लक्ष्मी
Lakshmi
Shri · Goddess of Abundance
“Grace, prosperity and beauty that settle where dharma is lived.”
Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity, beauty, and grace. She is the consort of Lord Vishnu and accompanies him in all his incarnations. Lakshmi represents not just material wealth but spiritual abundance and the grace that sustains creation.
- Vahana
- Uluka (owl) · elephants
- Consort
- Vishnu
- Abode
- Vaikuntha
- Tradition
- Vaishnava
Devi's Insight · What few people know
She chose Vishnu herself
When Lakshmi rose from the churned Ocean of Milk, gods, sages and demons all hoped she would choose them. She looked at each and saw a flaw: one had wisdom without self-control, another power without kindness. She garlanded Vishnu, the one whose virtue was steady. Prosperity, the story teaches, chooses character.
Source: Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 8 (Samudra Manthan)
Iconography
Reading the sacred form
- 1
Four arms: the four goals of life (dharma, artha, kama, moksha).
- 2
Gold coins flowing from one hand: material prosperity.
- 3
Lotus: purity and spiritual power.
- 4
Red/pink garments: activity and dynamism.
- 5
Seated/standing on lotus: beauty arising from the murky depths (material world).
- 6
Two elephants: royal authority, ceaseless effort, and bathing her with water (representing fame and prosperity).
- 7
Owl (Uluka) as vehicle in some traditions: ability to see in darkness (navigate through the world of illusion).
From the scriptures
Did you know?
The Sri Sukta, her best-known hymn, is a khila (supplementary) hymn of the Rig Veda.
— Rig Veda Khilani
Gaja Lakshmi, bathed by two elephants, is carved on the ancient gateways of the Sanchi stupa.
— Archaeological record
She takes birth beside each avatar of Vishnu: as Sita with Rama and Rukmini with Krishna.
— Vishnu Purana, Book 1
Chant
Sacred mantras
Celebrate
Festivals
Go deeper
Hear the full story from Devi
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