sri maha jyotir maa

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Laxmi is the Goddess of beauty, wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. The word ''Lakshmi'' is derived from the Sanskrit word Laksme, meaning "goal." Lakshmi, therefore, represents the goal of life, which includes worldly as well as spiritual prosperity. She is the beautiful woman, the ideal of feminine beauty, similar to the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite. She represents the aspect of the feminine that is called a "typical woman", whose tears could move a tyrant, but the Rig Veda also said that she was fickle and unstable, and the Mahabharata portrayed her as a tempress. Her four hands represent four spiritual virtues. She sits on a fully blossomed lotus, a seat of divine truth and so she is also known as Kamala, meaning lotus. An

aura of divine happiness, charm, mental and spiritual satisfaction, and prosperity always exist around her. Her palm is always extended to bless people. Ashta Lakshmi are her eight forms which are the commonly worshipped aspects: Aadi Lakshmi Santhana Lakshmi Gaja Lakshmi Dhana Lakshmi Dhaanya Lakshmi Vijaya Lakshmi Veera Lakshmi Aiswarya Lakshmi . In each form, she bestows one form of wealth to her devotees. This is the story of her berth: When Gods and Demons were churning the ocean in order to receive Amrit, the elexir of life, many divine products came out of the ocean, including the Goddess Lakshmi. She was "so radiant, white elephants bathed her in milk, a lotus graced her feet". She was shining so brilliantly bringing light and warmth to everything she looked upon, that the Devas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) were amazed. She needed a man, but she wanted one who was as perfect and as beautiful as her. That

God was Vishnu. In Her images and pictures, Lakshmi is depicted in a female form with four arms and four hands. She wears red clothes with a golden lining and is standing on a lotus. She has golden coins and lotuses in her hands. Two elephants (some pictures show four) are shown next to the Goddess. Here is how Bansi Pandit describes the symbolism of the Goddess: Her four arms represent the four directions in space and thus symbolize omnipresence and omnipotence of the Goddess. The red color syinbolizes activity. The golden lining (embroidery) on Her red dress denotes prosperity. The idea conveyed here is that the Goddess is always busy distributing wealth and prosperity to the devotees. The lotus seat, which Lakshmi is standing upon, signifies that while living in this world, one should enjoy its wealth, but not become obsessed with it. Such a living is analogous to a lotus that grows in water but is not wetted

by water. Her four hands represent the four ends of human life: dharma (righteousness), kama (genuine desires), artha (wealth), and moksha (liberation from birth and death). The front hands represent the activity in the physical world and the back hands indicate the spiritual activities that lead to spiritual perfection. Since the right side of the body symbolizes activity, a lotus in the back right hand conveys the idea that one must perform all duties in the world in accordance with dharma. This leads to moksha (liberation), which is symbolized by a lotus in the back left hand of Lakshmi. The golden coins falling on the ground from the front left hand of Lakshmi illustrate that She provides wealth and prosperity to Her devotees. Her front right hand is shown bestowing blessings upon the devotees. The two elephants standing next to the Goddess symbolize the name and fame associated with worldly wealth. The idea conveyed here is that a true devotee should not earn wealth

merely to acquire name and fame or only to satisfy his own material desires, but should share it with others in order to bring happiness to others in addition to himself. Some pictures show four elephants spraying water from golden vessels onto Goddess Lakshmi. The four elephants represent the four ends of human life as discussed above. The spraying of water denotes activity. The golden vessels denote wisdom and purity. The four elephants spraying water from the golden vessels on the Goddess illustrate the theme that continuous self-effort, in accordance with one's dharma and govemed by wisdom and purity, leads to both material and spiritual prosperity. Goddess Lakshmi is regularly worshipped in home shrines and temples by Her devotees. A special worship is offered to Her annually on the auspicious day of Diwali, with religious rituals and colorful ceremonies specifically devoted to Her. In Hindu mythology,

Goddess Lakshmi, also called Shri, is the divine spouse of Lord Vishnu and provides Him with wealth for the maintenance and preservation of the creation. Laxmi is an example of the most fateful, dedicated and loving wife. Every time Vishnu, her husband, had to come to save the world, she was born to accompany her spouse in his every avatar, or incarnation. And so Laxmi was born as Sita when Vishnu appeared as Rama, she was Rukmini when Vishnu appeared as Krishna, she was Padma when her husband came as Vamana. Sita was perhaps the most heroic example of her devotion: stolen by superhuman Ravana who was famous for his tremendous power and sexuality, had thousands of wives and tremendous wealth, but couldn't win the heart of fateful Sita, he touchered her for some years and she suffered immensely. Finally, Ravana was defeated by Rama with help of Hanuman. Another Laxmi prayer you can use: I resort to that Lakshmi for shelter in this world, who is beautiful like the moon, who shines bright, who is blazing with renown, which is adored (even) by the gods, which is highly magnanimous, and grand like the lotus. May my misfortunes perish. I surrender myself to Thee, O Thou resplendent like the Sun! By Thy power and glory, plants like the bael tree have grown up. May the fruits thereof destroy through the grace of all inauspiciousness rising from the inner organs and ignorance as well from the outer senses. There are not as many temples for Lakshmi as for Sakthi (Parvathi), she is however worshipped in temples, more so in the north of India. There are numerous poojas and festivals which are performed to invoke her blessings. Lakshmi Gayatri Lakshmi, the beautiful woman, is also the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Chant her mantra to be reach, for promotion in job, for success and personal virtues. Women who chant her mantra will develop irresistible beauty and radiance, that shines from within. Connecting to the Laxmi, you will learn how to be truly feminine and win everybody's admiration. This mantra is great beauty supplement for those, who are in show business or in acting and modeling. The mantra will help you to be noticed, brings luck and

fortune. Ritual: Use lotus pink silk cloth to cover your altar when you work with Laxmi. Burn gold candle and offer new gold jewels to the Goddess. Recite the mantra. If Laxmi will bless you with her attention, you can wear these jewels later as a lucky charm that will make you more beautiful and will work as a magnet for more gold, that is, money. AUM MAHALAKSHMYAYE VIDMAHE VISHNUPRIYAYE DHI-MAHI TANNO LAKSHMIH PRACHODAYAT The drawing of Laxmi's footprints are used as a magic charm in India. Women draw these small, auspicious footprints on thresholds at twilight to welcome Lakshmi, who bestows wealth and wisdom, health and good cheer.

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