Lakshmi The Goddess of Light and Beauty

[Leon]

Lakshmi was the daughter of the sage Bhrigu and took refuge in the ocean of milk when the gods were sent into exile. Lakshmi was reborn during the Churning of the Ocean.

As soon as the gods saw Lakshmi, they all fell in love with her beauty. Shiva claimed Lakshmi as his wife, but since he had already taken the Moon, her hand was given to Vishnu, whom Lakshmi herself preferred.

Lakshmi was reborn as his consort each time when Vishnu incarnated. For example, Lakshmi was Sita to Rama, Radha and later Rukmini to Krishna.

Lakshmi is the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth. Being the consort of Vishnu, the preserving principle, Lakshmi also signifies love and grace.

Lakshmi often expresses her devotion to Vishnu by massaging his feet as he lies on the coils of the snake Shesha. While Lakshmi is generally worshipped to achieve success, she does not reside long with anyone who is lazy or desires her only as wealth.

[DeeUSA]

Hi Leon,

Thanks for the post! I found it very delightful to read about Lakshmi.

I have a friend who has provided me a great deal of assistance and love. Her name is Lakshmi and she is Hindu. I often wondered what her name represented (I figured it was some type of goddess because all of her family is named after gods and goddesses) but never found the time to ask her because she is a very busy woman.

She embodies the goddess Lakshmi! She is very wealthy and beautiful. She is the matriarch of her family. She runs several businesses and is friends with Indian royalty and socialites. She loves her family very much and would do anything for them (even the friends that she has deemed as "family").

The Lakshmi that I know has had a very hard life, however, you would not know that by looking at her. She was put into an arranged marriage at 13 and has raised her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and even in laws that were put into arranged marriages with her husband's older siblings. Throughout all of this she has remained the picture of grace and beauty.

I have told her over and over again that when I grow up I want to be just like her! :-)

Once again, thanks for posting about the goddess Lakshmi, from now on when I think of my friend Lakshmi I will remember the goddess Lakshmi.

Blessings
Dee

[DeeUSA]

One last thing...lol when I was at her house recently I saw a shrine set up to this goddess. At the time I didn't want to ask her about it because sometimes I think my ignorance for cultures is quite embarrassing! But now I know who the shrine was for! lol I remember thinking "wow! she's beautiful!"

Ok, once again thanks for the posting regarding Lakshmi!

Blessings
Dee

[Leon]

That was lovely to read Dee, I am so glad that you found meaning within the name. You made me smile when you said when I grow up I want to be just like her. Something similar was said on English TV the other day. A celebrity on a the singing competition the voice said similar, he said when I grow up I want to be just like Tom Jones

We all have people we admire, we should aspire to be like their good traits, in doing this we also grow.

[DeeUSA]

You're welcome Leon. Like I stated earlier...thanks for taking the time to post about Lakshmi. And by the way....I love Tom Jones! :-)