Lakshmi 6 cm made from brass
Lakshmi is the Hindu godess of wealth and prosperity. Representations of Lakshmi are found also in Buddhist monuments. Lakshmi in Sanskrit is derived from its elemental form ""lakS"" meaning to perceive , observe (reference Monier-Williams Sanskrit English Dictionary). This is synonymous with lakSya meaning aim or objective. Lakshmi is thus goddess of the means to achieving objectives including prosperity in the life of Man. She is the consort of Vishnu and married Rama (in her incarnation as Sita) and Krishna (as Rumkmini and Radha). Deva and Asuras were both mortal (mrita) at one time. Seeking immortality they churned the ocean of milk. Vishnu incarnated as ""kurma"" the tortoise on which was placed a mountain and a great venom spewing serpent was wrapped around it and used to churn the ocean. A host of divine celestial objects came up during the churning. Among these, importantly, was Goddess Lakshmi, the daughter of the king of the milky ocean. The last to come up was ""amRitam"", the ""nectar of immortality"". With this the avatar of ""kurma"", the tortoise ended. Vishnu, then took up form of a beautiful maiden to distract ""raakshasa"" and gave immortality to the ""deva"". Sri Lakshmi, very much later married Shri Vishnu. Shri is a honorofic address that is probably derived from Lakshmi and is used till date for males all over India. The equivalent for females is ""Srimati"" if she is married. Physically, goddess Lakshmi is described as a fair lady, with four arms, seated on a lotus, dressed in fine garments and precious jewels. Her expression is always calm and loving. The most striking feature of the iconography of Lakshmi is her persistent association with the lotus. The meaning of the lotus in relation to Shri-Lakshmi refers to purity and spiritual power. Rooted in the mud but blossoming above the water, completely uncontaminated by the mud, the lotus represents spiritual perfection and authority.
