Lakshmi

DHANVANTRI WITH THE NECTAR

Thereafter Dhanvantari emerged from the sea. Dhanvantari is the doctor of gods. He had a sacred pot in his hand. There was ambrosia in it. Both the Asuras and the Devas wanted the ambrosia, but finally Vishnu with a slight of hand managed to give the immortal nectar to the Gods and the Asuras where defeated. Thus the churning of the ocean resulted in the immortality of the Devas and was the reason for Lakshmi's emergence.

Lakshmi's greatness has been well expressed in books like VISHNUPURANA. She, the wife of Vishnu, is herself representative of Vishnu's power. Indra praised Lakshmi thus:

"We bow to you, O Mother of the Universe. You are the means for the fulfillment of all work. You purify the universe. You bestow wealth and intelligence. You are also Saraswati the embodiment of all knowledge. You are the self-education, which results in salvation. O Mahadevi, disciples acquire all - wife, children, house, friend, money and corn - by a glance from you. O Mother, you and your husband Narayana have encompassed the world. People have health of body and happiness by your kindness. You are the mother of the universe; Vishnu is the father. Bereft of your kindness people will lose strength, cleanliness, virtue and the good characteristics. All these are obtained by your grace. Mother, never abandon us."

LAKSHMI - PADMA

Then Lakshmi said: "Indra, I am pleased at your devotion. Seek any boon you desire." Said Indra, "Goddess, if I have deserved your kindness, do not go away abandoning me. Apart from that, bless those who recite devotedly every day the prayer I just recited." Lakshmi said, "Be it so," and disappeared.

Lakshmi's influence covers many branches of knowledge. Speech, morality, wisdom, satisfaction, music, religious offering, brilliance, wealth, strength, creation, river, and cattle - all these have their source in Lakshmi. The legends state that all women of the world are forms of Lakshmi. At the time of marriage, our people honor the bride and the bridegroom as having the appearance of Lakshmi-Narayana.

Born seated on the lotus flower, she is also called PADMA. She as the most faithful companion of life has always appeared as Vishnu's partner in every incarnation of his. She is the pinnacle of chastity. When Vishnu came on earth as Vamana (the Dwarf), Lakshmi came to earth as a Lotus (PADMA or KAMLA); when he came here as Parashurama, Lakshmi followed him as his wife DHARNI; when Vishnu appeared incarnated as Rama, she came here as Sita; and when Vishnu appeared as Krishna, Lakshmi came in two shapes, earlier as Radha and later as his wife Rukmini. According to ancient legends, she resides in the chest of Vishnu. Therefore, Vishnu is called Srinivasa. One in whom 'Sri' (Lakshmi) resides is Srinivasa.

Lakshmi has other names like LOKA MATA (World's mother), CHANCHALA (the fickle fortune), JALADHI-JA (the ocean-born) and HARI PRIYA (beloved of Vishnu). Lakshmi is worshipped with the names of MAHALAKSHMI, VARAMAHALAKSHMI, DHANALAKSHMI and AMRITALAKSHMI during observance of religious rites.