Mahalaxmi Temple
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Mahalaxmi Temple is one of the most famous temples of Mumbai situated on Bhulabhai Desai Road. It is dedicated to Mahalakshmi the central deity of Devi Mahatmyam. There are three idols of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswthi. The temple was built in 1831 by Dhakji Dadaji (1760-1846), a Hindu merchant.
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Architecture of Mahalaxmi Temple Besides the beautiful idols of the three presiding deities, the temple also enshrines the images of several Hindu goddesses. Though, the idols of the three Goddesses have been molded in gold. Further beautifying the magnificent images are brilliant pieces of jewelry, comprising of nose rings, gold bangles and pearl necklaces. The idol of Mahalakshmi, shown riding a tiger and a demon (Mahishasur), is the best of all. Importance of Mahalaxmi Temple Mahalaxmi Temple in Mumbai is one of the significant religious Temples for the Hindus. This religious site is dedicated to the three goddess power such as - Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswathi and Goddess Kali. The delightful location of the temple, along with the high regard attached to it, entices devotees from all over the country. History of Mahalaxmi Temple Mahalaxmi Temple was Built around 1785, the history of this temple is supposedly connected with the building of the Hornby Vellard. Apparently after portions of the sea wall of the Vellard collapsed twice, the chief engineer, a Pathare prabhu, dreamt of a Devi statue in the sea near Worli. A search recovered it, and he built a temple for it. After this, the work on the vellard could be completed without a hitch.Significance of Mahalaxmi Temple Mahalaxi temple is also considered to be rich in architectural significance that dates back to the Victorian era. It is also a great tourist destination for Mumbai besides being a place of devotion and holy site for Hindus. It is thus considered to an ideal religious tourist destination in India. | ||
Mahalaxmi
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Friday, February 26, 2016
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Steps/Process Performing Lakshmi Puja :
Sri Lakshmi was the daughter of the sage Bhrigu and took refuge in the ocean of milk when the gods were sent into exile. Lakshmi was reborn during the Churning of the Ocean. Lakshmi is the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth. While Laxmi is generally worshiped to achieve success, she does not reside long with anyone who is lazy or desire her only as wealth.
It is extremely important to keep the house clean and pure on Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi likes cleanliness, and she will visit the cleanest house first. This is also the reason MahaLakshmi is worshipped on this day with offerings of haldi and kumkum (turmeric and vermilion).
Before performing Laxi Pooja you must take a bath, and wear new, or at least clean, clothes. Lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the goddess. They are believed to light up Her path.
Lakshmi Puja consists of a combined puja of five deities: Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighnaharta; Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in her three forms – Mahalakshmi (the goddess of wealth and money), Mahasaraswati (the goddess of books and learning), and Mahakali; Kuber (the treasurer of the gods) is also worshipped.
Steps/Process Performing Lakshmi Puja :
Make Kalash Pot :
Place a handful of grains in the center and, on this, place a kalash (pitcher) made of gold, silver, copper, or terracotta. Fill three-fourth of the kalash with water and place a betel nut, 5 Mango leaves inside the neck a flower, a coin. Place a saucer of rice ontop of the Kalash. Place a small dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains. Draw a lotus with turmeric powder ( haldi ) over the rice grains and place the idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along with coins.
Place One big diya, filled with ghee, on the plate of rice resting on top of the Kalash (this represents THE SUN). Together they represent MAHA LAXMI.
Take a red cloth, spread rice grains and place 8 (diyas) with ghee and wicks and place them around the Kalash in a Half circle with the circle towards you.
Place the idol of Ganesha:
In front of the kalash, on the right place the idol of Ganesha. You can also place books related to education, your business you desire. Light a lamp and begin the puja by offering haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the platform on which the kalash is placed. Then offer haldi, kumkum, and flowers to thewater that is to be used for the puja. Invoke the river goddesses to be part of this water.
Perform Sodasamatrika Puja (recieting 16 names of Godesses.
The 16 mothers are represented on the platform by 16 small heaps of rice and a NUTMEG on top. Bowing to the 16 mothers, take rice, flowers and fragrance (atar) in your hands and say:
GOURI PADMA SACIMEDHA SAVITRI VIJAYA JAYA DEVASENA SVADHA
SVAHA MATARO LOKAMATARAH HRSTIH PUSTISTATHATUSTI ATMANAH-
KULADEVATAH GANESE NADHI KAPUJ YAH URDD HOU PUJYASCA SODA SAH
SVAHA MATARO LOKAMATARAH HRSTIH PUSTISTATHATUSTI ATMANAH-
KULADEVATAH GANESE NADHI KAPUJ YAH URDD HOU PUJYASCA SODA SAH
Gouri, Padma, Saci, Medha, Savitri, Vijaya, Jaya,Devasena, Svadha, Svaha, Mataro,Lokamatrah, Hrstih, Pustistatha, Tusti, Atmakuladevataare the sixteen venerable mothers.
Take a handful of rice, and pouring it through yourfingers on the red cloth. This is the representation for various deities as explained below: Sprinkle the flowers, rice and fragrance (atar).
Now Begin Doing THE MAHALAXMI PUJA :
Place a small dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains. Draw a lotus with turmeric powder ( haldi ) and flowers over the rice grains and place the idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along with coins.
LAKSHMI MANTRA ;
Om Shree Laxmi Devayay Namah
Oh Goddess Lakshmi ! We pray to you in benign solemnity to bestow your blessings and shower your wealth on us.
OM SHREEM HEEM SHREEM KAMLE KAMALALAYE PRASEED PRASEED,
SHREEM HEEM SHREEM
OM MAHALAXMI NAMAYE
SHREEM HEEM SHREEM
OM MAHALAXMI NAMAYE
Om and salutations to that feminine energy which bestows all manner of wealth, and for which
Shreem is the seed.
Shreem is the seed.
Drop the flowers and the rice at the feet of the goddess
Take flowers or unbroken grains of rice in yourhands. Meditate upon the goddess, saying:
YA SA PADMA SANASTHA VIPULA KATI TATI PADMA PATRAYAT AKSI
GAM BHIRA VARTANA BHISTANA BHARANA MITA SUBHRA VASTROTTARIYA
YA LAKSMIR DIVYA RUPA IRMANI GANA KHA CITAIH SNA PITAHEMA KUMBH AIH
SA NITYAM PADMA HASTA MAMA VASATU GRHE SARVA MANGALYAYUKTA SWAHA
GAM BHIRA VARTANA BHISTANA BHARANA MITA SUBHRA VASTROTTARIYA
YA LAKSMIR DIVYA RUPA IRMANI GANA KHA CITAIH SNA PITAHEMA KUMBH AIH
SA NITYAM PADMA HASTA MAMA VASATU GRHE SARVA MANGALYAYUKTA SWAHA
Laksmi who is seated on a lotus, has eyes as wideas lotus petals, massive hips, deep navel, and heavebreasts, wears white upperand lower garments, wears jewelry, is bathed from a golden pitcher, carries alotus in her hand, and is associated with every auspicious sign, let her residein my house.
Drop the flowers and the rice at the feet of the goddess
AVAHANAM (INVOCATION)
Now you have to invokeLaxmi. Avahanam is the act of invoking her. Make the usual gesture of welcoming guests in, and invite Laxmi to the household, office or factory where she is going to be worshipped and say ;
OM SARVA LOKASYA JANANIM SULA HASTAM TRILO CANAMSARVADE VAMA YIMI SAM DEVI
MAVA HAYA MY AHAM DEVIM AVAHA YAMI SWAHA
I invoke the mother of the three worlds, the three eyed one with the spear in her hand, in whom all the gods reside. I invoke the goddess
MAVA HAYA MY AHAM DEVIM AVAHA YAMI SWAHA
I invoke the mother of the three worlds, the three eyed one with the spear in her hand, in whom all the gods reside. I invoke the goddess
Now, INVOKE LAKSHMI DEVI DOING Kalash Puja :
Place the Kalash You made before or Put THE KALASH FILLED WITH WATER, SPRINKEL SANDALWOOD POWDER, FLOWER, TULASI TO IT. PLACE A COCONUT ON THE TOP OF THE VESSEL as below;
KALASHASYA MUKHAE VISHNUHU KANTAE RUDRAHASAMAASHRITAHAMULAE
TATRA STHITHO BRAHMA MADHYAE MAATRAGANAHASMRITAHA
TATRA STHITHO BRAHMA MADHYAE MAATRAGANAHASMRITAHA
We worship the kalasha (vessel above which the coconut is placed) invoking Mahavishnu at the mouth of the vessel. We invokeLord Rudra (an aspect of Shiva) at the neck of the kalasha and Brahma at thebase of the vessel. We invoke the Universal Mother Goddess and Her retinue in midst of the kalasha. Thus the male and female trinities are invoked. Salutations!
LAKSHMI PANCHAMRITH STANAN :
Place the idol of Lakshmi in a plate and bathe it with water, panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee or clarified butter, honey, and sugar) and then with water containing some gold ornament or a pearl. Wipe the idol clean and place it back on the kalash. Alternately, you can just sprinkle water and panchamrit on the idol with a flower.
Do the following while chanting the mantra ;
Offer Seat to the deity – Aum Idam aasaanam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha
Touching the feet of the deity - AumPaada-yoha paadyam Sri Laxmi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha
Giving deity water to drink – AumHastayor-arghyam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha
Purifying area around deity with water -AumMukhe aachman-eeyam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha
Vastram (Silk Cloth) – AumVastram Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha
Kacha Soot (Holy Thread) – AumYajno-paveetam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha
Attar (Perfume) – AumGandham Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha
Chandan (Brown Sandalwood) – AumChandanam prati grihayatam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha
Sindoor (Red Sandalwood) – AumSindooram Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha
Hardee (Yellow Tumeric) – Aumhaldeeyam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha
With an incense arti the deity – Aumdhoopamaa-ghraa-payaami Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha
Akshat – Aumakshataya Shri Lammi Mata samarapa-yaami swaha
Now Recite/chant 108 Names of SRI LAKSHMI ASHTOTHARA DOING KUMKUMA PUJA
RECIET SRI MAHA ALSKHMI STOTRAM
Pushpam (White Flower) – Aumpushpam Maalam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha
Tambulam (Betal leaves, areca,fruits)- AumTambulam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha
Naivediam (Mixture of Sugar, Milk Cream,Ghee) – Aum Naivedyam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaamiswaha
Coins (silver) – Aumdakshinaam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha
With a diya arti the deity – Aumdeepam darsha-yaami Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami swaha
Circle the Deity with Karpoor – Aumkarpoor-aaraarti-kayam Shri Lammi Mata samarpa-yaami
“Samarpa-yaami” means not for me but for you God
Recite Mahalaxmi Bhajan & Aarti after performing this.
Mahalaxmi temple at Jaipur
Sri Mahalaxmi devi Photo blessings
Sri Mahalaxmi devi Photo blessings
I thank Goddess MahaLakshmi and shirdi sai baba for blessing me and helping me to do this photography .
I took this photo as an expression of my love for Goddess Mahalakshmi and made the website proving pooja , mantra,sloka for Mahalakshmi
I sincerely pray shirdi saibaba and Goddess Mahalakshmi to increase your faith when u see this picture....
visit www.starsai.com/ and spread the teachings of sai...
Venkat Raman
aum sri sai ram
All Mahalakshmi , saibaba ,shirdi saibaba Photographs are copy rights protected and strictly not for commercial use... Please understand its personal statue
Lakshmi Maa
Lakshmi Maa
Maa Lakshmi or Laxmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity (both material and spiritual), light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Maa Laxmi also known as MahaLakshmi. Mahalakshmi is said to bring good luck. She is believed to protect her devotees from all kinds of misery and money-related sorrows.
Lakshmi in Sanskrit is derived from its elemental form laks, meaning “to perceive or observe”.This is synonymous with laksya, meaning “aim” or “objective”. The Hindu Sacred Texts Vedas call Mahalakshmi as Lakshyayidhi Lakshmihi which means she is the one who has the object and aim of uplifting mankind.
Goddess Mahalakshmi is called as Shri or Thirumagal (because she is endowed with six auspicious and divine qualities or Gunas and also because she is the source of strength even to Lord Narayana(Vishnu). She is the consort of Vishnu and married Rama (in her incarnation as Sita) and Krishna (as Radha and later Rukmini).
In Hinduism Devas (gods) and asuras (demons) were both mortal at one time. Amrit, the divine nectar that would give immortality could only be obtained by churning the Kshirsagar (Ocean of Milk). The devas and asuras both sought immortality and decided to churn the Kshirsagar. With the devas on one side and the asuras on the other, the samudra manthan commenced. Vishnu incarnated as Kurma, the tortoise, on whom was placed a mountain as a churning pole, and Vasuki, the great venom-spewing serpent, was wrapped around it and used to churn the ocean. A host of divine celestial objects came up during the churning. Among these, importantly, was Goddess Lakshmi, the daughter of the king of the milky ocean. The last to come up was the Amrit. With this, the avatar of Kurma, the tortoise, ended. Vishnu then took up the form of a beautiful maiden to distract the asuras and gave immortality to the devas.
Goddess Mahalakshmi has ever been in existence. Her appearance from samudra manthan is one of her main manifestation only. Goddess Mahalakshmi was also born to the great Sage Bhrigu and she is therefore also called as Bhargavi. Goddess Mahalkshmi is also the sister of the great Guru Sukracharya as well as the great planet Chandra. Each time Vishnu descends on earth as an avatar, He is accompanied by an avatar of Lakshmi.
Lakshmi with Vishnu at Vaikuntha
Lakshmi with Vishnu at Vaikuntha
The moon (chandra) also appeared from the ocean during the churning, making it her brother. Alakshmi, the goddess of misfortune, is Lakshmi’s elder sister. According to the Vishnu Purana, Lakshmi is the daughter of Bhrigu and Khyaati and resided in Swarga, but, due to the curse of Durvasa, she left Swarga and made Ksheersagara her home.
Mahalakshmi is the presiding Goddess of the Middle episode of Devi Mahatmya. Here, she is depicted as Devi in her universal form as Shakti. The manifestation of the Devi to kill Mahishasura is formed by the effulgences of all the gods. The Goddess is described as eighteen-armed, bearing a string of beads, battle axe, mace, arrow, thunderbolt, lotus, bow, water pot, cudgel, lance, sword, shield, conch, bell, wine cup, trident, noose and the discus sudarsana. She has a complexion of coral and is seated on a lotus.[6] She is known as Ashta Dasa Bhuja Mahalakshmi.
She is seen in two forms, Bhudevi and Sridevi, both either side of Sri Venkateshwara or Vishnu. Bhudevi is the representation and totality of the material world or energy, called the aparam Prakriti, in which She is called Mother Earth. Sridevi is the spiritual world or energy, called the Param Prakriti. Most people are mistaken that they are separate beings although they are one, Lakshmi. Devi Lakshmi is the power of Lord Vishnu.
Mahalakshmi’s presence is also found on Lord Sri Venkateswara (at Tirumala) or Vishnu’s chest, at the heart. Lakshmi is the embodiment of love, from which devotion to God or Bhakti flows from. It is through Love/Bhakti or Lakshmi that the atma or soul is able to reach God or Vishnu. Lakshmi plays a special role as the mediator between her husband Lord Vishnu and his worldly devotees. While Vishnu is often conceived of as a stern, easily perturbed patriarch, Lakshmi represents a more soothing, warm and approachable mother figure who willingly intervenes in the lives of devotees on his behalf. Often, it is Lakshmi who acts as the advocate for the request of a given mortal. When asking Vishnu for grace or the forgiveness of sins, Hindus often approach him through the intermediary presence of Lakshmi. She is also the personification of the spiritual energy within us and the universe, called Kundalini. Also, she embodies the spiritual world, also known as Vaikunta, the abode of Lakshmi-Narayana or Vishnu, or what would be considered Heaven in Vaishnavism. She is also the divine qualities of God and the soul. Lakshmi is the embodiment of God’s superior spiritual feminine energy, or the Param Prakriti, which purifies, empowers and uplifts the individual. Hence, she is called the Goddess of Fortune. Due to her motherly feelings and being the consort of Narayan (Supreme Being), she is believed as the Mother of the Universe.
Maa Vaisbhav Lakshmi has many names. She is known to be very closely associated with the lotus, and her many epithets are connected to the flower, such as:
Prakruti – Goddess Mahalakshmi is the very personification of nature, the centre of all, the manifested and the unmanifested.
Vikruti – Goddess Mahalakshmi is the Multi-Faceted Nature, who assumes many forms, known by numerous names, yet is attributeless.
Vidya - Goddess Mahalakshmi is the very personification of Wisdom.
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
* Vishnupriya: One who is the beloved of Vishnu
* Ulkavahini: One who rides an owl
* 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
* Vishnupriya: One who is the beloved of Vishnu
* Ulkavahini: One who rides an owl
Her other names include: Rama, Indira, Manushri, Chakrika, Kamalika, Lalima, Kalyani, Nandika, Rujula, Vaishnavi, Narayani, Bhargavi, Sridevi, Chanchala, Bhumi Devi, Jalaja, Madhavi, Sujata, and Aiswarya. She is also referred to as Jaganmaatha (“Mother of the Universe”) in Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam. Rama and Indira are popular.
Goddess Mahalakshmi is also known to preside over 16 forms of worldly wealth excluding Ashta siddhis, gnana and imparting gnana. They are as follows: (1) Fame; (2) Knowledge;(3) Courage and Strength; (4) Victory; (5) Good Children; (6) Valor; (7) Gold, Gems and Other Valuables; (8) Grains in abundance; (9) Happiness; (10) Bliss; (11) Intelligence; (12)Beauty; (13) Higher Aim, High Thinking and Higher Meditation; (14) Morality and Ethics;(15) Good Health; (16) Long Life.
Maa Mahalaxmi worshiped as in Eight forms named Ashta Lakshmi. Ashta Lakshmi, also spelled as Ashtalakshmi are a group of eight Hindu goddesses, who preside over eight sources of wealth and thus represent the powers of Shri-Lakshmi (The Hindu goddess of wealth). Thus, the ‘Ashta Lakshmi’ are considered secondary manifestations of the goddess 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.
The Ashta Lakshmi listed as per the prayer Shri Ashta Lakshmi Stotram are: -
* Adi Lakshmi or Maha Lakshmi : an ancient form of Lakshmi and incarnation of Lakshmi as daughter of sage Bhrigu.
* Dhana Lakshmi : for money and gold.
* Dhanya Lakshmi : Giver of agricultural wealth.
* Gaja Lakshmi : Giver of animal wealth like cattle and elephants Swami Chidananda interprets Gaja Lakshmi as giver of power of royalty. According to Hindu mythology, Gaja Lakshmi brought back the wealth lost by Indra (king of demi-gods) from the ocean. Vasudha Narayanan intrepret the name as “one who is worshipped by elephants”.
* Santana Lakshmi : Bestower of offspring.
* Veera Lakshmi : Bestower of valour in battles and courage and strength for overcoming difficulties in life.
* Vijaya Lakshmi or Jaya Lakshmi : Giver of victory, not only in battles but also over conquering hurdles in order to beget success.
* Vidya Lakshmi : the bestower of knowledge of arts and sciences.
* Dhana Lakshmi : for money and gold.
* Dhanya Lakshmi : Giver of agricultural wealth.
* Gaja Lakshmi : Giver of animal wealth like cattle and elephants Swami Chidananda interprets Gaja Lakshmi as giver of power of royalty. According to Hindu mythology, Gaja Lakshmi brought back the wealth lost by Indra (king of demi-gods) from the ocean. Vasudha Narayanan intrepret the name as “one who is worshipped by elephants”.
* Santana Lakshmi : Bestower of offspring.
* Veera Lakshmi : Bestower of valour in battles and courage and strength for overcoming difficulties in life.
* Vijaya Lakshmi or Jaya Lakshmi : Giver of victory, not only in battles but also over conquering hurdles in order to beget success.
* Vidya Lakshmi : the bestower of knowledge of arts and sciences.
In some Ashta Lakshmi lists, other forms of Lakshmi are included:
* Aishwarya Lakshmi : “Goddess of riches”
* Saubhagya Lakshmi : “Giver of prosperity in general.”
* Rajya Lakshmi : “She who blesses rulers (with secular power)”
* Vara Lakshmi : “The lady who bestows Beautiful Boons”.
* Saubhagya Lakshmi : “Giver of prosperity in general.”
* Rajya Lakshmi : “She who blesses rulers (with secular power)”
* Vara Lakshmi : “The lady who bestows Beautiful Boons”.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Lakshmi Maa
Lakshmi Maa
Maa Lakshmi
Maa Lakshmi or Laxmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity (both material and spiritual), light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Maa Laxmi also known as MahaLakshmi. Mahalakshmi is said to bring good luck. She is believed to protect her devotees from all kinds of misery and money-related sorrows.
Lakshmi in Sanskrit is derived from its elemental form laks, meaning “to perceive or observe”.This is synonymous with laksya, meaning “aim” or “objective”. The Hindu Sacred Texts Vedas call Mahalakshmi as Lakshyayidhi Lakshmihi which means she is the one who has the object and aim of uplifting mankind.
Goddess Mahalakshmi is called as Shri or Thirumagal (because she is endowed with six auspicious and divine qualities or Gunas and also because she is the source of strength even to Lord Narayana(Vishnu). She is the consort of Vishnu and married Rama (in her incarnation as Sita) and Krishna (as Radha and later Rukmini).
In Hinduism Devas (gods) and asuras (demons) were both mortal at one time. Amrit, the divine nectar that would give immortality could only be obtained by churning the Kshirsagar (Ocean of Milk). The devas and asuras both sought immortality and decided to churn the Kshirsagar. With the devas on one side and the asuras on the other, the samudra manthan commenced. Vishnu incarnated as Kurma, the tortoise, on whom was placed a mountain as a churning pole, and Vasuki, the great venom-spewing serpent, was wrapped around it and used to churn the ocean. A host of divine celestial objects came up during the churning. Among these, importantly, was Goddess Lakshmi, the daughter of the king of the milky ocean. The last to come up was the Amrit. With this, the avatar of Kurma, the tortoise, ended. Vishnu then took up the form of a beautiful maiden to distract the asuras and gave immortality to the devas.
Goddess Mahalakshmi has ever been in existence. Her appearance from samudra manthan is one of her main manifestation only. Goddess Mahalakshmi was also born to the great Sage Bhrigu and she is therefore also called as Bhargavi. Goddess Mahalkshmi is also the sister of the great Guru Sukracharya as well as the great planet Chandra. Each time Vishnu descends on earth as an avatar, He is accompanied by an avatar of Lakshmi.
Lakshmi with Vishnu at Vaikuntha
The moon (chandra) also appeared from the ocean during the churning, making it her brother. Alakshmi, the goddess of misfortune, is Lakshmi’s elder sister. According to the Vishnu Purana, Lakshmi is the daughter of Bhrigu and Khyaati and resided in Swarga, but, due to the curse of Durvasa, she left Swarga and made Ksheersagara her home.
Maa MahaLakshmi, Devi Laxmi – Goddess of Wealth
Mahalakshmi is the presiding Goddess of the Middle episode of Devi Mahatmya. Here, she is depicted as Devi in her universal form as Shakti. The manifestation of the Devi to kill Mahishasura is formed by the effulgences of all the gods. The Goddess is described as eighteen-armed, bearing a string of beads, battle axe, mace, arrow, thunderbolt, lotus, bow, water pot, cudgel, lance, sword, shield, conch, bell, wine cup, trident, noose and the discus sudarsana. She has a complexion of coral and is seated on a lotus.[6] She is known as Ashta Dasa Bhuja Mahalakshmi.
She is seen in two forms, Bhudevi and Sridevi, both either side of Sri Venkateshwara or Vishnu. Bhudevi is the representation and totality of the material world or energy, called the aparam Prakriti, in which She is called Mother Earth. Sridevi is the spiritual world or energy, called the Param Prakriti. Most people are mistaken that they are separate beings although they are one, Lakshmi. Devi Lakshmi is the power of Lord Vishnu.
Mahalakshmi’s presence is also found on Lord Sri Venkateswara (at Tirumala) or Vishnu’s chest, at the heart. Lakshmi is the embodiment of love, from which devotion to God or Bhakti flows from. It is through Love/Bhakti or Lakshmi that the atma or soul is able to reach God or Vishnu. Lakshmi plays a special role as the mediator between her husband Lord Vishnu and his worldly devotees. While Vishnu is often conceived of as a stern, easily perturbed patriarch, Lakshmi represents a more soothing, warm and approachable mother figure who willingly intervenes in the lives of devotees on his behalf. Often, it is Lakshmi who acts as the advocate for the request of a given mortal. When asking Vishnu for grace or the forgiveness of sins, Hindus often approach him through the intermediary presence of Lakshmi. She is also the personification of the spiritual energy within us and the universe, called Kundalini. Also, she embodies the spiritual world, also known as Vaikunta, the abode of Lakshmi-Narayana or Vishnu, or what would be considered Heaven in Vaishnavism. She is also the divine qualities of God and the soul. Lakshmi is the embodiment of God’s superior spiritual feminine energy, or the Param Prakriti, which purifies, empowers and uplifts the individual. Hence, she is called the Goddess of Fortune. Due to her motherly feelings and being the consort of Narayan (Supreme Being), she is believed as the Mother of the Universe.
Jai Maa Vaibhav Laxmi
Maa Vaisbhav Lakshmi has many names. She is known to be very closely associated with the lotus, and her many epithets are connected to the flower, such as:
Prakruti – Goddess Mahalakshmi is the very personification of nature, the centre of all, the manifested and the unmanifested.
Vikruti – Goddess Mahalakshmi is the Multi-Faceted Nature, who assumes many forms, known by numerous names, yet is attributeless.
Vidya - Goddess Mahalakshmi is the very personification of Wisdom.
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
* Vishnupriya: One who is the beloved of Vishnu
* Ulkavahini: One who rides an owl
Her other names include: Rama, Indira, Manushri, Chakrika, Kamalika, Lalima, Kalyani, Nandika, Rujula, Vaishnavi, Narayani, Bhargavi, Sridevi, Chanchala, Bhumi Devi, Jalaja, Madhavi, Sujata, and Aiswarya. She is also referred to as Jaganmaatha (“Mother of the Universe”) in Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam. Rama and Indira are popular.
Goddess Mahalakshmi is also known to preside over 16 forms of worldly wealth excluding Ashta siddhis, gnana and imparting gnana. They are as follows: (1) Fame; (2) Knowledge; (3) Courage and Strength; (4) Victory; (5) Good Children; (6) Valor; (7) Gold, Gems and Other Valuables; (8) Grains in abundance; (9) Happiness; (10) Bliss; (11) Intelligence; (12) Beauty; (13) Higher Aim, High Thinking and Higher Meditation; (14) Morality and Ethics; (15) Good Health; (16) Long Life.
Maa Mahalaxmi worshiped as in Eight forms named Ashta Lakshmi. Ashta Lakshmi, also spelled as Ashtalakshmi are a group of eight Hindu goddesses, who preside over eight sources of wealth and thus represent the powers of Shri-Lakshmi (The Hindu goddess of wealth). Thus, the ‘Ashta Lakshmi’ are considered secondary manifestations of the goddess 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.
Ashta Laxmi
The Ashta Lakshmi listed as per the prayer Shri Ashta Lakshmi Stotram are: -
* Adi Lakshmi or Maha Lakshmi : an ancient form of Lakshmi and incarnation of Lakshmi as daughter of sage Bhrigu.
* Dhana Lakshmi : for money and gold.
* Dhanya Lakshmi : Giver of agricultural wealth.
* Gaja Lakshmi : Giver of animal wealth like cattle and elephants Swami Chidananda interprets Gaja Lakshmi as giver of power of royalty. According to Hindu mythology, Gaja Lakshmi brought back the wealth lost by Indra (king of demi-gods) from the ocean. Vasudha Narayanan intrepret the name as “one who is worshipped by elephants”.
* Santana Lakshmi : Bestower of offspring.
* Veera Lakshmi : Bestower of valour in battles and courage and strength for overcoming difficulties in life.
* Vijaya Lakshmi or Jaya Lakshmi : Giver of victory, not only in battles but also over conquering hurdles in order to beget success.
* Vidya Lakshmi : the bestower of knowledge of arts and sciences.
In some Ashta Lakshmi lists, other forms of Lakshmi are included:
* Aishwarya Lakshmi : “Goddess of riches”
* Saubhagya Lakshmi : “Giver of prosperity in general.”
* Rajya Lakshmi : “She who blesses rulers (with secular power)”
* Vara Lakshmi : “The lady who bestows Beautiful Boons”.
Satya Samhita
Story of grace of Godess Mahalaxmi
In a town, in South India, two farmer brothers, lived in their ancesteral house. The elder brother was blessed and was doing well in life, while the others lot was not so rosy, and he found it hard to make the ends meet.
The Brothers were blessed with two daughters each, with time, they came to their marriageable age. Soon the elder brother's daughters were married well off while the younger brother's daughters did not find a ideal match. But as the days were getting on the younger brother, searched and got his daughters married to boys fit to his standards and stations.
The youngest of the daughters called Rukmani, was a woman blessed with unparalleled beauty, delicately fair complexioned, doe eyed, docile and mannerred, she entered her husband's house and immediately took control of the household which everybody was happy to hand over to her.
Slowly she managed and regulated the people and brought everything in a systematic order. Now everyone worked together, During the day when the menfolks away working in the fields the wives got together and went to the nearby forest to get Tendu leaves used to make hand rolled Beedees ( mini cigars) and rolled very high quality beedees which soon became famous all over the town. They had two square meals a day everyday, and enjoyed comforts they did not before Rukmani came.
One day, as Rukmani was sitting, in the open inner-courtyard, cleaning the rice, suddenly a beautiful Gold Chain fell upon the rice heap, which she quickly picked up and hid it within the folds of her sari. After a while the kings announcer cameby, and announced, that the Queen had lost her Golden Necklace. Finders, who returns it in person, will suitably rewarded.
Rukmani new the chain she had found, could belong to the Queen alone, and no one else. So she pondered and called the family together, and told them of the matter. Next day Rukmani along with her father-in-law and husband went to the Kings court and returned the necklace.
Happily the King announced that he would give her anything her heart desired,only she had to ask for it.
Rukmani then very humbly said, "Your majesty, on the comming Purnima (Full moon night)
let not a single light burn in the entire kingdom, not even your own palace Sire. Only light will allowed to burn in my hut. Thats all l ask."
King and his courtiers were taken aback, but having announced his gift, he ordered what Rukmani has asked.
Returning home, she called the angry family together, and said.
"My father, elder brothers, sisters and respected husband, I know you all are angry at me for asking such a silly request from the king, when we could have the riches of the seven worlds.But please bear with me and after the full moon night you all shall have blessings of Lakshmi Goddess on our house, forever. But you all will have to do what I say."
Rukmani's father-in-law who knew her to be intelligent, ordered everyone to listen and do what she asked.
"Not an Order, dear father, but a request. First we must apply white wash the house, pave the floor properly, shine all the brass utensils and clean the copper ones till they glitter like pure and burnished gold. Then on the full moon night father you, and appa (elderbrother) and Chechi (Sister-in-law) will stand the front door, and you brother, dear hushband and sister will stand at the rear enterance. I will be busy in performing worship. By midnight three ladies dressed in all the fineries come to the door, and demanding to enter the house, to which you must say, Okey we will allow you to enter our house but you must promise to forever stay in our house and never leaveit for a single moment. (this she said to her father-in-law) and turning to her husband, she continued, you will go the rear door and as soon the three beautiful ladies enter our house you will find three ladies dressed in old tattered saries, dirty and unkempt wanting to leave from the rear door. which you must not allow, when the insist then you must make them promise that they would not return to this house ever in there life time. and once they promise only then allow them to go saying go then and take all your belongings and go".
So everybody got together and did what Rukmani directed and soon the hut began looking prosperous and brightly done up. The utensils glowed as if they belonged a gold merchant.
On the night of the full moon, the entire kingdom was dark with not a single light burning anywhere, Soon at midnight, Goddess Lakshmi, in the company of her sister Prosperty and Good health, came to the doors of Rukmani's house, and demanded entry, the old man said then, "Mothers, we can allow you to enter the house only if you promise to stay in this house forever and never leave it for a moment." the three ladies willing promised, and they were allowed to enter, as soon as they entered, the three dirty unkempt ladies tried to run out of the rear door, but were stopped from doing so, till they promised never to return to the house even for a moment for the entire period of their life." the ladies quickly promised to do so, and the husband then said, "Ok you troublesome creatures, leave and take all your belonging with you. and never return." So hasitly, Poverty, ill-luck, and sickness left running out of the house in great speed.
As soon Goddess Lakshmi entered the house, the entire house glowed with goodness, prosperity and good health.
From following day, the conditions of Rukmani's house changed well being, seemed to glow out of each nook and corner of the house, soon their days of poverty hardship passed away. and they gained a very high place in the society. Rukmani glowed with pride and her family basked in its radiance.
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