Vishnu and Lakshmi

黄振欣

Vishnu, one of the principal Hindu deities. Vishnu combines many lesser divine figures and local heroes, chiefly through his avatars, particularly Rama and Krishna; the ten primary avatars of Vishnu are called the Dashavatara. His appearances are innumerable; he is often said to have 10 avatars—but not always the same 10. Among the 1,000 names of Vishnu (repeated as an act of devotion by his worshippers) are Vasudeva, Narayana, and Hari.
Vishnu was not a major deity in the Vedic period. A few Rigvedic hymns (c. 1500–1000 BCE) associate him with the Sun, and one hymn relates the legend of his three strides across the universe, which formed the basis of the myth of his avatar Vamana, the dwarf. Legends of figures that later became other avatars, such as the fish that saves humankind from a great flood, are also found in the early literature. By the time of the Mahabharata (the great Sanskrit epic that appeared in its final form about 400 CE), the avatars began to be identified with Vishnu. Vishnu is said to manifest a portion of himself anytime he is needed to fight evil and to protect dharma (moral and religious law). Not all avatars are wholly benevolent; some, such as Parashurama (Rama with the Ax) and Krishna, bring about the deaths of many innocent people, and the Buddha corrupts the pious antigods. Vishnu’s vahana, his vehicle in the world, is the eagle Garuda; his heaven is called Vaikuntha.
Temple images of Vishnu depict him either sitting, often in the company of his consorts Lakshmi (also called Shri) and Bhumidevi (Earth), or reclining on the coils of the serpent Shesha—asleep on the cosmic ocean during the time between the periodic dissolution and re-manifestation of the world. He is also represented in a standing position and dressed in royal garments, holding in his four (sometimes two) hands the shankha (conch), chakra (discus), gada (club), or padma (lotus). On his chest is the curl of hair known as the shrivatsa mark, and around his neck he wears the auspicious jewel Kaustubha. In paintings, Vishnu is usually shown as dark-complexioned, a distinguishing feature also of several of his incarnations.

Lakshmi, Hindu goddess of wealth, good fortune, beauty, and abundance. The wife of Vishnu, she is said to have taken different forms in order to be with him in each of his incarnations. Along with the goddesses Parvati and Saraswati, Lakshmi forms the divine trinity known as the Tridevi (tri, “three” and devi, “goddess”). She is widely worshipped across India; in addition to festivals in her honor, posters and images of the goddess are commonly found in households and shops. The name “Lakshmi” also occurs in common usage as a word meaning “auspicious” or “fortunate woman.”
The name Lakshmi is derived from the Sanskrit roots laksh (“goal”) and laksha (“to perceive”), meaning “she who leads to one’s goal.” Her alternate names include Sri or Shri (“radiance”), Padma or Kamala (she of the lotus), Vaishnavi or Narayani (beloved of Vishnu and Narayan [a name for Vishnu]), and Bhuvaneshvari (“ruler of the universe”). The Skanda Purana (between the 6th and 13th centuries CE) identifies her as Mahadevi (“supreme Goddess”), Mahamaya (“supreme illusion”), Mahalakshmi (“supreme Lakshmi”), and Mahakali (“supreme Kali”). Names of certain fierce forms of the warrior goddess Durga are also occasionally applied to Lakshmi, among them Chandi, Chamunda, and Katyayani.
Lakshmi is represented in art and sculpture either by herself or with her husband, Vishnu. She is usually seated on a lotus flower—full-breasted, broad-hipped, beneficently smiling—and she is sometimes accompanied by a pair of elephants pouring water over her (an image commonly referred to as “Gaja Lakshmi,” gaja meaning “elephant”). Her vehicle is the white owl Uluka. She is commonly represented as a beautiful four-armed woman wearing red and gold, colors symbolizing good fortune and wealth. Two of her hands form mudras—both palms facing outward, one pointed up and the other down—gestures symbolizing blessing and beneficence. She is sometimes represented with a shower of gold coins falling from one palm.
After emerging from the ocean of milk, Lakshmi opts to side with the devas over the asuras and chooses Vishnu as her consort. In this role, she becomes an integral part of the world order he oversees, and she is reborn each time he incarnates. Avatars of Vishnu are almost always accompanied by incarnations of Lakshmi: she is the axe-wielding warrior Parashurama’s wife, Dharani, the warrior king Rama’s wife, Sita, and the god Krishna’s beloved, Radha. Krishna’s many wives, among them Rukmini, are also considered to be earthly forms of Lakshmi. As Vishnu’s wife, Lakshmi has a purpose distinct from her identity as goddess of wealth. Her function in the capacity of consort is to intervene on behalf of the devotees praying to Vishnu for salvation. Although she does not grant salvation directly, it is generally regarded as expedient to appeal to her for deliverance, because she never refuses a supplicant and can be relied on to intercede with her husband.

All  these materials are sourced from Encyclopedia Britannica.

韩宜桐

In Hindu mythology, Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu represent the divine principles of wealth, prosperity, and preservation. Lakshmi, revered as the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, embodies the abundance and good fortune that sustain life. Lord Vishnu, on the other hand, is known as the Preserver of the Universe, responsible for maintaining cosmic order (dharma) and protecting creation from chaos.

The connection between Lakshmi and Vishnu is pivotal in Hindu spirituality, illustrating the balance between material wealth and spiritual richness, emphasizing how both aspects are essential for a harmonious existence.

The connection between Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu is a profound aspect of Hindu mythology, embodying the principles of wealth, preservation, and cosmic balance. Their divine union serves as a guiding light for devotees, illustrating the importance of integrating material success with spiritual fulfillment.

As we reflect on their relationship, it becomes evident that Lakshmi and Vishnu continue to hold relevance in modern spirituality, reminding us of the eternal bond that sustains both the universe and our individual lives.