Medium: Gouache, Artwork Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved Paul J Morehead
Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of wealth and the Hindu Goddess of beauty. Lakshmi typically wears a red dress embroidered with golden threads, symbolic of prosperity.
The word Lakshmi originates from “Lakshya” which means “goal” and a lac (lakh) or 100,000. She is the goddess of the supreme “goal” and signifies wealth.
Wealth can be cattle, food & grains, metals, minerals, creativity, stability, courage, strength, progeny, victory, knowledge, or financial wealth. Lakshmi also the embodiment of intelligence (buddhi), mental brilliance (medhas), strength (balam), courage (viryam), progeny, good health, cleanliness, happiness, and pleasure.
Her four arms are also deeply symbolic. In her Upper left hand there is a half open lotus with a hundred petals. 100 represents the myriad of spiritual practices. The pink represents Rajguna, or functionality, the white represents Satguna, or purity. These two symbolize progress in the mundane and spiritual areas of life.
Her lower left hand is dripping with gold coins. The coins represent endless prosperity. The coins symbolize prosperity on all levels (as mentioned above).
The pot of nectar in her upper left hand represents her ability to liberate people from suffering as well as free them from the Karmic cycles of birth and death. Her consort is Vishnu, the preserver, and the two of them look after material wealth and vital for the continuity of life upon this earth, to perform duties, look after cattle and progeny, entertain the guests and serve those who seek help.
Her right lower hand is held in Abhaya Mudra (a pose signifying assurance of freedom from fear). The Bhagavad Gita says "fear is caused by unfulfilled desires." The ultimate gift of the goddess is the blessing of deliverance from fears.
~Om Hreem Shreem Kleem Maha Lakshmi Namaha! Chant 54 or 108 times for more prosperity, and an increase in all forms of wealth.