The shruti texts, namely, Ambhrani Sukta, Sri Suktam, Lakshmi
Hridaya, … are the main sources of knowledge about Goddess Lakshmi. Sri
Madhvacharya points out that Ambharni is one of the important rupas (forms) of
Lakshmi. The well known Madhva saint poet, Sri Vadiraja, tell us that Ambharni
means Lakshmi.
Ambharni exists in two forms. One is Chetana (live) and the other
form is prakrta (jada - inanimate
world). As Chetana, she is known as Vishnu Patni (consort of Vishnu).
In the other form, she governs the jadas. Madhvacharya tell
us in Dwadasha Stotra that Lord Vishnu has bestowed Lakshmi with his own cosmic
powers through which she performs the functions of creation, sustenance, etc.
(eight functions). The couple is known as Prakriti and Parama.
All the words and syllables depict primarily Lord Vishnu.
The same words and syllables depict Lakshmi. Apart from this, Lakshmi has
special names such as Sri, Bhu, Durga, Ambharni, Hri, Mahalakshmi, Dakshina,
Jayanti, Sita, Rukmini and Satyabhama etc.
In the form of Dakshina she derives more happiness from the
Lord. Adorned on the left thigh of the Lord, she is called Yajna. Finding a
permanent abode on the left part of the chest, she is called ‘Shri’. That
significant mark is Srivatsa.