Ashtalakshmi: Eight Forms of Lakshmiअष्टलक्ष्मी: लक्ष्मी जी के आठ रूप

Ashtalakshmi (अष्टलक्ष्मी) means "the eight Lakshmis". It is a way of honouring Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, through eight forms, each presiding over one kind of wealth. The idea behind it is simple and beautiful: true prosperity is not money alone. Food, courage, children, knowledge, success, dignity and inner peace are all seen as gifts of the same goddess. Devotees who keep the Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat meet the eight forms every Friday, because the vrat booklet asks the devotee to bow to the eight Lakshmis pictured in it before the puja.

Two lists of the eight forms

There is more than one list of the Ashtalakshmi, and it helps to know this before comparing pictures, books and temples.

The classical list

The best-known list comes from the South Indian stotra tradition, especially the popular Ashtalakshmi Stotram ("Sumanasa vandita sundari madhavi..."). Its eight forms, in the order of the hymn, are Adi Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi (sometimes called Veera Lakshmi), Gaja Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi and Dhana Lakshmi. Some temple traditions replace Vidya Lakshmi with Aishwarya Lakshmi.

The Vaibhav Lakshmi booklet list

The Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat booklet, which spread the vrat in western and northern India, shows eight pictures with these names: Shri Dhanalakshmi (identified there with Vaibhav Lakshmi), Shri Gajalakshmi, Shri Adhilakshmi, Shri Vijayalakshmi, Shri Aishwaryalakshmi, Shri Veeralakshmi, Shri Dhanyalakshmi and Shri Santanalakshmi.

How the two lists compare

Six forms are shared: Adi (Adhi), Dhana, Dhanya, Gaja, Santana and Vijaya. Veera Lakshmi in the booklet matches Dhairya Lakshmi, since both stand for courage. The real difference is that the booklet has Aishwarya Lakshmi where the stotram has Vidya Lakshmi. The booklet also links Vaibhav Lakshmi with Dhana Lakshmi, the form of wealth and abundance. Lists, names and order vary between regions and books, and neither list is "wrong": each is followed faithfully in its own tradition.

The eight forms of Lakshmi

The descriptions below give what each form represents and how she is commonly shown in pictures and temple images. Details such as the number of arms and the objects held vary from one artist and temple to another.

1. Adi Lakshmi (Adhi Lakshmi)

Adi Lakshmi is the "first" or primal Lakshmi, the original form of the goddess who serves Lord Narayana. She represents the spiritual wealth that is the root of all other wealth, and devotees connect her with peace and liberation. She is usually shown seated on a lotus, with a lotus in her hands and one hand raised in blessing (abhaya mudra) and one offering boons (varada mudra).

2. Dhana Lakshmi

Dhana Lakshmi is the goddess of money, gold and material wealth. In the Vaibhav Lakshmi booklet she is identified with Vaibhav Lakshmi herself. She is often shown dressed in red, holding a pot of gold or with gold coins flowing from her hand, sometimes also with the conch and discus of Vishnu.

3. Dhanya Lakshmi

Dhanya Lakshmi is the Lakshmi of grain, harvest and nourishment. Farming families especially honour her, since a full granary meant security. She is often shown in green, holding sheaves of paddy, sugarcane or ears of grain.

4. Gaja Lakshmi

Gaja Lakshmi is the Lakshmi of the elephants, one of the oldest and most widely seen images of the goddess. She sits on a lotus while two elephants on either side pour water over her from pots held in their trunks. The image is linked to royal power, abundance, cattle and rain, and is often carved over temple doorways and gateways.

5. Santana Lakshmi

Santana Lakshmi is the Lakshmi of children and family continuity. She is shown holding a small child on her lap, with a loving, motherly expression. Devotees pray to her for the well-being of their children and family.

6. Veera Lakshmi (Dhairya Lakshmi)

Veera or Dhairya Lakshmi is the Lakshmi of courage, valour and patience. She gives the strength to face hardship, which is why devotees connect her with steady character during difficult times. She is often shown with weapons such as the discus, bow and arrow, sword or trident.

7. Vijaya Lakshmi

Vijaya Lakshmi is the Lakshmi of victory and success, not only on the battlefield but in every honest effort. She is commonly shown seated on a lotus, sometimes holding a sword and shield along with lotuses.

8. Aishwarya Lakshmi or Vidya Lakshmi

In the booklet list the eighth form is Aishwarya Lakshmi, the Lakshmi of splendour, dignity, honour and good standing. In the classical stotram it is Vidya Lakshmi, the Lakshmi of knowledge and learning, often shown in white with a lotus and a book, and with a gentle resemblance to Goddess Saraswati.

Ashtalakshmi in worship

Pictures of the eight forms, often arranged around a central image of Mahalakshmi, are common in homes and shops. In the Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat, the devotee bows to the eight forms and to the Shri Yantra shown in the booklet before reading the katha. Many also sing the Ashtalakshmi Stotram, chant the 108 names of Lakshmi, or recite a simple mantra such as "ॐ श्रीं श्रियै नमः". There are also temples dedicated to the eight forms, the best known being the Ashtalakshmi temple at Besant Nagar in Chennai.

Devotees believe that worshipping Lakshmi in all eight forms is a reminder to seek a balanced, complete prosperity: enough to eat, courage, a loving family, learning, honest success and inner peace, rather than money alone.

Frequently asked questions