LAXMI WORSHIP-A STUDY

As per Panin, Amarakosha and Patanjali, The word Laxmi is a derivation from the Sanskrit lakshi (Denotative of feminine gender) Lakshi +echa mutt, whose etymological meaning is one who looks upon the prosperity of mankind and helps for the aims and objects of all the Creatures in Universe. She looks upon the industry of every person. [Panin: “Ashtadhyayi” padac chedavritti vartika tippani sahit” parishkarta Shastri gopaldutta pandeya evam prlhaad-giri, (in two volumes), 1981 Chaukhamba Varanasi (Surbharti Granthamala no. 119), 3.16 6. Amar koshah” Svargavargah, line 54, Braille edition by Dr. Tej Singh hand written Braille copy: December 3, 1973 in two volumes, volume 1, Kashi Hindu Vishva Vidyalaya, Varanasi Amarakosha Ink Print edition Compiled by B.L. Rice edited by N. Balasubramanya, 1970. Delhi verses IBID, Puri B.N. “India in the Time of Patanjali” Page 181 and n.11. First edition: Bhartiya Vidyabhavan, Mumbai. According to mythological details Laxmi are very commonly Shri, is the wife of Lord Vishnu and appears in various names in the various form taken by the great Lord himself. The philosophy attached to her worship indicates that Goddess Laxmi is the Goddess of prosperity, purity, chastity and generosity to all. Her form as “Chanchalla” represents the fickleness of the mind of human being. Her four hands represent four spiritual virtues. They are in existence to all the four directions of the Universe and embodies her willingness to help and assist to all the Creatures to every direction in space, signifying The boons she bestows upon - the four ends of human life; dharma, wealth or Artha, pleasure and moksham. She sits on a fully blossomed lotus a seat of divine truth. Her personal charm is considered par excellence. An aura of divine happiness, mental and spiritual satisfaction, and prosperity always exist around her as depicted in Indian and foreign art. Aparna chattarji holds “Goddess Laxmi has no favouritism. She does not discriminate on the basis of cast, creed, gender or social status. The same bowl of rice can satisfy the hunger of a king or a beggar, the same blanket will provide warmth to a man or a eunuch, the same roof will shelter equally the judge and the criminal. Laxmi will go to anyone who seeks her and make himself worthy of her. She even makes know moral judgments to a poor and a judge. Wealth and Power are essentially impersonal to her. They come with a position and not with the person. Thus we wood safely say that people bow not to the man under the crown but to the king bearing the crown and sitting on the thrown.” She is incorrectly connected only with money and popularly accepted as its goddess by general masses but in fact, the Holy goddess is also the goddess of prosperity, chastity, luck, divinity and purity. She is also the goddess of Bramha-vidya and one of her name is’ vidya’ which literally means knowledge. She is the goddess on whom we ask for happiness in family, friends, marriage, children, food and wealth, beauty and health to all over Nations. Hence she is very popular goddess worshipped everywhere since ancient time. She is also attached to prosperity and Operator of the Universe Shri Vishnu and Ganesh, she is known as Haripriya, Shri, Padmalay, Kamala, Lokemata, Padmpriya, Padmamaladhar, Devi, Padmamukhim, Padmakeshi, Padhastam, Padmasundari, Bhargavi, Daridranashini and the daridradhvamshini in different literature of India.