Goddess Lakshmi is the revered Hindu deity of wealth, prosperity, and grace. Honored in Vedic texts and major festivals like Diwali, she symbolizes abundance and spiritual wisdom. Her origins trace back to the Rig Veda and the myth of the ocean’s churning. With her iconic lotus, elephants, and golden radiance, she embodies purity and divine blessing. Lakshmi is Vishnu’s consort also a cosmic force worshipped by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains for both material and spiritual well-being.
Goddess Lakshmi is revered as the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, power, beauty, prosperity, and fertility. She is part of the sacred Hindu Trivedi, along with Saraswati (goddess of wisdom) and Parvati (goddess of power). It then comes as no surprise that she is Lakshmi one of the most important goddesses in Hinduism, by Buddhists and Jains as well.
The name is Lakshmi comes from the Sanskrit root "laksh", meaning to perceive, observe, or aim, Lakshmi signifies “she who leads to one’s lakshya (goal). Lakshmi is well-known as the wife of the Hindu god Vishnu and is also recognized as the divine energy that supports him.
Lakshmi’s three forms are comprised of 1. Satya which is goodness, 2. rajas which are referred to as passion or energy, and 3. tamas which is darkness. All these forms and characteristics are said to aid Vishnu in the creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe. Lakshmi is also considered the mother goddess and supreme goddess, particularly in the Shaktism and Vaishnavism sects.
Lakshmi is also known as Shri, which is also a Sanskrit word to means noble, splendor, prosperity, light, and auspiciousness. Shri Lakshmi is so important that the name Shri is actually written at the top of many important documents.
Highly revered gods and respected individuals, including holy men and teachers, are also called Shri before they are addressed. This is because Shri is meant to be a sign of abundance, grace, prosperity, and good fortune, among others.
Therefore, whenever the word Shri is spoken or written, it bestows whatever is spoken or written after it with divine blessings. In fact, married men are referred to as Shriman and married women as Shrimati. This is because they are believed to have Lakshmi’s blessings to channel the wealth of the world in order to support their family and the larger society.
52" Large Devi Lakshmi Brass Statue | Handmade | Made in India
The account of Lakshmi’s birth involves the famed tale of the churning of the ocean of milk, which is considered to be among the most important events in Hinduism. The churning of the milky ocean tells the story of how the devas or gods battled the asuras or demons to gain immortality. Ultimately, the devas succeed in the battle by working together to churn the ocean of milk.
The devas churned the ocean for hundreds of years until finally, treasures emerged from its surface. Among the treasures that rose from the ocean was a beautiful woman standing on a lotus flower who was Lakshmi. Lakshmi’s presence and assistance helped the devas finally defeat the asuras and then deliver them out of the world.
Lakshmi is deeply rooted in sacred Hindu literature:
🔸Rig Veda: Her earliest hymn, Shri Sukta, praises her as the source of abundance and purity.
🔸Garuda Purana: Describes her three divine forms Shri (spiritual grace), Bhu (earthly abundance), and Durga (protective energy).
🔸Ramayana and Mahabharata: She appears in various forms, supporting Lord Vishnu across his many incarnations.
Goddess Lakshmi, like the flowing river of abundance she symbolizes, appears in many divine forms across time, texts, and traditions. As the devoted wife of Vishnu, Lakshmi is said to have transformed into many various forms in order to be with Vishnu in his every incarnation and in many different scenarios.
As Vishnu incarnates in different yugas, so does Lakshmi always by his side, always aiding dharma:
🔆As Sita, beloved wife of Lord Rama in the Ramayana, embodying devotion and sacrifice
🔆As Rukmini and Radha, consorts of Krishna, signifying love, wisdom, and divine union
🔆As Dharani, consort of Parashurama, symbolizing groundedness and strength
🔆As Padma or Kamala, emerging from a lotus when Vishnu appears as Vamana
Of all of Lakshmi’s incarnations, she has eight particularly prominent incarnations which are said to symbolize eight different sources of wealth.
In devotional practice, Ashta Lakshmi represents the eight powerful expressions of her blessings:
1. Adi Lakshmi, The primal mother goddess, provider of eternal wealth
2. Dhana Lakshmi, Giver of material prosperity and financial security
3. Dhanya Lakshmi, Blesses with harvests, nourishment, and good health
4. Gaja Lakshmi, Symbol of power, royalty, and social dignity
5. Santana Lakshmi, Grants fertility, progeny, and family wellbeing
6. Veera Lakshmi, Bestows courage, valor, and strength in adversity
7. Vijaya Lakshmi, Brings success in all endeavors
8. Vidya Lakshmi, Giver of knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual insight
These forms are often invoked together in homes and temples especially during auspicious festivals like Varalakshmi Vratam and Navaratri.
✨ To explore her divine manifestations, read our detailed guide on the Eight Forms of Lakshmi (Ashta Lakshmi) each one representing a unique blessing, from courage to compassion.
In Exact Adherence to Goddess Lakshmi’s Classical Iconography (Large Size)
In terms of Lakshmi’s iconography, she is frequently depicted as an elegant, golden-coloured woman draped in a red saree and adorned with gold ornaments, which are all meant to signify wealth. She is either standing or seated on a lotus throne while also holding a lotus in her hand, as well as a pot of money. Goddess Lakshmi is the embodiment of divine balance: material abundance united with spiritual fulfillment.
These are likewise meant to symbolize good fortune, as well as self-knowledge and spiritual liberation. Lakshmi’s iconography is rich with meaning:
🔸Owl: Symbolizes the vision and the discovery of knowledge despite the darkness, and warns against material greed.
Lakshmi is often dressed in red, the color of activity, and adorned in gold, the color of wealth a divine reminder that abundance flows where both effort and grace meet.
In Hindu dharma, Lakshmi symbolizes the four Purusharthas, or essential goals of life:
🔸Dharma: Righteous living and moral integrity
🔸Artha: Prosperity and rightful means of livelihood
🔸Kama: Emotional and sensual fulfillment
🔸Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of birth and death
53" Super Large Goddess Lakshmi on Lotus in Brass | Handmade | Made in India
🔆Families perform the Lakshmi Puja on the third day of Diwali, placing diyas (lamps) at entrances and windows.
🔆Offerings of sweets, flowers, coins, and prayers are made to invoke her blessings for the year ahead.
🔆It’s a festival of lights within, honoring purity, gratitude, and giving.
🪷 “Where there is light, order, and devotion there Lakshmi dwells.” As Diwali approaches, selecting the right Lakshmi idol becomes a soulful choice learn which form is ideal for your home altar and why it matters.
Padmasana Gajalakshmi Tanjore Painting | Traditional Colors with 24K Gold | Teakwood Frame
There are a number of other festivals and sacred days that are observed throughout the year in honour of Lakshmi.
🔆Sharad Purnima (end of monsoon): A harvest festival thanking Lakshmi for abundance
🔆Lakshmi Panchami (Chaitra Shukla Paksha): It is observed in the first week of the new year in the Hindu calendar. Celebrating the goddess of beginnings
🔆Varalakshmi Vratam (South India): A fast and prayer for the well-being of one’s family
Discover the unique traditions of Kojagari Lakshmi Puja in Bengal and Lakshmi Puja during Tihar in Nepal where lamps, devotion, and divine blessings light up entire communities. Each festival reflects local customs, yet the essence is the same: invoking divine balance between material and spiritual wealth.
Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity, beauty, and spiritual well-being, revered as the divine consort of Lord Vishnu.
Diwali celebrates Lakshmi's visit to homes filled with light and devotion. Devotees pray for blessings of wealth, peace, and good fortune.
They represent the four goals of human life: Dharma (righteousness), Artha (prosperity), Kama (fulfillment), and Moksha (liberation).
She emerged from the Churning of the Ocean of Milk (Samudra Manthan), a divine event symbolizing the triumph of light over chaos.
The lotus symbolizes purity, spiritual awakening, and resilience, blooming unstained even in muddy waters, just as Lakshmi’s grace uplifts all.
Yes. Lakshmi is honored in Buddhism and Jainism, and in regions like Nepal, Thailand, and Indonesia, showing her widespread spiritual presence.
She is the goddess of wealth, she is the divine presence in beauty, compassion, knowledge, and harmony. Her stories are reminders that true abundance comes from what we gain, from what we honor, offer, and preserve.
🙏 May her light guide your path in each mindful moment.
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