Hiranya Varnaam Harineem Suvarna Rajatasrajaam
Chandraam Hiranmayeem Lakshmeem Jaata Vedo mamaavaha!!
Sudda lakshmee Mokasha lakshmee Jaya lakshmee Saraswati
Sree lakshmee Vara lakshmeescha Praseeda mama sarvadaa!!
Rajya Vidyaa cha Soubhaagya Amritha Kaamya Paraadikaa
Yoga Bhoga Moksha Lakshmou Ashtau Prakeerthithaa!!
Have you ever thought of why we worship Goddess Lakshmi as ASHTA LAKSHMI. In Hindu Mythology every number denotes some entities like 3 for Trimurti, 5 for Pancha Bhoota, 7 for Saptarshi and 9 for Nava Durga etc. According to Numerology 8 is considered inauspicious as it denotes Ashta Daaridrya (The Eight Sufferings and is ruled by Jyeshtha, goddess of inauspicious things and misfortune. Then Why Lakshmi is associated with Ashta Laskshmi (The Eight auspicious Lakshmis), Ashta dala Padma (The Eight pettled Lotus) and Ashta Dikkari (The Eight directions as Eight Elephants)?!
Number Eight - is that dangerous?!
Once upon a time, All Rishis, Munis headed by Saptarshi, the seven sages and Brihaspati are calculating the energy that is derived from each vedic syllable (Manthra) of every God and Goddess. They noticed - though Number 8 was inauspicious, the manthra of Lord Vishnu being a ASHTAKSHARI (Eight Lettered - Namo Naaraayanaaya) was holding more energy than others. They raised their question on this to Naarada who always chants Naaraayana Manthra. Even he doesn't know the fact so He rushed to the Holy Abode of Lord Vishnu, Vaikunta and requested to reveal the mystery behind how he was able to get rid of Ashta Sankhya Pramaada (Problems of Number 8). Listening to his concern, Lord Vishnu smiled at her divine consort Goddess Sri MahaLakshmi and told to Narada, that Lakshmi only knows the fact. Naarada requested her and she revealed the secret as:
"O Naarada! I know Eight is ruled by Jyeshta devi and it denotes inauspicious Ashta Daridra. Being the Lakshmi myself, its my duty to save my husband from that effect as his manthra is Ashtaakshari. So, I have taken Eight different forms to please the lord and would appear before him always where ever he go or what ever direction he stare, in turn I will be there as a Shakunam (Omen) in all 8 directions to Lord for all his activities. You might be aware that the things used for good omen are all my resting places and people worship them, here Swayam Sree Maha Lakshmi, my self is acting as Omen to lord then how come he will suffer from Ashta Sankhya ?!"
Naarada felt happy and wants to disclose this secret to everybody so that people can worship Ma Lakshmi's Eight forms to get rid of Ashta daridra. Lakshmi Naaraayana blessed him with required knowledge to compose Ashta Lakshmi Vaibhavam (the stories of Ashta lakshmis). Naarada asked Lord of Obstacles, Lord Ganesha to pen down the story while he preaching. And it was passed to Kubera, the guardian of wealth then to Maharshi Veda Vyasa who incorporated this into Brahmaanda Puraana.
Ashta Lakshmi - Who are they?
Sree Maha Lakshmi is said to Naarada that her Eight forms of Ashta lakshmi are Aadi Lakshmi, Dhaanya Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Santhaana Lakshmi and Dhana Lakshmi. Every form of Lakshmi is holds an AavirbhaavaVritthaantha (Story behind the Origin) which is stated in Lakshmi Thanthra of Brahmaanda Puraana by Maharshi Veda Vyasa.
ASHTA LAKSHMI VRITTHANTHA - Stories of Eight Lakshmis
Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in eight forms known as Ashta Lakshmi. They are; Aadi Lakshmi (prime wealth); Dhaanya Lakshmi (wealth of grains); Dhairya Lakshmi (wealth of courage); Gaja Lakshmi (wealth of elephants); Vijaya Lakshmi (wealth of success); Vidya Lakshmi (wealth of knowledge); Santhaana Lakshmi (wealth of children) and Dhana Lakshmi (monetary wealth).
1.
AADI LAKSHMI - The Prime Wealth and she often called as VARA LAKSHMI as she always gives boons to her devotees. In South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Vara Maha Lakshmi Vratam is so popular in the name of her and is performed on second Friday in the month of Sravana Maasa falls in July-August. For the well being of Family, friends and relatives - all married women performs this with utmost faith and worship.
Legend says that Goddess Parvati is the First one who performed this Vrata and made Goddess Lakshmi to reveal her VARA LAKSHMI form. Aadi Lakshmi is also the Prime Lakshmi or First Lakshmi who always follows her divine consort where ever he go or when ever he takes Avataara (Ex., Seeta to Lord Raama in Thretha Yuga and Rukmini to Lord Krishna in Dwapara Yuga). She never makes her presence apart from her husband Lord Naarayana even at the time of Pralaya, the greate deluge.
The story goes in this way, Narada tells the beauty and happenings of Indra's Swarga and Vishnu's Vaikunta to Goddess Parvati who lives with her consort Lord Shiva in Kailasa, a mountain from Himalayan range which is ruled by her own father Himavantha. She feels bad as they don't hav their own home even they are the Prakruti-Purusha (Mother and Father) of this Universe. She raises her request to have a dream home to Shiva and asks him to pass the puja/vrata to make her dream come true. Shiva explains VARA LAKSHMI VRATA procedure with VRATA KATHA and UDYAPAN. Parvati performs the same with great devotion and the deity of Vrata, Goddess Lakshmi appears before her as AADI VARA LAKSHMI and blessed her. Parvati calls Vishwakarma, the divine architect to build a beautiful palace than Indra's Swarga and Vishnu's Vaikunta and he does with splendid art work, thus A SWARNA LANKA (Diamond studded Golden Island) is raised in the waters of Dakshina Samudra. Overwhelmed Parvati asks Shiva to make an arrangement of Purohita, the Brahmin Priest for Griha Pravesha.
But Shiva who is Niraakaara(form less), Nirguna Niranjana (who is spreaded into every atom that is moved by Shakti, Parvati) knows the truth that they only resides where BHAKTI takes place. So, to realize Parvati the same, he says that he will arrange for PURO HITA (the one who wants/asks for place to stay) but not Purohita(the brahmin priest). Parvati who is in joy of her dream home, ignored Shiva's bi-meaning. Shiva calls his devotee Raavana who is Brahmin by birth as he was born to Rishi Pulastya and Demon Kaikasi and asks him to be a priest for their Grisha Pravesha. Raavana conducts the ceremony with all proper precedures and the divine couple Shiva and Parvati made their Griha pravesha in a grand manner. Whereas Raavana while doing so, feels jealous about the golden palace and thinks in his mind that - it should be with the one who is ruling the worlds but not with the hermit, Shiva. Being seated on thorne along with her consort Shiva, Parvati asks Raavan to express his wish as Dakshina (a fee given to priest) what ever there in his mind so that she will surely give him the same. For which Raavana who is already craving for the Swarna Lanka asks the same as Dakshina. Parvati shocks by his wish and there is no option to say No as she, being the Goddess of Shakti, Mother of Universe have to be on her words. So, she left Lanka in grief and retuned back to Kailasa. Shiva makes Raavana as Lankaadheeswara (The Lord of Golden Lanka) and returns too to Kailasa along with all his Ganas.
Beloved Sons of Parvati feels uncomfortable by seeing their mother in grief. They wants to make her wish come true. Long time ago, Parvati once spends her evening time on the banks of River Ganga in the city of Kashi, varanasi and she liked that place a lot due to its pleasant beauty. Ganesha recalls
that memory and tells to his younger brother Kaartikeya. They both planned to purchase the city to gift their mom. Both reaches to the King of Kashi, Divodasa, who is the devotee of Vishnu and hates Shiva for their wish to purchase the city. Divodasa disagrees and insults Shiva alot which makes Sons of Shiva and Parvati furious. Kaartikeya decides to fight against Divodasa in War to obtain city, Even Ganesha agrees with it as Divodasa did Shiva Ninda (Insulting Shiva, The one among Trinity is punishable). Both fought against the army of Divodasa and kills every living being including Divodasa with so much rage. Even they destructs everything into smash. With blood dripping body, they both moved to Kailasa to bring their parents to the city they have won. Both Parvati and Shiva shocks for the incident and when they reach Kashi, they found only flesh and blood every where, scttered dead bodies, skulls and Vulchers. Parvati felt sad and pity on her sons as they made a bigger sin (Maha Paap by killing all living beings) for their selfishness, she wants to cleans it being a mother of universe but not mother of them. Since Anna Daana is treated as greatest among all activities as described in Vedas, Parvati decided to do the same. She cooked and served for crores of living beings at that place for more than a Yuga. Hence she is being called as Annapoorna (the giver of food whose vessel is eternal) and Shiva himself appeared before her as a pauper to take alms from her hand. Hence shiva is being called as Aadi Bhikshu (the first pauper) and then he settled down there as Vishwanatha Vishweswara (Lord of Universe) with all his glory. Parvati widened her eyes in surprise while watching Shiva settles down, and with this incident she is being called as Vishaalaakshi (Goddess with widened eyes).
As their sons gifted the city to them in Smashaan(Crematorium) like situation, Shiva called this city as Aadi Smashaan and declared this as one of the Avimukta Kshetra (The deities never left the place even at the time of Pralaya) and Moksha pura(Place to get liberation). He also told that he will
always protest the city by placing it on top his trishula at the times of pralaya and he will whisper Panchakshri Manthra into the ears of living beings that dies in Kashi. In this way Parvati's dream become true and Shiva's Family are blessing everybody from Kashi even today.
2.
DHAANYA LAKSHMI - Wealth of Grains. It is believed that every thing that is eatable and is coming from Earth's greenery is called as Dhaanya Lakshmi. Giving respect to food is the main motto behind the story of her.
Dasaratha, the king of Ayodhya helped Indra, the Lord of Devas in Swarga(Heaven) in a battle fought against Sambaraasura. Indra invited Dasaratha to Swarga along with his wife Kaikeyi who accompanied him in the battle. Both Dasaratha and Kaikeyi makes their arrangments for the visit. Vasishta, the guru of Dasaratha asks them to postpone their trip as it was the harvest time and Lakshmi in the form of grains is about to reach the palace and king has to pay his due respects and celebrate. Both Dasarath and Kaikeyi ignores his words and left the kingdom to reach Swarga. There they almost spent an year with full of joy and they never tries to inquire about the country's situation even for one time. Mother Earth gets angry as the King of Ayodhya ignored harvest and not even respected. Which resulted into famine and no monsoon. All living beings were dying due scarcity of water and food.
When Dasaratha returns to his kingdom, he shocked and feels ashamed for his mistake and begs for the resolution to Guru. Vasishta says that only Rishi Rishyashringa can save the country as he has a boon from Varuna that where ever he stays, that place will be with plenty of water, food and prosperity. But the problem is Rishyashringa was raised by Vibhandaka Rishi in a forest, isolated from society. He never saw any girls or women, and was not told of their existence. Even he never moves out his father's ashram. So, brought him to the country is the problem. Listening to this Shanta, the daughter of Dasharatha given by Romapada in adoption decides to take up this task. Shanta was educated in Vedas, Art, Craft as well as in Warfare, and was considered to have been very beautiful. Shanta fulfills the task by seducing him with all her beauty and love which resulted into their love marriage. Then Rishyashringa moves to Ayodhya along with his wife Shanta. Ayodhya once again turns into the kingdom of peace and prosperity due to the proper rain fall and harvest as Rishyashringa was staying in that place. This time Dasaratha paid his due respects with utmost faith and even worshipped Harvest yielding and celebrated with great splendor. Thus Goddess Lakshmi, pleaded with his offerings blessed the country with prosperity.
From that day Sankranthi, the biggest harvest festival is being celebrated to pay respects to cattle and crop. when the king Dasharatha performed a yagna, Putra Kaameshti to beget progeny, and Rama, Bharata, and the twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna were born - Rishyashringa was the chief priest who guided him the procedure.
3.
DHAIRYA LAKSHMI - Wealth of Courage. Having potency to fight against all mental discrepancies, fear, grief etc. is considered as a blessing from the Goddess Shakti often called as Veera Lakshmi. Even she has shown the same when she encountered such a situation and won over it.
Prahlada, a 9 year old was a son of Hiranyakashipa, a Rakshasa who hates Lord Vishnu as he killed his brother Hiranyaaksha in the form of a boar, Varaaha. Prahlada was a devotee of Vishnu from birth. He always prays him and chats his name which made Hiranyakashipa furious as Lord Vishnu is
Asuraantaka (The one who always ready to kill Asuras, Rakshsaas). So, He tells many times to stop praying him to Prahlada but he never do that. He gets angry and even tries to kill Prahlada by torturing him in many ways but fails as Lord saves Prahlada every time. Hiranyakashipa conquers all the three worlds and declares him self as Lord. He even starts beating all gods and torturing them. No god was able fight against him as he has the boon from Lord Brahma that No humans, divine beings, demons, other living beings can kill him even No weapon should harm him and his death should not be on a day time or night, in and out of his palace and neither in other worlds nor on earth.
One day he gets too much angry because of Prahlada's devotion towards Lord Vishnu and asks him to show Lord Vishnu so that he can kill him. Prahlada tells to his father that God is almighty and is omnipotent. Hiranyakashipa poins a pillar in the palace and asks his son to confirm whether lord is
present in that for which Prahlada says Yes. Hiranyakashipa hits that pillar with mace in anger and the pillar breaks into two making great sound like bomb blast. From which emerges Lord Narasimha (Lord Vishnu in Human Lion Form). He was so furious with red eyes and his looks are so dangerous. It was Sandhya Samayam(Evening Time - neither day or night), Lord fights with him only with his bear hands and puts him down. He sat down on Maha Dwaram (door step) of Palace (neither inside nor out side) and placed Hiranyakashipa on his lap (neither in sky nor on earth). Only with nails (which having life yet those not weapons) Lord Narasimha torn apart Hiranyakashipa's stomach and killed him by drinking his blood oozing from his stomach and throwing his intestines out. The entire episode was scary and nobody was able to reach him to pacify him. Prahlada pleaded him to calm down. He blessed Prahlada and leaves into the deep forest as he was still unable to control his anger and rage.
All Gods and Goddesses approaches Goddess Lakshmi, the divine consort of Lord Vishnu for the resolution. Maha Lakshmi born as Chenchu Lakshmi, the daughter of the Chenchu tribal head and reaches the Lord in rage. Narasimha gets attracted to Lakshmi and she puts many conditions to pacify him and calming down his anger. She succeeds in her task and they get married. Thus the Lord has shown his peaceful avatar by accompanying Goddess Lakshmi as Sri Lakshmi Nrusimha and blessed the world.
4.
GAJA LAKSHMI - Wealth of Elephants, is often called as Raajya Lakshmi as she blesses fortune, self-knowledge and spiritual liberation. Her story tells how she was born from the churning of the primordial ocean.
Once Maharshi Doorvasa who is the form of Rudra's Rage was passing though Nandana Vana, a garden in Indra's Swarga. He saw Urvashi rushing towards the main gate in a hurry with Paarijat Maala. He stops and asks about her hurry. She told that Indra is coming by this way and she wants gift him a garland. As Doorvasa also going that way, he takes the garland from her and tells her he will surely gift the same to Indra. When maharshi reached the main gate, Indra has arrived on an elephant and greeted him. Maharshi gifts the garland and blesses him then he left the place.
Indra tells to his assistant in a pride voice that for a king, its a shame to use a garland gifted by a hermit. And orders him to place the garland on elephant's head. Irritated by the fragrance of flowers, elephant picked it up and smashes to the ground in a second. Maharshi who left the place actually witnessed the whole incident and gets furious as this happened just he was turned back. He curses Indra, that all his properties, wealth and powers will vanish into the waters of sea. Thus Indra and other divine beings become poor and they took refuge at the feet of Lord Brahma. When Brahma explains the situation to Lord Vishnu, he scolds Indra for behaving like a stupid and insulting a Maharshi Doorvasa who is none other than the wrath of Rudra. He advises to churn the ocean of
milk, Ksheera Saagara so that everything can be retained along with Amrita, the elixir.
As all Gods are weak because of the curse, they approached Lord of Rakshasaas, Bali for help. They decided to distribute everything that will emerge from ocean among them. The devas and asuras both sought immortality and decided to churn the Kshirasagar with Mount Mandhara. The samudra manthan commenced with the devas on one side and the asuras on the other. Vishnu incarnated as Kurma, the tortoise and a mountain was placed on the tortoise as a churning pole. Vasuki, the great venom-spewing serpent-god, was wrapped around the mountain and used to churn the ocean. A host of divine celestial objects such as Vaaruni (intoxicant), Iraavatha (White Elephant with 4 tusks), Ucchaishrava (Winged White Horse), Kamadhenu (cow of plenty), Kalpa Tharu (Wish fulfilling Tree), Apsaraas (Celestial Dancers), Chandra (The Moon God) came up during the churning. Along with them emerged the Goddess Lakshmi bearing lotuses in her two hands and is surrounded by eight elephants of eight directions bathing her with golden pots filled with pure water. When she appeared, she had a choice to go to Devas or Asuras. She chose Devas'side and among thirty deities, she chose to be with Vishnu. Thereafter, in all three worlds, the lotus-bearing goddess was celebrated and she blessed Indra and other Gods with wealth, properties, Swarga. Then appeared Dhanvantari holding the pot Amrita(nectar of immortality) and Vishnu in the form of Mohini(the enchantress) distributed the same only to Devas. Goddess Lakshmi is said to be daughter of the sea since she emerged from the sea, Ksheera Saagara.
5.
VIJAYA LAKSHMI - Wealth of Success. The ultimate force, energy that fought against the evil to save the universe is called Vijaya. Her story reveals how she become Aparaajita (unconquered).
The demon Mahishasura got the boons from Lord Brahma by performing a great tapasya that his death should only in the hands of lady, apart from that no one could kill him. He thought that he can easily control a lady himself being a raakshasa. He started torturing all the worlds and Gods rushed to
Brahma for help. Brahma along with Vishnu and Shiva prayed to Goddess Aadi Shakti (the ultimate energy that drives this universe who is the embodiment of Trishktis Lakshmi, Parvati and Saraswati). Goddess was born out of the fire sacrifice performed by all the devas. She has eighteen hands and she
radiant like thousand suns and has three eyes in which moon, sun and fire are present. All the gods submitted their powers and weapons to her. She rushed towards the city of Mahishasura by sitting on a Lion and holding all the powers given by devas. She fought against him and killed him with her
trident. Thus she is being called as Vijaya (the succeeded one). She blessed all the devas and promised to them that she will appear whenever they are in trouble.
When Durgamaasura, Chanda Munda, Shumbha Nishumbha, Raktabeeja, Dhoomralochana, Bhandaasura, Mookaasura, Kolhaasura etc, the other evil beings rose up, She appeared and established Dharma by slaying them down. Since nobody can reach her or win over her, She is being called as Aparaajita (unconquered). The Eighteen handed goddess who born out of the fire sacrifice is called as Ashta dasa Bhuja Maha Lakshmi as she was beautiful like Lakshmi, furious like Kaali and shown mercy on devas like Saraswati. Mahaa Lakshmi in the form of Jaya Lakshmi only blesses success in the material activities whereas in the form of Vijaya Lakshmi, she blesses all the success over evil thoughts and makes the path to reach liberation, Moksha.
6.
VIDYA LAKSHMI - Wealth of Knowledge. She is the embodiment of all vedas, shastras and divine knowledge. Hence she is treated as Ultimate Truth. Her story tells us how the transformation to civilization occurs. She even called as Aishwarya Lakshmi as she blesses ultimate truth.
Lord Dattaterya, the three headed god(union of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) was born to Maharshi Athri and his wife Anasuya. As he was the union of trinity, he knows everything by birth. He become hermit and used to preach the path towards civilization to everybody when people were actually
believing magic and all. The four vedas used to roam beside him in the forms of four dogs even the Goddess of Dharma used to stay beside him in the form of a Cow. Some country scholars came to know about him started insulting him as their work of magic was not running properly because of his
preaching.
They want to test Dattaterya by asking tricky logical questions from Vedas and Mythology. Goddess Lakshmi in the form of a milk maid used to serve the lord daily with her milk and curd. She is so pure and surrendered herself in Bhakti towards him. She used to cross the river by walking on river waters
by chanting his name and this was noticed by those scholars. They approached him and placed their bet - that one has to leave this world by accepting the greatness others. Lord appoints Milk maid to be the contestant from his side. What ever the question they used ask, Milk maid replied with word to
word meaning in all expressible ways. She even explained the truths beyond this worldly knowledge and defeated all of them. Then all the scholars fell down at the divine feet of Lord and begged for mercy. As she explained the true knowledge, Lord Dattaterya named her as Anagha (Sin less and is Pure form of truth). Lord Dattaterya asked her to reveal her original form and Goddess Lakshmi appeared before him. Since she granted the knowledge to the world, she is being called as Vidya Lakshmi. Lord Dattaterya married Goddess Anagha and blessed the world by showing the path towards ultimate truth, Para Brahmam.
7.
SANTHAANA LAKSHMI - Wealth of Children. In the cycle of Life, one has to born and has to die. Each and every living being has to be survived on this material world. Offspring for every species have to born so that the cycle of life moves forward. The Goddess who blesses to get progeny is also a form of Lakshmi.
Goddess Lakshmi was so kind that whenever her devotees asks to be born as their daughter, she does. She was born to Ksheera saagara(the ocean of milk) as Maha Lakshmi; She was born to Rishi Bhrigu as Bhargavi; She was born to Janaka, the king of Mithila as Seeta; She was born to Bhishmaka, the king of Vidarbha as Rukmini; She was born to Brahmarishi Kusadhvaja, who is the son of Brihaspati as Vedavati and She born as Padmaavati to Aakaasa raaja, The King of Cholas. Whenever she used to born on earth, Lord Vishnu, her divine consort used to take an avatar or directly used to approach her to take her hand in marriage. By seeing all this, Mother Earth - Bhoo Devi, the divine second consort of Lord Vishnu and bearer of the material world expressed her wish to get married once again like Goddess Lakshmi. Lord Vishnu promised that he will surely make her wish come true yet asked her to wait for a while.
When ever Lord of Vaikunta get married to Goddess Lakshmi, The divine vehicle of Vishnu - Garuda feels sorry as all the marriages happened in any of his avatars in which his presence is missing. He asked for a boon to Goddess Lakshmi that he wants to marry them with his own hands. Goddess Lakshmi granted it to Garuda, the loyal vaahana of Vishnu.
Years later, Garuda was born as a Brahmin named Vishnu Chitta (The one who has Vishnu always in his mind) in the city named Sri Villiputthur, Tamil Nadu. He was so devoted to Lord and used to worship his by making different garlands with his own hands. He doesn't know vedas, shastras as he never gone to school. He only knows to offer his prayers and serve the almighty Naaraayana. He was not married and used to spend all his time in temple only.
One day the King of Madhurai, called for the scholars who can explain the true meaning of Bhakti and the winner can get the bag of gold coins. Many people attended the debate yet failed. Lord Vishnu appeared in the dream of Vishnu chitta and ordered him to go for the debate. Being a lay man in terms of vedic knowledge, Vishnu chitta begged him that he cannot. Lord then told that he will make sure everything. Next day, Vishnu chitta moves to Madhurai and explains about Bhakti which is only one thing he knows and the bag it self falls down at the feet him. By seeing this, The King of Madhurai showed his gratitude and offered him the bag of gold coins. He also make an arrangement of Royal Elephant to travel from Madhurai to Sri Villiputthur with all pomp. When Vishnu chitta was moving out of Madhurai by Gajaarohana (atop of Royal elephant like a king), Lord Vishnu has come to witness his devotee's fame and reputation. Vishnu chitta spots his Lord and he doesnot have any flowers in hand to worship him except the bag filled with gold coins. With in a moment, He started singing and praising the Lord from hair to toe (aapaada mastaka varnana) by throwing the gold coins over him. He has sung Mangalaa Shaasana (songs that are being sung while giving a harathi) for the first time that includes the glory of his grace and beauty of each every body part.
After that incident, again he was into his daily activities of ploughing the land for new plants, shrubs and then planting them, picking the flowers, making garlands and offering daily to Lord. One fine day when he was ploughing the land for irrigation, he found a metal box near Tulasi Plant like the
way Janaka found in Thretha Yuga. Surprised Vishnu chitta digs the place and opened it, A baby girl in her glory was there in that metal box. Overwhelmed with joy, Vishnu chitta picks her up and considered her as a blessing of Lord Vishnu and wants to rise her up as his own daughter. Though he
was unmarried and is in his fifties, he managed to rose her up like a beautiful maiden. He named her as Goda (Kodai in Tamil which means A beautiful flower garland, He only knows garlands and flowers). She is none other than Bhoo Devi, who wished to marry Lord Vishnu on earth like Goddess Lakshmi. Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi decided to fulfill both wishes of Bhoo Devi and Garuda and this happened.
Being a daughter of a devotee of Lord Vishnu, Goda also become a devotee. She always treats Lord Vishnu as a friend, well wisher and used be in trance as if she was playing with him. Like his father, even she used to make garlands and then offered to Lord. One day she thought whether the garland is
proper or not? but how to check?! so, she wore that in front a mirror and it is good on her. Then she offered the same to Lord. From that day, she used to wore all the garlands before sending for Lord's offering. Vishnu chitta doesn't know all these things, one fine day he notices a long hair strand in
one of the garland that is offered to Lord. He feels sorry as this is considered as Sin (offering used ones or impure things to Lord). He rushed to his home to make a new one where he founds Goda wearing and placing another set of garlands. He gets angry on her yet explains her that doing so is a sin because she is her beloved daughter and he never scolds her. That night Lord again appeared in his dream and said, the garlands worn by his daughter Goda are only likable to him and from next day he wants only those kind of garlands which were worn by Goda for a while. Vishnu chitta feels so happy as his daughter was such a pure soul that Lord himself accepts her mistake and made it as a ritual. From that day Goda used to wore the garlands before sending for Lord's offering and is being called as Aamukta Maalyada (The sweet lady who offered garlands to Lord by wearing them).
Slowly Goda's devotion towards Lord Vishnu turned into a pure Love. She asked his father whether any humans married to Lord. Vishnu chitta explained the story of Gopikaas in Dwapara Yuga, how they performed Kaathyaayani Vratha to get Lord Krishna as their husband. Goda decided to do the same. In the month of Maargasheersha (fall in December), she worshipped Lord Krishna as if she was a gopika in Gokula. He used to praise him with a song each day by her own words and knowledge. On the day of Bhogi, the day prior to Makara Sankramana (Sankranthi, the biggest harvest festival) Lord appeared before her and promised to marry her like a king marries a queen at Sri Rangapatna (Sri Rangam, another city where Lord Vishnu in the form of Ranganatha resides).
Vishnu chitta also witnessed the incident and makes for the arrangement to marry his daughter Goda to Lord. The same day Lord Vishnu appeared in the dreams of temple priests of Sri Rangam to make arrangements for his marriage with Goda from Sri Villiputthur. Vishnu chitta took his daughter Goda
dressed as a bride to Sri Rangam with all his relatives, friends and well wishers. Everybody thought he and his daughter goda were become mad, since their question is how come lord will marry a human being in this kali yuga. They just stay calm to witness the fact. At Sri Rangam, all the necessary arrangements were down.
When Goda arrived into the temple premises, Lord appeared like a Groom and with proper procedure of a marriage he married her. Vishnu chitta performed Kanyaadaana (offering daughter who is like lakshmi to groom treating him as vishnu) when eveybody is watching in surprise. Once the wedding ceremony was completed both Goda and Lord disappeared into the sanctum of Sri Rangam Temple. Shocked by this incident, Vishnu chitta started crying for his daughter and scolding himself marrying a beautiful girl to the heartless stone, Lord Vishnu. Thus Goddess Lakshmi appeared before him to calm down his grief and making him to realize he was none other than Garuda who wished to perform marriage to Lord, and Goddess Bhoo Devi was born as daughter of him for making wish come true. She also blessed him to popularize the songs of Goda, Thiruppavai for some years then he will reach Vaikunta as Garuda. Goddess Lakshmi blessed Vishnu chitta with a child (santhaanam) even though he is unmarried to make him father-in-law to the lord of universe, Vishnu. Hence people worship Maha lakshmi in the form of Santhana Lakshmi for progeny.
8.
DHANA LAKSHMI - Monetary Wealth. Every thing in this material world is linked with money. Yet money is not everything but it makes a big difference on earth specially in Kali yuga. People thinks that a Rich man can get everything what ever he desires. What if one does not have single penny. Lord Venkateswara's story explains it.
Kubera, The king of Yakshas is the guardian of North Direction is a great devotee of Maha Lakshmi. He did a penance to please her. Maha lakshmi appeared before him to grant a boon. Kubera asked her to stay forever in his palace. Maha lakshmi made him as the Lord of Wealth and Ashta Siddhis and Nava Nidhis also br in his custody. As promised, She used to stay at his place in the form of Dhana Lakshmi. One fine day even Kubera asked Maha lakshmi that with all his money, he wants to marry her with Lord Vishnu. Goddess told him that his wish will be fulfilled when time comes.
Once Maharshi Kushadhwaja worshipped Goddess lakshmi to get her as his daughter. His wish was fulfilled and goddess was born as Vedavati. He kept that name as she chanted vedic syllables when she was born. Young Vedavati is performing tapasya for Lord Vishnu in Himalayas. Raavana was returning to his hone from Kailasa after getting boons from Lord Shiva. Raavana notices Vedavati and wanted to marry her. He reaches towards her disturbs her penance. Vedavati tells him that she has already decided to marry Lord Vishnu. Being a Raakshasa, Raavana gets angry while listening to the name of Vishnu and tries to abduct her. Shocked with his act, Vedavati curses him that she will be the reason for his death and jumps into the fire. Maha lakshmi's Vedavati amsha (a part) stays in the house of Fire God Agni.
Later Maha lakshmi was born as Seeta and she was married to Lord Rama. When Raavana plays a trick to kidnap Seeta, Agni exchanges Maha lakshmi Seeta with Vedavati and Raavana kidnaps Vedavati in the form of Seeta. Once Rama killed Raavana, Vedavati Seeta jumps into fire to prove her chastity. At that time again Agni exchanges Vedavati Seeta with Maha lakshmi Seeta. Later, Seeta explains what was happend and asks Rama to marry Vedavati. Lord Ram disagrees as He is following Eka Patnee Vratha, he cannot marry her in this yuga. Yet he promised that he will marry her in coming yugas.
When Kali yuga was about to start, Saptharshi decided to do a Yagna. For which they need Yagna Bhoktha (Receiver of yields from Yagna). As this can only be given to a single person, they send Maharshi Bhrigu to find out who is supreme among Trinity.
Bhrigu first reaches Satya loka where he finds Brahma enjoying the music of Saraswati and chants of Gayatri. Though Bhrigu is Brahmarshi but not superior to him, Brahma did not greeted Bhrigu. Thus makes Bhrigu furious and he curses Brahma that he wont be worshipped on earth and there wont be any temples for him. Then He rushes to Kailasa, where Shiva was performing Aananda Taandava along with Parvati. Even Shiva did not greeted Bhrigu and ignores him though he was in front of him. Again Bhrigu gets furious and curses Shiva, that he will bd form less and only Linga pooja will be done to him. From there he goes to Vaikunta, the abode of Vishnu. Lord Vishnu resting on Aadi Sesha enjoying the company of Goddess Lakshmi and Bhrigu enters into that place. He gets furious as here also he was ignored and with his anger he rushes towards lord and kicks on his chest with his left leg. Lord Vishnu gets up from his bed and asks for mercy of Bhrigu by pressing his feet and then while doing so, Lord smashes the eye of Ignorance and Pride of him below his foot. In a moment Bhrigu realizes the fact that he was not superior to Trinity and begs for Lord's grace. Shocked by this incident, Maha Lakshmi feels bad as Bhrigu kicked on Lord's chest which was her residing place and this happened in her abode, Vaikunta. Maha Lakshmi leaves Vaikunta in anger and stays at Kolhapur.
The moment Maha Lakshmi left Vaikunta, Lord Vishnu becomes sad and was unable to stay there. So, he too left Vaikunta and reaches to the place of Varaka Kshetra (Venkataachala, Present Tirumala Tirupati) to start his search about Maha Lakshmi. Lord Vishnu met Sri Varaha Swamy who is staying there and asks for a place to stay. Varaha agrees on one condition that Prathama Darshana, Prathama Pooja, Prathama Nivedan should be done to him. Lord Vishnu agrees for that and started penance about Maha Lakshmi under a small Tamarind Tree. Years rolled by, an ant hill was formed on top of him. Both Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva felt on Lord Vishnu as he even does not have food to eat from the day Maha Lakshmi left him. They transformed into Cow and Calf, requested Maha Lakshmi to be a Cow herdess and sell them to the Chola King who is ruling Venkataachala area so that they can save Lord from hunger. Maha Lakshmi agrees and sold them to King. Queen orders the Cowherd, a Yadava to bring the milk of this divine cow daily. When cowherd took all the cows to graze, the moment he slept - the divine cow rushes to the ant hill where lord is staying and released her milk and Lord drank it from ant hill. In that same evening, Divine cow did not given any milk and was being repeated every day. By knowing this, Queen scolded cowherd thinking he was selling the milk of divine cow and warned him if he does not brings the milk, his life would not be survived. Cowherd decided to keep an eye on this divine cow. Next day he just followed it secretly and he notices the cow milking into ant hill. Cowherd throws an axe in anger to the divine cow and Lord rises up to save the cow. In fraction of seconds, axe hits the forehead of Lord and blood started oozing. By seeing the lord coming out of ant hill suddenly to save the cow, cowherd goes to unconscious. Divine cow rushes to King's palace and King notices blood marks on Cow's body and ran towards grazing area thinking about cowherd. There he notices cowherd who fell down and Lord with wound. By seeing the King, Lord Vishnu cursed him to become a Pishacha as his servant is tried to kill a cow which was treated as a great sin. King and Cowherd pleaded Lord for his mercy. Lord blessed Cowherd, since he was the one who has seen him first on earth, all his progeny will have the right to see him on first when he settles down on the top of hill. Even today the Prathama Darshan of Lord Venkateswara early in the morning is done by Sannidhi Golla, the descendants of Cowherd. Lord also told to the King that his pishacha roopa will go if he witness his marriage with Padmaavati, the daughter of Aakaasa Raaja.
Aakaasa Raaja was child less and he performed Yagna for that reason by keeping Maharshi Suka, son of Veda Vyasa as Guru. While ploughing the land, he found a golden box in which a beautiful baby girl was there with lotus flowers. She is none other than Vedavati who is born to get married with Lord Vishnu. Aakaasa Raaja kept her name as Padmaavati and rose her up as a princess.
Lord Vishnu suffering from wound left the place of ant hill and reaches to the Aashrama of Vakula matha, who is none other than Yashoda of Dwapara yuga. Once Yashoda asked Lord Krishna that she hasn't witnessed any of his marriages yet Devaki witenessed every thing. Lord Krishna promised her that he will surely fulfill her wish in coming yuga. Now she was born as Vakula and by the grace of Lord, She knows that incident and waiting for Lord's arrival. By seeing Lord, Vakula felt do happy and served him with utmost motherly love. One fine day lord Vishnu gone for a hunt on hid horse where he notices a beautiful maiden, Padmaavati who is playing with her friends. Suddenly a wild elephant has come and everybody ran for their life. Lord Vishnu saves her from wild elephant. Then he asks her name and she ran away smiling at him. Lord also moved to his place yet feeling sad as he fell in love with her and he was missing her so much. Vakula notices the situation of Lord and asks him to reveal the truth behind his sadness. When lord has explained the incident, Vakula told him that She was Padmaavati, the daughter of Aakaasa Raaja. She also promised Lord Srinivasa that she will to King's palace and make the marriage proposal.
Though Vakula has left to palace, Lord Srinivasa thought what if they disagree on proposal as he is now a son of a hermit lady who is in her sixties and they are asking the daughter of a King in marriage. So, to make the situation easy to Vakula, Lord reached the palace of King like a village fortune teller. Since Padmaavati is suffering from fever when the wild elephant incident happened, Queen has called this fortune teller who is shouting on road near by palace. Lord like a lady fortune teller approached Padmaavati and explained the reason behind her fever, that she fell in love with the guy who rides an eagle - Lord Vishnu. She also informs that He is residing with Vakula who may come for the marriage proposal. She told Queen to accept it for the well being of her daughter and left the palace.
Then Vakula enters into the palace and places her proposal of marrying Lord Srinivasa with Padmaavati. Suka maharshi also informed King that the guy waa Lord Vishnu himself. Hence King and Queen agrees for the proposal. Maharshi Suka also makes an auspecious time for wedding (muhoortam).
But now the problem is, Lord Vishnu is not having a penny in hand and even Goddess Maha Lakshmi has left him. So he decided to borrow a loan from Kubera, the lord of wealth for his marriage expenses. Kubera agreed to give yet placed an agreement that, till the end of Kaliyuga Lord has to pay intetest and at the time of Yugaantha, he has to pay whole with principal. Lord Srinivasa agreed for that and was witnessed by Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma and Lord Surya. With the money borrowed from Kubera, Lord Srinivasa married to Padmaavati.
Maha Lakshmi too attended the wedding ceremony and recalls the Vedavati episode and Kubera episode since both got fulfilled. Lord Srinivasa settled as Lord Venkateswara on top of Venkatachala hill. Goddess Padmaavati settled at foot of the hill, Thiruchaanur (Alamelu Mangaapuram) and Goddess Maha Lakshmi in Kolhapur, Maha Rashtra. They decided to stay in their respective placea till the end of Kaliyuga to bless this world. Goddess Maha Lakshmi also promised to Lord Venkateswara that she will bless each and every one who make a visit to Tirumala Tirupati with plenty of monetary wealth so that they can donate some amount to Lord as Dakshinaa. Which Lord will pay as interest to Kubera. When Yugaantha time haa come, Goddess Maha Lakshmi will b united with Lord and she will pay principal amount to Kubera. Since she is residing far and Lord is missing her, She again started residing on Lord's chest as Vyuha Lakshmi ( The Lakshmi who never leaves Lord for a single second). Even today one can find her along with Padmaavati on the chest of Lord Srinivasa. The one who is always on his right chest and right side is Goddess Maha Lakshmi and left is Bhoo Devi as Padmaavati is none other than Vedavati who was an incarnation of Goddess Maha Lakshmi.
These are the stories of Ashta Lakshmis. The one who writes, reads, retells or listens this, will be blessed by Goddess Sree Maha Lakshmi with plenty of peace and prosperity.
First Ashta Lakshmi Temple in India:
The Ashta Lakshmi are now widely worshipped both by Sri Vaishnava and other Hindu communities in South India. Occasionally, the Ashta Lakshmi are depicted together in shrines or in "framing pictures" within an overall design and are worshipped by votaries of Lakshmi who worship her in her various manifestations. In addition to emergence of Ashta Lakshmi temples since the 1970s, traditional silver articles used in home worship as well as decorative jars ('Kumbha') now appear with the Ashta Lakshmi group molded on their sides.
Ashtalakshmi Temple, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India: The Ashta Lakshmi Kovil, built in 1974, is the first shrine dedicated exclusively to the Ashta Lakshmi where Lakshmi is given greater importance than Vishnu. It has eight small shrines arranged in clockwise direction, dedicated to the Ashta Lakshmi and then a ninth shrine dedicated to Vishnu and Lakshmi together, unlike the traditional separate shrines.
Sriyah Kaanthaaya Kalyaana Nidhaye Nidhayerdhinaam
Sree Venkata Nivaasaaya Venkatesaaya Mangalam !!
సౌభాగ్య సౌశీల్య వర దాన నిరుపమే ఆది లక్ష్మీ దేవి తే మంగళం
రాజ్యాధికారాది వైభవోన్నతి కర్త్రి గజ లక్ష్మి హే దేవి తే మంగళం
ధాన్యం చ క్షీరం చ సంవర్ధయసి దేవి ధాన్య లక్ష్మీ దేవి తే మంగళం
ధన కనక సద్వస్తు వాహనోన్నతి కరే ధన లక్ష్మి హే దేవి తే మంగళం
భయ మోహ పరి హర్త్రి ఘన ధైర్య సంధాత్రి ధైర్య లక్ష్మీ దేవి తే మంగళం
వేదాది బహు విధ జ్ఞాన భోధన పరే విద్యా లక్ష్మీ దేవి తే మంగళం
ఉత్తమోత్తమ భవ్య సంతాన దాత్రి సంతాన లక్ష్మీ దేవి తే మంగళం
వికటార్థ సంహర్త్రి విజయ వీర్య ప్రదాత్రి విజయ లక్ష్మీ దేవి తే మంగళం
అష్ట లక్ష్మీ కిరణ సంపూర్ణ రూపే మహా లక్ష్మీ దేవి తే మంగళం
శ్రీ మన్మహాలక్ష్మీ దేవీ తే మంగళం !!
