Ashtalakshmi

Today being Durgashtami, let me share a few thoughts about Ashta Lakshmi.

Ashta in Sanskrit means eight.  Lakshmi represents wealth/prosperity. Ashtalakshmi represents eight forms of wealth.

Adi Lakshmi is the first form of emergence of prosperity. Adi is the beginning.  When we pray or dwell on her concentratedly and continuously, the Goddess manifests first in the form of Adi Lakshmi. 

Then we need wealth, which She gives taking the form of Dhana Lakshmi. Dhana means wealth.  Mere wealth is not enough. One needs food to eat! Even if you have money, if the foodgrains are not available, one cannot eat! Food is required by all the species. So the third form of Lakshmi is called Dhanyalakshmi.  Dhana and dhanya always go together. We call it dhana dhanya Sampath.

When these basic needs are fulfilled, one wants to venture out and explore the outside world. For this, he needs to be brave, courageous.  This is granted by Veera Lakshmi.  To face the outside world and to be brave in all the endeavors blessing of Veeralakshmi is required.

Next comes Vijayalakshmi. Vijaya means victory. In all the endeavors, we want to be successful. This success is granted by Vijayalakshmi.

A successful person who has all his basic needs fulfilled and is progressing in life wants to further explore learning and knowledge, which is supplied by Vidya Lakshmi.  Vidya is Knowledge.  The absence of knowledge leads to ignorance.  Knowledge is pursued, and one's intellectual needs are fulfilled.

Next comes Santhana Lakshmi.  Santhana means progeny.  Whatever assets one has acquired has to be passed on to the next generation for their benefit.  Children make one's life fulfilled.  Santhanalakshmi is worshipped for this purpose. 

Lastly, when you have children, you want them to be happy and prosperous, healthy and knowledgeable, and respected in the society in which one lives. All these qualities are represented by one word in Sanskrit, which is called Sowbhagya! So the eight forms of Lakshmi are called Sowbhagya Lakshmi.

So during navarathri all these ashstalakshmis are worshipped for the individual prosperity and also for the prosperity of the entire humanity. Not only for humanity but for the prosperity of all the living beings.

So let me pray " Sarve janaha sukhino bhavantu," which means let everyone be happy!