Adorned in a red saree, embellished with gold ornaments, seated on a lotus, pot in hand, flanked by white elephants, the picture of Goddess Lakshmi enhances most Hindu homes and business foundations.
Lakshmi also called as Laxmi, is the goddess of wealth, fortune, power, extravagance, magnificence, fruitfulness, and auspiciousness. She holds the promise of material satisfaction and happiness. She is portrayed as restless, eccentric yet maternal, with her arms raised to bless and to concede her endowments.
Goddess Lakshmi means Good Luck to Hindus. The word ‘Lakshmi’ is derived from the Sanskrit word “Laksya”, meaning ‘aim’ or ‘goal’, and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual.
Lakshmi is the family unit goddess of most Hindu families and a most loved of ladies. Despite the fact that she is worshiped day by day, the festive month of October is Lakshmi’s exceptional month. Lakshmi Puja is celebrated on the full moon night of Kojagari Purnima.
The Lakshmi Appearance
Goddess Lakshmi is delineated as a lovely lady of brilliant appearance, with four hands, sitting or standing on a full-blossomed lotus and holding a lotus bud, which remains for beauty, purity, and fertility. Her four hands speak to the four closures of human life: dharma or honorableness, “kama” or wants, “artha” or wealth, and “moksha” or freedom from the cycle of birth and passing. The Cascades of gold coins are seen flowing from her hands, suggesting that those who worship her gain wealth. She always wears gold embroidered red clothes. Red symbolizes activity and the golden lining indicates prosperity. Lakshmi is the active energy of Vishnu, and also appears as Lakshmi-Narayan – Lakshmi accompanying Vishnu.
Two elephants are often shown standing next to the goddess and spraying water. This denotes that ceaseless effort, in accordance with one’s dharma and governed by wisdom and purity, leads to both material and spiritual prosperity.
Lakshmi is called as Mata rather than Goddess
Since its earliest times, worshiping a mother goddess has been a part of Indian tradition . Lakshmi is one of the mother goddesses and is addressed as “Mata” (mother) instead of just “Devi” (goddess). As a female partner of Lord Vishnu, Mata Lakshmi is likewise called ‘Shri’, the female vitality of the Supreme Being. She is the goddess of wealth, flourishing, immaculateness, liberality, and the encapsulation of magnificence, beauty, and appeal.
Lakshmi Is A Domestic Goddess
The significance appended to the presence of Lakshmi (photo or idol) in each family house makes her basically a domestic divinity. Householders worship Lakshmi for the prosperity and flourishing of the family. Businessman and ladies additionally respect her similarly and offer her daily prayers.
Following Dusshera or Durga Puja on the full moon night, Hindus worship Lakshmi formally at home, pray for her enchantment(blessing) and welcome neighbors to come to the puja. It is believed that on this full moon night the goddess herself visits the homes and restores the tenants with wealth. Hindus worship Lakshmi in a special way on the auspicious Diwali night.
Source: Hinduism, lotussculpture, hinduwebsite