A symbol of empowerment: Lakshmi

Even though for most of the year we see Hindu goddess Lakshmi by Lord Vishnu’s feet, during the Diwali season, she is the center of all the celebrations. Commonly worshipped as a symbol of wealth, fortune, love, beauty and fertility; parallels to her can be drawn to the Greek goddess Aphrodite and Roman goddess Venus.

Unlike most goddesses in the Hindu mythology, Lakshmi epitomizes the ideal woman. She is not just the wife of a powerful male God she is celebrated individually and independent of Vishnu throughout the country.

Right from her birth, according to the religious texts she chooses who she would marry, Lakshmi has been represented as an independent individual. She chose Vishnu, the protector, over the humans, the gods and the demons stating that she wished her husband to be a hard-working man.

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Considered to be a calmer form of Durga- the most powerful goddess in Hinduism, Lakshmi is seen in two forms- Bhudevi and Sridevi. Bhudevi represents the material world or energy which refers to Mother Earth. Sridevi on the other hand, represents the spiritual world or energy, called the Prakriti.

Where Vishnu, Brahma and Shiv are worshipped as the supreme gods, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are the mother figures that represent, power, wealth, prosperity and wisdom. Lakshmi’s four hands represent health, wealth, virtue and happiness.

For those who are religious, admiring and worshipping Lakshmi is a part of their lives but for those who aren’t, she is still admired for she is the epitome of a strong-willed and successful woman.