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Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of wealth, prosperity, and generosity and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are found also in Jain monuments. She protects her devotee from all kinds of misery and money-related sorrows. She is the consort of Vishnu and married Rama ( in her incarnation as Sita ) and Krishna (as Rukmini). Deva and Asuras were both mortal (mrita) at one time. Seeking immortality they churned the ocean of milk. Vishnu incarnated as "kurma" the tortoise on which was placed a mountain and a 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 "Amrita", the "Nectar of immortality". With this the avatar of "kurma", the tortoise ended. Vishnu, then took up form of a beautiful maiden to distract "raakshasas" and gave immortality to the "deva". Sri Lakshmi, very much later married Shri Vishnu. Shri is a honorofic address that is probably derived from Lakshmi and is used till date for males all over India. The equivalent for females is "Srimati" if she is married.
The moon also appeared from the ocean during the churning, the 'moon' (chandra) 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.
1. Laksmi personifies wealth, riches, beauty , loveliness , grace , charm , splendour , lustre in Mahabharata.
2. Laksmi as noun is goddess of fortune and beauty.
Sprang with other precious things from the foam of the ocean when churned by the gods and demons for the recovery of the Amrita. She appeared with a lotus in her hand , whence she is also called Padma............................ Guru Rajneesh Rishi says. |
