| Lakshmi Narayana | |
|---|---|
| |
 Statue of Lakshmi Narayana uponShesha | |
| Devanagari | लक्ष्मी-नारायण |
| Sanskrit transliteration | Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa |
| Affiliation | Vaishnavism |
| Abode | Vaikuntha |
| Weapon | Panchajanya,Kaumodaki,Sudarshana Chakra,Sharanga,Nandaka |
| Symbol | Padma |
| Mount | Garuda |
| Texts | Vishnu Purana,Padma Purana,Garuda Purana |
Lakshmi Narayana (Sanskrit:लक्ष्मी-नारायण,IAST:Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa) orLakshmi Narayan is the dual representation of theHindu deitiesVishnu, also known asNarayana, and his consort,Lakshmi, traditionally featured in their abode,Vaikuntha. The goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi, is depicted as standing next to Vishnu, who holds thePanchajanya,Kaumodaki,Padma, and theSudarshana Chakra. Another depiction of Lakshmi Narayana portrays Lakshmi in the service of Narayana, who reclines on the cosmic serpentShesha, floating in theKshira Sagara, the Ocean of Milk.[2]
The most significant Lakshmi Narayana myth that appears in variousPuranas is theSamudra Manthana, where Vishnu assumes hisKurma avatar to assist thedevas and theasuras in the churning the Ocean of Milk. Lakshmi emerges as one of the many treasures that are the product of the churning. The devas request Vishnu to marry her, and hence her auspiciousness is wed to his divinity, restoring the cosmic order.[3]
TheVishnu Purana describes this legend thus:[4]
The goddess Sri of vibrant beauty rose from this milk, standing in a blossoming lotus with a lotus in her hand ... Wearing celestial garlands and garments, bathed and adorned with ornaments, with all the gods looking on, she went to Hari's chest. While resting on Hari's chest, Lakshmi made the gods know immediate supreme bliss, O Maitreya, just by looking at them.
— Vishnu Purana, Verses 1.9.100; 106; 107
In theLegend of Tirumala, the sageBhrigu is selected to choose the deity to whom ayajna shall be dedicated towards. After rejectingBrahma,Indra, andShiva, he arrives atVaikuntha, where he observes Lakshmi massaging the feet of Vishnu who is reclined onShesha. Bhrigu is angered by this and kicks the chest of Vishnu with his foot. A calm Vishnu is concerned for the sage, and receives him with honour. Pleased, Bhrigu decides that the yajna should be offered to Vishnu. But Lakshmi is greatly enraged, the chest being the region of Vishnu most associated with her, and because her consort had not risen to the insult. She descends upon the earth asPadmavati, the daughter of aChola king, and her consort assumes the form ofSrinivasa. Srinivasa finds Padmavati, marries her once more and is hailed as the primary deity ofTirumala.[5]
In literature, Lakshmi and Narayana are often offered epithets stemming from their relationship - Vishnu is hailed asLakshmipati,[6] the husband of Lakshmi, while Lakshmi is calledVishnupriya,[7] the favourite of Vishnu, as well asVaishnavi andNarayani, the greatest female devotee, andShakti of Vishnu.[8]
In thePrapanna Parijata, Lakshmi declares that the duality of her consort and herself representsBrahman:[9]
God, Narayana, is the essence of existence; and I, the Supreme Lakshmi, am the attribute (be-ness) of it. Hence what is known as Lakshmìnârâyana is the Brahman which is the eternal One.
— Prapanna Parijata
The dual representation of the deities Lakshmi Narayana has many historic roots, and is sometimes interpreted differently by different traditions. The goddessLakshmi incarnates on earth with her beloved consort, followingNarayana's wishes, and mode of incarnation. When Vishnu descended upon the world asParashurama, the goddess incarnated herself as Dharani; when he was born asRama, Lakshmi appeared asSita; and when he wasKrishna, she appeared asRadha andRukmini.[10][11] In Vishnu's next incarnation asKalki that will spell the end of the presentKali Yuga, he will wed Padmavati, who will also be an incarnation of Lakshmi.[12] This dual manifestation of the supreme deities of Vaishnavism is explored in theRamayana,Mahabharata,Vishnu Purana,Bhagavata Purana,Brahma Vaivarta Purana,Skanda Purana, and in other scriptures. ThePurushottama Mahatmya ofSkanda Purana (13th century CE) and ofVishnurahasya (16th century CE) referred to the female wooden image betweenJagannath andBalabhadra,Subhadra, asLakshmi.[13]
InSri Vaishnavism, the deity Narayana is worshipped as the supreme deity, and his consort Lakshmi as the supreme goddess. Lakshmi is regarded to be the source of salvation, Narayana, and is hence revered by adherents in order to reach God. The origin of the tradition's name is sometimes associated with the goddess herself, who is also called Sri.[15] In various sub-divisions of this tradition, devotees worship specific forms of Vishnu or Lakshmi or together, such as Narayana or Lakshmi, Lakshmi Narayana, Rama or Sita, Sita Rama, and others.[16] TheUrdhva Pundra, the sacred mark they wear on their bodies, is conceived to be a combination of the white feet of Vishnu, and the red streak in between represents Lakshmi.[17]
In the Vaishnava tradition of theSwaminarayan Sampradaya, a flute-bearingKrishna is worshipped with his consortRadha, and together the deity is referred asRadha Krishna, while Krishna in his four-hands form is identified withNarayana in the textShikshapatri, and is worshipped with his consort,Lakshmi. The deity is referred as Lakshmi Narayana.[18] The founder of the sect,Swaminarayan, installed themurtis of Radha Krishna and Lakshmi Narayana at theShri Swaminarayan Mandir, Vadtal andSwaminarayan Mandir, Gadhada inGujarat.[citation needed]
Lakshmi Narayana worship is popular amongVaishnavas, who pray to the divine couple at their homes and in temples. There are manysampradayas (sects), that regard Lakshmi Narayana as the ultimate divinity, and grand and exquisite temples have been erected for their veneration. It is believed that worshipping Lakshmi Narayana can get for the devotees the complete blessings of the divine couple and shall bestow welfare, success, prosperity and a fulfilled life for the devotees and their families.[19]
In Tamil tradition, Narayana is often represented with three aspects of Lakshmi:Sridevi,Bhudevi, andNiladevi.[20]
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