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Sri and Laksmi are very popular as synonyms. They were in fact two divinities who were coupled into two. Sri appears to be older than Laksmi. Meaning. The dictionary meaning of Sri is wealth, riches, affluence, prosperity, plenty. It also means the goddesses of wealth, the wife of Visnu²39 Occurrences. In the Yajurveda the goddesses Sri and Laksmi occur as the two wives or as the consorts of the Purusa 240. In the SB, which is a latter 239 The Students Sanskrit English Dictionary p.565 240 V.S-31.22

chapter II Major goddesses 156 work, we find the full personification of Sri and also is she allotted an important place 241. It is only in the Upanishads that these two distinct deities Sri and Laksmi are seen to merge with each other and became synonyms and it is clear from the Sri Sukta of their synchrony 242 It is evident from the study of the Vedic lit that Sri as opposed to Laksmi finds more important either used as a common man or as a proper name of the goddess. On observing the several phenomena and functions related with Sri - Laksmi, we find her myths, icons etc... show a variety of traits, characteristic with fertility and prosperity in general. The importance of this goddess was in the ascending and that has to be accepted from the fact that a full hymn to Sri came to be added to the eigth mandala of the Rigveda as a part of its khila or supplement. Sri and Laksmi were dual deity but drawn to each other into a single form of Sri- Laksmi. In the Virataparva of the MBh, Sri is associated with Visnu, Laksmi with Damodara, Sachi with Indra, Rudrani with Sambha, Savitri with Brahma, and Sastii with Graha²43 Padma Sri standing on lotus is often mentioned in the Ramayana and Mahabharata. In the Santiparva it is said that goddess Padma-Sri wears ornaments of stars and garland of starry designs and in this form she appeared in a lotus lake 244 241 S'B 11.43.1, 2.6,3.2,14.9.3.8 242 Rigveda KhIla-end of Mandala VIII 243 Mahabharata Virataparva, Poona ed. p.77, Sloka 347 244 Mahabharata Santiparva 218.14

chapter II Major goddesses 157 The goddess Gajalaksmi is believed by the followers of the Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism or Brahmanism, and therefore she was represented in the art traditions of these three religions. Amongst the people this goddess is worshiped and the festival of Deepavali is associated with the worship of Goddess Laksmi. On that occasion clay-figurines of Laksmi are manufactured by the potters in large numbers and they are worshipped in each house. Goddess Laksmi is worshipped by the tribals too. In the picture below, Laksmi chowk and the picture of goddess Laksmi from Warli a tribal village in Maharastra are shown to prove the popularity, acceptance of the goddess. Laksmi chowk - Warli art

chapter II Major goddesses 158 It is indeed difficult to point to any other goddess commanding such wide popularity from the earliest times for over three thousand years and her worship has found favour with all classes of people. Laksmi - Warli art. In the Vayu Purana there is a list of fifty-six names of goddess including Laksmi, Sasti Bhadra, Revati, Mahisamardini, Katyayani, Haimavati, Gauri, etc. Finally it is said here that there are only two forms of the goddess, viz. Prajna and Sri, which is the same as Sarasvati and Sri²45 The Markandeya Purana mentions a special aspect of Sri Laksmi cult known as Padmini-Vidya. Laksmi was the presiding deity of the Vidya. Under her auspices were included eight treasures or Nidhis known as Padma, Mahapadma, Makara, Kachchhapa, Mukunda, Nandaka, Nila and Sankha. In origin Sri was basically on abstract quality connected vaguely in its significance to all sorts of concepts of human welfare 245 Vayu Purana 9.98

chapter II Major goddesses 159 and covered possession like well- being, fortune, prosperity, abundance, happiness, bliss, grace, radiance, splendor, beauty etc. Forbidden offerings. The supreme goddess of the Vaisnava tantras is the goddess Sri- Laksmi. The Mahalakshmi Ratnakosa 246 speaks of the food items that are forbidden in the worship of the goddess Sri- Laksmi. The forbidden items are the root grown on the river bed, the fruit fallen on the river bed, salt, garlic, salty and hot food. Among pulses, the following are discarded the bean, kidney bean, lentil, chick-pea, kodrava which is a type of grain eaten by the poor. The list of things to be avoided includes - the remnant of food offered in fire, the remnant of food, the syamaka rice and the barley rice. Daksina Devi. Meaning. The dictionary meaning of Daksina is a present or a gift to brahmins. The goddess Daksina, is regarded as the daughter of Prajapati and as the wife of the sacrifice or yajna²47. Origin. There is the mention about, the origin of Daksina 248. The Gods who performed sacrifice did not get the fruit of performance. 246 Mahalakshmi Ratnakosa XVI.5,6. 247 The Students Sanskrit English Dictionary P.244.

chapter II Major goddesses 160 They therefore approach Brahma who directs them to pray to Visnu. Visnu who is pleased says that, a mortal Laksmi -ie. Martya Laksmi was created from the body of Mahalaksmi when Visnu got out of Mahalaksmi's person. This Laksmi was given to Brahma as Daksina or the sacrifical fee. Brahma in turn gave her to Yagnadeva to obtain fruits. Yagnadeva worshipped her and later married her. Karmaphala ie the fruit of action was their son. This Daksina devi was born from the right shoulder of Laksmi 249. She is a part of Kamala and is called as Daksina as she is clever in actions. Mantra. The mantra of Laksmi as Daksina is given in the Devibhagavata-purana 250 OM Srim Klim Hrim Daksinayai Swaha. Hri. The abstract concept of modesty or Hri is also seen as a goddess. Meaning. The meaning of Hri is modesty. Sometimes Laksmi is replaced by Hri 251 as the consort of the Purusa 252 Hri is nothing but modesty and the word usually occurs in a list of similar abstract ibid (P.984). 248 Devibhagavata-purana Bk 9 Ch.LXV.1 - 63 Devibhagavata-purana D.B.P. Bk.9 Ch. X LV 251 Tai.Ar. III.13.2 252 Yajurveda,V.S.XXXI.22

chapter II Major goddesses 161 characteristics. In the Grhyasutras, especially the Sasti-kalpa ceremony, both Sri and Hri are invoked together 253. The other goddess who are invoked are - Sasti, Laksmi, Upalaksmi, Nanda, Haridra Samruddhi, Jaya and Kama. Hri-offerings In the Samhita portion, specific offerings as particularly sacred to Hri are mentioned. A porcupine was sacred and was specially offered to the personified Hr 7254. Bhuti. The abstract concept of prosperity or Bhuti is a goddess to whom worship is accorded. Meaning. is The dictionary meaning of Bhuti is being, existence, wellbeing, happiness, prosperity, wealth, good fortune etc 255...Bhuti invoked along with Sri, Bhumi, Sampati 256. In the Atharvaveda Sri and Bhuti appear as connected notions of prosperity and well being 257. In the Yajurveda homage is paid to Bhuti who 253 Manava-grihya-sutra -2.13.6 254 Yajurveda, VS-XXIV.35, Maitrayani-samhita -III.14.16. 255 The Students Sanskrit English Dictionary P.410 256 Par.Gr.S. 2.17.9.

chapter II Major goddesses 162 frees from the bonds of Nirrti 258 which is echoed even in the SB later on. In the Puranas, she is a goddess and the wife of Kavi. Bhuti is the mother of the Manu Bhautya by name 259 Conclusion. The goddess Sri- Laksmi, as the goddess of prosperity and is the best of all the worthy things. She is the most besought goddess due to her special charm and grace. She is independent in her function and work. She has her own special form of worship in the form of various mantras and yantras. Her popularity and majesty is all extending and all inclusive that abstract concepts like Hri, Bhuti, Daksina etc...are included under her. At the same time she is worshipped even by the aboriginals in their own way. Though the goddess Sri presides over the Sri-yantra, still the Sri yantram has not been under taken here for study. It will be done in the coming chapter - "worship and worshipper." in parallel with the Tripura presiding Sricakra. The unity in thought and worship of the two theistic doctrines - Saivism and Vaisnavism has been taken for study. The iconographic similarities of the different forms have been looked into from all her appearances it is seen that the abhayavarada gesture is indispensable aspect of her personality as also the lotus which appears either as a seat or as an ornament or as an accessory possessed in her hands. 257 Atharvaveda XII.1.63 258 Yajurveda V.S.XII.65 259 Vishnu-purana 3.2