✦ Ashta Lakshmi ✦
✦ Eight forms of Mahalakshmi — goddesses of all-round prosperity ✦
✦ About Ashta Lakshmi ✦
Epithets: Ashta Lakshmi, Ashta-shakti, Ashta-murti Lakshmi
Ashta Lakshmi = the eight manifest forms of Mahalakshmi, granting the eight principal prosperities of life. These name-forms are described in the Vishnu Purana and other Puranas. Each form is the goddess of a specific kind of prosperity.
Each Lakshmi has her own mantra, bija, and symbolic vahana. They are worshipped together through the "Ashta Lakshmi Stotram". On Diwali, all eight forms are invoked during Mahalakshmi puja.
The Ashta Lakshmi temples in Chennai and Hyderabad in South India are famous. Daily worship brings all-round prosperity.
✦ Iconography ✦
Eight separate goddesses — each four-armed, lotus-seated, golden-complexioned. Each holds her distinctive emblem — Adi Lakshmi a lotus, Dhana Lakshmi a kalasha, Dhanya Lakshmi a grain-pot, Gaja Lakshmi flanked by elephants, Santana Lakshmi an infant, Veera Lakshmi weapons, Vijaya Lakshmi a victory-flag, Vidya Lakshmi a book.
✦ Family & Relations ✦
✦ Principal Mantras ✦
ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं अष्टलक्ष्म्यै नमः
Om Hreem Shreem Ashta-Lakshmyai Namah
Meaning: Salutations to the Ashta Lakshmi collectively.
सुमनसवन्दित सुन्दरि माधवि चन्द्र सहोदरि हेममये। मुनिगणवन्दित मोक्षप्रदायिनि मञ्जुलभाषिणि वेदनुते॥ — आदि लक्ष्मी
Sumanasa-vandita Sundari Madhavi · Chandra-sahodari Hema-maye · Muni-gana-vandita Moksha-pradayini · Manjulabhashini Veda-nute · — Adi Lakshmi
Meaning: First verse of the Ashta Lakshmi Stotram — invocation to Adi Lakshmi.
✦ Symbolism & Meaning ✦
All prosperity is not one — it is eightfold. Only wealth is not "shri" — knowledge, progeny, valor, victory, grain, root-essence, gaja (renown) — all are Lakshmi. The worshipper invokes the specific form they need; but worshipping all together is "complete prosperity".
✦ The Eight Forms ✦
Adi Lakshmi
Primordial form — the first and original Mahalakshmi. Goddess of eternal prosperity.
Dhana Lakshmi
Goddess of wealth, gold, gemstones, treasury. Protector of safe-vaults.
Dhanya Lakshmi
Goddess of grain, agriculture, food-prosperity. Remover of hunger.
Gaja Lakshmi
Goddess of royal prosperity and renown. Bathed by two elephants — fame on earth and heaven.
Santana Lakshmi
Goddess of progeny and family-growth. Childless couples worship her.
Veera Lakshmi
Goddess of valor and courage. Grants strength in times of crisis.
Vijaya Lakshmi
Goddess of victory and success. Grants triumph in every endeavor.
Vidya Lakshmi
Goddess of knowledge and learning. Success in study and education.