Lakshmi Pooja

Lakshmi Pooja

Lakshmi also spelled as Laxmi is one of the principal goddesses in Hinduism. Laxmi means she ho leads to one’s goal. She is the goddess of wealth, prosperity, fortune, power, beauty, and fertility and is associated with Maya. Along with Goddess Parvati and Goddess Saraswati, she forms the Tridevi of Hindu goddesses. Lakshmi is both consort and the divine energy of the Hindu God Vishnu, the Supreme being of Vaishnavism. Whenever Vishnu descended on the earth as an avatar, Lakshmi accompanied him as an avatar. The eight prominent manifestations of Lakshmi, the Ashtalakshmi, symbolize the eight sources of wealth.

Lakshmi is depicted as an elegantly dressed, prosperity-showering golden-colored goddess sitting or standing in the padmasana position upon a lotus throne while holding a lotus in her hand symbolizing fortune, self-knowledge, and spiritual liberation. Her iconography shows her with four hands, which represent the four aspects of life: Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. 

Puranic Significance

The Lakshmi Sahasranama of the Skanda Purana, Lakshmi tantra, Markandeya Purana, Devi Mahatmya, and Vedic scriptures describe Lakshmi as having eight or eighteen hands, and as sitting on Garuda, a lion or a tiger. According to Lakshmi Tantra, the goddess Lakshmi, in her ultimate form of Mahasri, has four arms of a golden complexion, and holds a citron, a club, a shield, and a vessel containing Amrita. In the Skanda Purana, and The Venkatachala Mahatmayam, Sri or Mahalakshmi is praised as the Mother of Lord Brahma. Lakshmi Sahasranama of Skanda Purana, Lakshmi Tantra, Markandeya Purana, Devi Mahatmya describes Lakshmi as having eighteen hands and described as holding rosary, axe, mace, arrow, thunderbolt, lotus, pitcher, rod, sakti, sword, shield, conch, bell, wine-cup, trident, noose and the discus in her eighteen hands.

Significance of Lakshmi

Lakshmi is very often shown with one or two elephants, known as Gajalakshmi, and occasionally with an owl. Lakshmi typically wears a red dress embroidered with golden threads, which symbolizes fortune and wealth. The meaning and significance of Lakshmi evolved in ancient Sanskrit texts. In Rigveda, in which the name is used to mean 'kindred mark, a sign of auspicious fortune'. In Atharva Veda, Lakshmi evolves into a complex concept with plural manifestations. In some chapters of Atharva Veda, Lakshmi connotes the good, an auspicious sign, good luck, good fortune, prosperity, success, and happiness. In the Epics of Hinduism, such as in Mahabharata, Lakshmi personifies wealth, riches, happiness, loveliness, grace, charm, and splendor.

Lakshmi Pooja

Lakshmi Pooja is a Hindu ritual that honors the goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi. It is celebrated on the third day of Deepavali in most parts of India and Nepal. It is a Hindu occasion for the veneration of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, visits her devotees and bestows good fortune and blessings on Lakshmi pooja day. Devotees clean their houses and put rangoli and light Diyas and poojas offered to Lakshmi. 

Significance of Lakshmi Pooja

Lakshmi Puja, performed during Diwali, holds immense significance. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits every home during Diwali to bless them with prosperity and wealth. Lakshmi symbolizes wealth and prosperity and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead. On this day, the mothers, who work hard all year are praised as they are seen as the embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi. 

She also prayed for perseverance, having children, and gaining spiritual awakening. Lakshmi helps with success in any endeavor. Lakshmi Pooja will invoke the divine benevolence of Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. She will bestow her devotees with enormous grace. To fill our lives with abundant happiness, wealth, and good fortune. By observing this festival rigorously, the swampy situations of life are curbed. Let us perform Lakshmi pooja and get divine blessings.