Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of wealth, is worshiped throughout the year like any other Hindu deity. But during the festival of lights, she is astutely worshiped. In this post, we look into why the Goddess of wealth is religiously celebrated during Diwali.

Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Wealth is a fundamental element given to us for support and progress in our life. It is considerably more than simply having money. It implies wealth in the form of information, intelligence and abilities. Goddess Lakshmi is the energy that manifests as the complete spiritual and material well-being of a person.

There are eight aspects of this divine energy that may be bestowed upon us.

Adi Lakshmi is the memory of the source. In the contemporary world, we tend to overlook the fact that we are a minute piece of the whole creation, which makes us feel insecure and small. Adi Lakshmi is a source that connects us with the source, thus bringing strength and calmness to the mind.

Dhana Lakshmi is related to material wealth and Vidya Lakshmi is the aspect that is linked with knowledge, skills and talents.

Dhanya Lakshmi manifests as wealth in the form of food. The renowned saying ‘jaise ann, waise man’ – means that the food we consume has a direct impact on the state of our mind. It is important to consume the right amount of food, right type at the right time in order to positively improve our body and mind.

Santana Lakshmi is wealth in the form of progeny and creativity. Devotees inundated with creativity, talent and skills in the field of arts are graced with this aspect of Lakshmi. Dhairya Lakshmi manifests as wealth in the form of bravery and courage and Vijaya Lakshmi refers to wealth in the form of victory. Bhagya Lakshmi is the aspect of good luck and prosperity. During the different stages of the devotee’s life, different manifestations of Goddess Lakshmi plays a vital role.

Ashtalakshmi

According to the Puranas, Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the waters along with the nectar when the ocean was churned by the devas and the asuras. Water is considered as a symbol of love and Goddess Lakshmi emerging from the water denotes that the right type of wealth emerges with the existence of love.

Goddess Lakshmi is always witnessed to be seated on a lotus floating in water. The Lotus is a symbol of dispassion. A droplet of water on the lotus leaf moves freely on the surface without any resistance. Similarly, we should adapt this quality of the lotus and refrain from getting attached to materialistic wealth. As a result, what comes forth is the wealth that is eternal and light like a lotus flower. Such wealth is life-supporting, brings abundance and good fortune. Wealth should be similar to water and constantly moving. The purity of water is defeated if it is stagnant. Similarly, the usefulness and value of wealth can be experienced only when they are shared.

Goddess Lakshmi is decorated with golden ornaments and can be seen holding the lotus flower in both her hands. This corresponds to a celebratory aspect of life, a mixture of abundance without any unshakable attachment towards wealth. The other two hands hold mudras symbolizing the shower of blessings and indicating that we should have patience.

Diwali is a celebration of lights. It is the perfect time to respect all parts of wealth and to brighten our existence with the light of spiritual knowledge, the energy that is Mahalakshmi. “Maha” refers to great and Mahalakshmi indicates to great wealth, which incorporates all the eight aspects, the spiritual wealth that takes care of our well-being in all the three worlds (adibhautik,adidhaivik and adhyatmik).

ASSOCIATED TEMPLE

The most famous Lakshmi temple in India: Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur 

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VIDEO

Listen and learn the Ashta Lakshmi Sloka this Diwali