Despite the fact that there are many gods and goddesses in Hinduism, Lakshmi - the goddess of harmony and prosperity - deserves special attention. She is the wife of Vishnu, and that says a lot. It is believed that Lakshmi accompanies God in all his incarnations.
Therefore, she is an example of an ideal wife. Lakshmi is a goddess who personifies generosity, prosperity, harmony and beauty, compassion for all living things. She can bestow peace and quiet in the family, therefore they say that if everything is fine in the house, then Lakshmi lives there. If in the house of misfortune, and the family lives in quarrels, then it is believed that the goddess has left this house.
There are several legends about how Lakshmi appeared. According to the most popular version, the goddess was born during the churning of the ocean by devas (gods) and assuras (demons).
The second legend is less popular and not so beautiful, but the most believable. According to this version, Lakshmi is the daughter of the sage Bhrigu.
According to the third version, Lakshmi emerged from a lotus that emerged above the surface
world waters. There is a version according to which the goddess appeared from a lotus above Vishnu's head. But in any case, all versions of the legend agree that she accompanies Vishnu in all its incarnations.
How is Lakshmi described? The goddess, as a rule, is portrayed as a beautiful young woman with many arms (up to 10 in some temples where this deity is worshiped). She is also depicted on a lotus with various objects. Almost always elephants water it. This shows that the Indian goddess Lakshmi combines divine power (lotuses) with worldly power (elephants). Like all gods, Lakshmi is depicted in a different color, which has a deep symbolism. For example, a dark skin color indicates that in front of you is the dark aspect of the goddess. Golden yellow is a symbol of abundance. White is pure nature. But most often her pink skin is a symbol of compassion for everyone and everything.
Lakshmi is a many-armed goddess, because she can give people four
goals in life. This wealth, bodily pleasures, righteousness and bliss. Nevertheless, most often Lakshmi is portrayed with Vishnu, because she is his shakti, creative energy that is inseparable from him.
What do the symbols in the hands of the goddess mean? Since Lakshmi is the goddess of prosperity and abundance, her symbols are mainly associated with this. As was said, the lotuses in the hands are symbols of two worlds. And how much they are revealed shows the degree of evolution of these worlds. The fruits of Lakshmi are a symbol of the result of our labors. Until the goddess has mercy, man will achieve nothing in life. Coconut, interestingly, corresponds to three levels of creation: causal (nut juice), thin (pulp) and rough (shell). Garnet and citron are also symbols of the worlds that the goddess holds. The fruit of bilva is moksha (the highest fruit is the reward for a righteous life). Sometimes Lakshmi also holds the Ambrosia vessel. This is a direct symbol of what it can give people eternal life (by analogy with the Greek Ambrosia).
If you decide to purchase the Lakshmi statue, then it is best to place it in the hallway or in the office, since these places are connected with prosperity and prosperity.