Unveiling the Divine: Exploring the Symbolism and Significance of Lakshmi

Lakshmi Devi is one of the principal Goddesses in Hinduism. In the Vaishnava tradition, especially the Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya, Vishnu and Lakshmi are considered the Supreme or Absolute Truth. Mother Lakshmi is known as the Goddess of fortune who blesses the living entities in the material world with material wealth and prosperity. Our Vedic scriptures mention that Lakshmi Ji is the eternal consort of Lord Vishnu who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He maintains and controls everything in the material and spiritual world. Goddess Lakshmi is also His internal potency and is thus always engaged in the loving devotional service of the Lord in His spiritual abode Vaikuntha, a place where there is no misery.

The transcendental form of Mother Lakshmi is extremely beautiful. She is the emblem of beauty and mercy. She sees every individual soul as her own child and whoever approaches her with faith and devotion, certainly gets the mercy of Lakshmi Devi. She is often depicted wearing a red saree and holding different items in her four arms. She holds a lotus flower in each of her two upper arms. With one of her lower hands, she holds a pot full of gold coins (representing wealth) while the other hand stays in a mudra that signifies charity.

Can we keep a Lakshmi statue at home?

As stated earlier, Lakshmi Ji bestows good fortune upon her devotees and takes care of them. She is full of compassion and therefore accepts anyone who comes to her even with ulterior motives. However, she not only gives material wealth to her devotees but those who approach her to know the real goal of human life or to know about the Absolute Truth, she blesses them with spiritual wealth (wisdom and mercy) by which they can come to a higher platform and consciousness. Thus, it is only by the mercy of Goddess Lakshmi that a living entity starts its spiritual journey toward Lord Vishnu.

If you want to attract this special mercy, you can keep the deity of Goddess Lakshmi at your home and worship her every day with an attitude of surrender. By doing so, you will develop a personal relationship with her and you will be able to experience transcendental happiness.

Which Lakshmi idol is good for home?

Lakshmi Devi expands herself into eight major forms (Ashta Lakshmi) that are Dhana Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Sanatana Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi, and Aishwarya Lakshmi. You can keep any of the forms of Lakshmi in your home to bring material and spiritual auspiciousness. However, if you want her ultimate mercy, you may keep the deity of Goddess Lakshmi along with her master, Lord Vishnu.

How to keep a Brass statue well-maintained?

Brass statues are known and appreciated for their exquisite beauty and luster. The brilliant bright gold appearance of Brass makes it appropriate for casting aesthetic statues and sculptures. Brass is a metal alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. This chemical composition makes brass a highly durable and corrosion-resistant material. Due to these properties, Brass statues and sculptures can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors. They also last for many decades without losing all their natural shine.

Brass statues can withstand even harsh weather conditions very well due to their corrosion-resistance properties. However, maintaining the luster and natural beauty of brass statues is essential if you want to prolong their life and appearance.

• The best and simplest way to maintain a brass statue is to clean it at least twice a week using a soft cloth or cotton rag. This will prevent dust from accumulating on the surface. Dusting is especially important for outdoor statues since it is prone to dust accumulation much more than indoors.

• To give a natural shine and luster to the statue, you may apply coconut or olive oil using cotton on every portion. You can use a toothbrush to get to the small crevices but do not be too harsh. This will make the brass statue appear fresh and new with a polished look.

• In case you have a colored brass statue, you may apply mustard oil using a soft brush or clean cloth on the brass portion while for the colored portion of the statue, you may use coconut oil with a cotton cloth. 

Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are especially known for their intricate and detailed work of art. Nepalese sculptures are famous for small brass idols portraying Buddhist deities. These sculptures are beautified with gold gilding and inlay of precious or semi-precious stones. Religious brass statues can be kept at home altars. You can keep a decorative brass statue in your garden or roof to embellish the area and fill it with divinity.