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In the context of Gonda's explanation of the apellation
奴
'Laksmi' it may be said that Gonda apparently seeks to connect
Laksmi with laksma and lak峁�ma峁嘺, sign or mark. But since
Laksmi occurs long before the other two (i.e. in the Khilasakta
of the RV), it is almost sure that the other two are either
cognates or derivatives or they are independent words of pre- or
non-Aryan origin.
The most detailed picture of Sri-Laksmi in Vedic literature
is found in the Sri-sukta, a hymn in praise of Sri which is part
of an appendix to the Rgveda, and which is probably pre-Buddhist
in date. This is surely one of the earliest hymns to Sri and
associates her with certain symbols and qualities that persist
throughout her history in the Hindu tradition. Not surprisingly
and in conformity with the meanings of the term Sri in early
Vedic literature, Sri is invoked to bring fame and prosperity
(V 7). She is said to be bountiful and to give abundance (V5).
She is said to bestow gold on her devotees (V 14), cattle,
horses (V I) and food (V 10). She is asked to banish her sister
alaksmi, "misfortune" (V 5, 6, 8), who appears in such inauspi-
cious forms as need, poverty, hunger and thirst (8) Royal qualities
are suggested when she is described as seated in the middle of a
chariot possessed of the best hordes, and delighted by the sound
of elephants (V 3). In outward appearance, she is glorious and
richly ornamented. She is radiant as gold, illustrious like the
moon and wears a necklace of gold and silver (VI). She is often
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