Arupa Lakshmi is a form of Goddess Lakshmi that is worshipped
in the surrounding area of the sanctum sanctorum in the world famous Kamakshi Temple in Kanchipuram. There are two
versions associated with the Arupa Lakshmi form.
Legend has it that during the churning of ocean, Samudra Manthan, the body of Bhagwan Shri Hari Vishnu turned blue due to the poison
emitted by Snake Vasuki who was used as the rope.
Goddess Lakshmi was amused to see the change in the skin
tone of Srihari Vishnu and made fun of Him. An angry Vishnu cursed Goddess
Lakshmi to turn ugly (Arupa). Thus she became Arupa Lakshmi.
Goddess Lakshmi who felt bad went to the abode of Goddess
Kamakshi who asked her to stay on the left side of Her.
It is said that the kumkum that is offered to Goddess
Kamakshi, which is then given to devotees, is smeared on the murti of
Arupa Lakshmi. The belief is that the Goddess regains her beauty each time.
Arupa Lakshmi is worshipped for prosperity and for solution
to all financial problems.
There is another symbolism attached to the Arupa Lakshmi form
of Goddess Lakshmi.
Arupa Lakshmi is the mole on the chest of Srihari
Vishnu. In this imagery, Arupa Lakshmi means formless Lakshmi. Arupa means formless.
This symbol is also known as Shrivatsa. It represents the inseparable
integration of Goddess Lakshmi with Vishnu.