Editing Lakshmi

{{Short description|Major Hindu goddess; goddess of wealth and beauty}}
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{{distinguish|Lakshmana}}
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{{Redirect-several|dab=off|Bhargavi (disambiguation)|Mahalakshmi (disambiguation)|Dhanalakshmi (disambiguation)|Sri Lakshmi (actress)}}
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{{EngvarB|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox deity <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Hindu mythology-->
| devanagari = लक्ष्मी
| type = Hindu
| image = Raja Ravi Varma, Goddess Lakshmi, 1896.jpg
| caption = ''Sri Gaja Lakshmi'' by [[Raja Ravi Varma]] (1896)
| name = Lakshmi
| other_names = <!---Don't add more names. Only significant ones should be included in the infobox. Don't add names of avatars including Bhumi, Sita, etc.--->{{hlist|Sri|Bhargavi|Kamala|Padma|Narayani|Vaishnavi|[[Jaganmata]]}}
| siblings = [[Alakshmi]]
| parents = 
| day = [[Friday]]
| affiliation = {{hlist|[[Vaishnavism]]|[[Shaktism]]|[[Tridevi]]|[[Mahadevi]]|
[[Lakshmi Narayana]]|
[[Kamalatmika|Kamala]]|
[[Ashta Lakshmi]]|
[[Ashtabharya]]|
[[Sita]]|
[[Radha]]|
[[Tulasi in Hinduism|Tulasi]]|
[[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhumi]]}}
| tree = [[Tulasi in Hinduism|Tulasi]]
| deity_of = Mother Goddess<br />Goddess of Wealth, Prosperity, Fortune, Sovereignty, Fertility, Abundance and Beauty<ref>
* {{cite book|ref=none|title=Journal of Historical Research, Volumes 28-30|page=3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HPBtAAAAMAAJ|publisher=Department of History, Ranchi University|year=1991|quote=Lord Visnu is the refuge of the world and Goddess Lakshmi is the energy behind the Universe.}}
* {{cite book|ref=none|title=Hinduism: Analytical Study|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vpiU9m7T_tQC|page=26|author1=Amulya Mohapatra|author2=Bijaya Mohapatra|publisher=Mittal Publications|date=1 January 1993|isbn=978-81-7099-388-9|quote=Sri or Laxmi is the goddess of wealth and fortune , power and beauty.}}
* {{cite book|ref=none|title=The Book of Devi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=on_ZhlB5taUC|page=47|author=Bulbul Sharma|publisher=Penguin Books India|year=2010|isbn=978-0-14-306766-5|quote=Sri or Lakshmi, as depicted in the sacred texts, is the goddess of wealth and fortune, royal power and beauty.}}
* {{cite book|ref=none|title=Hindu Gods & Goddesses|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eIqyv8A9XBAC|page=132|author=Stephen Knapp|publisher=Jaico Publishing House|year=2012|isbn=978-81-8495-366-4|quote=Goddess Lakshmi is the consort and shakti, or potency, of Lord Vishnu. Lakshmi, or Sri when she is especially known as the goddess of beauty (though sometimes considered to be separate entities), is the goddess of fortune, wealth, power, and loveliness.}}
* {{cite book|ref=none|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=82oFlfs3MpwC&pg=PA55|title=The Goddesses' Mirror: Visions of the Divine from East and West|author=David Kinsley|publisher=SUNY Press|date=1 January 1989|page=55|isbn=978-0-88706-836-2}}
* {{cite book|ref=none|title=The Cinematic Jane Austen: Essays on the Filmic Sensibility of the Novels|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0EPYqh8C2VgC|page=153|author1=David Monaghan|author2=Ariane Hudelet|author3=John Wiltshire|date = 10 January 2014|publisher=McFarland & Company|isbn=978-0-7864-5322-1|quote=In Hindu mythology, Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, power and beauty.}}
* {{cite book|ref=none|title=Rabindranath Tagore's Aesthetics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v3kkOn2T9D4C&pg=PA26|author=Kaushal Kishore Sharma|publisher=Abhinav Publications|year=1988|page=26|isbn=978-81-7017-237-6|quote=Lakshmi, our Goddess of wealth, represents not only beauty and power but also the spirit of goodness.}}</ref><ref name=mmwlak>[http://faculty.washington.edu/prem/mw/l.html lakṣmī] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520235132/http://faculty.washington.edu/prem/mw/l.html |date=20 May 2015 }}, [[Monier Monier-Williams|Monier-Williams']] ''Sanskrit–English Dictionary'', University of Washington Archives</ref>

Supreme Goddess in [[Vaishnavism]]<ref name="Supreme Goddess">{{cite book|title=Lakshmi Tantra, Volumes -13|page=70|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pENlKmZ4r94C&q=supreme |publisher=Motilal Banarasidas Publishers |year=2007|isbn=978-81-208-1735-7 }}</ref>
| member_of = [[Tridevi]] and [[Prakṛti|Pancha Prakriti]]
| symbols = {{hlist|[[Shrivatsa]]|[[Sacred lotus in religious art#Hinduism|Padma (Lotus)]]|[[Mudra#Jñāna Mudrā|Jnana Mudra]]|[[Abhayamudra|Abhaya Mudra]]|[[Varadamudra]]|[[Gold]]}}
| children = {{unbulleted list|
* Bala and Utsaha (according to some ''[[Puranas]]'')<ref>{{Cite book |last=Debroy |first=Bibek |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vCxAAQAAIAAJ&q=Bala+and+Utsaha |title=The History of Puranas |date=2005 |publisher=Bharatiya Kala Prakashan |isbn=978-81-8090-062-4 |language=en}}</ref>}}
| abode = [[Vaikuntha]], [[Manidvipa]]
| mantra = {{IAST|Oṃ Śrīṃ Mahālakṣmyai Namaḥ<br>Oṃ Śrīṃ Śriye Namaḥ}}
| mount = {{hlist|[[Owl]]|[[Elephant]]}}
| consort = [[Vishnu]]<ref name=anandrao167/>
| festivals = {{hlist|[[Deepavali]]|[[Lakshmi Puja]]|[[Sharad Purnima]]|[[Varalakshmi Vratam]]|[[Navaratri]]|[[Sankranti]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Translating the secrets of Makara Sankranti|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/tea-with-life/translating-the-secrets-of-makara-sankranti/|date=14 January 2021|publisher=Times of India}}</ref>|[[Agrahayana|Margashirsha Devi Vrat]]|[[Manabasa Gurubara]]|[[Ahoi Ashtami]]|Lakshmi Panchami}}
}}

'''Lakshmi''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|ʌ|k|ʃ|m|i}};<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Lakshmi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116120249/https://www.lexico.com/definition/Lakshmi |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 November 2021 |title=Lakshmi |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|This pronunciation has a closer approximation of the Hindustani pronunciation. Pronounced {{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|l|æ|k|ʃ|m|i}},<ref>{{OED|Lakshmi}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|US|ˈ|l|ɑː|k|ʃ|m|i}}|group="nb"|name="pron"}} {{Langx|sa|लक्ष्मी}}, {{IAST3|Lakṣmī}}, sometimes spelled '''Laxmi''', {{lit|she who leads to one's goal}}), also known as '''Shri''' ({{Langx|sa|श्री}}, {{IAST3|Śrī}}, {{lit|Noble}}),<ref name="Hb">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEIngqiKOugC&q=lakshmi+also+known+as+sri&pg=PA285 |title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities|isbn=978-1-135-96390-3 |last1=Coulter |first1=Charles Russell|last2=Turner |first2=Patricia|date=4 July 2013|publisher=Routledge }}</ref> is one of the principal goddesses in [[Hinduism]], revered as the [[Devi|goddess]] of wealth, fortune, prosperity, beauty, fertility,  sovereignty, and abundance.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Kinsley |first=David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hgTOZEyrVtIC&q=david+kinsley+10+mahavidya |title=Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition |date=1998 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-0394-7 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|author=James G. Lochtefeld |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5kl0DYIjUPgC&q=Lakshmi |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Volume 1 |date=2001-12-15|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc |isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8|language=en}}</ref> She along with [[Parvati]] and [[Saraswati|Sarasvati]], form the trinity of goddesses called the [[Tridevi]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Hindu Traditions: A Concise Introduction |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VlQBfbwk7CwC |author=Mark W. Muesse|publisher=Fortress Press|page=157 |isbn=978-1-4514-1400-4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kishore |first=B. R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t3WzDipk9xwC&pg=PA87 |title=Hinduism |date=2001 |publisher=Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. |isbn=978-81-7182-073-3 |pages=87 |language=en}}</ref>

Lakshmi has been a central figure in Hindu tradition since [[Vedic period|pre-Buddhist times]] (1500 to 500 BCE) and remains one of the most widely worshipped goddesses in the [[Hindu deities|Hindu pantheon]]. Although she does not appear in the earliest [[Vedas|Vedic literature]], the personification of the term ''[[shri]]''—auspiciousness, glory, and high rank, often associated with kingship—eventually led to the development of Sri-Lakshmi as a goddess in later Vedic texts, particularly the [[Śrī Sūkta|''Shri Suktam'']].<ref name=":2" /> Her importance grew significantly during the [[Itihasa-Purana|late epic period]] (around 400 CE), when she became particularly associated with the preserver god [[Vishnu]] as his consort. In this role, Lakshmi is seen as the ideal Hindu wife, exemplifying loyalty and devotion to her husband.<ref name=":2" /> Whenever Vishnu descended on the earth as an [[avatar]], Lakshmi accompanied him as consort, for example, as [[Sita]] and [[Radha]] or [[Rukmini]] as consorts of Vishnu's avatars [[Rama]] and [[Krishna]], respectively.<ref name="Hb" /><ref name="williams" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Monaghan |first=Patricia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qotjet-Hb0MC&q=Radha |title=Goddesses in World Culture |date=2010-12-31 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-35465-6 |language=en}}</ref>

Lakshmi holds a prominent place in the Vishnu-centric sect of [[Vaishnavism]], where she is not only regarded as the consort of Vishnu, the Supreme Being, but also as his divine energy (''[[shakti]]'').<ref name=":2" /> she is also the Supreme Goddess in the sect and assists Vishnu to create, protect, and transform the universe.<ref name="anandrao167" /><ref name="williams" /><ref>{{cite book |author=Sashi Bhusan Dasgupta |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NbtiDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT20 |title=Evolution of Mother Worship in India |publisher=Advaita Ashrama (A Publication House of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math) |year=2004 |isbn=978-81-7505-886-6 |page=20}}</ref>{{Sfn|Isaeva|1993|p=252}} She is an especially prominent figure in [[Sri Vaishnavism]] tradition, in which devotion to Lakshmi is deemed to be crucial to reach Vishnu.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Carman |first=John Braisted |title=The Tamil Veda : Piḷḷān's interpretation of the Tiruvāymol̲i |author2=Vasudha Narayanan |date=1989 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=0-226-09305-0 |location=Chicago |oclc=18624684}}</ref> Within the goddess-oriented [[Shaktism]], Lakshmi is venerated as the prosperity aspect of the [[Mahadevi|Supreme goddess]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Goddess Laksmi: Origin and Development|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pSQKAQAAIAAJ|author=Upendra Nath Dhal|publisher=Oriental Publishers & Distributors|year=1978|page=109|quote=Goddess Lakşmī is stated as the genetrix of the world; she maintains them as a mother ought to do . So she is often called as the Mātā.}}</ref><ref name="williams">{{cite book |last=Williams |first=George M. |title=Handbook of Hindu Mythology|year=2003 |publisher= ABC-CLIO, Inc |isbn=1-85109-650-7 |pages=196–8}}</ref> The eight prominent manifestations of Lakshmi, the [[Ashtalakshmi]], symbolise the eight sources of wealth.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Volume 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5kl0DYIjUPgC |author=James G. Lochtefeld|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|date=15 December 2001|isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8|page=65}}</ref>

Lakshmi is depicted in Indian art as an elegantly dressed, prosperity-showering golden-coloured woman standing or sitting in the [[Lotus position|padmasana]] position upon a [[lotus throne]], while holding a lotus in her hand, symbolising fortune, self-knowledge, and spiritual liberation.<ref name="Lochtefeld2002p385">{{cite book |author=James G. Lochtefeld |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5kl0DYIjUPgC |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8 |pages=385–386 |access-date=15 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Heinrich Robert Zimmer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5IYVBgAAQBAJ |title=Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-4008-6684-7 |page=100 |access-date=15 October 2016}}</ref> Her iconography shows her with [[Chaturbhuja|four hands]], which represent the four aspects of human life important to Hindu culture: ''[[dharma]]'', ''[[kama]]'', ''[[artha]]'', and ''[[moksha]]''.<ref>Rhodes, Constantina. 2011. ''Invoking Lakshmi: The Goddess of Wealth in Song and Ceremony''. State University of New York Press, {{ISBN|978-1-4384-3320-2}}. pp. 29–47, 220–52.</ref><ref name="ttgov">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20141108012904/http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Research/SubjectGuide/Divali/tabid/168/Default.aspx?PageContentID=121 Divali – THE SYMBOLISM OF LAKSHMI]." Trinidad and Tobago: National Library and Information System Authority. 2009. Archived from the [http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Research/SubjectGuide/Divali/tabid/168/Default.aspx?PageContentID=121 original] on 8 November 2014.</ref> She is often accompanied by two elephants, as seen in the [[Gajalakshmi|Gaja-Lakshmi]] images, symbolising both fertility and royal authority. The Gupta period sculpture and coins only associate lions with Lakshmi, often flanking her on either side. 

Archaeological discoveries and ancient coinage suggest a recognition and reverence for Lakshmi by the first millennium BCE.<ref name="usingh" /><ref name="ashav" /> Iconography and statues of Lakshmi have also been found in Hindu temples throughout Southeast Asia, estimated to be from the second half of the first millennium CE.<ref>Roveda, Vitorio. 2004. "The Archaeology of Khmer Images." ''[[Aséanie]]'' 13(13):11–46.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Jones |first=Soumya |date=Fall 2007 |url=https://seap.einaudi.cornell.edu/sites/seap.einaudi.cornell.edu/files/2007fFeature-Goddess.pdf |title=O goddess where art thou?: Reexamining the Female Divine Presence in Khmer art |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109193738/https://seap.einaudi.cornell.edu/sites/seap.einaudi.cornell.edu/files/2007fFeature-Goddess.pdf |archive-date=9 November 2014 |journal=[[Cornell Southeast Asia Program|SEAP Bulletin]] |pages=28–31}}</ref> The day of Lakshmi Puja during [[Navaratri]], and the festivals of [[Diwali|Deepavali]] and [[Sharad Purnima]] (Kojagiri Purnima) are celebrated in her honour.<ref name="joneskoja">{{cite book |last=Jones |first=Constance |year=2011 |title=Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations |editor=[[J. Gordon Melton|J. G. Melton]] |isbn=978-1-59884-205-0 |pages=253–254, 798}}</ref>

== Etymology and epithets ==
{{Hinduism}}[[File: Tanjore Paintings - Big temple 01.JPG|thumb|left|A painting of Lakshmi on the inner walls of the [[Brihadeeswarar Temple|Tanjore Big temple]]]]
Lakshmi in [[Sanskrit]] is derived from the root word ''lakṣ'' ({{lang|sa|लक्ष्}}) and ''lakṣa'' ({{lang|sa|लक्ष}}), meaning 'to perceive, observe, know, understand' and 'goal, aim, objective', respectively.<ref>"[http://faculty.washington.edu/prem/mw/l.html lakṣ, लक्ष्]." ''Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary''. Germany: University of Koeln. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520235132/http://faculty.washington.edu/prem/mw/l.html|date=20 May 2015}}</ref> These roots give Lakshmi the symbolism: ''know'' and ''understand'' your goal.<ref name="carol">[[Carol Plum-Ucci|Plum-Ucci, Carol]]. ''Celebrate Diwali''. {{ISBN|978-0-7660-2778-7}}. pp. 79–86.</ref> A related term is ''lakṣaṇa'', which  means 'sign, target, aim, symbol, attribute, quality, lucky mark, auspicious opportunity'''.''<ref>"[http://faculty.washington.edu/prem/mw/l.html lakṣaṇa]." ''Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary''. Germany: University of Koeln. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520235132/http://faculty.washington.edu/prem/mw/l.html|date=20 May 2015}}.</ref>

[[File:Lakshmi (Banteay Srei, Angkor) (6843511981).jpg|thumb|left|Gaja Lakshmi, Cambodia, ca. 944-968]]
Lakshmi has numerous epithets and numerous ancient [[Stotram]] and [[Sutra]]s of [[Hinduism]] recite her various names:<ref name="Rhodes">Rhodes, Constantina. 2011. ''Invoking Lakshmi: The Goddess of Wealth in Song and Ceremony''. State University of New York Press, {{ISBN|978-1-4384-3320-2}}.</ref><ref name=vkumara>Vijaya Kumara, 108 Names of Lakshmi, Sterling Publishers, {{ISBN|978-81-207-2028-2}}</ref> such as ''Sri'' (Radiance, eminence, splendor, wealth), '' Padmā'' (she who is mounted upon or dwelling in a lotus or She of the [[Padma (attribute)|lotus]]), '' Kamalā'' or [[Kamalatmika]] (She of the lotus), ''Padmapriyā'' (Lotus-lover), ''Padmamālādhāra Devī'' (Goddess bearing a garland of lotuses), '' Padmamukhī'' (Lotus-faced-she whose face is as like as a lotus), '' Padmākṣī'': (Lotus-eyed - she whose eyes are as beautiful as a lotus), ''Padmahasta'': (Lotus-hand - she whose hand is holding [a] lotus[es]), '' Padmasundarī'' (She who is as beautiful as a lotus), ''[[Padmavathi|Padmavati]]'' (She who was born from a lotus),'' Śrījā'' (Jatika of Sri), ''Narayani'' (belonging to [[Vishnu|Narayana]] or the wife of Narayana), ''[[Vaishnavi (Matrika goddess)|Vaishnavi]]'' (worshipper of Vishnu or the power of Vishnu), '' Viṣṇupriyā'' (who is the beloved of Vishnu), ''Nandika'' (the one who gives pleasure). Shaktas also consider [[Tripura Sundari|Lalita]], who is praised with 1,000 names in the [[Lalita Sahasranama]], as Lakshmi.{{Sfn|Brooks|1992|p=67}}

Lakshmi Sahasranama of [[Skanda Purana]] praises Lakshmi as ''[[Mahadevi]]'' (she who is the great goddess), ''Mahamaya'' (she who is a great illusion), ''Karaveera Nivasini'' (The Goddess Who lives in Karaveera/[[Kolhapur]]) and ''Maha Astha Dasa Pithagne'' (she who has 18 great [[Shakta pithas]]). She is also praised as ''Mahalakshmi'' (she who is great Lakshmi), ''[[Mahakali]]'' (she who is great Kali), and ''Mahasaraswati'' (she who is great Saraswati) who are the primary deities in [[Devi Mahatmya]]. The other prominent names included in this text are, ''[[Bhuvaneshvari]] (she who is the Queen or ruler of the Universe), ''[[Katyayani]]'' (she who is the daughter of sage Katyayana), ''[[Kaushiki]]'' ([[Shakti]] that came out of the sheath (or Kosha) of [[Parvati]]), ''Brahmani'' (She who is the power of [[Brahma]]), ''[[Kamakshi]]'' (she who fulfils desires by her eyes), ''[[Chandi]]'' (she who killed [[Mahishasura]]), ''[[Chamunda]]'' (She who killed [[Chanda and Munda]]), ''Madhu Kaidabha Bhanjini'' (she who killed [[Madhu-Kaitabha|Madhu and Kaidabha]]), ''[[Durga]]'' (she who killed Durgamasura), ''Maheshvari'' (she who is the power of Maheshvara), ''[[Varahi]]'' (she who is the power of [[Varaha]], a form of [[Vishnu]]), ''Narasimhi'' (she who is the power of [[Narasimha]], a form of [[Vishnu]]), ''Srividyaa'' (she who is [[Sri Vidya]]), ''Sri Manthra Raja Rajini'' (the queen of Sri Vidya), ''Shadadharadhi devata'' (she who is the goddess of the six [[chakras]]).<ref>{{cite book|title=Kolhapur: A Study in Urban Geography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1gw8AAAAMAAJ|page=3|author=Prabhakar T. Malshe |publisher=University of Poona|year=1974}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Lord Vishnu & Goddess Lakshmi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RbBNCgAAQBAJ |publisher=Osmora Publishing|author=Munindra Misra|date=4 August 2015|isbn=978-2-7659-1672-7}}</ref> ''Dutch author Dirk van der Plas says, "In Lakshmi Tantra, a text of Visnuite signature, the name Mahamaya is connected with third or destructive of Goddess' three partial functions, while in supreme form she is identified with Lakshmi"''.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ops3AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA72|title=Effigies Dei: Essays on the History of Religions|author=Dirk van der Plas|publisher=Brill|year=1987 |page=72}}</ref>''

Her other names include:<ref name="Rhodes" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-02 |title=Sri Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali - śrī lakṣmī aṣṭōttaraśatanāmāvalī |url=https://stotranidhi.com/en/sri-lakshmi-ashtottara-shatanamavali-in-english/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Stotra Nidhi |language=en-IN}}</ref> Aishwarya, Akhila, Anagha, Anapagamini, Anumati, Apara, Aruna, Atibha, Avashya, Bala, [[Bhargavi]], [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhudevi]], Chakrika, [[Chanchala]], Chandravadana, Chandrasahodari, Chandraroopa, [[Devi]], Deepta, [[Dhrti|Dhruti]], Haripriya, Harini, Harivallabha, Hemamalini, Hiranyavarna, Indira, Jalaja, [[Jambavati|Jambhavati]], Janaki, Janamodini, Jyoti, Jyotsna, Kalyani, Kamalika, Ketaki, Kriyalakshmi, Kshirsha, Kuhu, Lalima, Madhavi, Madhu, Malti, Manushri, Nandika, Nandini, Nikhila, [[Niladevi|Nila Devi]], Nimeshika, Padmavati, Parama, Prachi, Purnima, [[Radha]], Ramaa, [[Rukmini]], Samruddhi, Samudra Tanaya, [[Satyabhama]], Shraddha, Shreeya, [[Sita]], Smriti, Sridevi, Sudha, Sujata, Swarna Kamala, Taruni, Tilottama, Tulasi, Vasuda, Vasudhara, Vasundhara, Varada, Varalakshmi, Vedavati, Vidya, Vimala, and Viroopa.

== Iconography and symbolism ==
[[File: Shri Lakshmi Lustrated by Elephants (Gaja-Lakshmi) LACMA M.85.62 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Lakshmi lustrated by elephants, Uttar Pradesh, Kausambi, 1st century BCE]]

[[File:North Torana, Sanchi 04.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Bas relief of ''[[GajaLakshmi]]'' at the [[Buddhist]] [[Sanchi]] [[Stupa]], Stupa I, North gateway, [[Satavahana dynasty]] sculpture, 1st century CE <ref>The Toranas are dated to the 1st century CE. See: Ornament in Indian Architecture, Margaret Prosser Allen, University of Delaware Press, 1991, p.18 [https://books.google.com/books?id=vyXxEX5PQH8C&pg=PA18]</ref>]]

Lakshmi is a member of the [[Tridevi]], the [[Triad (religion)|triad]] of great goddesses. She represents the [[Rajas]] ''guna'', and the [[Iccha-shakti]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qm8oAAAAYAAJ&q=does+lakshmi+represent+rajas+gunna&pg=PA35|title=The Calcutta Review|year=1855}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Vanamali|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3FwoDwAAQBAJ&q=lakshmi+adi+shakti&pg=PT204|title=Shakti: Realm of the Divine Mother|date=2008-07-21|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-1-59477-785-1|language=en}}</ref> The image, icons, and sculptures of Lakshmi are represented with symbolism. Her name is derived from Sanskrit root words for knowing the goal and understanding the objective.<ref name=carol/> Her four arms are symbolic of the four goals of humanity that are considered good in Hinduism: ''[[dharma]]'' (pursuit of ethical, moral life), ''[[artha]]'' (pursuit of wealth, means of life), ''[[kama]]'' (pursuit of love, emotional fulfillment), and ''[[moksha]]'' (pursuit of self-knowledge, liberation).<ref name=ttgov/><ref name="apara">Parasarthy, A. 1983. ''Symbolism in Hinduism''. Chinmaya Mission Publication. {{ISBN|978-81-7597-149-3}}. pp. 57–59.</ref>

In Lakshmi's iconography, she is either sitting or standing on a lotus and typically carrying a lotus in one or two hands. The lotus carries symbolic meanings in Hinduism and other Indian traditions. It symbolizes knowledge, self-realization, and liberation in the Vedic context, and represents reality, consciousness, and ''karma'' ('work, deed') in the Tantra ([[Sahasrara]]) context.<ref name="Parthasarathy">Parasarthy, A. 1983. ''Symbolism in Hinduism''. Chinmaya Mission Publication. {{ISBN|978-81-7597-149-3}}. pp. 91–92, 160–62.</ref> The lotus, a flower that blooms in clean or dirty water, also symbolises purity regardless of the good or bad circumstances in which it grows. It is a reminder that good and prosperity can bloom and not be affected by evil in one's surroundings.<ref>Nathan, R. S. 1983. ''Symbolism in Hinduism''. Chinmaya Mission Publication. {{ISBN|978-81-7597-149-3}}. p. 16.</ref><ref>Gibson, Lynne. 2002. ''Hinduism''. [[Heinemann (publisher)|Heinemann]]. {{ISBN|978-0-435-33619-6}}. p. 29.</ref>

Below, behind, or on the sides, Lakshmi is very often shown with one or two elephants, known as [[Gajalakshmi]], and occasionally with an owl.<ref name="amazzona104">{{cite book|author=Laura Amazzone|title=Goddess Durga and Sacred Female Power |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PM_TNDu8NHUC&pg=PA103|year=2012|publisher=University Press of America|isbn=978-0-7618-5314-5 |pages=103–104|access-date=15 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226035523/https://books.google.com/books?id=PM_TNDu8NHUC&pg=PA103|archive-date=26 December 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Elephants symbolise work, activity, and strength, as well as water, rain, and fertility for abundant prosperity.<ref>Werness, Hope. 2007. ''Continuum Encyclopedia of Animal Symbolism in World Art''. Bloomsbury. {{ISBN|978-0-8264-1913-2}}. pp. 159–67.</ref> The owl signifies the patient striving to observe, see, and discover knowledge, particularly when surrounded by darkness. As a bird reputedly blinded by daylight, the owl also serves as a symbolic reminder to refrain from blindness and greed after knowledge and wealth have been acquired.<ref>Ajnatanama. 1983. ''Symbolism in Hinduism''. Chinmaya Mission Publication. {{ISBN|978-81-7597-149-3}}. pp. 317–18.</ref> 

According to historian [[Damodar Dharmananda Kosambi|D. D. Kosambi]], most of the Imperial Gupta kings were [[Vaishnava]]s and held the goddess Lakshmi in the highest esteem.<ref name="Damodar Dharmanand Kosambi 1977 97">{{cite book|title=D. D. Kosambi Commemoration Volume|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o4MCAAAAMAAJ|publisher=Banaras Hindu University|author=Damodar Dharmanand Kosambi|year=1977|page=97}}</ref> Goddess Lakshmi is Simhavahini (mount as lion) on most of the coins during their rule.<ref>{{cite book|title=D. D. Kosambi Commemoration Volume|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o4MCAAAAMAAJ |publisher=Banaras Hindu University|author=Damodar Dharmanand Kosambi|year=1977|page=79}}</ref> Coins during the rule of Prakashadiya, a Gupta ruler, contain the Garudadhvaja on the obverse and Lakshmi on the reverse.<ref name="Damodar Dharmanand Kosambi 1977 97"/> 

The [[Gupta period]] sculpture only used to associate lions with Lakshmi, but was later attributed to [[Durga]] or a combined form of both goddesses.{{Sfn|Pal|1986|p=79}}<ref name="Journal, Volumes 6-7">{{cite book|title=Journal, Volumes 6-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Adk7AQAAIAAJ|publisher=Asiatic Society (Kolkata, India)|year=1964|page=96|quote=From the occurrence of cornucopiae, lotus flower and lion mount the goddess has been described as Lakshmi - Ambikā — a composite icon combining the concepts of Śrī or Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and Ambikā, the mother aspect of Durga.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Goddess: Divine Energy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pzLqAAAAMAAJ|page=113|author=Jackie Menzies|publisher=Art Gallery of New South Wales|year=2006 |isbn=978-0-7347-6396-9}}</ref> [[Lion]]s were a '[[vahana]]' of Lakshmi,<ref>{{cite book|title=Rituals, Folk Beliefs, and Magical Arts of Sri Lanka |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h94SAQAAIAAJ|author=Mihindukalasūrya Ār. Pī. Susantā Pranāndu|page=228|publisher=Susan International |year=2005|isbn=978-955-96318-3-5|quote=Lion: It was a 'vahana' of Lakshmi, the Goddess of Prosperity, and Parvati, the wife of Siva.}}</ref> Lions are also associated with ''Veera Lakshmi'', who is one of the Ashtalakshmi.<ref>{{cite book|title=Sakti Iconography |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wK-fAAAAMAAJ |page=22|author=D. R. Rajeswari|publisher=Intellectual Publishing House|year=1989 |isbn=978-81-7076-015-3|quote=In some places Gazalakshmi also has been given Lion as her Vahana. In South India Veera Lakshmi, one of the forms of eight Lakshmis is having Lion as her Vahana. In Rameshwaram also for Veera Lakshmi Lion is Vahana. She carries Trisula, Sphere, Sankha, Chakra, and Abhaya and Varada mudras.}}</ref> Historian B. C. Bhattacharya says, "An image of Gajalakshmi is found with two lions — one on either side of her. Two elephants are also shown near her head and by this we can say that Lion is also the vahana of Lakshmi along with [[Garuda]]".<ref>{{cite book|title=North Indian temple sculpture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j3bqAAAAMAAJ|page=60 |author=Urmila Agarwal|publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers|year=1995|isbn=978-81-215-0458-4 }}</ref>

In some representations, wealth either symbolically pours out from one of her hands or she simply holds a jar of money. This symbolism has a dual meaning: wealth manifested through Lakshmi means both materials as well as spiritual wealth.<ref name="Parthasarathy" /> Her face and open hands are in a mudra that signifies compassion, giving or ''[[dāna]]'' ('charity').<ref name="apara" />

Lakshmi typically wears a red dress embroidered with golden threads, which symbolizes fortune and wealth. She, goddess of wealth and prosperity, is often represented with her husband Vishnu, the god who maintains human life filled with justice and peace. This symbolism implies wealth and prosperity are coupled with the maintenance of life, justice, and peace.<ref name="Parthasarathy" /> When Lakshmi and Vishnu appear together in images and statues, she is significantly smaller, which is often used to portray her devotional status as a wife. A frequently depicted scene of the pair illustrates Lakshmi massaging Vishnu's feet.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lochtefeld |first=James |title=The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Hinduism |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group Inc |year=2002 |isbn=0-8239-3180-3 |edition=2 |location=New York, USA |pages=386 |language=English}}</ref>

Alternatively, Lakshmi Sahasranama of [[Skanda Purana]], [[Lakshmi Tantra]], and [[Markandeya Purana]] describe Lakshmi as having eighteen hands and is described as holding rosary, axe, mace, arrow, thunderbolt, lotus, pitcher, rod, sakti, sword, shield, conch, bell, wine-cup, trident, noose, and the discus in her eighteen hands, and as sitting on [[Garuda]], a [[lion]], or a [[tiger]].<ref name="D. R. Rajeswari 1989 19">{{cite book|author=D. R. Rajeswari |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wK-fAAAAMAAJ |title=Sakti Iconography|publisher=Intellectual Publishing House|year=1989|isbn=978-81-7076-015-3|page=19 |quote=According to Sapta Sati the iconographical characteristics of Lakshmi are as follows: She is having 18 hands carrying rosary, axe, mace, arrow, thunderbolt, lotus, pitcher, rod, Sakti, Sword, Shield, Conch, bell, wine-cup, trident, noose and the discus}}</ref><ref name="Saligrama Krishna Ramachandra Rao 1991 65">{{cite book|title=Pratima Kosha: Descriptive Glossary of Indian Iconography, Volume 5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BIzrAAAAMAAJ |author=Saligrama Krishna Ramachandra Rao|publisher=IBH Prakashana |year=1991|page=65}}</ref><ref name="H. C. Das 1985 337">{{cite book|title=Cultural Development in Orissa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w80dAAAAMAAJ |page=337|author=H. C. Das|publisher=Punthi Pustak |year=1985|quote=The Bisvakarmasastra depicts her holding a pot, a club in her right hands, and a shield and a wood apple in the left. The Markandeya Purana describes the developed form of Laksmi having as many as 18 hands.}}</ref> According to the [[Lakshmi Tantra]], the goddess Lakshmi, in her ultimate form of Mahasri, has four arms of a golden complexion, and holds a citron, a club, a shield, and a vessel containing [[amrita]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Sanjukta Gupta |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pENlKmZ4r94C&q=GOLDEN+COMPLEXION |title=Lakshmi Tantra |publisher=MOTILAL BANARIDAS |year=2007 |isbn=978-81-208-1734-0 |pages=23}}</ref> In the Skanda Purana and the ''Venkatachala Mahatmayam'', Sri, or Lakshmi, is praised as the mother of [[Brahma]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Jaitentra Prakash Jain |url=https://holybooks-lichtenbergpress.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Skanda-Purana-Part-4.pdf |title=Skand Puran |publisher=Motilal banarasidas |year=1951 |pages=66 |quote=Obeisance to Sri. the mother of the worlds. Obeisance, obeisance to the mother of Brahma. Hail to you, to the lotuseyed one. Obeisance, obeisance to the lotus-faced one |access-date=19 July 2022 |archive-date=17 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017061141/https://holybooks-lichtenbergpress.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Skanda-Purana-Part-4.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In Japan, where Lakshmi is known as ''[[Kisshōten]]'', she is commonly depicted with the [[Cintamani#Nomenclature.2C orthography and etymology|Nyoihōju gem (如意宝珠)]] in her hand.<ref>{{cite web|title=Butsuzōzui (Illustrated Compendium of Buddhist Images)|url=http://www.lib.ehime-u.ac.jp/SUZUKA/316/index.html|location=Ehime University Library|page=(059.jpg)|language=ja|format=digital photos|date=1796|access-date=14 May 2016|archive-date=10 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010061804/http://www.lib.ehime-u.ac.jp/SUZUKA/316/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Literature==
{{Infobox
| title            = Goddess Lakshmi
| image            = {{image array|perrow=2|width=125|height=115
| image1 = Gajalaxmi - Medallion - 2nd Century BCE - Red Sand Stone - Bharhut Stupa Railing Pillar - Madhya Pradesh - Indian Museum - Kolkata 2012-11-16 1837 Cropped.JPG| caption1 = [[Bharhut]] [[Stupa]], circa 110 BCE
| image2 = Coin of Azilises showing Gaja Lakshmi standing on a lotus 1st century BCE.jpg| caption2 = Coins of [[Gandhara]], 1st century BCE
| image3 = Coin of Vikramaditya Chandragupta II with the name of the king in Brahmi script 380 415 CE.jpg| caption3 = Coinage of [[Gupta Empire]]
| image4 = Prasat Kravan 0637.jpg| caption4 = Cambodia
| image5 = Sandstone Lakshmi statue (10th century), Museum of Vietnamese History, Ho Chi Minh City - 20121014.JPG| caption5 = Vietnam, 10th century
| image6 = Ganesha Saraswati Lakshmi in Hindu Temple Malaysia.jpg| caption6 =  Malaysia
}}
| caption          = Lakshmi is one of the [[Tridevi|tridevi of Hindu goddesses]]. Her iconography is found in ancient and modern Hindu and Buddhist temples.
}}

===Vedas and Brahmanas===
The meaning and significance of Lakshmi evolved in ancient Sanskrit texts.<ref name="jmuir">Muir, John, ed. 1870. "Lakshmi and Shri." Pp. 348–49 in {{Google books|ymLZAAAAMAAJ|Original Sanskrit Texts on the Origin and History of the People of India – Their Religions and Institutions|348}}, volume 5. London: Trubner & Co.</ref> Lakshmi is mentioned once in [[Rigveda]], in which the name is used to mean 'kindred mark, sign of auspicious fortune'''.''
{{Verse translation|{{lang|sa|भद्रैषां '''लक्ष्मी'''र्निहिताधि वाचि}}
''{{IAST|bhadraiṣāṁ '''lakṣmī'''rnihitādhi vāci}}''|"an auspicious fortune is attached to their words"|italicsoff=off|attr2=translated by [[John Muir (indologist)|John Muir]]<ref name=jmuir/>|attr1=Rig Veda, x.71.2}}

In [[Atharvaveda|Atharva Veda]], transcribed about 1000 BCE, Lakshmi evolves into a complex concept with plural manifestations. Book 7, Chapter 115 of Atharva Veda describes the plurality, asserting that a hundred Lakshmis are born with the body of a mortal at birth, some good, ''Punya'' ('virtuous') and auspicious, while others bad, ''paapi'' ('evil') and unfortunate. The good are welcomed, while the bad are urged to leave.<ref name="jmuir" /> The concept and spirit of Lakshmi and her association with fortune and the good is significant enough that Atharva Veda mentions it in multiple books: for example, in Book 12, Chapter 5 as ''Punya Lakshmi''.<ref>"{{lang|sa|अप क्रामति सूनृता वीर्यं पुन्या लक्ष्मीः}}"; [http://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/अथर्ववेदः/अथर्ववेद:_काण्डं_12 अथर्ववेद: काण्डं 12] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008103125/https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6:_%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%82_12|date=8 October 2016}} Atharva Veda Sanskrit Original Archive</ref> In some chapters of Atharva Veda, Lakshmi connotes the good, an auspicious sign, good luck, good fortune, prosperity, success, and happiness.<ref name="mmwlak" />

Later, Lakshmi is referred to as the goddess of fortune, identified with Sri and regarded as the wife of ''{{IAST|Viṣṇu}}'' ({{IAST|Nārāyaṇa}}).<ref name="mmwlak" /> For example, in [[Shatapatha Brahmana]], variously estimated to be composed between 800 BCE and 300 BCE, Sri (Lakshmi) is part of one of many theories, in ancient India, about the creation of the universe. In Book 9 of Shatapatha Brahmana, Sri emerges from Prajapati, after his intense meditation on the creation of life and nature of the universe. Sri is described as a resplendent and trembling woman at her birth with immense energy and powers.<ref name="jmuir" /> The gods are bewitched, desire her, and immediately become covetous of her. The gods approach Prajapati and request permission to kill her and then take her powers, talents, and gifts. Prajapati refuses, tells the gods that men should not kill women and that they can seek her gifts without violence.<ref>Naama Drury (2010), The Sacrificial Ritual in the Satapatha Brahmana, {{ISBN|978-81-208-2665-6}}, pages 61–102</ref> The gods then approach Lakshmi. [[Agni]] gets food, Soma gets kingly authority, [[Varuna]] gets imperial authority, Mitra acquires martial energy, Indra gets force, [[Bṛhaspati|Brihaspati]] gets priestly authority, Savitri acquires dominion, Pushan gets splendour, [[Saraswati]] takes nourishment and Tvashtri gets forms.<ref name="jmuir" /> The hymns of Shatapatha Brahmana thus describe Sri as a goddess born with and personifying a diverse range of talents and powers.

According to another legend, she emerges during the creation of universe, floating over the water on the expanded petals of a lotus flower; she is also variously regarded as wife of [[Dharma]], mother of [[Kāma]], sister or mother of {{IAST|Dhātṛ}} and {{IAST|Vidhātṛ}}, wife of Dattatreya, one of the nine Shaktis of {{IAST|Viṣṇu}}, a manifestation of {{IAST|Prakṛti}} as identified with {{IAST|Dākshāyaṇī}} in Bharatasrama and as [[Sita]], wife of [[Rama]].<ref name="mmwlak" /><ref name=":0">[[Monier Monier-Williams|Williams, Monier]]. ''[https://archive.org/stream/religiousthough00wilgoog Religious Thought and Life in India]'', Part 1 (2nd ed.). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316110338/https://archive.org/stream/religiousthough00wilgoog#page/n125/mode/2up|date=16 March 2016}}.</ref>{{Rp|103–12}}

===Epics===
In the Epics of Hinduism, such as in [[Mahabharata]], Lakshmi personifies wealth, riches, happiness, loveliness, grace, charm, and splendor.<ref name="mmwlak" /> In another Hindu legend about the creation of the universe as described in [[Ramayana]],<ref>Ramayana, i.45.40–43</ref> Lakshmi springs with other precious things from the foam of the ocean of milk when it is churned by the gods and demons for the recovery of {{IAST|Amṛta}}. She appeared with a lotus in her hand and so she is also called Padmā.<ref name="mmwlak" /><ref name=":0" />{{Rp|108–11}} Some scholars propose a theory that Sri and Lakshmi may have originally been different goddesses, who merged into one figure.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dalal|first=Roshen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ&q=Shri+Lakshmi+Draupadi+Rukmini|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|date=2014-04-18|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-81-8475-277-9|language=en}}</ref>

[[Sita]], the female protagonist of the ''Ramayana'' and her husband, the god-king [[Rama]] are considered as [[avatar]]s of Lakshmi and Vishnu, respectively. 

In the ''[[Mahabharata]]'', [[Draupadi]] is described as an incarnation of Sri (Lakshmi).<ref name = "Draupadi as Goddess Sri">{{cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m18/m18004.htm| title=Svargarohanika parva|publisher=Sacred-texts.com | access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref> A later interpolation attempts to reinterpret Draupadi as [[Shachi]], associating Lakshmi instead with [[Rukmini]], the consort of [[Krishna]], who is an incarnation of Vishnu. However, scholars affirm that the original tradition identifies Sri with Draupadi, as evidenced in the Critical Edition.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Brodbeck|first1=Simon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=56fr2p5f7l0C&q=Sri+Rukmini&pg=PA193|title=Gender and Narrative in the Mahabharata|last2=Black|first2=Brian|date=2007-08-09|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-11995-0|language=en}}</ref>

===Upanishads===
Shakta [[Upanishad]]s are dedicated to the [[Tridevi]] of goddesses—Lakshmi, [[Saraswati]] and [[Parvati]]. [[Saubhagyalakshmi Upanishad]] describes the qualities, characteristics, and powers of Lakshmi.<ref name="mahadeva">Mahadeva, A. 1950. "Saubhagya-Lakshmi Upanishad." In ''The Shakta Upanishads with the Commentary of Sri Upanishad Brahma Yogin'', Adyar Library Series 10. Madras.</ref> In the second part of the Upanishad, the emphasis shifts to the use of yoga and transcendence from material craving to achieve spiritual knowledge and self-realization, the true wealth.<ref>[http://www.sanskritdocuments.org/all_sa/saubhagya_sa.html Saubhagya Lakshmi Upanishad] (Original text, in Sanskrit). {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108232748/http://www.sanskritdocuments.org/all_sa/saubhagya_sa.html|date=8 November 2014}}.</ref><ref>Warrier, A. G. Krishna, trans. 1931. ''Saubhagya Lakshmi Upanishad''. Chennai: [[Theosophical Publishing House]]. {{ISBN|978-0-8356-7318-1}}.</ref> Saubhagya-Lakshmi Upanishad synonymously uses Sri to describe Lakshmi.<ref name="mahadeva"/>

===Stotram and sutras===
Numerous ancient [[Stotram]] and [[Sutra]]s of Hinduism recite hymns dedicated to Lakshmi.<ref name="Rhodes" /> She is a major goddess in [[Purana]]s and [[Itihasa]] of Hinduism. In ancient scriptures of India, all women are declared to be embodiments of Lakshmi. For example:<ref name="Rhodes" />
{{Vaishnavism}}
{{Blockquote|Every woman is an embodiment of you. <br /> You exist as little girls in their childhood, <br /> As young women in their youth <br /> And as elderly women in their old age.|Sri Kamala Stotram|title=|source=}}
{{Blockquote|Every woman is an emanation of you.|Sri Daivakrta Laksmi Stotram|title=|source=}}

Ancient prayers dedicated to Lakshmi seek both material and spiritual wealth in prayers.<ref name="Rhodes" />

{{Poem quote|text=Through illusion,
A person can become disconnected,
From his higher self,
Wandering about from place to place,
Bereft of clear thought,
Lost in destructive behavior.
It matters not how much truth,
May shine forth in the world,
Illuminating the entire creation,
For one cannot acquire wisdom,
Unless it is experienced,
Through the opening on the heart....|char=|sign=|title=|source=}}

===Puranas===
Lakshmi features prominently in [[Purana]]s of Hinduism. Vishnu Purana, in particular, dedicates many sections to her and also refers to her as Sri.<ref name= buitenen/> [[J. A. B. van Buitenen]] translates passages describing Lakshmi in Vishnu Purana:<ref name= buitenen/><blockquote>Sri, loyal to Vishnu, is the mother of the world. Vishnu is the meaning, Sri is the speech. She is the conduct, he the behavior. Vishnu is knowledge, she the insight. He is dharma, she the virtuous action. She is the earth, the earth's upholder. She is contentment, he the satisfaction. She wishes, he is the desire. Sri is the sky, Vishnu the Self of everything. He is the Sun, she the light of the Sun. He is the ocean, she is the shore.</blockquote>

===Subhasita, genomic and didactic literature===

Lakshmi, along with Parvati and Saraswati, is a subject of extensive [[Subhashita]], genomic and didactic literature of India.<ref name="ls">Sternbach, Ludwik. 1974. ''Subhasita, Gnomic and Didactic Literature'', A History of Indian Literature 4. [[Otto Harrassowitz Verlag]]. {{ISBN|978-3-447-01546-2}}.</ref> Composed in the 1st millennium BCE through the 16th century CE, they are short poems, proverbs, couplets, or [[aphorism]]s in Sanskrit written in a precise meter. They sometimes take the form of a dialogue between Lakshmi and Vishnu or highlight the spiritual message in Vedas and ethical maxims from Hindu Epics through Lakshmi.<ref name=ls/> An example Subhashita is ''Puranartha Samgraha'', compiled by Vekataraya in South India, where Lakshmi and Vishnu discuss ''niti'' ('right, moral conduct') and ''rajaniti'' ('statesmanship' or 'right governance')—covering in 30 chapters and ethical and moral questions about personal, social and political life.<ref name="ls" />{{Rp|22}}

==Manifestations and aspects==
[[File: Relief sculpture of the Hindu god Narayana with his consort Lakshmi (Lakshminarayana) in the Hoysaleshwara temple at Halebidu.jpg|thumb|right|Sculpture of Lord [[Vishnu]] and Goddess Lakshmi at [[Hoysaleswara Temple]] at [[Halebidu]]]]
Inside temples, Lakshmi is often shown together with [[Vishnu]]. In certain parts of India, Lakshmi plays a special role as the mediator between her husband Vishnu and his worldly devotees. When asking Vishnu for grace or forgiveness, the devotees often approach him through the intermediary presence of Lakshmi.{{sfn|Kinsley|1988|pp=31–32}} She is also the personification of spiritual fulfillment. Lakshmi embodies the spiritual world, also known as [[Vaikuntha]], the abode of Lakshmi and Vishnu (collectively called [[Lakshmi Narayan]]a). Lakshmi is the embodiment of the creative energy of Vishnu,<ref>{{cite book |author1=Charles Russell Coulter|author2=Patricia Turner|title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEIngqiKOugC&pg=PA285|year=2013|publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-96390-3|page=285}}</ref> and primordial [[Prakriti]] who creates the universe.<ref>{{cite book|first=Tracy|last= Pintchman|title=Seeking Mahadevi: Constructing the Identities of the Hindu Great Goddess |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-c_j8Xggl0gC&pg=PA85 |year=2001|publisher=State University of New York Press |isbn=978-0-7914-5007-9|pages=84–85}}</ref>

[[File: Sheshashayi - Laxminarayan by DHURANDHAR MV.jpg|alt=|thumb|left|upright=1.15|An early 20th-century painting depicting Vishnu resting on [[Ananta-Shesha]], with Lakshmi massaging his feet.]]
According to ''[[Garuda Purana]]'', Lakshmi is considered as ''[[Prakriti]]'' (Mahalakshmi) and is identified with three forms {{mdash}} Sri, Bhu and Durga. The three forms consist of [[Satva]] ('goodness'),<ref name="mmwlak" /> [[rajas]], and [[Tamas (philosophy)|tamas]] ('darkness') gunas,{{Sfn|Pintchman|2001|p=82}} and assists Vishnu ([[Purusha]]) in creation, preservation and destruction of the entire universe. [[Durga]]'s form represents the power to fight, conquer and punish the demons and anti-gods.
{{Saktism}}

In the ''[[Lakshmi Tantra]]'' and Lakshmi Sahasranama of [[Skanda Purana]], Lakshmi is given the status of the primordial goddess. According to these texts, Durga and the other forms, such as Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati and all the Shaktis that came out of all gods such as [[Matrikas]] and [[Mahavidya]],{{Sfn|Gupta|2000|p=27}} are all various forms of Goddess Lakshmi.{{sfn|Gupta|2000|p={{page needed|date=April 2023}}}} In [[Lakshmi Tantra]], Lakshmi tells [[Indra]] that she got the name Durga after killing an asura named Durgama.{{sfn|Gupta|2000|p=52}} Indologists and authors Chitralekha Singh and Prem Nath says, "[[Narada Purana]] describes the powerful forms of Lakshmi as Durga, Mahakali, Bhadrakali, Chandi, Maheshwari, Mahalakshmi, Vaishnavi and Andreye".<ref>{{cite book |title=Lakshmi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xpkRAQAAIAAJ |author1=Chitralekha Singh|author2=Prem Nath |publisher=Crest Publishing House|year=2001|page=20 |isbn=978-81-242-0173-2}}</ref>

Lakshmi, [[Saraswati]], and [[Parvati]] are typically conceptualized as distinct in most of India, but in states such as West Bengal and Odisha, they are regionally believed to be forms of Durga.<ref>Fuller, Christopher John. 2004. ''The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India''. Princeton University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-691-12048-5}}. p. 41.</ref> In Hindu Bengali culture, Lakshmi, along with Saraswati, are seen as the daughters of [[Durga]]. They are worshipped during [[Durga Puja]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9dNOT9iYxcMC&q=lakshmi+daughter+Durga&pg=PA986 |title=Concise Encyclopaedia of India|year=2006 |isbn=978-81-269-0639-0}}</ref>

In South India, Lakshmi is seen in two forms, Sridevi and [[Bhudevi]], both at the sides of [[Venkateshwara]], a form of Vishnu. Bhudevi is the representation and totality of the material world or energy, called the ''Apara Prakriti'', or Mother Earth; Sridevi is the spiritual world or energy called the ''[[Prakriti]]''.<ref name="anandrao167">{{cite book|author=Anand Rao |title=Soteriologies of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UxGEy6m4N9kC&pg=PA167|year=2004|publisher=LIT Verlag Münster |isbn=978-3-8258-7205-2|page=167|access-date=22 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226035521/https://books.google.com/books?id=UxGEy6m4N9kC&pg=PA167|archive-date=26 December 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Edward Balfour|title=Cyclopædia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eoNRAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA10|year=1873|publisher=Adelphi Press|pages=10–11|access-date=22 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226035522/https://books.google.com/books?id=eoNRAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA10 |archive-date=26 December 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> According to [[Lakshmi Tantra]], [[Nila Devi]], one of the manifestations or incarnations of Lakshmi is the third wife of [[Vishnu]].<ref>{{cite book|title=A Hand Book of South Indian Images: An Introduction to the Study of Hindu Iconography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KGPqAAAAMAAJ|page=96|author=T. N. Srinivasan|publisher=Tirumalai-Tirupati Devasthanams|year=1982}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Vaiṣṇavism: Its Philosophy, Theology, and Religious Discipline|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=evmiLInyxBMC|page=176|author=S. M. Srinivasa Chari|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers|year=1994|isbn=978-81-208-1098-3}}</ref> Each goddess of the triad is mentioned in [[Śrī Sūkta]], Bhu Sūkta and Nila Sūkta, respectively.<ref name="US438">{{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Upinder|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pq2iCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA438|title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century|date=2008 |publisher=Pearson Education India|isbn=978-81-317-1677-9|page=438|language=en|access-date=15 December 2019|archive-date=13 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113185415/https://books.google.com/books?id=Pq2iCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA438|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Vaiṣṇavism: Its Philosophy, Theology, and Religious Discipline |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=evmiLInyxBMC|page=177|author=S. M. Srinivasa Chari|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers |year=1994|isbn=978-81-208-1098-3}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Proceedings of the 9th Session of Indian Art History Congress, Hyderabad, November 2000 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UrLWAAAAMAAJ |page=61|publisher=Indian Art History Congress |author=Chitta Ranjan Prasad Sinha|year=2000|quote=Of the four Vedas : Rig, Yajur, Sāma and Atharva, Puruşa Sukta of Rig Veda identifies Lord Vişņu as the Cosmic God . Sri Suktam, Bhu Suktam and Nila Suktam of Rig Veda reveals the glory of Lakşmi and her forms Sri, Bhū and Nila.}}</ref> This threefold goddess can be found, for example, in Sri Bhu Neela Sahita Temple near [[Dwaraka Tirumala]], Andhra Pradesh, and in Adinath Swami Temple in Tamil Nadu.<ref>Knapp, Stephen. ''Spiritual India Handbook''. {{ISBN|978-81-8495-024-3}}. p. 392.</ref> In many parts of the region, [[Andal]] is considered as an incarnation of Lakshmi.<ref name=Rao>{{cite book |title=Temples of Tamil Nadu|last=Rao|first=A.V. Shankaranarayana|publisher=Vasan Publications|isbn=978-81-8468-112-3|year=2012|pages=195–199}}</ref>
[[File:Ashtalakshmi.jpg|thumb|Ashtalakshmi - Eight forms of Lakshmi]]
[[Ashta Lakshmi]] (Sanskrit: {{Langx|sa|अष्टलक्ष्मी|lit=eight Lakshmis|translit=Aṣṭalakṣmī|label=none}}) is a group of eight secondary manifestations of Lakshmi. The Ashta Lakshmi presides over eight sources of wealth and thus represents the eight powers of Shri Lakshmi. Temples dedicated to Ashta Lakshmi are found in [[Tamil Nadu]], such as [[Ashtalakshmi Kovil]] near [[Chennai]] and many other states of India.<ref>[[Vidya Dehejia|Dehejia, Vidya]], and Thomas Coburn. ''Devi: the great goddess: female divinity in South Asian art''. [[Smithsonian Institution|Smithsonian]]. {{ISBN|978-3-7913-2129-5}}.</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+Ashta Lakshmi
| Adi Lakshmi
| The First manifestation of Lakshmi
|-
| Dhanya Lakshmi
| Granary Wealth
|-
| Veera Lakshmi
| Wealth of Courage
|-
| Gaja Lakshmi
| Elephants spraying water, the wealth of fertility, rains, and food.<ref>Dallapiccola, Anna. 2007. ''Indian Art in Detail''. Harvard University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-674-02691-9}}. pp. 11–27.</ref>
|-
| Santana Lakshmi
| Wealth of Continuity, Progeny
|-
| Vidya Lakshmi
| Wealth of Knowledge and Wisdom
|-
| Vijaya Lakshmi
| Wealth of Victory
|-
| Dhana / Aishwarya Lakshmi
| Wealth of prosperity and fortune
|}

==Creation and legends==
[[File: Sagar Manthan.jpg|thumb|A painting depicting Samudra Manthana, with Lakshmi emerging with the lotus in her hands.]]
[[Deva (Hinduism)|''Devas'']] (gods) and [[asura|''asuras'']] (demons) were both mortal at one time in [[Hinduism]]. [[Amrita]], the divine nectar that grants immortality, could only be obtained by churning [[Kshira Sagara]] ('Ocean of Milk'). The devas and asuras both sought immortality and decided to churn the Kshira Sagara with Mount Mandhara. The [[samudra manthan|Samudra Manthana]] commenced with the devas on one side and the asuras on the other. [[Vishnu]] incarnated as Kurma, the tortoise, and a mountain was placed on the tortoise as a churning pole. [[Vasuki (snake)|Vasuki]], the great venom-spewing serpent-god, was wrapped around the mountain and used to churn the ocean. A host of divine celestial objects came up during the churning. Along with them emerged the goddess Lakshmi. In some versions, she is said to be the daughter of the [[Varuna|sea god]] since she emerged from the sea.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why Lakshmi goes to wrong people?|url=https://english.webdunia.com/article/hinduism-gods-goddess/why-lakshmi-goes-to-wrong-people-116102600013_1.html|access-date=2020-08-24|website=english.webdunia.com|archive-date=20 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220082748/http://english.webdunia.com/article/hinduism-gods-goddess/why-lakshmi-goes-to-wrong-people-116102600013_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[Garuda Purana]], [[Linga Purana]] and [[Padma Purana]], Lakshmi is said to have been born as the daughter of the divine sage [[Bhrigu]] and his wife Khyati and was named ''Bhargavi''. According to Vishnu Purana, the universe was created when the devas and asuras churned the cosmic Kshira Sagara. Lakshmi came out of the ocean, bearing a lotus, along with the divine cow [[Kamadhenu]], [[Varuni]], the [[Parijat]] tree, the [[Apsaras]], [[Chandra]] (the moon), and [[Dhanvantari]] with [[Amrita]] ('nectar of immortality'). When she appeared, she had a choice to go to the Devas or the Asuras. She chose the Devas' side and among thirty deities, she chose to be with Vishnu. Thereafter, in all three worlds, the lotus-bearing goddess was celebrated.<ref name="buitenen">[[J. A. B. van Buitenen|van Buitenen, J. A. B.]], trans. ''Classical Hinduism: A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas'', edited by Cornelia Dimmitt. Temple University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-87722-122-7}}. pp. 95–99</ref>

==Worship and festivals==
===Festivals===
Many Hindus worship Lakshmi on [[Diwali|Deepavali]] (Diwali), the festival of lights.<ref>{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=8HhVcspIBU4C&pg=PA179|title = Invisible River: Sir Richard's Last Mission|first = Zak|last = Vera|quote = "First Diwali day called ''Dhanteras'' or wealth worship. We perform Laskshmi-Puja in evening when clay diyas lighted to drive away shadows of evil spirits."|access-date = 26 October 2011|isbn=978-1-4389-0020-9|date = February 2010| publisher=AuthorHouse |archive-date = 26 December 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181226115252/https://books.google.com/books?id=8HhVcspIBU4C&pg=PA179|url-status = live}}</ref> It is celebrated in autumn, typically October or November every year.<ref>"[https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/166786/Diwali Diwali]." ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. 2009. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114050823/https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/166786/Diwali|date=14 November 2012}}</ref> The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil and hope over despair.<ref name="ReferenceA">Mead, Jean. ''How and why Do Hindus Celebrate Divali?'' {{ISBN|978-0-237-53412-7}}.</ref>

[[File: Diwali in Sri Lanka Culture and Sights.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|left|Deepavali celebrations include [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] (prayers) to Lakshmi and Ganesha. Lakshmi is of the Vaishnavism tradition, while Ganesha of the Shaivism tradition of Hinduism.{{sfn|Om Lata Bahadur|2006|pp=92–93}}{{sfn|Kinsley|1988|pp=33–34}}]]
Before the night of [[Diwali|Deepavali]], people clean, renovate and decorate their homes and offices.<ref name="Raat">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6A9EZRQIT9kC&q=lamps+kept+on+diwali+lakshmi&pg=PA109|title=Meri Khoj Ek Bharat Ki |author=Pramodkumar|quote=It is extremely important to keep the house spotlessly clean and pure on Diwali. Lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the goddess. They are believed to light up her path.|access-date=26 October 2011|isbn=978-1-4357-1240-9 |date=March 2008|publisher=Lulu.com |archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804143023/https://books.google.com/books?id=6A9EZRQIT9kC&pg=PA109&dq=lamps+kept+on+diwali+lakshmi |url-status=live}}</ref> On the night of Deepavali, Hindus dress up in new clothes or their best outfits, light up [[Diya (light)|diya]]s (lamps and candles) inside and outside their home, and participate in family ''[[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]'' (prayers) typically to Lakshmi. After the [[Lakshmi Puja]], fireworks follow,<ref name="Firecracker1">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ni2z5Z35htkC&pg=PA54 |title=Big Book of Canadian Celebrations|first=Ruth |last=Solski|publisher=S&S Learning Materials |quote=Fireworks and firecrackers are set off to chase away evil spirits, so it is a noisy holiday too.|access-date=26 October 2011|year=2008|isbn=978-1-55035-849-0|archive-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804075537/https://books.google.com/books?id=ni2z5Z35htkC&pg=PA54|url-status=live}}</ref> then a family feast including ''[[Mithai (confectionery)|mithai]]'' (sweets), and an exchange of gifts between family members and close friends. Deepavali also marks a major shopping period, since Lakshmi connotes auspiciousness, wealth and prosperity.<ref name=wsj>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130421024513/http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2010/08/23/india-journal-tis-the-season-to-be-shopping/ India Journal: 'Tis the Season to be Shopping] Devita Saraf, The Wall Street Journal (August 2010)</ref> This festival dedicated to Lakshmi is considered by Hindus to be one of the most important and joyous festivals of the year.

A very sacred day for the worship of Goddess Lakshmi falls on [[Chaitra]] Shukla Panchami, also called, ''Lakshmi Panchami'', Shri Panchami, Kalpadi and Shri Vrata. As this worship is in the first week of the Hindu new year, by [[Hindu calendar]], it is considered very auspicious.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/lakshmi-panchami-2021-date-significance-time-puja-1791614-2021-04-16|title=Lakshmi Panchami 2021: Date, significance, time, puja|website=India Today|date=16 April 2021 }}</ref> [[Varalakshmi Vratam]] is celebrated by married Hindu women to pray for the well-being of their husbands.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fieldhouse |first=Paul |title=Food, feasts, and faith : an encyclopedia of food culture in world religions |date=2017 |isbn=978-1-61069-411-7 |location=Santa Barbara, California |pages=263 |oclc=959260516}}</ref>

[[Gaja]] [[Lakshmi Pujan|Lakshmi Puja]] is another autumn festival celebrated on [[Sharad Purnima]] in many parts of India on the full-moon day in the month of [[Ashvin]] (October).<ref name=joneskoja/> [[Sharad Purnima]], also called Kojaagari Purnima or Kuanr Purnima, is a [[harvest festival|harvest festival marking]] the end of [[monsoon]] season. There is a traditional celebration of the moon called the ''Kaumudi celebration'', Kaumudi meaning moonlight.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sharad Poornima |url=http://www.indif.com/nri/festivals/sharad_poornima.asp|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229173010/http://www.indif.com/nri/festivals/sharad_poornima.asp|archive-date=29 December 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On Sharad Purnima night, goddess Lakshmi is thanked and worshipped for the harvests. Vaibhav Lakshmi [[Vrata]] is observed on Friday for prosperity.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/astrology/hindu-mythology/observe-vaibhav-laxmi-fast-on-friday-for-prosperity/articleshow/70390018.cms|title=Observe Vaibhav Laxmi fast on Friday for prosperity - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=26 July 2019 |access-date=2019-12-13|archive-date=29 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229124255/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/astrology/hindu-mythology/observe-vaibhav-laxmi-fast-on-friday-for-prosperity/articleshow/70390018.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Hymns===
Numerous hymns, prayers, [[Śloka|''shlokas'']], ''[[stotra]]'', songs, and legends dedicated to Lakshmi are recited during the ritual worship of the goddess.<ref name="Rhodes" /> These include:<ref>[http://sanskritdocuments.org/sanskrit/by-category/lakshmi.php Lakshmi Stotra]. Sanskrit documents. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912054623/http://sanskritdocuments.org/sanskrit/by-category/lakshmi.php|date=12 September 2016}}</ref>

* Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam (by [[Indra]])
* Sri Lakshmi Sahasaranama Stotra (by [[Four Kumaras|Sanat Kumara]])
* [[Sri Stuti]] (by [[Vedanta Desika]])
* [[Lakshmi Stuti]] (by [[Indra]])
* [[Kanakadhāra Stotram|Kanakadhara Stotram]] (by [[Adi Shankara]])
* [[Chatuh Shloki]] (by [[Yamunacharya]])
* Sri Lakshmi Sloka (by [[Bhagavan]] Hari Swamiji)
* [[Sri Sukta]], which is contained in the Vedas and includes the Lakshmi [[Gayatri Mantra]] (''Om Sri Mahalakshmyai ca vidmahe Vishnu patnyai ca dhimahi tanno Lakshmi prachodayat, Om'')
* Lakshmi [[Gayatri Mantra|Gayatri mantra]] mentioned in the [[Linga Purana]] (48.13) - (''Samudratayai vidmahe Vishnunaikena dhimahi tanno Radha prachodayat'')<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Miller|first=Barbara Stoler|date=1975|title=Rādhā: Consort of Kṛṣṇa's Vernal Passion|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/601022|journal=Journal of the American Oriental Society|volume=95|issue=4|pages=655–671|doi=10.2307/601022|jstor=601022|issn=0003-0279|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
* [[Ashtalakshmi Stotram]] (by U.V. Srinivasa Varadachariyar)<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Hawley |first1=John Stratton |last2=Wulff |first2=Donna Marie |year=1996 |title=Devi: Goddesses of India |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-20058-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NbcwDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA108 |page=108}}</ref>

== Major Temples ==
[[File:Goddess Lakshmi , Doddagaddavalli (cropped).jpg|thumb|Lakshmi Devi idol in Sanctum of temple at Doddagaddavalli, in [[Hassan District]], [[Karnataka]] [[India]].]]
[[File:Kallur mahalakshmi.jpg|thumb|Self emerged idol of goddess Lakshmi with Srinivasa in Kallur Mahalakshmi temple [Second Kolhapur]]]
[[File:Sulebhavi mahalakshmi temple.jpg|thumb|Mahalaxmi temple Sulebhavi., Local form of goddess lakshmi]]Some temples dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi are:

* [[Agroha Dham]]
* [[Ashtalakshmi Temple, Chennai]]
* [[Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Temple]]
* [[Bhagyalakshmi Temple]], [[Hyderabad]]
* [[Chottanikkara Temple]], [[Kerala]]
* [[Divya Desam|108 Divya Desams]]
* [[Golden Temple, Sripuram]]
* [[Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi Temple]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Mahalakshmi Temple in Goravanahalli |url=https://www.karnataka.com/tumkur/mahalakshmi-temple-goravanahalli/ |website=www.karnataka.com|date=6 June 2017 }}</ref>
* [[Harshat Mata Temple]]
* [[Jarai-ka-Math]]
* [[Kaila Devi Temple|Kaila Devi Temple, Rajasthan]]
* [[Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli]]
* [[Lakshminarayana Temple, Hosaholalu]]
* [[Lakshmi Temple, Khajuraho]]
* [[Laxminarayan Temple]], [[Delhi]]
* Mahalakshmi Kollapuradamma Temple, Ratnagiri<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ratnagiri Kollapuradamma Temple |url=https://templesinindiainfo.com/ratnagiri-kollapuradamma-temple-timings/ |website=templesinindiainfo.com|date=5 October 2021 }}</ref>
* [[Mahalakshmi Temple, Dahanu]]
* [[Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur]]
* [[Mahalakshmi Temple, Mumbai]]
* [[Mookambika Temple, Kollur]]
* [[Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple]]
* [[Padmakshi Temple]]
* [[Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Temple]], [[Andhra Pradesh]]
* [[Sannati|Sri Lakshmi Chandrala Parameshwari Temple]], Karnataka
* [[Dadhimati Mata Temple]] 
* [[Sri Lakshmi Temple, Ashland, Massachusetts]]

==Archaeology==
[[File: MET DP253395.jpg|thumb|Greek-influenced statue of Gaja Lakshmi, holding lotus and cornucopia, flanked by two elephants and two lions. From Kashmir, 6th century CE.]]
A representation of the goddess as Gaja Lakshmi or Lakshmi flanked by two elephants spraying her with water, is one of the most frequently found in archaeological sites.<ref name=usingh/><ref name=ashav/> An ancient sculpture of Gaja Lakshmi (from Sonkh site at [[Mathura]]) dates to the pre-[[Kushan Empire]] era.<ref name="usingh">Singh, Upinder. 2009. ''A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century''. {{ISBN|978-81-317-1120-0}}, Pearson Education. p. 438</ref> Atranjikhera site in modern [[Uttar Pradesh]] has yielded [[terracotta]] plaque with images of Lakshmi dating to the 2nd century BCE. Other archaeological sites with ancient Lakshmi terracotta figurines from the 3rd century BCE include Vaisali, Sravasti, Kausambi, Campa, and Candraketugadh.<ref name="ashav">Vishnu, Asha. 1993. ''Material life of northern India: Based on an archaeological study, 3rd century B.C. to 1st century BCE''. {{ISBN|978-81-7099-410-7}}. pp. 194–95.</ref>

The goddess Lakshmi is frequently found in ancient coins of various Hindu kingdoms from Afghanistan to India. Gaja Lakshmi has been found on coins of [[Scythians#Archaeology|Scytho-Parthian]] kings [[Azes II]] and [[Azilises]]; she also appears on [[Shunga Empire]] king Jyesthamitra era coins, both dating to 1st millennium BCE. Coins from 1st through 4th century CE found in various locations in India such as Ayodhya, Mathura, Ujjain, Sanchi, Bodh Gaya, Kanauj, all feature Lakshmi.<ref>Upinder Singh (2009), A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century, {{ISBN|978-81-317-1120-0}}, Pearson Education, pages 438, 480 for image</ref> Similarly, ancient Greco-Indian gems and seals with images of Lakshmi have been found, estimated to be from 1st-millennium BCE.<ref>Duffield Osborne (1914), [https://www.jstor.org/stable/497307 A Graeco-Indian Engraved Gem] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201070905/http://www.jstor.org/stable/497307 |date=1 February 2016 }}, American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 18, No. 1, pages 32–34</ref>

A 1400-year-old rare granite sculpture of Lakshmi has been recovered at the Waghama village along [[Jehlum]] in [[Anantnag]] district of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090413/j&k.htm#20 |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Jammu & Kashmir |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |access-date=2012-11-09 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102180808/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090413/j%26k.htm#20 |archive-date=2 November 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The [[Pompeii Lakshmi]], a statuette supposedly thought to be of Lakshmi found in Pompeii, Italy, dates to before the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pompeiiinpictures.com/pompeiiinpictures/R1/1%2008%2005.htm |title=Casa della Statuetta Indiana or House of the Indian Statuette|publisher=Pompeii in Pictures |access-date=2015-02-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323044310/http://www.pompeiiinpictures.com/pompeiiinpictures/R1/1%2008%2005.htm |archive-date=23 March 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Outside Hinduism==
===Jainism===
[[File:Sravanbelagola Temple.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|[[Gajalakshmi|Gaja Lakshmi]] at [[Shravanabelagola]] Temple, [[Karnataka]].]]
Lakshmi is also an important deity in [[Jainism]] and found in Jain temples.<ref>{{cite book|author=Vidya Dehejia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tkDk5QllVRoC&pg=PA151|title=The Body Adorned: Sacred and Profane in Indian Art|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=2013|isbn=978-0-231-51266-4|page=151|quote=The Vishnu-Lakshmi imagery on the Jain temple speaks of the close links between various Indian belief systems and the overall acceptance by each of the values adopted by the other}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Robert S. Ellwood|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1pGbdI4L0qsC&pg=PA262|title=The Encyclopedia of World Religions|author2=Gregory D. Alles|publisher=Infobase Publishing|year=2007|isbn=978-1-4381-1038-7|page=262|access-date=15 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706014649/https://books.google.com/books?id=1pGbdI4L0qsC&pg=PA262|archive-date=6 July 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Some [[Jain]] temples also depict Sri Lakshmi as a goddess of ''[[artha]]'' ('wealth') and ''[[kama]]'' ('pleasure'). For example, she is exhibited with Vishnu in Parshvanatha Jain Temple at the [[Khajuraho Group of Monuments|Khajuraho Monuments]] of Madhya Pradesh,<ref name=vidya/> where she is shown pressed against Vishnu's chest, while Vishnu cups a breast in his palm. The presence of Vishnu-Lakshmi iconography in a Jain temple built near the Hindu temples of Khajuraho, suggests the sharing and acceptance of Lakshmi across a spectrum of Indian religions.<ref name="vidya">Dehejia, Vidya. 2009. ''The Body Adorned: Sacred and Profane in Indian Art''. Columbia University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-231-14028-7}}. p. 151.</ref> This commonality is reflected in the praise of Lakshmi found in the Jain text [[Kalpa Sūtra]].<ref>[[Hermann Jacobi|Jacobi, Hermann]]. ''The Golden Book of Jainism'', edited by [[Max Müller|Max Muller]], and Mahendra Kulasrestha. {{ISBN|978-81-8382-014-1}}. p. 213.</ref>

===Buddhism===
[[File: Jyoruriji Kissyoten Srii.jpg|thumb|upright|left|The Japanese [[Kisshōten|Kishijoten]] is adapted from Lakshmi.]]
In [[Buddhism]], Lakshmi has been viewed as a goddess of abundance and fortune, and is represented on the oldest surviving [[stupa]]s and cave temples of Buddhism.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wangu|first=Madhu Bazaz|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k8y-vKtqCmIC&pg=PA57|title=Images of Indian Goddesses: Myths, Meanings, and Models|year=2003|isbn=978-81-7017-416-5|page=57|publisher=Abhinav Publications |quote=The Goddess Lakshmi in Buddhist Art: The goddess of abundance and good fortune, Lakshmi, reflected the accumulated wealth and financial independence of the Buddhist monasteries. Her image became one of the popular visual themes carved on their monuments.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422103556/https://books.google.com/books?id=k8y-vKtqCmIC&pg=PA57|archive-date=22 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Heinrich Robert Zimmer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5IYVBgAAQBAJ|title=Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization|publisher=Princeton University Press|year=2015|isbn=978-1-4008-6684-7|page=92|access-date=15 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906092006/https://books.google.com/books?id=5IYVBgAAQBAJ|archive-date=6 September 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In Buddhist sects of [[Tibet]], [[Nepal]], and [[Southeast Asia]], [[Vasudhara]] mirrors the characteristics and attributes of the Hindu Goddess, with minor iconographic differences.<ref name="miranda">Shaw, Miranda. 2006. "Chapter 13." Pp. 258–62 in ''Buddhist Goddesses of India''. Princeton University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-691-12758-3}}.</ref>

In Chinese Buddhism, Lakshmi is referred to as either Gōngdétiān (功德天, lit "Meritorious god" ) or Jíxiáng Tiānnǚ (吉祥天女, lit "Auspicious goddess") and is the goddess of fortune and prosperity. She is regarded as the sister of [[Vaiśravaṇa#In China|Píshāméntiān]] (毗沙門天), or Vaiśravaṇa, one of the [[Four Heavenly Kings]]. She is also regarded as one of the [[Twenty-Four Protective Deities|twenty-four protective deities]], and her image is frequently enshrined in the [[Mahavira Hall]] of most Chinese Buddhist monasteries together with the other deities. Her mantra, the Sri Devi Dharani (Chinese: 大吉祥天女咒; pinyin: Dà Jíxiáng Tiānnǚ Zhòu) is classified as one of the [[Mantra#Buddhism|Ten Small Mantras]] (Chinese: 十小咒; pinyin: Shí xiǎo zhòu), which are a collection of [[dharani]]s that are commonly recited in Chinese Buddhist temples during morning liturgical services.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ten Small Mantras|url=http://www.buddhamountain.ca/Ten_Small_Mantras.php|access-date=2021-10-15|website=www.buddhamountain.ca}}</ref>

The Dharani is as follows:<blockquote>Namo buddhāya, Namo dharmāya, Namah samghāya, Namah Śrī Mahādevīye, Tadyathā Om paripūraņa cāre samanta darśane. Mahā vihāra gate samanta vidhamane. Mahā kārya pratişţhāpane, sarvārtha sādhane, supratipūri ayatna dharmatā. Mahā vikurvite, mahā maitrī upasamhite, mahārşi susamgŗhīte samantārtha anupālane svāhā.</blockquote>In Japanese Buddhism, Lakshmi is known as [[Kisshōten|Kishijoten]] ({{Langx|ja|[[Wiktionary:吉祥天|吉祥天]]|lit=Auspicious Heavens|label=none}}) and is also the goddess of fortune and prosperity.<ref name=":1">{{cite book|author1=Charles Russell Coulter|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEIngqiKOugC|title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities|author2=Patricia Turner|publisher=Routledge|year=2013|isbn=978-1-135-96390-3|pages=102, 285, 439}} p. 102: "Kishijoten, a goddess of luck who corresponds to Lakshmi, the Indian goddess of fortune..."</ref> Like in China, Kishijoten is considered the sister of [[Vaiśravaṇa#In Japan|Bishamon]] ({{Langx|ja|毘沙門|lit=|label=none}}, also known as Tamon or Bishamon-ten), who protects human life, fights evil, and brings good fortune. In ancient and medieval Japan, Kishijoten was the goddess worshiped for luck and prosperity, particularly on behalf of children. Kishijoten was also the guardian goddess of [[Geisha]]s.

In [[Tibetan Buddhism]], Lakshmi is an important deity, especially in the [[Gelug]] School. She has both peaceful and wrathful forms; the latter form is known as [[Palden Lhamo]], Shri Devi Dudsol Dokam, or Kamadhatvishvari, and is the principal female protector of (Gelug) Tibetan Buddhism and of [[Lhasa|Lhasa, Tibet]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Buswell|first1=Robert E. Jr.|last2=Ziegler|first2=Donald S. Lopez Jr.; with the assistance of Juhn Ahn, J. Wayne Bass, William Chu, Amanda Goodman, Hyoung Seok Ham, Seong-Uk Kim, Sumi Lee, Patrick Pranke, Andrew Quintman, Gareth Sparham, Maya Stiller, Harumi|editor1-last=Buswell|editor1-first=Robert E|editor2-last=Lopez|editor2-first=Donald S. Jr.|title=Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism.|date=2013|publisher=Princeton University Press|location=Princeton, NJ|isbn=978-0-691-15786-3|page=267}}</ref>

While Lakshmi and Vaiśravaṇa are found in ancient Chinese and Japanese Buddhist literature, their roots have been traced to deities in Hinduism.<ref name=":1" />

Lakshmi is closely linked to [[Dewi Sri]], who is worshipped in [[Bali]] as the goddess of fertility and agriculture.

==Incarnations==
[[File:Scuola di bilaspur, vishnu e lakshmi, 1810 ca.jpg|thumb|upright|Miniature painting of Vishnu and Lakshmi]]

Throughout various texts and scriptures, Lakshmi incarnated as the following:

{{Columns-list|colwidth=15em|
* [[Vedavati]] – Vedavati is the possessor of the Vedas and is also considered the previous birth of goddess Sita.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rViYDwAAQBAJ&dq=vedavati+goddess+of&pg=PA601 |isbn=978-0-691-18292-6 | title=The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume VII: Uttarakāṇḍa | date=11 September 2018 | publisher=Princeton University Press }}</ref>
* [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhumi]] – Bhumi is the goddess of the Earth and the consort of Vishnu's 3rd avatar [[Varaha]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Duffy |first1=Michelle |chapter=Social inclusion, social exclusion and encounter |date=2017-08-07 |title=Festival Encounters |pages=83–93 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |last2=Mair |first2=Judith |doi=10.4324/9781315644097-8 |isbn=978-1-315-64409-7}}</ref> She is regarded as the mother of [[Narakasura]], [[Mangala]] and Sita.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mani |first=Vettam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mvXsDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA142 |title=Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature |date=2015-01-01 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0597-2 |pages=142 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Varahi]] – Varahi is the female energy and consort of Varaha. She is the commander of the [[Matrikas]].<ref>Kinsley p. 156, Devi Mahatmya verses 8.62</ref>
* [[Pratyangira]] – Pratyangira is the consort of [[Narasimha]] and the pure manifestation of the wrath of [[Tripura Sundari|Tripurasundari]].<ref name="Cyril orji">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GrIWEAAAQBAJ&dq=vaishnavi+matrika+consort+of+vishnu&pg=PT220 |title=An Introduction to Religious and Theological Studies, Second Edition |publisher=Cyril orji |year=2021 |isbn=978-1-5326-8593-4 |language=English}}</ref>
* [[Namagiri Thayar]] – Namagiri Thayar is the consort of Narasimha, 4th avatar of Vishnu.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/29757426 | jstor=29757426 | title=Nr̥siṁha Cave Temple at Nāmakkal: Its Iconographical Significance | last1=Rajan | first1=V. G. | journal=East and West | date=19 February 1999 | volume=49 | issue=1/4 | pages=189–194 }}</ref>
* Dharani – Dharani is the wife of sage [[Parashurama]], the 6th avatar of Vishnu.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Coulter|first1=Charles Russell |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=sEIngqiKOugC&q=Dharani&pg=PA285|title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities |last2=Turner |first2=Patricia |date=2013-07-04 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-96390-3|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Sita]] – Sita is the female protagonist of the Hindu epic ''[[Ramayana]]'' and the consort of [[Rama]], Vishnu's 7th avatar.<ref>{{cite book|title= Pure Gems of Ramayanam|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=CJe9BAAAQBAJ&dq=sita+goddess+of+purity+mother+goddess&pg=PA213|author= Krishnan Aravamudan| date=22 September 2014 |page= 213| publisher=PartridgeIndia |isbn=978-1-4828-3720-9}}</ref> She is the chief goddess of the [[Ramanandi Sampradaya|Rama-centric]] Hindu traditions and is the goddess of beauty, devotion and ploughshare.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_upanishhat/sita.pdf |title= सीतोपनिषत् (Sita Upanishad)|access-date=28 January 2016| language = sa|last= Hattangadi| first= Sunder| year= 2000 }}</ref>
* [[Radha]] – Radha is the goddess of love, tenderness, compassion and devotion.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Gokhale |first1=Namita |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KWJ7DwAAQBAJ&dq=Finding+Radha%3A+The+Quest+for+Love&pg=PT8 |title=Finding Radha: The Quest for Love |last2=Lal |first2=Malashri |date=2018-12-10 |publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited |isbn=978-93-5305-361-1 |language=en |quote="Like Sita, Radha is also a manifestation of Lakshmi."}}</ref> She is the eternal and chief consort of Krishna and she is also the personification of [[Prakṛti|Mūlaprakriti]], who is the feminine counterpart and internal potency (''hladini [[shakti]]'') of [[Krishna]], Vishnu's 8th avatar.<ref name="Diana Dimitrova 2018">{{cite book|title=Divinizing in South Asian Traditions|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4HHbtAEACAAJ |author=Diana Dimitrova|publisher=Routledge |year=2018|isbn=978-0-8153-5781-0|quote="Radha is mentioned as the personification of the Mūlaprakriti, the "Root nature", that original seed from which all material forms evolved"}}</ref>
* [[Rukmini]] – Rukmini is the first and supreme queen of Krishna. She is the goddess of fortune and the queen of [[Dvaraka]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/rukminisha-vijaya-1-sri-vadiraja-tirtha-t.-s.-raghavendran |title=Rukminisha Vijaya - 1 - Sri Vadiraja Tirtha, T.S.Raghavendran |pages=31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhandarkar |first=Ramkrishna Gopal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C5zKrCIBmBwC&dq=rukmini+chief+consort&pg=PA161 |title=Vaiṣṇavism, Ṡaivism and Minor Religious Systems |date=1987 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=978-81-206-0122-2 |pages=21 |language=en |quote="expressed a desire for as good a son as Rukmini, his chief consort, had."}}</ref>
* [[Jambavati]] – Jambavati is the second queen of Krishna.<ref>[http://vedabase.net/sb/10/83/9/en1 Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10 Chapter 83 Verse 9] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927085815/http://vedabase.net/sb/10/83/9/en1 |date=27 September 2013 }}. Vedabase.net. Retrieved on 2013-05-02.</ref>
* [[Satyabhama]] – Satyabhama is the third queen of Krishna and personification of goddess Bhumi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mahabharata-resources.org/harivamsa/hv_1_38.html |title=Harivamsa ch.38, 45-48}}</ref>
* [[Yamuna in Hinduism|Kalindi]] – Kalindi is the fourth queen of Krishna and is worshipped as river goddess Yamuna.<ref>{{citation|last=Dalal|first= Roshen |title=The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pNmfdAKFpkQC&pg=PA398|year=2010|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-341517-6}}</ref>
* [[Nagnajiti]] – Nagnajiti is the fifth queen of Krishna and the personification of [[Niladevi]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rajan |first=K. V. Soundara |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mLAltYhW-JQC&dq=Radha+niladevi&pg=PA17 |title=Secularism in Indian Art |date=1988 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-245-1 |pages=17 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Mitravinda]] – Mitravinda is the sixth queen of Krishna.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2017-04-28 |title=Mitravinda, Mitravindā, Mitra-vinda: 7 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mitravinda |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Lakshmana (Krishna's wife)|Lakshmana]] – Lakshmana is the seventh queen of Krishna.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Five Ques married by Krishna|url=http://krsnabook.com/ch58.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322132816/http://krsnabook.com/ch58.html|archive-date=22 March 2021|publisher=Krishnabook.com|accessdate=25 January 2013}}</ref>
* [[Bhadra (Krishna's wife)|Bhadra]] – Bhadra is the eighth queen of Krishna (varies) .<ref>{{cite book|author=Horace Hayman Wilson|title=The Vishńu Puráńa: a system of Hindu mythology and tradition|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RO8oAAAAYAAJ|accessdate=20 February 2013|year=1870|publisher=Trübner|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RO8oAAAAYAAJ/page/n85 82]–3}}</ref>
* [[Ashtabharya|Madri]] – according to Harivamsa Madri is the eighth queen of Krishna.<ref>name=Harivamsha>{{Cite web|url=http://mahabharata-resources.org/harivamsa/vishnuparva/hv_2_103.html|title= Harivamsha Maha Puraaam - Vishnu Parvaharivamsha in the Mahabharata - Vishnuparva Chapter 103 - narration of the Vrishni race|accessdate=25 January 2013|publisher=Mahabharata Resources Organization}}</ref>
* [[Gopi]]s – Gopis are considered as the consorts and devotees of Krishna, and expansion of goddess Radha, among all the Gopi devotees of [[Radha Krishna]], [[Lalita Sakhi|Lalita]] is the most prominent.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jestice |first=Phyllis G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H5cQH17-HnMC&dq=Gopis+incarnations+radha&pg=PA316 |title=Holy People of the World: A Cross-cultural Encyclopedia |date=2004 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-57607-355-1 |pages=316–317 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Junior wives of Krishna]] – They were several thousand women, Krishna married after rescuing them from the demon [[Narakasura]], [[Rohini (Krishna's wife)|Rohini]] was considered the chief queen of them all.<ref>{{cite book | last = Mani | first = Vettam | title = Puranic Encyclopaedia: a Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature | url = https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft | publisher = Motilal Banarsidass Publishers |date=1975 |publication-place=Delhi |isbn=978-0-8426-0822-0 | author-link = Vettam Mani|page = [https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/531 531]}}</ref>
* [[Revati]] – Revati is the goddess of Opulence and the wife of [[Balrama]], who is considered as Vishnu's avatar in some traditions.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FOV8DwAAQBAJ&dq=revati+goddess&pg=PA437 | title=Ganges: The Many Pasts of an Indian River |isbn=978-0-300-24267-6 | last1=Sen | first1=Sudipta | date=8 January 2019 | publisher=Yale University Press }}</ref>
* Vatikā – Vatikā is the wife of sage [[Vyasa]], who is considered as a partial incarnation of Vishnu.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sullivan|first=Bruce M.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8XO3Im3OMi8C&q=birth+date+of+Vyasa|title=Seer of the Fifth Veda: Kr̥ṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa in the Mahābhārata|date=1999|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|isbn=978-81-208-1676-3|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Padmavati (Hinduism)|Padmavati]] – Padmavati is the consort of [[Venkateswara]], an avatar of Vishnu. She is the goddess of [[Tirupati]].<ref>Sri Ramakrishna Dikshitulu and Oppiliappan Koil Sri Varadachari Sathakopan. [http://www.srihayagrivan.org/ebooks/031_sva_v1p1.pdf ''Sri Vaikhasana Bhagavad Sastram (An Introduction)''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203070421/http://www.srihayagrivan.org/ebooks/031_sva_v1p1.pdf |date=3 December 2008 }}, pp. 16</ref>
* [[Bhargavi]] – Bhargavi is the daughter of sage [[Bhrigu]] and is wife [[Khyati]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pattanaik |first=Devdutt |date=2020-11-13 |title=Bhrigu: The Father of Fortune |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bhrigu-the-father-of-fortune/articleshow/79213947.cms |access-date=2024-07-05 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>
* [[Vaishno Devi]] – Vaishnavi is seen as the potency of Vishnu and is worshipped as a combined avatar of [[Mahakali]], [[Mahalakshmi]] and [[Mahasaraswati|Mahasarasvati]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=izQ1EAAAQBAJ&dq=vaishno+devi+incarnation+of&pg=PA154 |title=Understanding Culture and Society in India |publisher=Springer Nature Singapore |year=2021 |isbn=978-981-16-1598-6 |language=English}}</ref>
* [[Ranganayaki]] – Ranganayaki is the chief consort of [[Ranganatha]], an avatar of Vishnu. She is the goddess of [[Srirangam]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Viswanatha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ujdxCwAAQBAJ&dq=ranganayaki+visit&pg=PT68 |title=Theology and Tradition of Eternity: Philosophy of Adi Advaita |date=2016-01-15 |publisher=Partridge Publishing |isbn=978-1-4828-6982-8 |pages=68 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Andal]] – Andal is the consort of Ranganatha and the personification of Bhumi. She is the only female [[Alvars|Alvar]].<ref>{{cite book|author=S. M. Srinivasa Chari|title=Philosophy and Theistic Mysticism of the Āl̲vārs|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8TwHhuZrZ-wC&pg=PA10|date=1 January 1997|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-1342-7|pages=11–12}}</ref>
* [[Archi (Hindu goddess)|Archi]] – Archi is the consort of [[Prithu]], an avatar of Vishnu.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tapasyananda |first=Swami |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dNyBDwAAQBAJ&dq=prithu+archi&pg=PA50-IA60 |title=Srimad Bhagavata – Volume 1 |publisher=Sri Ramakrishna Math(vedantaebooks.org) |language=en}}</ref>
}}

== See also ==
* [[Deepalakshmi]]
* [[Doddagaddavalli]]
* [[Star of Lakshmi]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
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* {{cite book|last=Gupta|first=Sanjukta|title=Laksmi Tantra |url=https://archive.org/details/LakshmiTantraAPancharatraTextSanjuktaGupta|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers |year=2000|isbn=978-81-208-1735-7}}
* {{cite book |title=Shankara and Indian Philosophy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hshaWu0m1D4C |first=N. V.|last=Isaeva |publisher=SUNY Press|year=1993 |isbn=978-0-7914-1281-7}}
* {{cite book |last1=Kinsley |first1=David |title=Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hgTOZEyrVtIC |date=1988 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-81-208-0394-7}}
* {{cite book|author=Om Lata Bahadur|title= The Life of Hinduism|editor1=John Stratton Hawley|editor2= Vasudha Narayanan| year= 2006| publisher= University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-24914-1}}
* {{Citation|last=Pal|first=Pratapaditya|title=Indian Sculpture: Circa 500 B.C.-A.D. 700 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=clUmKaWRFTkC |publisher=University of California Press|year=1986 |isbn=978-0-520-05991-7}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |first=Dilip |last=Kododwala |year=2004 |title=Divali |publisher=Evans |isbn=978-0-237-52858-4 |page=11}}
* {{cite book |title=Lakshmi Puja and Thousand Names |isbn=1-887472-84-3 |first=Swami Satyananda |last=Saraswati|date=March 2001 |publisher=Devi Mandir Publications }}
* {{cite book |author=Venkatadhvari |title=Sri Lakshmi Sahasram |publisher=Chowkhamba Sanskrit Depot, Benares |url=https://archive.org/stream/shrlakshmsahsram01venkuoft#page/n1/mode/2up |year=1904 |language=sa}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|commonscat=Yes|n=no|b=no|voy=no|v=no}}
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/deities/lakshmi.shtml British Broadcasting Corporation – Lakshmi]

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[[Category:Lakshmi| ]]
[[Category:Mother goddesses]]
[[Category:Fortune goddesses]]
[[Category:Beauty goddesses]]
[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]
[[Category:Shaktism]]
[[Category:Commerce goddesses]]
[[Category:Consorts of Vishnu]]
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[[Category:Abundance goddesses]]
[[Category:Jain minor deities]]
[[Category:Buddhist goddesses]]