Festival of Lakshimi

Is that another name of Lakshmi?

Ma/Shree Lakshmii

Is that another name of Lakshmi?

Hi Oakapple, Barafundle, et al

I believe so.

Ma/Shree Lakshmii is revered in different ways across India. IMO, the most satisfactory on-line pages that I have seen are:

<a class="go2wpf-bbcode" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href=" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmi "> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmi Comprehensive and authoritative. Useful references.

and

[DLMURL="http://spirituality.indiatimes.com/articleshow/639438031.cms"] http://spirituality.indiatimes.com/articleshow/639438031.cms [/DLMURL] Very Puja oriented. May not be to everyone's taste.

As the opening paragraph suggests "Lakshmi Puja," may be "the main event on Diwali in North and West India."

However it's very different in West Bengal. There it is observed on the Full Moon; i.e. a fortnight before Diwali which is observed as Kali Puja (on the New Moon). As shown here:

Therefore, in West Bengal and in many venues in Britain, Lakshmi Puja and Kali Puja will be celebrated on October 26 and November 9 as shown here:

Regards.

Prashna

Originally Posted by Barafundle [url][/url]
Is that another name of Lakshmi?

Hi Oakapple, Barafundle, et al

I believe so.

Well that's a good excuse for a picture...

Hi Barafundle/ Prashna.....

I think it must be the local pronounciation of the Goddess Lakshmi, I've looked for more info, but seem to have come to a complete blank...I know she was said to have assumed the personality of the wife of Vishnu, in all of his ten avatars ( incarnations )....and forms a triad with...Sarasvati and Devi

Alexandrian correspondences to the Goddess Lakshmi

Her magical number; 777
Tarot: 10s
Gem: Rock crystal
Plants: Willow, lily & Ivy
Animal: Sphinx,
Mineral: Magnesium sulphate
Perfume: Dittany of Crete
Magical weapon: Magic circle, triangle

I'm attending an evening of Kirtan ( Chant and Mantra ) on 13th October in West Sussex....all welcomed

Oakapple xx

Divine Consciousness = brahman. Mahalaya

Hi Barafundle/ Prashna.....

I think it must be the local pronounciation of the Goddess Lakshmi, I've looked for more info, but seem to have come to a complete blank...I know she was said to have assumed the personality of the wife of Vishnu, in all of his ten avatars ( incarnations )....and forms a triad with...Sarasvati and Devi

I'm attending an evening of Kirtan ( Chant and Mantra ) on 13th October in West Sussex....all welcomed

Oakapple xx

Thank you Oakapple,

for that mention of the Hamblin Trust.

Prompted by your post, I visited their site and found this gem:

"... if we learn to live in the Divine Consciousness, then our whole outer lives will change to reflect that Consciousness...."

That's amazing!

What Hamblin termed "Divine Consciousness", the ancient Rishi's did not name at all, but for ordinary mortals they left the term "brahman"!

The philosophy summarised in that short phrase is the essence of Sanatana Dharma, its rationale, philosophy and action plan combined! In that short phrase, unwittingly perhaps, Hamblin brilliantly summarised the whole of Sanatana Dharma. I have now got a slightly more expanded version of my own summary "Do no harm!"

Now the rest. I hope the event on the 13th goes well for you and everyone attending. It is the "shukla dvitiya" or the second day of the fortnight leading to the Full Moon. The first day, or the 12th would be Mahalaya, when Ma Durga is invoked.

It is perhaps the most significant day in West Bengal. How significant?

I still remember how, as children, we used to be waken up at 4 am, to listen to the incredible recitation by Mahalaya in All India Radio. More than five decades have passed, but it might just as well be yesterday!

How every hair on our body used to tingle! It was electrifying. You might experience some of that in your event. But if you cannot wait, here it is:

Just click on the link at the bottom - under Mahalaya Real Audio.

I very strongly recommend that you download the MP3 files and save them in yopur PC. If you really wish to listen to Sanskrit Slokas as they should be recited, try these excerpts:

Mahalaya - part 1 - 16min.20s to 17:54 - Sanskrit slokas 1:73 to 1:81 from Devi Mahatmyam( Shrii Shrii Chandii) beautifully rendered by Birendrakrishna Bhadra.

Mahalaya - part 2 - 19min.55s to 22:25 - Fast chorus probably in Hindi

Mahalaya - part 2 - 22min.30s to 27:10- Sanskrit slokas 5:09 to 5:20 from Devi Mahatmyam( Shrii Shrii Chandii) beautifully rendered by Birendrakrishna Bhadra.

These last are some of the very finest slokas that I am aware of!
I cannot write any more as my eyes keep welling up!
I am sorry! Only, these are tears of complete joy!

Regards.

Prashna

Well that's a good excuse for a picture...

Hi Barafundle,

Thank you for that picture.

It does raise a few issues, the clarification of which might be helpful.

The picture shows just one aspect of Shrii Lakshmii, the Gaja Lakshmii aspect. It may be quite common in some parts of India, judging by the number of occasions it occurs on-lone. At first, I was disturbed by this picture because there are several aspects which I find unacceptable. Before I explain, it might help to provide some visualisations that I believe are far more accurate and helpful; e.g.

or this one from [DLMURL] http://www.clayimage.co.uk/Festivals.html [/DLMURL]

That last one is my favourite, not least because, it features one essential element: the bAhana (mount) of Shrii Lakshmii, the Barn Owl!

It is impossible in this post to do justice to all the issues raised. But I shall address a few:

1. The number of arms- I believe two is accurate. Although I accept that many Hindus may visualise Shrii Lakshmii with four arms. In Shrii Shrii Chandii, Ma Chandii is visualised with two, four, ten, eighteen or even a thousand arms!

I believe that the reference to arms is merely symbolic, and not actual!

2. The showing of coins, presumably gold coins, pouring from the palm. I find that unacceptable! The concept of Shrii Lakshmii has nothing to do with human perceptions of wealth, IMO!

3. The elephants - This is just one form, Gaja Lakshmi, virtually unknown in West Bengal. If anyone is interested, the various common forms of Shrii Lakshmii can be found here:

4. The terms "Goddess" and "wife" - I much prefer the terms deity and consort as these are less misleading, IMO!

Regards.

Prashna

Hello Prashna,

I came across this info on the symbolism used in the most popular depictions of Mahalakshmi. What do you think?

• The four arms represent the four directions in space and thus symbolize omnipresence and omnipotence of the Goddess. The red colour symbolizes activity. The golden lining (embroidery) on Her red dress denotes prosperity. The idea conveyed here is that the Goddess is always busy distributing wealth and prosperity to the devotees. The lotus seat, which Lakshmi is standing upon, signifies that while living in this world, one should enjoy its wealth, but not become obsessed with it. Such a living is analogous to a lotus that grows in water but is not wetted by water.

• The four hands represent the four ends of human life: dharma (righteousness), kama (genuine desires), artha (wealth), and moksha (liberation from birth and death). The front hands represent the activity in the physical world and the back hands indicate the spiritual activities that lead to spiritual perfection.

• Since the right side of the body symbolizes activity, a lotus in the back right hand conveys the idea that one must perform all duties in the world in accordance with dharma. This leads to moksha (liberation), which is symbolized by a lotus in the back left hand of Lakshmi. The golden coins falling on the ground from the front left hand of Lakshmi illustrate that She provides wealth and prosperity to Her devotees. Her front right hand is shown bestowing blessings upon the devotees.

• The two elephants standing next to the Goddess symbolize the name and fame associated with worldly wealth. The idea conveyed here is that a true devotee should not earn wealth merely to acquire name and fame or only to satisfy his own material desires, but should share it with others in order to bring happiness to others in addition to himself.

• Some pictures show four elephants spraying water from golden vessels onto Goddess Lakshmi. The four elephants represent the four ends of human life as discussed above. The spraying of water denotes activity. The golden vessels denote wisdom and purity. The four elephants spraying water from the golden vessels on the Goddess illustrate the theme that continuous self-effort, in accordance with one's dharma and govemed by wisdom and purity, leads to both material and spiritual prosperity.

Thank you Oakapple,

for that mention of the Hamblin Trust.

Prompted by your post, I visited their site and found this gem:

"... if we learn to live in the Divine Consciousness, then our whole outer lives will change to reflect that Consciousness...."

That's amazing!

Regards.

Prashna

Thanks for all of the links, prashna, and yes, I will enjoy the chanting.....I always do.

Oakapple xx

mahAlakshmii

Hello Prashna,

I came across this info on the symbolism used in the most popular depictions of Mahalakshmi. What do you think?
......

Hi Barafundle,

You do like to ask difficult questions!

That's what I think! :speechless-smiley-0

A long time ago, I got very dissatisfied with my BMI (Body Mass Index = 16, then) and did try seriously to gain weight. I even bought a set of weights and read up on Charles Atlas. I read that with exercise, everyone is a winner; there are no losers!

That's because whatever the gain, it IS worthwhile! :fit:

Sanatana Dharma is like that. Unlike some belief systems, it is not prescriptive but illustrative!

In other words, within wide limits, there are no wrong symbolisms! Whatever the symbolism, associated with whatever deity, provided it is in accordance with the basic principles of Sanatana Dharma, it is not wrong!

And pursuit of it IS worthwhile! :cat:

Because, like any exercise, it enables one to advance spiritually towards the final goal, to merge with Infinite, or Yoga!

Or if you prefer, attain a BMI of 22!

But I suspect that you were expecting something a bit more specific! So "to boldly go where no man has gone before..." :017:

The Lotus: seat and palm-held. Very significant and consistent association. I understand it thus: The lotus (water lily) grows in the mud and becomes one of the most beautiful of flowers. So with humans. Whatever one's background, it is possible to excel. :045:

The rest I find to be distracting.

4 directions in space - Actually, as children we learnt "dashe dik" ie ten for directions. Those being, Uttara (N) Dakshina(S) Purba (E) Paschima (W) IsAna(NE) agni (SE) bAyu(NW) nairit(SW) Urdha (Up) and adha (Down). More info here: :nature-smiley-008:

<a class="go2wpf-bbcode" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href=" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guardians_of_the_directions "> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guardians_of_the_directions

Red colour - I believe signifies life; red being the colour of blood. In so far as one of the essential signs of life is activity, the statement is correct. Whether it has been rendered questionable by modern techniques of intensive care at any cost is for you to decide.

Four hands - four ends. Again, as a child I learnt that Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha are four stages of human life; sequential rather than random. :FIFangel:

It's based on a very important concept, which is far too deep to do justice here. Perhaps a separate thread is justified to explore that more full.

I think those cover the main points as I see it.

Regards. :047:

Prashna

P.S.

I am very grateful for the interest you have shown in looking up that reference to mahAlakshmi and asking me to comment. I do mean that.

And for that reason, I would like to leave you for now with a link to an excellent web page on mahAlakshmii - stotra. It gives the original in Devnagri script, the transliteration and the meaning in English.

<a class="go2wpf-bbcode" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href=" http://www.indif.com/nri/mantras/laxmimantra.asp "> http://www.indif.com/nri/mantras/laxmimantra.asp

This stotra more than any other defines the concept of mahAlakshmii for me!

Live long and prosper.

Sanatana Dharma ...unlike some belief systems, it is not prescriptive but illustrative!

In other words, within wide limits, there are no wrong symbolisms! Whatever the symbolism, associated with whatever deity, provided it is in accordance with the basic principles of Sanatana Dharma, it is not wrong!

And pursuit of it IS worthwhile!

Because, like any exercise, it enables one to advance spiritually towards the final goal, to merge with Infinite, or Yoga!

Thanks for that Prashna. That's exactly what appeals to me about the philosophy Sanatana Dharma, it is all encompassing.

The Lotus: seat and palm-held. Very significant and consistent association. I understand it thus: The lotus (water lily) grows in the mud and becomes one of the most beautiful of flowers. So with humans. Whatever one's background, it is possible to excel.

I like this description too...

The lotus (Sanskrit: padma) primarily represents beauty and non-attachment. The lotus is rooted in the mud but floats on the water without becoming wet or muddy. This symbolizes how how one should live in the world in order to gain release from rebirth: without attachment to one's surroundings.[INDENT]"One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water."
-- Bhagavad Gita 5.10[/INDENT]

bhAgabatGeetA- 5:10

[INDENT]"One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water."[/INDENT][INDENT]-- Bhagavad Gita 5.10[/INDENT]

[INDENT]You are trouble, Barafundle.[/INDENT]

[INDENT]You made me look up GeetA again. [/INDENT]

[INDENT]Your citation is accurate and appropriate.[/INDENT]

[INDENT]I cannot rate it any higher than that![/INDENT]

[INDENT]I do have some reservations about the term "Supreme Lord", but again that is far too deep and merits a separate thread![/INDENT]

[INDENT]But the rest is absolutely fine.[/INDENT]

[INDENT]Total detachment![/INDENT]

[INDENT]I wish I could achieve that in this lifetime![/INDENT]

[INDENT]Regards.[/INDENT]

[INDENT]Prashna[/INDENT]

Lakshmii Puja

Hi all,

Since my very esteemed friend Oakapple has already started this thread and Barafundle has made so many useful contributions, it would be quite wrong of me to start another thread on Lakshmii Puja.

However, it is time to post a reminder:

Tomorrow, Thursday, 25 October is Lakshmii Puja.

Ma Laksmii will be 'worshipped' in many Hindu homes across Britain and publicly, in a few Hindu venues. If you happen to live near such a venue, this will provide a rare opportunity to meet real Hindus and interact with them.

One such venue is here:

<a class="go2wpf-bbcode" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href=" http://www.liverpoolpuja.com/activities.htm "> http://www.liverpoolpuja.com/activities.htm

I cannot agree with the description of Ma Durga on the Index page and I hope the webmaster will rake into account the reasons for my disquiet. But I had the good fortune to visit the venue and can report that it is excellent. The puja was celebrated in exemplary fashion and over a thousand visitors were served with a full evening meal (vegetarian, naturally) as prasAd. Many Hindus there, naturally, but also quite a few English and Welsh young men or women!

Ma Lakshmii represents tranquility and prosperity. Useful info here:

<a class="go2wpf-bbcode" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href=" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmi "> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmi

Tomorrow's festival is often called Kojagari Lakshmii Puja. The reason may be found here:

<a class="go2wpf-bbcode" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href=" http://www.diwalifestival.org/kojagara.html "> http://www.diwalifestival.org/kojagara.html

Of course, no Hindu actually believes that Ma Lakshmii will come around and ask "Ko Jagarti" but it IS a nice story. A good aide memoire, if you like.

Tomorrow represents the culmination or end of devii paksha or the fortnight devoted to Devii or Shrii Shrii Chandii. The full moon in Britain is actually on the 26th but the correct date is the 25th this year, because of geographic time differences.

Regards.

Prashna