Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, is the Hindu Goddess of wealth, prosperity, wisdom, fortune, generosity of courage. She embodies beauty, grace and charm and is worshipped for sixteen days during the festival of Mahalakshmi in northern India.
The purpose of the 16-day festival, is to celebrate the 16 forms which Lakshmi represents. Each form represents an aspect of life that is most important to mankind: knowledge, intelligence, strength, valor, beauty, victory, fame, ambition, morality, gold and other wealth, food grains, bliss, happiness, health and longevity, and virtuous offspring.
In ancient Sanskrit, the term Mahalakshmi roughly translates to “the one who aims to improve mankind.” The Vedas describe her as emerging from the Milky Ocean which is a myth that describes the process of restoring order to chaos.
Goddess Lakshmi then marries Lord Vishnu. Together they represent mastery over the Universe, the Supreme duality of nature. This is your power to bring down the illusion of Maya in mankind and reveal of the absolute Truth of our nature.
Lakshmi’s role with Vishnu
Mahalakshmi is also found in the heart of Vishnu and thus represents the embodiment of love. It is through the love of Lakshmi that the atman, in the inner soul, is able to connect with the absolute consciousness of Brahman.
The goddess Lakshmi therefore plays a critical role for her devotees. She is a mother figure people look up to and hope to emulate. Her warm, soothing nature makes her approachable. Her caring and nurturing of Vishnu reflects the devote wisdom we need to maintain our contact with the higher faculties of the unconscious mind.
As the feminine energy, Lakshmi is the creative force which purifies and uplifts us as individuals. It is with Lakshmi that the rising of Kundalini energy begins, hence why she is known as the Goddess of (spiritual) wealth and fortune.
Despite the power of Lord Vishnu, it is goddess Lakshmi who provides his strength. As the feminine principle of Vishnu’s active energy, it is Lakshmi influence that determines how energy manifests as reality – hence the purpose and deeper symbolic meaning of the Mahalakshmi.
The 8 appellations of the Goddess Lakshmi
You will often find in Hindu iconography motifs reflecting the eight appellations of the goddess Lakshmi, known as the Ashta-Lakshmi. This is because Lakshmi is found in two forms; Bhudevi ad Sridevi, dual aspects of nature and energy.
In essence, the Mother Goddess is a representation of the totality, both in the material world and the spiritual world which are a reflection of each other. As the personification of universal energy, the eight forms of Lakshmi are either manifested or unmanifested, hence why there are 16 forms.
Adhi Lakshmi
This the primal force which we inherit when we are born. Life is an opportunity to find inner peace and bliss and experience our true nature on earth. Adhi Lakshmi is the manifestation of material and spiritual contentment. Regardless of your circumstances, there is an eternal reservoir of inner happiness for you to indulge in should you choose to find it.
Aishwarya Lakshmi
Aishwarya Lakshmi reflects the goddess bestowing wealth upon her devotees. Contrary to popular belief among devotees of Hindu, wealth here does not mean riches in the form of material possessions. It is spiritual wealth. When cultivated it gives you everything you need in this life, and not everything you want in relation to material desires.
Vidya Lakshmi
In her role as the bestower of wisdom, Vidya Lakshmi is often depicted with books denoting the importance to acquire knowledge of arts and sciences. However, this information has little use if the benefactor does not apply the knowledge in a practical sense. In doing so, you acquire the wisdom of Vidya Lakshmi.
Dhana Lakshmi
In the appellation of Dhana Lakshmi, we find the Mother Goddess pouring gold coins from her open palm. Here we see the need for money to survive and fulfil aspirations. But the desire for money should not be for greed or material gain, but to help you reach your full potential in life.
Santhana Lakshmi
As the goddess good fortune and fertility, Hindus pray to Santhana Lakshmi to ask for children. In this form, goddess Lakshmi represents eternity as childbirth represents the continuation of longevity of a family, and possibly a legacy.
Dhanya Lakshmi
Dhanya means grain, and in this form Lakshmi represents wealth and prosperity in agricultural. In the modern world, this form extends into the household pantry in the hope that it will be kept well-stocked with healthy foods to feed the family.
Gaja Lakshmi
Gaja Lakshmi is also known as Elephant Lakshmi as in Hindu iconography, the goddess is see pouring water on her elephants. In this form, she resembles the need for authority, patience and strength. The elephants, an ancient form of transportation, represent your capacity to move forward in life and grow from strength to strength.
Veera Lakshmi
We see Veera Lakshmi as the ‘goddess of courage’ because of her ability to persuade people to face their fears and overcome situations that may appear difficult. Our perception of the world often makes us believe the task ahead is harder than it actually is, but with strength and virtue, we can actually make life a little easier and more pleasant. The key is to make the right decision every time, because when you know you are doing the right thing, the experience is easier.
Vijaya Lakshmi
As a resulting of the preceding virtues, devotees will emerge victorious, just as Lakshmi emerged from the churning of the Milky Ocean. Hence, we see the goddess in her final form, the Vijaya or Victory Laskhmi. In this form she represents the challenges you have faced and conquered, and the reward for your achievements is inner growth.
Hinduism teaches us many things in life, and by following the advice of ancient sages and living the words of wisdom through actions every day, life becomes easier and more enjoyable. This is what it means to acquire spiritual growth. This is your nature.