The White Hindu
Lakshmi (or Laxmi) is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity: both in the material sense and the spiritual sense. She is associated with Vishnu, which makes sense because he is the God who maintains the world, so during everyday life, Lakshmi plays a big role. You may also hear her called Mahalakshmi, which is “Maha” + “Lakshmi,” meaning Great Lakshmi. When Vishnu incarnates on earth as an avatar, Lakshmi joins him. Sita and Radha (lovers of Rama and Krishna) were incarnations of Lakshmi. It is said that Lakshmi gives Vishnu his energy
Why Worship Lakshmi* Stories * Symbolism * Holidays * How She Is Worshiped * Mantras and Bhajans
Why Worship Lakshmi
She brings success to hard working and dedicated people who call on her. Though she is the Goddess of wealth, one should not call on her with greed. Fridays are the best day for worshiping Lakshmi.
Stories
Lakshmi’s Rebirth
The story of the churning of the ocean comes up once again! According to legend, Lakshmi was angered by Indra’s arrogance and left the world. She was rediscovered when she emerged during the churning of the milky sea. Having her there brought success to the Devas and they were able to defeat the demons because of her presence.
Birth of Lakshmi
Sage Bhrigu set out to find what satisfies hunger and learnt from Varuna, the god of the sea, that everything in this universe is ultimately food. Soon Sage Bhrigu realized that Goddess Saraswati nourishes only the mind. He realized the importance of food and found that it is also equally important to nourish the body. With the help of his learning, he invoked Goddess Lakshmi, which nourishes the body. For a balanced and happy life – Goddess Saraswati, that nourishes the mind, and Goddess Lakshmi, that nourishes the body, are equally important. – http://www.hindu-blog.com/2008/12/story-of-goddess-lakshmi-as-daughter-of.html
Kamadeva
Did you know that there is a Hindu cupid? Just like the western stories, he is a mischeveous God of desire who shoots people with arrows of lust. His bow is made of sugarcane and his arrows are tipped in flowers. He rides a parrot. Some stories say that he is the son of Lakshmi.
Symbolism
They say that she prefers a clean home and will visit the cleanest homes first!
The lotus flower has a great significance for Hindus. It is said that it is able to float on the surface of muddy water without becoming unclean. This is a symbol of what we should be as human beings: a part of the world, within the world, but also unsullied by the world. Lakshmi is the ultimate worldly Goddess who also brings spiritual blessings.
Holidays
She is one of the forms of mother Shakti that is worshiped during Navratri
Her worship ceremonies also include people offering food and sweets, chanting her 108 names, prayers repeated and devotional songs being sung. To light the way for Lakshmi to enter their homes, women line up their windows in light. –Hindu Devotional Blog
Here are the 108 names:
Name Meaning Prakruti Natural World Vikruti Many-Sided Nature Vidya Knowledge Sarvabhootahitaprada Provider of Universal Facts Shraddha Devotion Vibhuti Prosperity Surabhi Celestial Creature Paramatmika Omnipresent Vachi Eloquent Speaker Padmalaya Sitting on the Lotus Padma Lotus Shuchi Personification of Purity Swaha Shape of Swahadevi (Auspicious) Swadha Shape of Swadhadevi (Inauspicious) Sudha Amrut (Nectar) Dhanya Embodiment of Gratitude Hiranmayi Golden Appearance of Hirana (Dear) Lakshmi Goddess of Wealth and Fortune NityaPushta Gaining Strength Day By Day Vibha Radiant Aditi Bright like the Sun Deetya One who Answers the Prayers Deepta Flame-Like Vasudha The Earth Vasudharini Bearing burden of the Earth Kamala Lotus Kantha The Divine Consort of Vishnu Kamakshi One with Attractive Eyes Kamalasambhava Originating from the Lotus Anugrahaprada Granter of Good Wishes Buddhi Intelligence Anagha The Sinless Navadurga All Nine Forms of Durga Harivallabhi The Devine Consort of Lord Hari Ashoka Dispeller of Sorrows Amrutha One who is like Amrut (Nectar) Deepa With Radiance Lakashokavinashini Remover of Universal Agonies Dharmanilaya Creator of Eternal Law Karuna Kindhearted Lokamatri Mother of the Universe Padmapriya The Lover of Lotus Padmahasta Having Lotus-Like Hands Padmakshya Lotus-eyed Padmasundari Beautiful Like the Lotus Padmodbhava One Who Emerged Out of the Lotus Padmamukhi Lotus-Faced Padmanabhapriya Beloved of Padmanabha Ramaa Pleaser of the Lord Padmamaladhara The Wearer of Lotus Garland Devi The Goddess Padmini Lotus Padmagandhini Having the Aroma of Lotus Punyagandha Having Divine Scent Suprasanna Ever Glowing and Smiling Prasadabhimukhi Emerging to Grant Boons Prabha One who is Radiant like the Sun Chandravadana Having Moon like Face Chanda One who is cool like the Moon Chandrasahodari Sister of the Moon Chaturbhuja One having four arms Chandrarupa Moon-Faced Indira Radiant like the Sun Indusheetala One who is cool like the Moon Ahladajanani Source of Joy Pushti Healthy Shiva The Auspicious One Shivakari Source of all auspicious things Satya The Truthful Vimala Pure, Chaste Vishwajanani Mother of the Universe Pushti Possesses All Wealth Daridriyanashini One who removes poverty Preeta Pushkarini One with lovely eyes Shanta Peaceful Shuklamalambara Wearer of White Garland Bhaskari Radiant like the Sun Bilvanilaya One who lives under Bilva tree Vararoha Ready to Offer Boons Yashaswini The Famous Vasundhara Daughter of the Earth Udaranga Endowed with a Beautiful Body Harini Beautiful like Deer Hemamalini Having Golden Garlands Dhanadhanyaki Bestower of Wealth and Food grains Siddhi Ever Ready to Protect Straina Soumya Showering Goodness on Women Shubhaprada Granter of Auspicious Things Nrupaveshvagathananda Loves to Live in Palaces Varalakshmi Granter of Bounty Vasuprada Bestower of Wealth Shubha One who is auspicious Hiranyapraka Amidst Gold Samudratanaya Beloved Daughter of the Ocean of Milk Jaya The Goddess of Victory Mangala Most Auspicious Devi The Goddess Vishnuvakshah Residing in Vishnu’s Chest Vishnupatni The Consort of Vishnu Prasannakshi With graceful eyes Narayana Samashrita One who sought Refuge in Narayana Daridriya Dhwamsini Destroyer of Poverty Devi The Goddess Sarvapadravanivarini Dispeller of all Distresses Mahakali A Form of Kali Brahma-Vishnu-Shivatmika Trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva Trikala-dnyanasampanna Aware of all, the Past, Present and Future Bhuvaneshwarya The Supreme Deity
Grand pujas to her are also done on Diwali
The Ashta Lakshmis are eight manifestations of the goddess Lakshmi and preside over eight sources of wealth and thus represent the powers of Sri Mahalakshmi. They are as follows:
- Aadi Lakshmi – The First Lakshmi
- Dhaanya Lakshmi – Granary wealth
- Dhairya Lakshmi – Wealth of courage
- Gaja Lakshmi – Elephants, symbolizing wealth and prosperity
- Santana Lakshmi – Wealth of fertility and progeny
- Vijaya Lakshmi – Wealth of victory
- Vidyaa Lakshmi – Wealth of knowledge and education
- Dhana Lakshmi – Wealth in monetary terms
How She Is Worshiped
Here is one of the more involved and detailed pujas that can be performed to Ma Lakshmi:
Here is a basic Diwali Lakshmi puja printable: https://www.mypanchang.com/simplelakshmipuja.pdf
Here is one from Hindu Blog (a great resource!) http://www.hindu-blog.com/2007/11/how-to-perform-lakshmi-puja-at-home.html
These resources were so good and thorough that I didn’t feel the need to clarify and reword them; I think you’ll find everything you need at their pages.
Mantras and Bhajans
Lakshmi Beej Mantra
“Om Hrim Shrim Lakshmibhyo Namah”
Chant the mantra 5, 11, 21, 51, or 108 times for purifying your heart and home and opening doors to opportunities
Several Lakshmi mantras are available here at Lifegiving Mantras
Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra
“OM Maha Deyvicha Vidmahay
Vishnu Patnicha Deemahee
Thanno Lakshmi Prachodayat”
For overall spiritual growth.
More mantras also at Puja.net and the Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam here
Lakshmi Chalisa:
Bhajans:
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