Goddess Vishupriya by Dr Manisha Sharma - Page 3
Residence of Goddess Lakshmi
Wherever there is a discussion of Lord Shri Hari and the praise of His qualities, it is there that Goddess Lakshmi, who provides all the auspiciousness, always resides. Where the glory of Lord Shri Krishna and His devotees is sung, it is there that His beloved Goddess Lakshmi always shines. Where the sound of conch is heard and the worship of conch, tulsi, and shaligram takes place, Lakshmi is also present there. Similarly, where the worship of Shiva Linga, the worship of Durga, the service of Brahmins, and the worship of all the deities is performed, there Goddess Lakshmi with a lotus face remains present.
Amalaka fruit, cow dung, conch, white cloth, white and red lotus, moon, Maheshwara, Narayana, Vasundhara, and festival - Lakshmi always resides in temples and other places like these. The Brahma Purana (Godavari Mahatmya) and Vishnu Smriti describe in beautiful verses the dwelling places of Goddess Lakshmi. Observing the Lakshmi Vrat leads to the attainment of wealth, prosperity, fortune, and the birth of a daughter. In popular tradition, Lakshmi Ji is worshiped on Sharad Purnima (full moon) and Kartik Amavasya (Diwali). The festival of lighting lamps is also associated with Goddess Lakshmi as the embodiment of light and abundance. On that day, a special puja of Lakshmi is performed at midnight. Puranas and Agamas contain many hymns to Lakshmi, in which her character is also described. Among all these hymns, the Sri Stotra composed by Indra is the most famous. It is primarily found in the Ani, Vishnu, and Vishnudharmottara Puranas. Recitation of this stotra is considered highly beneficial for the progress and protection of the nation and the prosperity of the state. The complete methods of worshiping the ten-armed form of Lakshmi, including the diagrams, rituals, hundred names, thousand names, and the complete mode of recitation of the Shree Sukta, are found in various Agamas, such as Lakshmi Tantra. The compilation of all these can be found in Sri Kamalatmika Prakarana in the Shaakta Pramoda. The Upanishads on Lakshmi's auspiciousness also provide the complete methodology for her worship. Through her worship, the attainment of the fourfold goals of life - dharma, artha, kama, and moksha - as well as the fulfillment of various desires becomes effortless.