Goddess Lakshmi is one of the most worshipped Deities in Hindu Religion. Lakshmi is the consort of Maha Vishnu and because of this marriage she is also referred to as Maha Lakshmi and the Empress of Satyug. She also married Sri Rama in her incarnation as Sita and Krishna as Rukmini and Radha. Mahalakshmi is also depicted as Devi in her universal form as Shakti where she kills the Demon Mahishasura. The Goddess is described as eighteen armed bearing string of beads, battle axe, maze, arrow, thunderbolt, lotus, water-pot, cudgel, lance, bow, sword, shield, bell, conch, wine cup, noose, trident and sudarsana. In this form the Goddess is referred to as Ashta Dasa Bhuja Mahalakshmi. She is the embodiment of God's superior spiritual feminine energy which purifies, empowers and uplifts the individual. She is also the personification of the Spiritual energy within us and universe called Kundalini.

Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth/ good fortune, beauty and auspiciousness. She is typically portrayed as sitting or standing on a 100 petal lotus in the ocean of milk which is symbolic of purity, peace and prosperity. Her four arms signify Purity, Prosperity, Perfection and Freedom from bondage and the gold coins continuously flowing out of her left hand represents endless material prosperity. The four elephants seen in her pictures denote four directions and faithfulness. Her right hand denotes blessing and assurance of safety to her devotees. Goddess Lakshmi is also called by the name ‘Maha Lakshmi' symbolic of her Lakshmi-Narayana form. Goddess Lakshmi because of her association with the flower Lotus is also known by names Padma and Kamala which means ‘one who resides in a lotus'. She is also known as Padmapriya (One who likes lotus), Padmamukhi (One whose face is like Lotus), Padmakshi (One whose eyes is as beautiful as a lotus), Padmasundari (One who is as beautiful as a Lotus) and Padmahasta (One who holds a Lotus). The secondary manifestations of this Goddess of wealth are worshipped as Ashta Lakshmi or Shri-Lakshmi (Sri Lakshmi) representing eight Lakshmis presiding eight sources of wealth. These eight forms are Adi Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi , Gaja Lakshmi , Santana Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi and Dhana Lakshmi.

Goddess Lakshmi is mostly worshipped during the occasion of Diwali, the festival of Lights. It is said that this goddess would bless those who purify their souls with the oil of knowledge (Gita) so that it can be rekindled just as the flame of diyas which is why diyas are lighted and our houses are cleaned to welcome the Goddess on this occasion. It is believed that Lakshmi only resides in those homes which are clean and where the people are hardworking. She is not only worshipped individually but also in combination with Narayana in various forms (manifestations) like LakshmiNarayana, LakshmiNarasimha, SitaRam, RadhaKrishna, and VithhalRukmini.

Some of the Mantras of the Goddess of Wealth is

"Sarvagyay Sarvavarday Sarvadushtbhaydkree

Sarvadukhaharay Devi Mahalakshmi Namostutay"

"Siddhi Buddhipraday Devi Bhuktimuktipradayeenee

Mantramurtay Sada Devi Mahalakshmi Namostutay"

"Aadhantarhitay Devi Aadhshakti Maheshwari

Yogajay Yogasambhutay Mahalakshmi Namostutay"

"Sthulsukshmay Maharodray Mahashakti Mahodray

Mahapaapharay Devi Mahalakshmi Namostutay"

"Padnaasanstithay Devi Parbrahmaswaroopeenee

Parmashree Jaganmatra Mahalakshmi Namostutay"

Roughly, the meaning of all the above Mantra's can be summarized as follows:-

"I bow to Maa Lakshmi who everything, who grant favors to all, who terrorizes the evil and who removes the misery of all. I bow to the divine goddess who is the provider of success and intelligence and the benefactor of both worldly pleasure and freedom. I bow to theUltimate Mother who is without beginning and without end. I surrender to the auspicious Mother who can remove even the greatest of sins.

I bow to the great Mother who resides in the hearts of devotees is the goddess of wealth, luxury, beauty, power, generosity and auspiciousness".