Indian God Lakshmi- the Goddess of wealth

The Indian god of wealth, Goddess Lakshmi symbolises good luck. The word Lakshmi is obtained from the Sanskrit word Laksya, which means “aim” or “goal,” and in the Hindu belief, she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity of all forms, both material and spiritual. Indian god Lakshmi is believed to be the daughter of the mother goddess Durga. And the wife of Vishnu, whom she accompanied, taking different forms in each of his incarnations.

Lakshmi is depicted in Indian art as an elegantly dressed, prosperity-showering golden-coloured woman with an owl as her vehicle, signifying the importance of economic activity in the maintenance of life, her ability to move, work and prevail in confusing darkness. She typically stands or sits like a yogin on a lotus pedestal and holds a lotus in her hand, a symbolism for fortune, self-knowledge and spiritual liberation.

According to the Puranas, Indian god Lakshmi incarnated several times. In her first incarnation, she took birth as a daughter of Bhrigu and Khyati. Then she took birth from the waters of the milky ocean when the gods and demons churned it in search of the Amrit of life and gifted to Vishnu as a companion and supporter of his Dharma. Whenever Indian god Vishnu incarnated on earth in a human form, Goddess Lakshmi also incarnates along with Lord Vishnu and plays her role in restoring Dharma. She incarnated as Padma when Lord Vishnu incarnated upon earth as Vamana, as Dharani when he incarnated as Parasurama, as Sita when he incarnated as Rama and as Rukmini when he incarnated as Krishna.