Ashta Lakshmi / Ashtalakshmi
Among all the female deities in the Vedic and Puranic traditions, the source of brilliance, splendour and beauty can be seen in everything in the world because of the grace of the only Goddess i.e. Lakshmi.
Lakshmi is praised by many names such as Sri, Ramaa, Vishnupatni, Kshirasagara Putri, Kamala, Padma, Kamalalaya, Bhargavi etc. Without the kind looks of this Goddess, no one can become rich. Lakshmi is much extolled as one of the three mothers of the universe.
There are eight most popular forms of Lakshmi which are often worshipped for the fulfilment of all varied desires of the devotees. Those eight forms are called Ashta Lakshmi. They are
- Adi Lakshmi,
- Dhanya Lakshmi,
- Dhairya Lakshmi,
- Gaja Lakshmi,
- Santana Lakshmi,
- Vijaya Lakshmi,
- Vidya Lakshmi and
- Dhana Lakshmi.
Before going into the details of the Ashta Lakshmis, it may be essential to know about the magical relation of the number eight with Goddess Lakshmi.
Ashtaishvaryas
- Dhanam – Cash and Gold,
- Dhanyam – Paddy,
- Santanam – Children,
- Jaya-Victory,
- Dhairya – Courage,
- Ayudha bala – Weaponry,
- Rajyam – Kingdom and
- Vahanam – Vehicles
Ashta Siddhis
- Anima Siddhi – Ability to become subtler than an Atom,
- Mahima Siddhi – Becoming Larger than the Universe,
- Laghima Siddhi – Becoming lighter than the lightest particle in the world,
- Garima Siddhi – Heavier than the heaviest substance in the world,
- Ishitva Siddhi – Getting Lordship over the worlds,
- Vashitva Siddhi – Getting all the beings under control,
- Prapti Siddhi – Obtaining everything just by thinking about it and
- Prakamya Siddhi – Control over all desires and fulfilment of them.
Ashtavidha Sampad
The strength of Disciples, Friends, Sons, Relatives, Vehicles, Servants, Treasures of Money, Gold and Golden ornaments are called eight kinds of wealth.
Ashta Kashtas (Troubles)
Having Debts, Begging, Old age, Illicit interests, Stealing, Poverty, Illness and Living on the Remains of others food are the eight kinds of troubles.
Anyone who ever worships Goddess Lakshmi will be relieved from all the eight kinds of troubles and will get Ashta Aishvaryas, Ashta Siddhis, Ashta Bhogas and Ashtavidha Sampad.
To bestow all these kinds of wealth and riches, Goddess Lakshmi assumes eight forms which are called Ashta Lakshmi.
Features and Powers of Ashta Lakshmi
Adi Lakshmi
This Lakshmi is the first attributed manifestation of Parashakti. She is all-pervasive and Omnipotent. She appears sitting in a Lotus with four hands holding a Lotus and a Flag in the two upper hands and bearing Abhaya Mudra and Varada Mudra with the two lower hands. She bestows confidence and peace in life.
Dhanya Lakshmi
She is the Goddess of Riches with Eight hands bearing two lotus in two hands, Abhaya Mudra and Varada Mudra in two hands, A Mace, A Sugar Cane, A Stem of corn and a bunch of bananas. She abundantly gives all kinds of food grains.
Dhairya Lakshmi
Dhairya Lakshmi is also known by the name Vara Lakshmi. For achieving any kind of stability Dhairya Lakshmi should be worshipped. She is seen with six hands holding Sankha, Chakra, Arrow, bow, Sword, Shield or a Vessel of Nectar. She is often worshipped by Royal races for fighting with courage in wars.
Gaja Lakshmi
- She usually is seen in a lake with four hands having two elephants on either side. The elephants have some variant interpretations.
- Some people say the two elephants are symbolic of Jnana and Vairagya.
- Some interpret them as Dharma and Moksha. Some others say that one is the Apara Vidya and the other one is Para Vidya.
- One who worships Gaja Lakshmi is assured of getting all these variants. In her four hands, she bears Two lotus in her upper hands and the other two hands are in Abhaya Mudra and Varada Mudra.
Santana Lakshmi
She is with four hands with two Purna Kalasas in her two upper hands and in the rest of the two hands holding a sword and shield. A child can be seen on the left side of her lap. Those who want children worship Santana Lakshmi.
Vijaya Lakshmi
She is a goddess with Sankha and Chakra in the upper hands and the two lower hands are in Abhya and Varada postures. Those who wish Victory in their respective fields worship her.
Vidya Lakshmi
Knowledge also is considered as a kind of wealth. She is seen holding two lotuses in her upper hands and the lower hands in Varada and Abhaya postures. She promises all kinds of knowledge may it be of this mundane world or of the ultimate Moksha.
Dhana Lakshmi
She is with eight hands holding Sankha, Chakra, Bow, a Golden Vessel, two lotuses in six hands and the rest of the two hands in Varada and Abhaya postures. She graces Money, Gold, Cattle, Land and all other kinds of wealth.
Places where the Goddess Lakshmi stays
- The houses where all kinds of worship of Gods and Goddess takes place regularly with great devotion.
- With the people are strict followers of their respective dharma,
- Places where the cows are worshipped and fed with great care
- Places where all the people learn and recite all four Vedas and the places where sages, monks, Yogins and elders are properly respected and honoured.
Hence to get the favour of all these eight forms of Lakshmi can be worshipped and become a sincere devotee of Goddess Lakshmi.
