Goddess Vishnupriya Lakshmi

Dr. Manisha Sharma
Principal
Rajasthan Teacher Training Institute, Jaipur

Goddess Bhagavati Mahalakshmi is essentially the inseparable power of Lord Vishnu, and like the sun and its radiance, the fire and its burning power, and the moon and its moonlight, she is his eternal companion. According to the Puranas, she is renowned by the name Bhargavi for being the daughter of Padmavanasini, the daughter of the ocean, and the wife of Bhrigu. She is also known by the names Padma, Padmalaya, Shri, Kamala, Haripriya, Indira, Rama, Samudratanya, Bhargavi, Jaldhija, and many others. There are numerous hymns and chants available that praise her. She is the Vaishnavi power. Whenever Lord Vishnu incarnates, she accompanies him in various forms such as Lakshmi, Sita, Radha, and Rukmini. Worshipping the divine goddess Kamala, who is the playful companion of Mahavishnu, is essentially worshipping the universal sustaining power. Without her grace, one would lack prosperity. The worship of this primordial power of Vishvambara is equally prevalent in all scriptures. In tantric texts, she is identified as Kamalatmika, one among the ten Mahavidyas.

According to the Puranas, when Indra, overcome by pride, was cursed by the sage Durvasa, he entered the ocean. Upon the prayers of the gods, Lakshmi emerged from the ocean. Adorned by all the gods and sages, her mere glance brought prosperity and peace to the entire world. Moved by this, Indra praised her divine form, stating that simply by her glance, even ordinary mortals attain qualities such as righteousness, knowledge, humility, generosity, radiance, and others, thus acquiring the love and abundance of the entire universe.

The ancient Rigveda, in its fifth Mandala known as Khilasukta (also called Shrisukta), is associated with Goddess Lakshmi. According to the Puranas and other sacred texts like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, her form as Vishnupatni is widely accepted. She possesses a golden complexion and four hands, and is adorned with unparalleled beauty. Seated on the lotus throne, she fulfills all the desires of her devotees with her compassionate gaze. Worshiping her is highly rewarding. She is mentioned as the originator of the Sri Sampradaya. The Puranas contain various stories about her birth.

According to the Brahmavaivarta Purana, before the creation of the universe, in the first cosmic circle called Rasamandala, when the Supreme Soul Shri Krishna desired, a golden complexioned goddess manifested. She was adorned with gemstone ornaments. Her divine form was clothed in yellow garments, and she had a gentle smile on her face. She was the goddess of eternal youth, the embodiment of all wealth, and the provider of all material riches. In heaven, she is known as Swargalakshmi, and in the abodes of kings, she is called Rajalakshmi.

In this Purana, there is a mention of the manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi in the form of the daughter of the ocean, and also of the association with Vishnu. Overall, the story of the origin of Lakshmi is widely accepted. Like other goddesses, Lakshmi also has various meditations, prayers, armor, and hymns dedicated to her. In the divine body of Lord Vishnu, their chest is specifically described as the abode of Goddess Kamala. There is an inseparable relationship between Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi. Just as the universal father Lord Vishnu is omnipresent, in the same way, his divine power Mahalakshmi is also omnipresent.

Meditation of Goddess Lakshmi

Goddess Mahalakshmi is the primal source of all creation, consisting of the three gunas and being the ultimate goddess. She has two forms, manifest and unmanifest. She encompasses the entire universe in both of these forms. In the form of a woman, whatever is visible in this world is a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi. There are numerous meditations on the divine Goddess Mahalakshmi, and here is a meditation verse called the Sharadatilaka Dhyana.

कान्त्या काञ्चनसंनिभां हिमगिरिप्रख्यैश्चतुर्भिर्गजै- हस्तोत्क्षिप्तहिरण्मयामृतघटैरासिच्यमानां श्रियम् ।
बिभ्राणां वरमब्जयुग्ममभयं हस्तैः किरीटोज्ज्वलां क्षौमाबद्धनितम्बबिम्बलसितां वन्देऽरविन्दस्थिताम् ॥(218)

I offer my salutations to Goddess Lakshmi, whose brilliance resembles that of gold and who is adorned by four brilliant elephants standing on the snow-covered peaks of the mighty Himalayas, pouring divine nectar from their trunks onto her. She holds in her four hands the Varada Mudra (gesture of granting boons), the Abhaya Mudra (gesture of assurance and protection), and two lotus flowers. Her majestic crown shines brightly, and her hip area is adorned with a beautiful silk garment. I bow down to the lotus-feet of Goddess Lakshmi, who is seated on such a lotus.

Residence of Goddess Lakshmi
Wherever there is a discussion of Lord Shri Hari and the praise of His qualities, it is there that Goddess Lakshmi, who provides all the auspiciousness, always resides. Where the glory of Lord Shri Krishna and His devotees is sung, it is there that His beloved Goddess Lakshmi always shines. Where the sound of conch is heard and the worship of conch, tulsi, and shaligram takes place, Lakshmi is also present there. Similarly, where the worship of Shiva Linga, the worship of Durga, the service of Brahmins, and the worship of all the deities is performed, there Goddess Lakshmi with a lotus face remains present.

Amalaka fruit, cow dung, conch, white cloth, white and red lotus, moon, Maheshwara, Narayana, Vasundhara, and festival - Lakshmi always resides in temples and other places like these. The Brahma Purana (Godavari Mahatmya) and Vishnu Smriti describe in beautiful verses the dwelling places of Goddess Lakshmi. Observing the Lakshmi Vrat leads to the attainment of wealth, prosperity, fortune, and the birth of a daughter. In popular tradition, Lakshmi Ji is worshiped on Sharad Purnima (full moon) and Kartik Amavasya (Diwali). The festival of lighting lamps is also associated with Goddess Lakshmi as the embodiment of light and abundance. On that day, a special puja of Lakshmi is performed at midnight. Puranas and Agamas contain many hymns to Lakshmi, in which her character is also described. Among all these hymns, the Sri Stotra composed by Indra is the most famous. It is primarily found in the Ani, Vishnu, and Vishnudharmottara Puranas. Recitation of this stotra is considered highly beneficial for the progress and protection of the nation and the prosperity of the state. The complete methods of worshiping the ten-armed form of Lakshmi, including the diagrams, rituals, hundred names, thousand names, and the complete mode of recitation of the Shree Sukta, are found in various Agamas, such as Lakshmi Tantra. The compilation of all these can be found in Sri Kamalatmika Prakarana in the Shaakta Pramoda. The Upanishads on Lakshmi's auspiciousness also provide the complete methodology for her worship. Through her worship, the attainment of the fourfold goals of life - dharma, artha, kama, and moksha - as well as the fulfillment of various desires becomes effortless.