Lakshmi

Goddess Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of prosperity, good fortune and beauty. In pictures and sculptures she is depicted as seated or standing on a lotus flower. She is the goddess of Diwali representing good luck and wealth.

She is said to have emerged from Samudramanthan (churning of the seas) led by Lord Vishnu. She is also the wife of Lord Vishnu. Since she came seated on seated on the lotus flower, she is also called Padma. She being the faithful companion of Lord Vishnu has appeared as the female better half in all Vishnu’s incarnations. When Vishnu came on earth as Vamana, she took the form of Padma or Kamla (lotus); when he came as Parsuram, she was his wife Dhari; when Vishnu incarnated as Rama, she came in the form of Sita; when he was Krishna, then in the form of Radha and Rukmini. In most temples, Lakshmi is worshipped alongside Vishnu.

In the Vedas, the word Lakshmi occurs in the sense of auspicious, or reference as fortunate woman. In earlier legends, Lakshmi was the daughter of Maharishi Bhrigu, who in a fit of anger cursed all celestial beings. Lakshmi, his daughter was also among them and took refuge in the ocean waters and was later released by Lord Vishnu during Samudramanthan.

Also see Lakshmi Aarti – popular Diwali Aarti.

And below are 108 names of Goddess Lakshmi and their meanings:

1. Prakrti – Nature
2. Vikruti – Various forms of Nature
3. Vidya – Education
4. Sarvabhootahitprada – Granter of all universal and material happiness
5. Shraddha – Devotion
6. Vibhuti – Wealth
7. Surabhi – Celestial being
8. Paramatmika – Omnipresent
9. Vachi – Nectar-like speech
10. Padmalaya – Resident on lotus
11. Padma – Lotus
12. Shuchi – Purity
13. Swaha – Auspicious
14. Swadha – Form of Swadhadevi
15. Sudha – Sweet, nectar like
16. Dhanya – Gratitude
17. Hiranmayi – Golden appearance
18. Lakshmi – Wealth goddess
19. NityaPushta – Always healthy
20. Vibha – Radiant
21. Kantha – Consort of Vishnu
22. Kamakshi – One with beautiful eyes
23. Kamalasambhava – Emerging from lotus
24. Anugrahaprada – Giver of good wishes
25. Buddhi – Wisdom
26. Anagha – Sinless
27. Navadurga – Nine forms of Durga
28. Harivallabhi – Consort of Lord Hari (Vishnu)
29. Ashoka – Dispeller of sorrows
30. Amrutha - Nectar
31. Deepa – Radiant
32. Lakashokavinashini – Dispeller of all agonies
33. Dharmanilaya – Establisher of eternal law
34. Karuna – Compassionate
35. Lokamatri – Mother of Universe
36. Padmapriya – Dear to lotus
37. Padmahasta – Having lotus like hands
38. Padmakshya – Lotus eyed
39. Padmasundari – Beautiful maiden like the lotus
40. Padmodbhava – One who emerged from lotus
41. Padmamukhi – Face like lotus
42. Padmanabhapriya – Beloved of Padmanabha
43. Ramaa – Pleaser of Lord (Vishnu)
44. Padmamaladhara – One who wears lotus garland
45. Devi – Goddess
46. Padmini – Lotus
47. Padmagandhini – One having the fragrance of lotus
48. Punyagandha – One having the divine fragrance
49. Suprasanna – Ever cheerful and beaming
50. Prasadabhimukhi – Existence to grant boons
51. Prabha – Radiant like the Sun
52. Chandravadana – Face like moon
53. Chanda – Moon like
54. Chandrasahodari – Sister of Moon
55. Chaturbhuja – One with four arms
56. Chandrarupa – Face like moon
57. Indira – Radiant like the Sun
58. Indusheetala – Cool like the Moon
59. Ahladajanani – Source of happiness
60. Pushti – Healthy
61. Shiva – Auspicious
62. Shivakari – Source of all auspicious things
63. Satya – All truth
64. Vimala – Pure
65. Vishwajanani – Mother of Universe
66. Pushti – Possessor of all wealth
67. Daridriyanashini – Dispeller of poverty
68. Preeta Pushkarini – One with pleasing eyes
69. Shanta – Calm and composed
70. Shuklamalambara – One adorning white garland and attire
71. Bhaskari - Radiant like Sun
72. Bilvanilaya – Residing under Bilva tree
73. Vararoha – One who offer boons
74. Yashaswini – One who is popular and reputed
75. Vasundhara – Daughter of the Earth
76. Udaranga – Endowed with a beautiful body
77. Harini – Like deer
78. Hemamalini – One with golden garlands
79. Dhanadhanyaki – Bestower of wealth and grains
80. Siddhi – Ever ready to protect Straina
81. Soumya – Showering goodness on women
82. Shubhaprada – Giver of auspicious things and blessings
83. Nrupaveshvagathananda – Resident of palaces
84. Varalakshmi – Giver of bounty
85. Vasuprada – Granter of wealth
86. Shubha – Auspicious
87. Hiranyapraka – Surrounded by gold
88. Samudratanaya – Beloved daughter of the ocean of milk
89. Jaya – Goddess of victory
90. Mangala – Most auspicious
91. Devi – Goddess
92. Vishnuvakshah – Resident in Vishnu's chest
93. Vishnupatni – Consort of Vishnu
94. Prasannakshi – Lively eyed
95. Narayana Samashrita – One who sought refuge in Narayana
96. Daridriya Dhwamsini – Destroyer of poverty
97. Kamla – Lotus
98. Sarvapadravanivarini - Dispeller of problems
99. Mahakali - Form of Kali
100. Brahma-Vishnu-Shivatmika – Soul of Brahma Vishnu Shiva
101. Trikala – Omnipresent in three times
102. Dhnyanasampanna – Graced with gratitude
103. Bhuvaneshwarya – Supreme goddess
104. Lokamata – Mother of world
105. Chanchala – Fickle fortune
106. Jalandhija – Ocean born
107. Haripriya – Beloved of Vishnu
108. Lakshminaryana – Unified with Vishnu