Mata Laxmi: The Giver of Abundance

Key idea: Laxmi is prosperity with a conscience. She arrives where there is effort, integrity and generosity, and tends to leave where those are missing. Wealth, in her view, is meant to circulate.

Symbolism

• Lotus: purity and prosperity untouched by greed

• Four arms: the four human goals: dharma, artha, kama, moksha

• Gold coins flowing from her hand: wealth meant to be shared

• Elephants (Gajalakshmi): royal power, rain and fertility

Temples

• East: Laxmi shrine within the Jagannath Temple complex, Puri

• West: Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur

• North: Laxmi Narayan (Birla) Mandir, Delhi

• South: Padmavathi Temple, Tiruchanoor