Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 Laxmi : The Goddess of Prosperity and Salvation Dr. P.C. Mohanty Swadhin Mohanty n Hindu mythology, the mother of the universe The Devi Durga is manifested and worshipped Iis known as Laxmi which means the attainment as in the best three forms of Mahalaxmi, of Nirvan, the ultimate aim of life that is Moksha. Mahasaraswati and Mahakali. Here Mahalaxmi Laxmi the word itself comes from the Sanskrit is portrayed as a divine force representing the all- word ‘lakshya’, means the last desire of life i.e., pervading ‘Mayashakti’ of Lord Narayan. It is to achieve full salvation. In other words, also said that without Mahalaxmi, the worshipping Goddess Laxmi is to activate preservation of the universe is not possible. your dreams backed with your duties In the Amarkosha swarga Barga to enrich the target. So it can be (p.4), it is mentioned that goddess said that accomplishment of every Laxmi has eleven names like one’s duties is nothing but the Laksmi, Padmalaya, Padma, grace of Goddess Laxmi. Kamala, Sri, Haripriya, Indira, Worshipping Laxmi, the Goddess lokemata, Maa, Khirabdhi Tanaya, of wealth and energy, will enable and Rama. to attain dharma, artha, karma and As described in Brahma moksha, the chaturbarga. Moksha Baibarta purana, prior to the is nothing but ‘Nirban, the last and creation of Srusti (Universe) the supreme desire of every human Goddess Laxmi was originated lives. The word Laxmi is from the body of Lord Sri Krishna. synonymous with the concept of It is also narrated that four handed happiness and prosperity in life. In the Laxmi came from the left arm and two- Rigveda, Laxmi is described as a primodial divine handed Radha from the right arm of Lord Sri force of the cosmic creation. Laxmi is also Krishna, the supreme. Goddess Laxmi as per portrayed as the symbol of delusion. She is Laxmi, Padma, Vishnu and other puranic adored as the cause of the divine procreation. In (mythological) depositions; Goddess Laxmi Yajurveda, Laxmi is depicted as a symbol of emerged out of churning of the sea (sagar energy and plentifulness. In the Atharba Veda, manthan) carried on by Devas and Asuras along Mahalaxmi is described as ‘sri’ and the causative with other articles like the horse Uchesraba, divine force of goals in life. In Saptasati- chandi – Eirabata, the elephant, the nectar, poison, etc. Lord JUNE-JULY - 2021 21 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review Vishnu accepted Laxmi as his wife and accordingly she was named as sagara duhita/ Sindhu suta, Khirabdhi tanaya (daughter of the sea God Varuna) and so Vishnu became the son- in-law of the sea God Barun. From that day perhaps Lord Jagannath became Sri Jagannath and that custom is still inherited by all the Hindus to add Sri for male and Srimati for married female in their first name as a social system. Similarly, the girl child added with the word 'Devi' this is to honour Goddess Laxmi. From the name it is presumed that the women folk represents the Goddess Laxmi, the Devi Shakti or in other words the Daibi shakti (the cosmic power or the energy) of the universe. serpent Ananta Vasuki- the kala( time) as the Goddess Mahalakshmi is the symbol of master controller, the Goddess Laxmi was serving wealth, virtues situated in the Sri Mandira campus. Him by massaging the lotus feet. Once in swarga The stone image of three feet Height worshipped in a meeting of Gods and Rishis (sages) Durbasha in the sitting posture on a big lotus flower the had presented a garland of pariyat flower to Indra. image is of four hands. The upper two hands are But the King of swarga remaining unmindful holding two beautiful lotus flowers and the other towards the presentation of Rishi Durbasha, two lower hands are in blessing posture. (i.e., thrown the garland to the earth. The garland fell barada mudra). Even Thursday is the special day on the neck of an elephant. On looking the of Laxmi worship. The Laxmi temple in Puri arrogant activities of Indra, Durbasha felt insulted Srimandir is well painted with different artistic and cursed Indra to be deserted by Laxmi leaving views of goddess Laxmi and with all puranic the kingship of heaven. Accordingly Laxmi episodes. Mother Laxmi is the epitome of purity deserted the heaven and sheltered at his father's and cleanliness. Special pujas and festivals are house Khirabdhi Sagar. The elephant who got the being celebrated in the temple mostly on the birth garland of Durbasha became immortal on the day ceremony Prathama Astami, Odhana Sasti, boon of Durbasha as the head of Lord Ganesh Basanta Panchami, Akshayatrutiya, Rukmini forever. After one thousand years of churning Bibaha, Kumar Purnima, Rishipanchami, Bahuda the sea lotus seated Laxmi emerged as rebirth yatra, Sudasa Brata, Raja Utsav (festival) etc. out of the said ocean along with other ratnas like Goddess Laxmi is an epitome of duty, fullness, gold etc., nectar and also the poison released sacrifice, services. Goddess Laxmi is also an from the face of the great snake Ananta. excellent example of women folk performing all The Jagannath Dhama of Puri in Odisha the services of Lord Jagannath as his house wife. carries the Jagannath temple, the abode for the She also balances and encourages the joint family Lord of universe, is otherwise called as Shree culture in the society. In the icon of Ananta Sayana, kshetra or Srimandira. Here ‘sri’ denotes Laxmi Lord Vishnu while sleeping on the body–bed of and the temple is the house. That means Shree 22 JUNE-JULY - 2021 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 includes every thing even the 'supreme' Lord and society and in human conduct. Laxmi puran taught Goddess's temple i.e., Laxmi Narayan’s abode us to see that all human is equal. They should not in Jagannath culture. Sri is Laxmi and also the be differentiated for their cast and creed. It also cosmic beauty and the abode of the mighty God teaches us to stay in a clean environment. Jagannath. So perhaps it is called Srimandira. In cleanliness is being the abode of Laxmi. the said Srimandir Ratnasimhasan (the golden Accordingly the devotees are keeping clean the throne) seven idols have been worshipped. They platform and sanitize with cow dung paste, are Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarsan turmeric powder, sandal water, etc. before (wheel) and Madhab deities who are made of worshipping. From that day Srimandira is the Neem daru (wood) idols and other two are temple which had no caste bar. Chandala and Sridebi (Lakshmi) and Bhudebi (the earth Brahmins are taken Mahaprasad in a common Goddess) made up of precious metals. Here, in platform. In the month of Margasira, on each and worshipping these seven deities Sridevi- is nothing every Thursday Manabasa (worshipping the deity but the main deity known as Laxmi. Goddess Maa Laxmi with the ancient crop measuring pots Laxmi has also a separate gigantic temple towards for exchanging on business are called as mana, the south east corner of Srimandir campus. The ada, gouni, etc.) is observed -It recommends and rituals stand that Goddess Laxmi prepares food reminds “Banijye basate Laxmi”. With full (prasad) for the Lord but the prasad becomes devotion by the women folk as an event of Laxmi Mahaprasad after offering it to Maa Bimala. Due worship. Mahalaxmi is the Mayashakti and the to the importance of Laxmi in Jagannath culture, energy of universe. A lot of rituals are observed the temple is profoundly known as Sri Jagannath in the world-famous car festival of Lord Jagannath temple which means the abode for Laxmi- at Puri Srimandir which are linked with Goddess Jagannath/Laxmi Narayan/Laxmi Nrusingha and Laxmi. Laxmi the Maya Shakti (illusion) of alike in Vaishnabism. In Mahabharat Maa Laxmi Jagannath is annoying with Jagannath as she has symbolizes the wealth, good fortune and brings not been taken in the car and kept isolated in the all material wealth and bestowed with all good temple. Angried Laxmi thus went with her friends qualities. Vyasa Dev narrated that Duryadhana (shakhi) to Gundicha Rani temple and broke the enjoyed all these qualities as long as Laxmi has car of Jagannath and returned via Nakchana dwar on his shoulder. But due to his sinful activities and (a gate named after the nosal ornament) on the ahamkar (ego) Mother Laxmi deserted him which Hera Panchami day. On Bahuda dasami, the tenth evented in his downfall and death. Similar to day of lunar ashadha, the cars returned to Mahabharata, Ramayana also describes the death Singhadwar of Srimandira. Again in the next day, of Ravana due to his injustice, inhuman activities the ekadasi tithi ( the eleven day) is observed with and not obeying to the advices of Goddess Laxmi. the examplary Suna vesha (decorated with all high In Laxmi Purana written by Balaram Das valued golden ornaments). On the next the Niladri states how the Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra Vijaya day the temple returning ceremony of the became ‘Laxmi chhada’ (deserted by Laxmi) and deities is conducted. On the said event Laxmi experienced lot of odds till they surrendered at Narayan Kali (the dispute) is ended after offering Goddess Laxmi. Laxmi purana is a mythological a bouquet of native made sweets named story which intends to bring reform in both the Rasgollah to the Goddess Laxmi after hearing JUNE-JULY - 2021 23 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review Bachanika (exchange of angried words from Chakra, Dhanu and Trisula. Dhana Laxmi bears Laxmi) which also denotes Laxmi Narayana veta red saree and holds chakra, sankha, a pot of gold (meet) and then Srimandir runs as usual.