Laxmi is often depicted as a beautiful woman with golden complexion, adorned with jewellery and clothed in red attire. She is usually shown either standing or seated on a lotus flower, symbolizing purity and spiritual liberation.
Goddess Laxmi
In Hindu mythology, Laxmi (also spelled Lakshmi) is the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and fortune. She is one of the most popular and widely worshipped deities in Hinduism. Laxmi is often depicted as a beautiful woman with golden complexion, adorned with jewellery and clothed in red attire. She is usually shown either standing or seated on a lotus flower, symbolizing purity and spiritual liberation.
Laxmi is considered the divine consort of Lord Vishnu, the preserver and sustainer of the universe in Hinduism. She is believed to bring abundance and good fortune to her devotees. Laxmi is associated with wealth in both material and spiritual aspects. She is believed to bless her devotees with prosperity, success, and spiritual growth.
Worship of Laxmi is particularly prominent during the festival of Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, where people seek her blessings for a prosperous year ahead. Devotees offer prayers, perform rituals, and light oil lamps to invite Laxmi into their homes and lives.
Laxmi is also associated with other qualities such as beauty, fertility, and auspiciousness. She is often depicted with four arms, each representing different aspects of her power and blessings. Her four arms typically hold symbolic objects like lotus flowers, representing purity and beauty, a pot of gold or coins, symbolizing wealth and abundance, and sometimes a gesture of fearlessness and protection.
Overall, Laxmi is revered as the goddess who brings wealth, prosperity, and auspiciousness into the lives of her devotees.
Why do we worship Hindu Goddess Laxmi?
Laxmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, is worshipped for various reasons:
- Material Prosperity: Laxmi is believed to bring material abundance, financial prosperity, and success in endeavours. People worship her to seek blessings for wealth, prosperity, and the fulfilment of material desires.
- Spiritual Growth: Laxmi is not only associated with material wealth but also with spiritual growth. Worshipping her is believed to bring inner richness, spiritual well-being, and a sense of fulfilment. She is seen as a deity who bestows spiritual wealth, including virtues like love, compassion, and wisdom.
- Auspiciousness and Good Fortune: Laxmi is considered the harbinger of good fortune and auspiciousness. Worshipping her is believed to invite positive energies, blessings, and favourable circumstances into one’s life. It is believed that her presence brings harmony, luck, and favourable outcomes in various aspects of life.
- Blessings for Business and Entrepreneurship: Laxmi is highly revered by traders, businesspeople, and entrepreneurs. They worship her to seek her blessings for the success and growth of their businesses. It is believed that invoking her grace can bring prosperity, financial stability, and business growth.
- Domestic Harmony and Prosperity: Laxmi is also associated with domestic harmony and well-being. People worship her to seek blessings for a peaceful and prosperous household, love and harmony in relationships, and overall familial welfare.
- Devotion and Gratitude: Worshipping Laxmi is an expression of devotion and gratitude towards her. Devotees offer prayers, perform rituals, and express their reverence to honour and connect with the divine energy of Laxmi. It is a way to show appreciation for the blessings received and seek her continued grace.
It is important to note that while Laxmi is worshipped for material prosperity, wealth, and success, the essence of her worship goes beyond material possessions. The true significance lies in cultivating a mindset of abundance, gratitude, and spiritual growth, while utilizing one’s resources for the greater good and the well-being of others.
