------ Lakshmi Dhyanam Gaja means elephant in Sanskrit. Hence Gaja-Lakshmi is Lakshmi flanked by elephants. She is typically flanked by two elephants pouring water or nectar onto her from golden or jeweled containers. As symbols of sovereignity and fertility, the elephants convey Lakshmi's association with these highly desirable qualities.
Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, beauty, fertility, love and devotion. Lakshmi is the great Mother in her role of fulfilling all desires. She represents the water of fulfillment, the flowering of divine grace and love.
She is seated on a lotus, floating on water, and also holds a lotus in one of her right hands. The lotus is a symbol of inner unfoldment. Water is a symbol of spiritual grace, love and communion.
The other right hand displays the mudra of boon-granting, Lakshmi indeed is the fulfiller of all wishes.
From one of her left hands drop down gold coins. Gold is the richness of perception and devotion. Lakshmi is abundance in all its forms.
The remaining left hand holds the kalasha or vase. This is a symbol of abundance, wisdom and immortality. It contains the nectar of immortality (amrita). Legend has it that during the churning of the ocean by the asuras and the devas it was Lakshmi who emerged from the ocean carrying the vase containing the nectar of immortality.
This description by Nitin Kumar, executive Editor, Exotic India.
References:
Frawley, David. Tantric Yoga and the Wisdom Goddesses: New Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass, 1999.
Jansen, Eva Rudy. The Book of Hindu Imagery, The Gods and their symbols: Holland, Binkey Kok Publishers, 1998.
Kinsley, David. Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine, New Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass, 1998.
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