Lakshmi is the Goddess for wealth and prosperity. Have you ever noticed Ravi Varma’s portrayal of Lakshmi Devi? Where is she? She is standing on a lotus what is amidst flowing waters. This depicts her instability. No one knows when she (wealth and prosperity) will come and when she disappears.

Her unstable and transient nature is depicted in 3 ways. First and foremost, She is standing. This itself shows that She is not stable and can go away any minute. Second is the shaking lotus. Third is the flowing water. Therefore, all these 3 together show that Lakshmi (wealth) is not stationary. It is fleeting.

Because of this transient nature of hers, those who possess wealth should utilize it for good purposes as far as possible. With one hand She grants boons; with the other She displays abhaya Mudra (assurance fear-not.)

Only a Spiritual Guru (Sadguru) has the right and the power to grant Abhaya with both his hands, but it is extremely rare that He does so.

An elephant is shown next to Lakshmi Devi. Elephant symbolizes arrogance. Such elephant is offering a garland to Devi. This symbolizes the worship done by egoistic people due to love for their wealth.

To arrest its ego and to get in under Her control, She keeps the elephant standing deep within the water pond. Similarly the person who steps into the pond called Guru seva, slowly gives up the ego that comes due to wealth. He further learns to utilize his resources and wealth for other good activities and for the benefit of others.

Bhaktimala Jan 1985