Lakshmi Statue

The Goddess of Prosperity, Lakshmi, inspires much devotion. She is often depicted sitting upon a lotus and adorned with lotus at her hands and feet. Many of her names, Padmā, Kamalā, Ambujā, refer to the lotus. The lotus has powerful symbolism in Hinduism. While its roots are in the mud, its stalk rises clearly through the murky water, with its petals blossoming above, untouched by the mud. It is a symbol of rising above the material world through divinity, of being good in the midst of negative influences. Like the lotus, as the Goddess of Prosperity, Lakshmi shows us how to transcend material wealth for spiritual progress. The lotus is also a symbol for purity, fertility, and beauty. She is often shown with four hands, which are meant to represent the four goals of life: kāma, artha, dharma, and moksha. These are said to also symbolize the four Vedas. She wears a red sāri with gold thread, again representing wealth, beauty, and fertility.