiṇī accompanying Vishnu's avatars.

The Rāmāyaṇa (Bāla Kāṇḍa, sarga 73) also recounts her emergence from the ocean. By the Gupta period (4th-6th century CE), Lakshmi is firmly established as Vishnu's consort and the goddess of fortune. The Devī Māhātmya (part of Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, c.

5th-6th century CE) includes her as a form of the supreme goddess. In the Śrī Vaiṣṇava tradition, Lakshmi is central as the mediator between devotees and Vishnu.

Lakshmi is depicted as a golden-complexioned goddess, radiant and serene, seated or standing on a fully bloomed lotus (padmāsana), symbolizing purity and spiritual sovereignty. She typically has four arms: two hands hold lotus buds, one hand displays the varada mudra (gesture of blessing, showering gold coins), and the other shows abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness). In two-armed depictions, she holds a lotus in one hand and the other is in varada mudra.

She wears a red or pink silk sari, adorned with gold ornaments, a crown, and a garland of lotuses. Her vahana (vehicle) is the owl (uluka), representing wisdom and the ability to see in darkness. The Gaja-Lakshmi form features two elephants flanking her, pouring water from pots (kalasha) over her, symbolizing royal authority and fertility.

In South Indian bronze icons, she is often shown standing on a lotus pedestal with a gentle smile, while North Indian miniature paintings depict her seated on a throne with Vishnu. The Śilpa-śāstra texts, such as the Śrītattvanidhi, prescribe her proportions and attributes. The dhyāna-śloka describes her as 'Śrī' with a lotus face, four arms, and adorned with all auspicious marks.

In Advaita Vedanta, Lakshmi is considered the śakti (energy) of Brahman, representing the phenomenal world of names and forms (māyā), yet she is ultimately non-different from the supreme. Śaṅkara's commentary on the Viṣṇu Sahasranāma identifies Lakshmi as the divine power of Vishnu. In Viśiṣṭādvaita (Śrī Vaiṣṇavism), Lakshmi is the mediator (puruṣakāra) between devotees and Vishnu; she is the divine mother who intercedes for souls.

Rāmānuja's Śrī Bhāṣya emphasizes her role as the consort of Nārāyaṇa, co-eternal and co-equal. In Dvaita, Madhva distinguishes Lakshmi as an eternal, independent entity, subordinate only to Vishnu, and the bestower of liberation. In Śākta traditions, Lakshmi is one of the three great goddesses (Tridevi) and an aspect of the supreme Devī, embodying prosperity and abundance.

The Devī Māhātmya glorifies her as a form of the goddess who grants both material and spiritual wealth. In Tantric texts, Lakshmi is associated with the śrīcakra and is worshipped for siddhis and worldly success. The Bhāgavata Purāṇa portrays her as the eternal consort of Vishnu, residing in Vaikuṇṭha, and the embodiment of grace.

Lakshmi is a central figure in Indian classical dance, with Bharatanatyam and Odissi performances depicting her emergence from the ocean and her marriage to Vishnu. In Carnatic music, compositions like 'Śrī Lakṣmī Varāham' and 'Bhaja Gaurīśam' invoke her blessings. Hindustani khyals and bhajans also celebrate her.

In painting, the Tanjore style often portrays her with a golden complexion and ornate jewelry, while Pahari miniatures show her in serene landscapes. Mughal paintings occasionally include her as a symbol of prosperity. Folk art forms like Madhubani and Warli feature Lakshmi motifs.

The festival of Diwali is the most prominent celebration, with Lakshmi Puja performed across India. In South India, Varalakshmi Vratam is observed on the last Friday of Śrāvaṇa. In Southeast Asia, Lakshmi appears in Balinese Hinduism, Cambodian temple reliefs (Angkor Wat), and Thai art, where she is associated with fertility and abundance.

In Japan, the goddess Kichijōten (吉祥天) is derived from Lakshmi and is worshipped for fortune and beauty.