39 Facts About Lakshmi

1.

Lakshmi is both the consort and the divine energy of the Hindu god Vishnu, the Supreme Being of Vaishnavism; she is the Supreme Goddess in the sect and assists Vishnu to create, protect, and transform the universe.

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2.

Lakshmi's is an especially prominent figure in Sri Vaishnavism, in which devotion to Lakshmi is deemed to be crucial to reach Vishnu.

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3.

Whenever Vishnu descended on the earth as an avatar, Lakshmi accompanied him as consort, for example, as Sita and Radha or Rukmini as consorts of Vishnu's avatars Rama and Krishna, respectively.

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4.

Lakshmi is depicted in Indian art as an elegantly dressed, prosperity-showering golden-coloured woman standing or siting in the padmasana position upon a lotus throne, while holding a lotus in her hand, symbolising fortune, self-knowledge, and spiritual liberation.

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5.

Lakshmi's is praised as Mahalakshmi, Mahakali (she who is great Kali) and Mahasaraswati (she who is great Saraswati) who are the primary deities in Devi Mahatmya.

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6.

Lakshmi is a member of the Tridevi, the triad of great goddesses.

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7.

Below, behind, or on the sides, Lakshmi is very often shown with one or two elephants, known as Gajalakshmi, and occasionally with an owl.

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8.

Goddess Lakshmi is Simhavahini on most of the coins during their rule.

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9.

The Gupta period sculpture only used to associate lions with Lakshmi but was later attributed to Durga or a combined form of both goddesses.

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10.

Lakshmi typically wears a red dress embroidered with golden threads, which symbolizes fortune and wealth.

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11.

In Japan, where Lakshmi is known as Kisshoten, she is commonly depicted with the Nyoihoju gem in her hand.

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12.

Lakshmi is mentioned once in Rigveda, in which the name is used to mean 'kindred mark, sign of auspicious fortune'.

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13.

In some chapters of Atharva Veda, Lakshmi connotes the good, an auspicious sign, good luck, good fortune, prosperity, success, and happiness.

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14.

Lakshmi's appeared with a lotus in her hand and so she is called Padma.

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15.

However, other chapter of the epic states that Lakshmi took the incarnation of Rukmini, the chief-wife of the Hindu god Krishna.

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16.

Lakshmi's is a major goddess in Puranas and Itihasa of Hinduism.

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17.

Ancient prayers dedicated to Lakshmi seek both material and spiritual wealth in prayers.

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18.

Lakshmi, along with Parvati and Saraswati, is a subject of extensive Subhashita, genomic and didactic literature of India.

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19.

In certain parts of India, Lakshmi plays a special role as the mediator between her husband Vishnu and his worldly devotees.

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20.

Lakshmi is the embodiment of the creative energy of Vishnu, and primordial Prakriti who creates the universe.

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21.

In South India, Lakshmi is seen in two forms, Sridevi and Bhudevi, both at the sides of Venkateshwara, a form of Vishnu.

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22.

The Ashta Lakshmi presides over eight sources of wealth and thus represents the eight powers of Shri Lakshmi.

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23.

Temples dedicated to Ashta Lakshmi are found in Tamil Nadu, such as Ashtalakshmi Kovil near Chennai and many other states of India.

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24.

In Garuda Purana, Linga Purana and Padma Purana, Lakshmi is said to have been born as the daughter of the divine sage Bhrigu and his wife Khyati and was named Bhargavi.

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25.

Lakshmi came out of the ocean bearing lotus, along with divine cow Kamadhenu, Varuni, Parijat tree, Apsaras, Chandra, and Dhanvantari with Amrita ('nectar of immortality').

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26.

Lakshmi's chose Devas' side and among thirty deities, she chose to be with Vishnu.

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27.

Gaja Lakshmi Puja is another autumn festival celebrated on Sharad Purnima in many parts of India on the full-moon day in the month of Ashvin.

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28.

Goddess Lakshmi is frequently found in ancient coins of various Hindu kingdoms from Afghanistan to India.

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29.

Gaja Lakshmi has been found on coins of Scytho-Parthian kings Azes II and Azilises; she appears on Shunga Empire king Jyesthamitra era coins, both dating to 1st millennium BCE.

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30.

Similarly, ancient Greco-Indian gems and seals with images of Lakshmi have been found, estimated to be from 1st-millennium BCE.

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31.

Lakshmi is an important deity in Jainism and found in Jain temples.

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32.

In Buddhism, Lakshmi has been viewed as a goddess of abundance and fortune, and is represented on the oldest surviving stupas and cave temples of Buddhism.

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33.

In Chinese Buddhism, Lakshmi is referred to as either Gongdetian or Jixiang Tiannu (????, lit "Auspicious goddess") and is the goddess of fortune and prosperity.

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34.

Lakshmi's is regarded as the sister of Pishamentian, or Vaisravana, one of the Four Heavenly Kings.

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35.

Lakshmi's is regarded as one of the twenty-four protective deities, and her image is frequently enshrined in the Mahavira Hall of most Chinese Buddhist monasteries together with the other deities.

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36.

In Japanese Buddhism, Lakshmi is known as Kishijoten and is the goddess of fortune and prosperity.

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37.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Lakshmi is an important deity, especially in the Gelug School.

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38.

Lakshmi's has both peaceful and wrathful forms; the latter form is known as Palden Lhamo, Shri Devi Dudsol Dokam, or Kamadhatvishvari, and is the principal female protector of Tibetan Buddhism and of Lhasa, Tibet.

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39.

Lakshmi is closely linked to Dewi Sri, who is worshipped in Bali as the goddess of fertility and agriculture.

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