Lakshmi

Attributes

Iconography

Depicted as a beautiful woman with golden skin, seated or standing on a fully bloomed pink lotus. Has four arms holding lotus flowers in the upper two and pouring gold coins from the lower two (Varada mudra and Abhaya mudra). Wears red silk, gold jewelry, and a crown. Often shown with her owl vahana and sometimes with the elephant Airavata pouring water (Abhishekam).

The Story

According to the Puranas, Lakshmi emerged from the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan) — the most beautiful of all treasures that came forth. As she emerged, sitting on a lotus and holding lotus flowers, the devas and asuras both desired her. She chose Lord Vishnu as her consort — making him the supreme preserver (with Lakshmi as the source of all prosperity that he preserves). Lakshmi is also called Sri (auspicious), Padma (lotus-born), Kamala (lotus), and Hari Priya (beloved of Hari/Vishnu). She incarnates with Vishnu in each of his avatars — as Sita with Rama, as Rukmini (and Radha in devotional traditions) with Krishna, as Tulsi with the Saligrama form of Vishnu. Lakshmi has eight forms (Ashta Lakshmi): Adi Lakshmi (primeval), Dhanya Lakshmi (grain), Dhairya Lakshmi (courage), Gaja Lakshmi (elephants), Santana Lakshmi (progeny), Vijaya Lakshmi (victory), Vidya Lakshmi (knowledge), and Dhana Lakshmi (wealth). Together, these eight forms cover all aspects of human prosperity. Lakshmi is fickle — she does not stay where there is laziness, dishonesty, or greed. She is pleased by cleanliness, devotion, hard work, and generosity.

Significance

Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, prosperity, fortune, and abundance — both material and spiritual. She is the consort of Vishnu, the preserver, and is therefore the preserving energy of the universe. Her worship is central to Hindu households — especially during Diwali (the festival of lights), when she is invoked to bless the home with prosperity for the coming year. The Sri Suktam and Kanakadhara Stotram (composed by Adi Shankara) are the most powerful invocations of Lakshmi. Her owl vahana symbolizes the wisdom to see prosperity even in darkness — but also serves as a warning: wealth without wisdom leads to ruin. Lakshmi's eight forms (Ashta Lakshmi) represent the holistic nature of prosperity — wealth, food, courage, knowledge, progeny, victory, and the primeval source. She is invoked by businessmen, students, householders, and seekers of all kinds — for she is the source of every form of abundance. Her devotees are expected to be generous — Lakshmi flows through those who give, and she leaves those who hoard.

Famous Temples

Festivals

Stotras & Mantras