Lakshmi
Lakshmi - Goddess of Wealth, Fortune & Prosperity
Today I chose to write about Lakshmi! Once upon a time, I met a woman, a business owner who was goal oriented and was quite an inspiration to me. She had a photo of Lakshmi on her phone. I saw it from a quick glance and I asked her about this goddess. It was very clear to me why this successful woman chose Lakshmi as one of her matron goddesses. Lakshmi is one of my personal favorites as she is a goddess of wealth, prosperity & fortune.
Lakshmi can be seen depicted with four arms. Each of her arms are symbols of the "four goals of humanity" in Hinduism. They are as follows: dharma (ethics & morals), artha (wealth), kama (the pursuit of love and emotional fulfillment) and moksha (pursuit of self-knowledge and freedom). If that doesn't scream empowerment - I don't know what does.
Lakshmi, wife of Vishnu is often seen surrounded by elephants. In India, elephants are a representation of strength, abundance, prosperity, endurance, water, & rain. She can also be seen in various forms of art sitting on top of a Lotus Flower. She is associated with the lotus flower because that is a symbolization of enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth. Lotus flowers are known to grow in the darkest and dirtiest of places, so a lotus flower is used as an analogy of rising above despite our conditions no matter where we are in life.
Diwali, the Festival of Lights in India - is a time where Lakshmi is heavily celebrated. Lakshmi or "Shri-Lakshmi" was first mentioned in Hindu scriptures between 1000 - 500 B.C. She is not only worshiped in Hindu culture, but also in Buddhist culture.
Today I chose to write about Lakshmi! Once upon a time, I met a woman, a business owner who was goal oriented and was quite an inspiration to me. She had a photo of Lakshmi on her phone. I saw it from a quick glance and I asked her about this goddess. It was very clear to me why this successful woman chose Lakshmi as one of her matron goddesses. Lakshmi is one of my personal favorites as she is a goddess of wealth, prosperity & fortune.
Lakshmi can be seen depicted with four arms. Each of her arms are symbols of the "four goals of humanity" in Hinduism. They are as follows: dharma (ethics & morals), artha (wealth), kama (the pursuit of love and emotional fulfillment) and moksha (pursuit of self-knowledge and freedom). If that doesn't scream empowerment - I don't know what does.
Lakshmi, wife of Vishnu is often seen surrounded by elephants. In India, elephants are a representation of strength, abundance, prosperity, endurance, water, & rain. She can also be seen in various forms of art sitting on top of a Lotus Flower. She is associated with the lotus flower because that is a symbolization of enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth. Lotus flowers are known to grow in the darkest and dirtiest of places, so a lotus flower is used as an analogy of rising above despite our conditions no matter where we are in life.
Diwali, the Festival of Lights in India - is a time where Lakshmi is heavily celebrated. Lakshmi or "Shri-Lakshmi" was first mentioned in Hindu scriptures between 1000 - 500 B.C. She is not only worshiped in Hindu culture, but also in Buddhist culture.