Seated on a fully blossomed lotus flower, holding half-bloomed lotus flowers in her hands, goddess Lakshmi was revered and worshipped by ancient sages as Padmavati, Padmasana, Padmini. This brass statue shows goddess Lakshmi surrounded by lotuses, including the lotus aabhamandal (halo) behind her head. The lotus represents the water element, fertility, beauty, youth, and abundance. Goddess Lakshmi, the provider of wealth and luxuries also bestows upon her worshippers, fecundity and alluring persona.
With her main left hand, Ma Lakshmi holds a purnaghata (a vessel full of water and vegetation symbolizing growth and auspiciousness). Her right hand is raised in the Varada Mudra (granting boons to her devotees). Her legs are placed in the Lalitasana (the posture of royalty) and near her foot is placed a bowl full of gold coins signifying wealth. An interesting element in this brass idol is the owl or Uluka.
The reasons for the owl’s association with goddess Lakshmi are manifold. Some argue that the owl is an intelligent creature and can foretell death or misfortune. According to other religious beliefs, the owl is the embodiment of Alakshmi or Jyeshtha, the elder sister of Lakshmi who is the goddess of misfortune. The rationale behind her inclusion in the Lakshmi images is that one must always be aware of the presence of ill luck in order to avoid it. All the different beliefs converge on one point, that the owl is a bearer of bad luck, and goddess Lakshmi has the potential to keep a check on it.
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