The Book of Lakshmi takes the reader through the mythical and historical development of the Goddess Lakshmi. Apart from telling the stories, facts and rituals associated with Goddess Lakshmi, the book also delves into the gender bias in the worship of the Hindu Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity.
Written by R. Mahalakshmi, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Historical Studies,
The book is divided into seven chapters:
- Lakshmi as the embodiment of wealth and beauty
- Lakshmi as the daughter of the ocean
- Sri Lakshmi and other deities
- Symbols of Lakshmi
- The Iconography of Lakshmi
- Lakshmi Festival and Worship
- Ashta Lakshmi Stotram
- Kanakdhara Stotram Sacred Mantra
About the book from the Penguin Flyer
Lakshmi is the goddess of all that is good—wealth (dhana), beauty (saundarya) and happiness (sukha). As Vishnu’s consort and in her incarnations as Sita and Rukmini, she represents the ideal of femininity in Hinduism. She is also Shri, the goddess of fertility and grain, and Mahalakshmi, the amalgam of the goddesses Kali, Lakshmi and Sarasvati. She is benevolent and generous, yet it takes surprisingly little to offend her. And when she leaves, her place is taken by Alakshmi, all that Lakshmi is not—poverty, pestilence and ill fortune.
How did this popular and accessible goddess come to represent these qualities? R. Mahalakshmi presents an evocative picture of the mythical and historical development of the goddess Lakshmi. Using a range of sources, from ancient texts to sculptures and everyday religious customs and prayers, this fascinating and deeply-insightful book sheds new light not only on the figure of Lakshmi, but also on the fundamental tenets of Hinduism as it is practiced today.
The Book of Lakshmi
Written by R. Mahalakshmi
Published by Penguin Books
Price 250/-
The book can be bought online at the Penguin Books