Content deleted Content added
No edit summary Tags: Reverted Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
Reverting edit(s) by 2409:4081:2CC5:4752:6D0E:59D7:D564:4F61 (talk) to rev. 1246440933 by PEPSI697: Unexplained content removal (RW 16.1) |
||
| (48 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown) | |||
Line 1:
{{short description|Divine couple in Hinduism}}
{{Redirect|Laxminarayan}}
{{for|the composite figure of Vishnu and Lakshmi|Vaikuntha Kamalaja}}
{{Infobox deity<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Hindu mythology-->
| type = Hindu
| image =
| caption = Painting of Lakshmi-Narayana upon Garuda
| name = Lakshmi Narayana
Line 12 ⟶ 11:
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa
| affiliation = [[Vaishnavism]]
| god_of = {{ubl|God of Preservation|Goddess of Prosperity|Supreme Deities of [[Vaishnavism]]<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5yKDEAAAQBAJ&dq=vishnu+lakshmi+supreme+vaishnavism&pg=PA378 | isbn=9783031044168 | title=Religion and the Global Money Markets: Exploring the Influence of Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Hinduism | date=18 August 2022 | publisher=Springer | access-date=14 September 2022 | archive-date=8 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308161127/https://books.google.com/books?id=5yKDEAAAQBAJ&dq=vishnu+lakshmi+supreme+vaishnavism&pg=PA378#v=onepage&q=vishnu%20lakshmi%20supreme%20vaishnavism&f=false | url-status=live }}</ref><br>[[Para Brahman]]}}
| abode = [[Vaikuntha]]
| weapon = [[Panchajanya]], [[Kaumodaki]], [[Sudarshana Chakra]], [[Sharanga]], [[Nandaka]]
Line 23 ⟶ 22:
== Legends ==
The most significant Lakshmi-Narayana myth that appears in various [[Puranas]] is the [[Samudra Manthana]], where Vishnu assumes his [[Kurma]] avatar to assist the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] and the [[asura]]s in the churning the Ocean of Milk. Lakshmi emerges as one of the many treasures that are the product of the churning. The devas request Vishnu to marry her, and hence her auspiciousness is wed to his divinity, restoring the cosmic order.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pintchman |first=Tracy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W-9Hq-DOXnEC&dq=lakshmi+marries+vishnu&pg=PA49 |title=Guests at God's Wedding: Celebrating Kartik among the Women of Benares |date=2005-08-18 |publisher=State University of New York Press |isbn=978-0-7914-8256-8 |pages=49 |language=en |access-date=2022-09-14 |archive-date=2024-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308161138/https://books.google.com/books?id=W-9Hq-DOXnEC&dq=lakshmi+marries+vishnu&pg=PA49#v=onepage&q=lakshmi%20marries%20vishnu&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>
The ''[[Vishnu Purana]]'' describes this legend thus:<ref>{{Cite book |
{{Blockquote|text=The goddess Sri of vibrant beauty rose from this milk, standing in a blossoming lotus with a lotus in her hand ... Wearing celestial garlands and garments, bathed and adorned with ornaments, with all the gods looking on, she went to Hari's chest. While resting on Hari's chest, Lakshmi made the gods know immediate supreme bliss, O Maitreya, just by looking at them.|title=
In the [[Legend of Tirumala]], the sage [[Bhrigu]] is selected to choose the deity to whom a [[yajna]] shall be dedicated towards. After rejecting [[Brahma]], [[Indra]], and [[Shiva]], he arrives at [[Vaikuntha]], where he observes Lakshmi massaging the feet of Vishnu who is reclined on [[Shesha]]. Bhrigu is angered by this and kicks the chest of Vishnu with his foot. A calm Vishnu is concerned for the sage, and receives him with honour. Pleased, Bhrigu decides that the yajna should be offered to Vishnu. But Lakshmi is greatly enraged, the chest being the region of Vishnu most associated with her, and because her consort had not risen to the insult. She descends upon the earth as [[Padmavathi|Padmavati]], the daughter of a [[Chola dynasty|Chola]] king, and her consort assumes the form of [[Venkateswara|Srinivasa]]. Srinivasa finds Padmavati, marries her once more and is hailed as the primary deity of [[Tirumala]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Varadpande |first=Manohar Laxman |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_XrFh2S8nlEC&dq=lakshmi+massages+feet&pg=PA187 |title=Mythology of Vishnu and His Incarnations |date=2009 |publisher=Gyan Publishing House |isbn=978-81-212-1016-4 |pages=187 |language=en |access-date=2022-09-14 |archive-date=2024-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308161140/https://books.google.com/books?id=_XrFh2S8nlEC&dq=lakshmi+massages+feet&pg=PA187#v=onepage&q=lakshmi%20massages%20feet&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>
In literature, Lakshmi and Narayana are often offered epithets stemming from their relationship - Vishnu is hailed as ''[[Lakshmipati]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2017-12-02 |title=Lakshmipati, Lakṣmīpati, Lakshmi-pati: 10 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/lakshmipati |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en |archive-date=2022-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913084713/https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/lakshmipati |url-status=live }}</ref> the husband of Lakshmi, while Lakshmi is called ''Vishnupriya'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-06 |title=Vishnupriya, Viṣṇupriyā, Vishnu-priya: 4 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vishnupriya |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en |archive-date=2022-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913084713/https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vishnupriya |url-status=live }}</ref> the favourite of Vishnu, as well as ''Vaishnavi'' and ''Narayani'', the greatest female devotee, and [[Shakti]] of Vishnu.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2015-08-28 |title=Vaishnavi, Vaiṣṇāvī, Vaiṣṇavī: 21 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vaishnavi |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en |archive-date=2022-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913084705/https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vaishnavi |url-status=live }}</ref>
In the ''Prapanna Parijata'', Lakshmi declares that the duality of her consort and herself represents [[Brahman]]:<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VMgaAAAAYAAJ&dq=god+narayana+essence+of+existence&pg=PA162 |title=The Brahmavâdin |date=1900 |publisher=M.C. Alasingaperumal |pages=162 |language=en |access-date=2022-09-14 |archive-date=2024-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308161142/https://books.google.com/books?id=VMgaAAAAYAAJ&dq=god+narayana+essence+of+existence&pg=PA162#v=onepage&q=god%20narayana%20essence%20of%20existence&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text=God, Narayana, is the essence of existence; and I, the Supreme Lakshmi, am the attribute (be-ness) of it. Hence what is known as Lakshmìnârâyana is the Brahman which is the eternal One.|title=Prapanna Parijata}}
Line 38 ⟶ 37:
[[File:Relief sculpture of the Hindu god Narayana with his consort Lakshmi (Lakshminarayana) in the Hoysaleshwara temple at Halebidu.jpg|thumb|Lakshmi-Narayana at [[Halebidu, Karnataka]], India]]
The dual representation of the deities Lakshmi-Narayana has many historic roots, and is sometimes interpreted differently by different traditions. The goddess [[Lakshmi]] incarnates on earth with her beloved consort, following [[Vishnu|Narayana]]'s wishes, and mode of incarnation. When Vishnu descended upon the world as [[Parashurama]], the goddess incarnated herself as Dharani; when he was born as [[Rama]], Lakshmi appeared as [[Sita]]; and when he was [[Krishna]], she appeared as [[Radha]]
|author = Dr. A.C. Pradhan
|date = June 2004
Line 53 ⟶ 52:
=== Sri Sampradaya ===
[[File:Thenkalai Sri Vaishnava urdhva pundram.jpg|thumb|The Tenkalai [[Sri Vaishnavism|Sri Vaishnava]] [[Urdhva Pundra|urdhva pundra]], a representation of Lakshmi Narayana<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jagadeesan |first=N. |url= |title=Collected Papers on Tamil Vaishnavism |date=1989 |publisher=Ennes Publications |pages=104 |language=en}}</ref>]]
In the South Indian tradition of [[Sri Vaishnavism]], the deity Narayana is worshipped as the supreme deity, and his consort Lakshmi as the supreme goddess. Lakshmi is regarded to be the source of salvation, Narayana, and is hence revered by adherents in order to reach God. The origin of the tradition's name is sometimes associated with the goddess herself, who is also called Sri.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramakrishnananda |first=Swami |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FmdoEAAAQBAJ&dq=lakshmi+narayana+sri+sampradaya&pg=PT447 |title=Life of Sri Ramanuja |date=2022-04-07 |publisher=Sri Ramakrishna Math |pages=447 |language=en |access-date=2022-09-14 |archive-date=2024-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308161640/https://books.google.com/books?id=FmdoEAAAQBAJ&dq=lakshmi+narayana+sri+sampradaya&pg=PT447#v=onepage&q=lakshmi%20narayana%20sri%20sampradaya&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> The devotees of this tradition primarily worship Lakshmi-Narayana as the ultimate duality, though they also revere their incarnations in the [[Dashavatara]], including Sita-Rama and Rukmini-Krishna.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Murdoch |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWcwAQAAMAAJ&dq=lakshmi+narayana+sri+vaishnava&pg=PA21 |title=The Religious Sects of the Hindus |date=1904 |publisher=Christian Literature Society for India |pages=21 |language=en |access-date=2022-09-14 |archive-date=2024-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308161622/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWcwAQAAMAAJ&dq=lakshmi+narayana+sri+vaishnava&pg=PA21#v=onepage&q=lakshmi%20narayana%20sri%20vaishnava&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Urdhva Pundra]], the sacred mark they wear on their bodies, is conceived to be a combination of the white feet of Vishnu, and the red streak in between represents Lakshmi.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Murdoch |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWcwAQAAMAAJ&dq=lakshmi+narayana+sri+vaishnava&pg=PA21 |title=The Religious Sects of the Hindus |date=1904 |publisher=Christian Literature Society for India |pages=23 |language=en |access-date=2022-09-14 |archive-date=2024-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308161622/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWcwAQAAMAAJ&dq=lakshmi+narayana+sri+vaishnava&pg=PA21#v=onepage&q=lakshmi%20narayana%20sri%20vaishnava&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Swaminarayan Sampradaya ===
In the Vaishnava tradition of the [[Swaminarayan Sampraday]]a, a flute-bearing [[Krishna]] is worshipped with his consort [[Radha]], and together the deity is referred as [[Radha Krishna]]'','' while Krishna in his four-hands form is identified with [[Narayana]] in the text [[Shikshapatri]], and is worshipped with his consort, [[Lakshmi]]. The deity is referred as Lakshmi Narayana.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.swaminarayan.nu/sampraday/shiksha.shtml | title
== Worship ==
Lakshmi Narayana worship is popular among [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavas]], who pray to the divine couple at their homes and in temples. There are many sampradayas (sects), that regard Lakshmi Narayana as the ultimate divinity, and grand and exquisite temples have been erected for their veneration. It is believed that worshipping Lakshmi Narayana can get for the devotees the complete blessings of the divine couple and shall bestow welfare, success, prosperity and a fulfilled life for the devotees and their families.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.astroved.com/astropedia/en/gods/lakshmi-narayana|title=Benefits of praying to Lord Lakshmi Narayana, About Lord Lakshmi Narayana - Astropedia|website=www.astroved.com|access-date=2020-01-06|archive-date=2020-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925233722/https://www.astroved.com/astropedia/en/gods/lakshmi-narayana|url-status=live}}</ref>
In Tamil tradition, Narayana is often represented with three aspects of Lakshmi: [[Lakshmi|Sridevi]], [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhudevi]], and [[Niladevi]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Aloka Parasher |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f98JEAAAQBAJ&dq=sridevi+bhudevi+niladevi&pg=PA280 |title=Settlement and Local Histories of the Early Deccan |date=2021-02-28 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-36112-4 |pages=280 |language=en |access-date=2022-09-14 |archive-date=2024-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308161634/https://books.google.com/books?id=f98JEAAAQBAJ&dq=sridevi+bhudevi+niladevi&pg=PA280#v=onepage&q=sridevi%20bhudevi%20niladevi&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Gallery ==
Line 70 ⟶ 69:
File:Brooklyn Museum - Lakshmi Naryana Frontispiece from the "Tula Ram" Bhagavata Purana.jpg|Lakshmi Naryana Frontispiece from the "Tula Ram" Bhagavata Purana - [[Brooklyn Museum]]
</gallery>
== Temples ==
* [[Golden Temple, Sripuram]]
Line 76:
* [[Divya Desam]]
* [[Sreevaraham Lakshmi Varaha Temple, Thiruvananthapuram]]
* [[Chottanikkara Temple]]
==See also==
Line 85 ⟶ 86:
==References==
{{reflist}}{{Hindu deities and texts}}{{commons category}}
[[Category:Forms of Vishnu]]
[[Category:Swaminarayan Sampradaya]]
| |||