Poised in her posture and calmness on her face, one of the most revered Hindu deities, Goddess Lakshmi, is the epitome of grace. While she is usually associated with wealth and success, divine power has taken many avatars, with each incarnation representing a different necessity required for living a happy and prosperous life.
Seated on a pink lotus that symbolizes spiritual enlightenment and purity, the Goddess Adi Lakshmi is represented with two of her hands in the Abhaya Mudra and the Varada Mudra, which symbolize Devi’s protectiveness towards her devotees and her boon-giving powers, respectively. She holds a lotus, symbolizing beauty and enlightenment, and a white flag, signifying righteousness and victory over obstacles.
Devi Adi Lakshmi is the representation of marital bliss for women. That is why red flowers are considered the best offerings for the goddess. Apart from that, other ways of pleasing her and drawing her blessings are keeping your surroundings clean and illuminated with lamps.
Draped in a magnificent saree and adorned with the finest jewels, Goddess Dhana Lakshmi is the true representation of wealth and success. The best time to worship her is on the festivals of Diwali and Dhanteras or Fridays.
She is the goddess of agricultural prosperity and food. She is revered by farmers so that the Devi blesses them with a good harvest. She is seen sitting on a lotus with her eight arms holding different objects. While the fierce mace in one of her hands signifies strength, the delicate lotuses in the other two hands symbolize purity. She also holds bananas, a sheaf of paddy crop, and sugarcane in three of her hands, all representing a good harvest. The remaining two hands are gracefully positioned in the Abhaya Mudra and the Varada Mudra.
Goddess Dhanya Lakshmi is portrayed in a green saree. That is because green is the color of growth and symbolizes lush, bountiful crops. Being the Goddess of good harvest and food, she is associated with green color.
Perched majestically on a lotus in Padmasana, Gaja Lakshmi symbolizes strength and power. In this avatar, the Devi is seen flanked by two ‘Gajas’ (hence the name, Gaja Lakshmi) and is the bestower of animal wealth. The elephants or the Gajas perform Abhishekam on the goddess by showering her with water, thus showing her royalty. She delicately holds two lotuses, which signify enlightenment and purity. The other two hands are open for blessing her worshippers and showering them with wealth and strength.
Gaja Lakshmi is the manifestation of devi Lakshmi in the form of a majestic and powerful yet graceful Gaja or elephant. Worshippers of the divine power place the idol in their homes with a lot of love and devotion to ward off evil energy and for power and strength. Gaja Lakshmi should be placed facing northeast of the house.
Sitting gracefully on a lotus with two pots, a sword, and a shield, Santana Lakshmi is motherhood and fertility personified. Her motherly gaze exudes love and care for the devotees of the Supreme Mother. She is seen cradling a baby in her lap who holds a lotus. She represents a mother’s love and ability to care for and protect her children against all evils.
The fast should be observed on a Thursday. The devotee must begin the fast at sunrise by bathing and offering prayers to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Santana Lakshmi. Donating food to underprivileged children and chanting various prayers to Devi Lakshmi. In the evening, the fast is completed by cooking sweets after performing a puja.
An embodiment of valor and strength, Veera Lakshmi is worshiped by devotees to overcome fear and gain the courage to fight in the battles of life. She symbolizes fearlessness. She is seen holding battle weapons like a sword, a bow, and an arrow, representing power and bravery. The conch and discus she holds are symbols of protection and strength. The goddess is also seen holding scriptures in one of her hands as symbols of wisdom.
Worshiped in times of war to gain courage and strength and emerge victorious in battle, Goddess Veera Lakshmi is also known as ‘Dhairya Lakshmi.’ She is one of the eight avatars of Goddess Lakshmi.
This incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped for intellectual growth and wisdom. She symbolizes knowledge and education and signifies wealth and material success by using our intellect and the power of our talents. She can be seen draped in a pristine white saree, which signifies purity and presents her as the epitome of grace and beauty. People studying for exams should worship the goddess to attain academic success.
Wednesdays are considered very auspicious for offering prayers to Goddess Vidya Lakshmi. While praying to the Devi, the best offerings for her are simple Lotus flowers that symbolize beauty and purity.
Generally portrayed in a bright red saree, Goddess Vijay Lakshmi represents victory in all aspects of life. The gentle lotus in one of her hands and the fierce weapons like a sword, a noose, and a shield create a striking contrast in the iconography of this divine manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi. She can also be seen in possession of a conch and a discus. Worshiping her blesses the devotees with strength and positivity, both of which are necessary for winning in life.
All incarnations of Goddess Lakshmi adore flowers as offerings. However, vermilion is the best offering to Goddess Vijay Lakshmi. She can also be worshiped through music. Both these offerings are very special to the Goddess.
From spiritual enlightenment to material wealth and qualities like knowledge, courage, and intelligence, the many avatars of Goddess Lakshmi bestow all kinds of blessings upon their devotees. Worshiping and connecting with these eight divine manifestations allows the devotees to enhance their spiritual journey and experience true bliss.
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