Almost a universal position in Indian iconography, conventions and norms, the place of the female spouse is on the left of the male. In scriptures ‘vama’, one who is on the left, is the other name for the wife. In all sculptures, or images, representing the divine couple, Lakshmi is invariably represented on Vishnu’s left. Contrarily, this brass-statue has been cast with Lakshmi as seated on his right. In accordance to the Rig-Veda that by various epithets : ‘Urugay’, one who walked with long strides, ‘Khsipra’, one who moved fast, and many more that it used for Vishnu, and as how the subsequent texts and Vaishnava tradition perceived Vishnu, especially in the role of world’s Commander, his images that emerged in visual tradition represented him mostly in standing posture, and sometimes, reclining, seated only very rarely.

Standing or seated, his images with Lakshmi are formal postures revealing majesty and readiness to act appropriate for the World Commander. This ‘lalitasana’ posture revealing carefree ease, aesthetic beauty and romantic poise is foreign to Vishnu’s form. The four-armed form has been conceived as holding his most usual attributes : disc, conch, lotus and mace; however, the overall bearing revealing emotional fervour is quite unlike Vishnu’s primordial form. The artist seems to have taken from Krishna’s iconography, one of Lord Vishnu’s incarnations, this style of rounded face and emotionally charged dreamy eyes – the more often adopted face-form for romantic icons, and a crown, though rich and gorgeous, not Vishnu-like towering and revealing his majesty, with a crest on the right looking like a peacock-feather. Though she is carrying in her right hand a lotus, a prominent aspect of the image and the essence of Lakshmi’s iconography, the representation has reflections of Radha’s face.

With one of his arms resting partially on his mace and partially on the bolster that also supports his back, Lord Vishnu is seated in semi-reclining posture on the cushion-like laid body of the great serpent Shesha. On his right is seated Lakshmi, a quite straightened normal two-armed figure. Lakshmi is holding in her right hand a lotus, while the left has been conceived as lying on her left thigh in full ease. Elegantly bejeweled using a wide range of ornaments : a rich crown, ornaments for ears, neck, breast, arms, wrists, waist and feet, and costumed in the traditional sari the image of Lakshmi reveals rare grace. A balanced anatomy, the figure of Lakshmi has been conceived with a round face, thoughtful eyes and a smile on lips. Lord Vishnu is putting on a crown not as tall as these are in his other images, besides other ornaments a garland of fresh Parijat flowers and a large ‘antariya’. He has on his forehead a prominent Vaishnava ‘tilaka’ mark. The statue has under the figure of serpent Shesha some tides like looking arabesques forms symbolising perhaps Kshirasagara, the mythical ocean of milk and the seat of Vishnu where he reclines on the body of serpent Shesha, or the vegetation symbolic of cosmos that Lord Vishnu pervades.

This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of ancient Indian literature. Dr Daljeet is the chief curator of the Visual Arts Gallery at the National Museum of India, New Delhi. They have both collaborated on numerous books on Indian art and culture.

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.

Which material is good for Lakshmi idol?

The idol or deity of Goddess Lakshmi comes in various materials such as brass, wood, marble, copper, bronze, etc. If you are planning to keep a deity of Lakshmi Devi at your home, the best material would be either brass or marble. Brass is known for its exquisite appearance resembling gold and is also a strong material. Marble is preferred by most people because it lasts longer than any other material.