# MAHALAXMI

By [Mahalaxmi](https://paragraph.com/@sisir) · 2022-11-18

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Lakshmi is depicted in Indian art as an elegantly dressed, prosperity-showering golden-coloured woman standing or sitting in the [padmasana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_position) position upon a [lotus throne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_throne), while holding a lotus in her hand, symbolising fortune, self-knowledge, and spiritual liberation Her iconography shows her with four hands, which represent the four aspects of human life important to Hindu culture: [_dharma_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma), [_kāma_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%81ma), [_artha_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artha), and [_moksha_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moksha) The Lakshmi Sahasranama of the [Skanda Purana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skanda_Purana), [Lakshmi Tantra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmi_Tantra), [Markandeya Purana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markandeya_Purana), [Devi Mahatmya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devi_Mahatmya), and Vedic scriptures describe Lakshmi as having eight or eighteen hands, and as sitting on [Garuda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garuda), a [lion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion), or a [tiger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger)According to the [Lakshmi Tantra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmi_Tantra), the goddess Lakshmi, in her ultimate form of Mahasri, has four arms of a golden complexion, and holds a citron, a club, a shield, and a vessel containing [amrita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amrita). In the Skanda Purana and the _Venkatachala Mahatmayam_, Sri, or Lakshmi, is praised as the mother of [Brahma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahma).

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*Originally published on [Mahalaxmi](https://paragraph.com/@sisir/mahalaxmi)*