Article | Goddess Laxmi Symbol Of Healthy Environment | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle

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Goddess Laxmi Symbol Of Healthy Environment

        -    Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh

Writer, Author & Social Activist

Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"

 

     Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, sits on a lotus flower. Have you ever thought that she is the goddess of wealth, full of wealth like gold, silver, diamonds etc., then why is she not seen sitting on a golden throne? Goddess Lakshmi is seen sitting or standing on a lotus flower that blooms in a reservoir, that is, in water that is not flowing. Goddess Lakshmi, seated on a lotus flower, also holds a natural lotus flower in one of her hands, not a golden lotus. Have you ever wondered why? Because Goddess Lakshmi herself is a symbol of a healthy environment. How? Let's see-     

We worship Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali, pray to her and invite her to come and stay in our homes. We ask Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity for ourselves and our family. We know that Goddess Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth. But in reality, they do not come home and place gold and silver coins in the hands of the person asking, but provide an environment to the person asking to become capable of earning money. To understand this, see this prayer-

“Invoke you, O Agni, the Goddess Lakshmi, who shines like gold, yellow in hue, wearing gold and silver garlands, blooming like the moon, the embodiment of wealth. O Agni! Invoke for me that unfailing Lakshmi, blessed by whom I shall win wealth, cattle, horses and men. I invoke Shri, who has a line of horses in Her front, a series of chariots in the middle, who is being awakened by the trumpeting of elephants, who is divinely resplendent. May that Divine Lakshmi grace me. I hereby invoke that Shri who is the embodiment of absolute bliss; who is of pleasant smile on Her face; whose luster is that of burnished gold; who is wet from the milky ocean, who is blazing with splendor, and is the embodiment of the fulfillment of all wishes; who satisfies the desire of Her votaries; who is seated on the lotus and is beautiful like the lotus.

“I resort to that Lakshmi for shelter in this world, who is beautiful like the moon, who shines bright, who is blazing with renown, who is adored by the Gods, who is highly magnanimous, and grand like the lotus. May my misfortunes perish. I surrender myself to Thee, O Thou Goddess resplendent like the Sun! By Thy power and glory, plants like the bel tree have grown up. May the fruits thereof destroy, through Thy grace, all inauspiciousness rising from the inner organs and ignorance as well from the outer senses.

“O Lakshmi! I am born in this country with the heritage of wealth. May the friends of Lord Shiva (Kubera, Lord of Wealth and Kiriti, Lord of Fame), come to me. May these bestow on me fame and prosperity. I shall destroy the elder sister to Lakshmi, the embodiment of inauspiciousness and such evil as hunger, thirst and the like. O Lakshmi! Drive out from my abode all misfortunes and poverty.

“I hereby invoke Shri, whose avenue of perception is the odoriferous sense, one who abides mainly in cows; who is immune to defeat or threat from anyone; who is ever healthy with such virtuous qualities as truth; whose grace is seen abundantly in the refuse of cows; and who is Supreme over all created beings. O Lakshmi! May we obtain and enjoy the fulfillment of our desires and our volitions, the veracity of our speech, the wealth of cattle, the abundance of varieties of food to eat! May prosperity and fame reside in me!

“Lakshmi! You have progeny in Kardama. O Kardama, may you reside in me. Make Mother Shri with garlands of lotuses to have Her abode in my lineage. May the waters create friendship. O Chiklita, progeny of Shri! Reside at my home; and arrange to make Divine Mother Shri stay in my lineage!

“Invoke for me, O Agni, Lakshmi who shines like gold, is brilliant like the sun, who is powerfully fragrant, who wields the rod of suzerainty, who is the form of supreme rulership, who is radiant with ornaments and is the Goddess of wealth. Invoke for me O Agni, the Goddess Lakshmi who shines like gold, blooms like the moon, who is fresh with anointment of fragrant scent, who is adorned with the lotuses lifted up by celestial elephants in the act of worship, who is the presiding deity of nourishment, who is yellow in color, and who wears garlands of lotuses.

“Invoke for me O Agni, that Goddess Lakshmi, who is ever unfailing, being blessed by whom I shall win wealth in plenty, cattle, servants, horses and men. We commune ourselves with the Great Goddess, and meditate on the consort of Vishnu; may that Lakshmi direct us. Om - Peace, Peace, Peace.” - This is the famous Shri Suktam, from the Rig Veda.

She sits on a natural lotus flower and also has a natural lotus flower in her hand. Lotus flower is the most prominent symbol of beauty, prosperity and fertility. According to Hinduism, there is a sacred lotus soul within every human being. It represents eternity, purity, divinity. According to the Puranas, the lotus flower originated from the navel of Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma is believed to have originated from the lotus flower. Lotus flowers are the seat of Brahma, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is said in the Puranas that the universe and this universe were created like a lotus flower and this universe is like this flower. Lotus flower is considered a symbol of a good lifestyle. The lotus flower originates from water and blooms in the mud, but it inspires to live a pure life by remaining detached from both. This means that even while living amidst evil, a person maintains his originality and purity.

This one prayer alone is enough to explain the nature and characteristics of Goddess Lakshmi. In this, a prayer has been made to Agni Dev to invite Goddess Lakshmi. In this, Goddess Lakshmi is said that due to her power and glory, fruits like Wood Apple (Bilva, Stone Apple, Aegle marmelos) have grown on the earth. As everyone knows that wood apple is a very healthy fruit. By the way, every element of this tree is full of medicinal properties according to Ayurveda. The reason behind giving such healthy trees and fruits to humans is the desire of Goddess Lakshmi that all humans should remain healthy. When humans remain healthy they will be able to earn a lot of wealth. Vedas and Puranas also tell us that Goddess Lakshmi resides in Ksheer Sagar where Lord Vishnu also lives with her. Kshir Sagar is representative of all the oceans, it means ocean of milk (Kshir – milk and Sagar – ocean). In the Vedas, milk is considered to be the purest form of liquid, as it comes from the cow, which is again considered to be the greatest wealth as it is believed that all the Hindu gods reside in it.

Therefore, if we want to keep Goddess Lakshmi happy, we will have to keep our water sources like oceans, ponds, rivers etc. clean and safe. If we want to get the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi then we have to save the plants, birds and animals. That is, Goddess Lakshmi will be happy only if we keep the environment balanced and safe. So, this Diwali, let us take an oath to please Goddess Lakshmi in the form of protecting the environment.

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Thank you Central Chronicle 🙏

 (12.11.2023)

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