In Hindu mythology, the divine bond between Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, and Maa Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is a tale of love, devotion, and mutual respect. Their story not only highlights their deep affection for each other but also signifies the importance of harmony and balance in the universe.
Who is Lord Vishnu?
Lord Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism, is known as the preserver of the universe. He is part of the Hindu trinity, alongside Brahma (the creator) and Shiva (the destroyer). Vishnu is revered for his benevolent nature, compassion, and role in maintaining cosmic order (dharma).
In Hindu iconography, Lord Vishnu is often depicted with blue skin, holding a chakra (discus), a conch shell (shankha), a mace (gada), and a lotus flower. He is typically portrayed resting on the coiled serpent Shesha or lying on the cosmic waters on the serpent's coils, known as Ananta Shesha.
Lord Vishnu is associated with various avatars or incarnations, the most famous being Lord Rama (the hero of the epic Ramayana) and Lord Krishna (a central figure in the epic Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita). These avatars are believed to descend to Earth to restore cosmic order and protect dharma.
Goddess Lakshmi and Her Origin
Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity, and fortune, is revered for her beauty, grace, and generosity. She is often depicted in Hindu iconography as a beautiful woman adorned in a red saree and seated on a lotus flower as a symbol of beauty, grace, and maternal care.
Lakshmi is believed to be the consort of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. As Vishnu's consort, she symbolizes his power and prosperity. Together, they represent the ideal couple in Hindu mythology, embodying love, harmony, and prosperity.
Devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi to seek her blessings for wealth, prosperity, and abundance. She is also associated with fertility, good luck, and spiritual well-being.
Her arrival into the world is a fascinating tale that begins with Indra, the king of Heaven, and his encounter with Sage Durvasa. Sage Durvasa, known for his temper, once gifted a rare garland to Indra, who, in his arrogance, placed it on his elephant, Airavatha. The strong fragrance of the garland irritated Airavatha, who shook it off, angering the sage.
Sage Durvasa cursed Indra and the other gods, causing them to lose their powers and suffer defeat at the hands of the Asuras. Desperate for a solution, the gods sought the help of Lord Brahma, who advised them to seek Lord Vishnu's assistance.
Lord Vishnu's Master Plan
Lord Vishnu, known for his wisdom and wit, devised a plan to restore the gods' powers. He suggested churning the ocean, which contained the divine nectar, Amrita, capable of granting immortality. However, he emphasized the need for the gods to collaborate with the Asuras, their eternal rivals, to accomplish this feat.
The churning of the ocean, known as Samudra Manthan, was a challenging task that required immense effort and cooperation. As the ocean churned, numerous treasures and beings emerged, including Goddess Lakshmi, who chose Lord Vishnu as her consort, symbolizing her preference for his qualities of wisdom, compassion, and righteousness.
The Sacred Union
The marriage of Lord Vishnu and Maa Lakshmi marked the union of two divine forces, signifying the balance between material wealth and spiritual wisdom. Lord Vishnu, known as Shreenatha (dearest of fortune), adorned the symbol of Lakshmi, Shreevasta, on his chest as a mark of their eternal bond.
Their union symbolizes the ideal relationship based on mutual respect, love, and devotion. Lord Vishnu, as the preserver of the universe, continues to uphold righteousness and protect the world, while Maa Lakshmi blesses devotees with wealth, prosperity, and abundance.
Takeaway
The story of Lord Vishnu and Maa Lakshmi's love and devotion is a timeless tale that teaches us the importance of balance, harmony, and mutual respect in relationships. Their divine union signifies the eternal bond between spiritual wisdom and material prosperity, reminding us to cherish and nurture our relationships with love and devotion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q. Why was Lakshmi angry with Vishnu?
A. According to the legend,Goddess Lakshmi became angry with Vishnu when sage Brighu kicked him on his chest. Lakshmi is said to reside in the chest of Vishnu and kicking him equally meant disrespecting her by all means. Hence, Lakshmi was highly disappointed with Vishnu for not punishing the sage for this act of disregard.
Q. What are the 4 items of Vishnu?
A. Lord Vishnu is mostly depicted carrying the shankha (conch) which symbolizes the sound of creation, the chakra (discus) representing the wheel of time and cosmic order, the gada (mace) signifying strength, and power and padma lotus (flower).
Q. Which is the only female avatar of Lord Vishnu?
A. Mohini is the only female avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Q. What is Lord Vishnu's Favourite flower?
A. Aparajita flowers are considered the favorite of Lord Vishnu.
Q. Can we keep Vishnu's idol at home?
A. Yes, you can surely place a Vishnu idol at your home. Keeping and worshipping Vishnu murti at home is believed to bring love, prosperity, and good fortune.
Q. Why is Vishnu blue?
A. Vishnu is revered as the preserver of the universe and is believed to be omnipresent. According to the legend, the blue color depicts that he is infinite like the sky and oeann