What does Lakṣmī represent?
‘bathed by elephants’ today pop iconography
Good Sign, good fortune, Prosperity, beauty, grace, loveliness, wealth, benevolence, abundance
- other name Srī-Laksmī: royaldfortune, of the king
- in vedic times she was not a goddess
- Laksmi and Bhu as Visnus wifes
Elefants: signs of royal power and prosperity, fertilit
Sanskrit: ‘sign’
Lakṣmī’s alternate names include Śrī, Padmā, and Kamalā.
Who is the counterpart of Lakṣmī?
Alakṣmī (misfortune).
Alakṣmī represents the opposite of the qualities associated with Lakṣmī.
In which religious art forms does Lakṣmī appear?
Buddhist and Hindu art.
- still has natural anatomy, not yet Visnus wife
- Lotus: purity, enlightenment, beauty, fertility
- Lotus from vase: auspicious fertility motif
Examples include Gajalakṣmī at Bharhut and Sanchi 1st century CE.
During which period did Lakṣmī first appear in Hindu context?
- Kushan period (1st BCE–3rd CE).
- Mathura workshops, red sandstone
- Goddess on bench holding a large Lotus?
This marks the earliest known representations of Lakṣmī in Hindu art.
In which period did Lakṣmī become the consort of Viṣṇu?
Gupta Period. 4-6th century CE
Narrative of creation and protection
Visnu sleeping on the snake=supreme being
Birth of Brahma= Beginning of the Beginning
4 arms=supreme god
Viṣṇu reclining on Śeṣa/Ananta.
This integration significantly influenced her iconography.
What is a key iconographic feature of Viṣṇu?
Attributes:
tiara: royal crown
mace: strenght, authority
disc: mind + weapon to destroy evil
conch: primordial sound + cosmic space
List the Ten Avatars of Viṣṇu.
- Descend to earthly world as
- Matsya - fish
- Kūrma - turtle
- Varāha - boar
- Rama
- Krsna
- Buddha
- Others
The full list includes the remaining 4 avatars: Paraśurāma, Narasimha, Vamana and Kalki.
What is the myth of the Churning of the Ocean (Samudra Manthan)?
Visnupurana.Devas and Asuras battle and churn the ocean of milk using Mt. Mandara and the snake Vāsuki.
Viṣṇu, in the form of Kūrma, supports the mountain during this event.
What emerges from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan?
Lakṣmī. A royal goddess.
She CHOOSES Visnu. Agency!
Kūrma (Sanskrit: कूर्म) is the tortoise incarnation (avatāra) of Viṣṇu stabilizing Mount Mandara
This event symbolizes kingship, divine power, and wealth.
How is Lakṣmī depicted as an ideal spouse?
Initially shown with Viṣṇu on Garuḍa.
Ideal, harmonious couple.
This representation emphasizes her role as an ideal wife.
In early medieval art, how does Lakṣmī images show independence?
Through new attributes like 4 arms, lotus, mirror, water pot, manuscript, elefant tusk and 2 elephants.
These attributes signify her autonomy and divine status.
When did Laksmi gain gradually autonomy?
early medieval period 700-1300 CE
as divine figure of fortune and abundance
Vaisnava and Srivaisnava: equality of Visnun and Laksmi. Vadagalai and Tengalai sects ses Lakṣmī as subordinate to Viṣṇu.
Who is Gajalaksmi?
An auspicious goddess in Saiva context
What does Gajalaksmi represent?
a royal motif-shift towards independent goddess of royalty: 3rd phase
royal consecration rites: ritual bathing
Visnu, as idela king associated with water
Elefant: royalty - good rule-good water management and rain
What is Bhū also known as?
Bhū: Earth, soil, ground
from Gupta perion on: earthly wife of Visnu
Vedic: Pṛthvī. “the broad, extendended one”
Bhū symbolizes fertility, land, and maternal qualities.
How are kings described in relation to Bhū?
As possessing Earth like a beautiful bride.
This description can be found in Tamil inscriptions.
What is the myth involving Bhū and Varāha?
Bhū is rescued by Viṣṇu as Varāha from the demon Hiraṇyākṣa.
Boar as strength and power
This myth emphasizes divine love and devotion (bhakti).
In which art forms is the pairing of Bhū and Varāha commonly depicted?
medieval Gupta and Chola art, especially temple reliefs.
a divine couple
more erotic
bhakti-emotional bond - new development:
shift from ritual and faithful to relation with god to carnal, erotic
These depictions highlight the significance of their relationship.
How is Viṣṇu typically depicted with Lakṣmī and Bhū?
Viṣṇu is shown flanked by Lakṣmī (prosperity) and Bhū (earth).
without them he cannot be king.
The wifes make teh king a king.
This triad is common in bronzes from the Chola period.
