LAKSHMI DEVI BIRTHDAY ON MARCH 23RD 2016(PHALGUNI POURNAMI)

Lakshmi Jayanthi , Birthday of Goddess Lakshmi devi is observed in Phaluguni Purnima, the full moon day of Phalguni month.In 2016 the date is March 23.This festival is also celebrated as holi.On this day devotees worship goddess lakshmi devi, goddess of wealth with utmost devotion.In some areas it is celebrated in Uttaram Naksthram of Meena Masam.

Lakshmi is commonly known as Goddess of wealth. Money is also sacred in our culture because it is a symbol of Goddess Lakshmi and so we never deliberately step on a currency note. Goddess Lakshmi in the Hindu pantheon of gods and goddesses is personified as the goddess of fortune and also as the embodiment of loveliness, grace and charm. Being the power and consort of VishNu, the preserver, she is represented as the power of multiplicity also. She is as inseparable from VishNu as speech from meaning or good deeds from righteousness. He represents all that is masculine and she all that is feminine. Wealth is not only the money. Tradition and values of life is also wealth.  Our family and progress is also wealth.  Our belongings such as land, properties, animals, grains, etc as well as virtues like patience, persistence, purity etc in the form of a character are nothing but our wealth and so also glory or victory. 

 

Birth of Goddess Lakshmi:-

Goddess Lakshmi's origins are found in the great Sri Sukta ("Hymn to Sri") that was added to the Rig-Veda sometime between 1000 and 500 B.C.

Sage Bhrigu was married to Khyaati who had two two sons Dhata and Vidhaata and a daughter Lakshmi. Lakshmi then married Lord Vishnu. This was the first appearance of goddess lakshmi. In her second appearance she appeared as the daughter of ocean. Samudra Manthan tells the another birth of goddess Mahalakshmi.When lord Indra, the king of gods, was riding on elephant, sage Dhurvasa Maharshi presented him a special garland.But Lord Indra put that special flower garland on the trunk of his elephant.The elephant was irritated by the smell and crushed the garland with its foot.This enraged dhurvasa muni and he cursed the k ing of gods Indra, and all gods that they will loss entire strength energy and fortune.

After that demons attacked on the heaven and gained control over the universe.Then lord sri Maha vishnu planned to deal with asuras in a diplomatic manner.Devas proposed asuras to helpthem in churning of the milky ocean and after obtaining Amrith(Nectar) that will be shared.During the churning of the milky ocean along with nectar Goddess lakshmi also emered whom sri maha vishnu accepted as his consort.

Mother Lakshmi is the source and provider of the following enumerated well-known sixteen types of wealth and many more.  

1. Soundarya Lakshmi- Beauty

2. Soubhagya Lakshmi –All Blessings in life.

3. Keerthi Lakshmi-Fame

4. Veera Lakshmi- Courage and Strength

5. Vijaya Lakshmi-–Victory/Success

6. Santhana Lakshmi - Good Progeny

7. Medha Lakshmi - Brilliance

8. Vidya Lakshmi - Education

9. Thushti Lakshmi- Contentment

10. Pushti Lakshmi- Good Health

11. Jnana Lakshmi-Self Knowledge

12. Shakthi Lakshmi- Power

13. Shanthi Lakshmi- Peace of mind

14. Samrajya Lakshmi-Success in p rofession & career

15. Arogya Lakshmi – Good Health

16. Adi Lakshmi – Main core of all other Lakshmi’s.

The eight representations emphasize different forms of wealth. Wealth has many forms other than the obvious one of money. You need different types of wealth and resources to be rich in a real sense. Physical, financial, spiritual and material wealth are all needed to complete life's various needs.Let us glance upon the glory of mother Ashta Lakshmi’s individual nature and forms.

1. Aadi-Lakshmi (The Primeval Goddess) or Maha Lakshmi (The Great

   Goddess)
2. Dhana-Lakshmi or Aishwarya Lakshmi (The Goddess of Prosperity and

   Wealth)
3. Dhaanya-Lakshmi (Goddess of Food grains)
4. Gaja-Lakshmi (The Elephant Goddess)
5. Santana-Lakshmi (The Goddess of Progeny)
6. Veera-Lakshmi or Dhairya Lakshmi (The Goddess of Valor and

   Courage)
7. Vidya-Lakshmi (The Goddess of Knowledge)
8. Vijaya-Lakshmi or Jaya Lakshmi (The Goddess of Victory) 

Significance of form of Lakshmi:- 

Mother Lakshmi is worshipped in various aspects as the goddesses of peace, plenty and bliss. Mother Lakshmi bestows on her devotees inexhaustible divine spiritual wealth, health, success, fame and fortune. Fulfillment is more important than wealth itself. In order to receive this divine blessing one has to rid ones self of the negative qualities like greed, anger, lust etc. The four hands of Goddess Lakshmi indicate that she has the power to bestow on humanity the four ends of human life. In one hand she holds a lotus flower - reminding us of ever-lasting life and the immortality of the soul. The other hand that holds another lotus symbolizes to us to detach ourselves from too much of the worldly power, position, considerations, etc. Another hand holds what symbolizes material wealth, prosperity which is to be used as a means / tools for the achievements or goal in life; while the other hand, the fourth one is shown open and pointing downward, showering wealth and reinforcing the message of sharing.Her four hands signify her power to grant the four human goals ( dharma – righteousness, artha, - wealth, kama – desires, and moksha – liberation).She is shown to have pink complexion which shows her compassion for creatures since she is the mother of all.

The owl is shown as her mount in some sculptural depictions. It may look odd and strange that an ugly bird owl should be shown as the carrier of the goddess of beauty and fortune ! Let us analyse the meaning to appreciate this reason better. In Sanskrit, owl is known as uluka which is one of the names of Indra, the king of gods. He personifies all the wealth, power and glory that a living being can aspire for. So, the goddess of multiplicity could not have chosen a better person to ride on ! An Owl is a bird that signifies wisdom and that sleeps through the day and prowls through the night. This is because it can only see in the dark, and goes blind in the day. This partial blindness in the creature is actually indicative of a seeker tendency of going toward the pursuit of secular instead of spiritual wealth.

Lotus represents long life, honor, and good fortune and it teaches us to go beyond the surface of worldly contamination and proceed deep into life, to learn precious spiritual truths from it. The lotus also embodies purity, fertility and the growth of organic life. It is also regarded as a symbol of triumph as it can survive to regerminate for thousands of years. The lotus also grows from out of Vishnu's navel.Untouched by the impurity despite growing in mud, the flower is also meant to symbolize the purity of heart and mind.

Last but least We think Lakshmi represents only material wealth. Real wealth is self-discipline and the values of love, kindness, respect and sincerity. By practicing these values, our mind becomes purified. Only they help us preserve our material wealth. Our wealth of virtues is our true Lakshmi. The six forms of wealth are calmness of mind, self-control, self-withdrawal, forbearance, faith and single pointed ness. Our goal is victory over the mind which comes only when the mind is prepared and this mental preparation is the symbolism of the Lakshmi Puja. By invoking her grace we are not only blessed with virtuous qualities but also by Daivi Sampatti ( Spirtual wealth)and by gaining victory or self control over the mind.

Kanakadhara stotram is composed by Sri Adishankara and a famous shloka for Lakshmi.I wish to conclude with the first stanza of the same.

Angam hare pulaka bhooshanamasrayanthi,
Bhringanga neva mukulabharanam thamalam,
Angikrithakhila vibhuthi rapanga leela,
Mangalyadasthu mama mangala devathaya.

COURTESY:VARIOUS SPIRTUAL BOOKS
THANKS TO MY AMMA REDHI BHASKARAN.
DEDICATING THIS POST TO MY FRIEND’S MOTHER B.SAROJINI DEVI.