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Indian Goddesses - L
Lakshmi
(Laxshmi) The goddess of Abundance and Prosperity. She is depicted seated
upon or holding the lotus, the symbol of spiritual purity, fertility and
vegetative growth. Like Ganesh, she is venerated for her auspicious nature.
She carries a coffer, and gold coins shower from her hand.
Lakshmi represents the supreme divine principle which pervades all creation
with vitality and consciousness. Actively venerated by nearly 1 billion
Hindus, Laxshmi is the modern face of the ancient Great Mother Goddess;
stalks of grain surrounding her head connote a rich harvest. She epitomizes
grace, beauty, and bountiful plenty. Lakshmi is the avenue to pleasure
and abundance in all forms.
Lakshmi brings fame, prosperity, abundance and good fortune to her worshippers.
The lotus, with which she is associated, symbolizes fruitfulness, purity
and attainment of higher spiritual levels (Padma-Lakshmi). As Padma Lakshmi,
or lotus, her roots can be found in the Indus Valley Mother Goddess. The
cosmic lotus, as the door to the womb of the universe, was referred to
as "The Goddess Moisture" or "The Goddess Earth".
The leaf of the lotus symbolizes the fertile earth; the flower represents
the mother's lap and eternal renewal.
She is often portrayed accompanied by elephants showering her with water
(Gaja Lakshmi), referring to the belief that elephants are related to
the clouds who are their cousins. It was said that the first elephants
had wings and could fly among the clouds. When referred to as Sri-Lakshmi,
her numerous capabilities including power, beauty, and glory are emphasized.
Lakshmi's lower right hand is in the abhaya mudra (gesture), giving blessings
and protection.
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Lalita
According to Aleister Crowley, Lalita is a sexual aspect of Shakti. |
Lola
('Lightning') An Indian goddess of fickle fortune. |
Losahur
Devi
Goddess of the forging of the iron.
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