RE: Ashta Laksmi-Hari, Lakshmi

Shri Brahmadaru Smarami

Dear Lakshmi,

What you say is right, but is there a possibility that the Ashta Lakshmis have a hidden swarupa behind the mirage of a material front? The thought came to me as Gaja Lakshmi is none other than Sri (read the dhyana for Srim bija/also Sri Sukta). And when we talk of Sri we are transcending far, far beyond the material domain.

Hari, the Martian form of Lakshmi is known as Kanakdhara.

Best Regards,

Sarbani

lakshmi ramesh [b_lakshmi_ramesh] Thursday, December 29, 2005 4:15 PMsohamsa Subject: Re: Ashta Laksmi

Om Gurave Namah

Hi Hari,

Namaste. You know, as soon as i read your mail, I received a copy of "Rishi Peetham" magazine in post, and the very first page contained the image of Gaja Lakshmi! Talk about divine coincidences and you always seem to trigger them!

Most of the doors of temples in South India, especially those of the sanctum sanctorum, bear the motif of Gaja Lakshmi. This can be seen even in saivaite temples. Durga Kavacham speaks of that aspect of Mother who inhabits/protects the doorway of the King/kingdom as "raaja dwaare Maha Lakshmi". Gaja Lakshmi, (associated with Airavata/Indra/Sachi) symbolises great power and prosperity, which are the attributes of gods, and hence is commonly portrayed on the entrances to garbha griha.

In Kanchi Kamakshi temple, as soon as they open the door for the first time in the morning, an elephant and a cow are stationed opposite the door in such a way, that Mother's first gaze would fall on "Gaja mukha" and "Go prishta"...said to be two of the most auspicious things!! I don't know if it is the practice in other temples too.

Regards,

Lakshmi

Jyotisa Shisya <achyutagaddi wrote:

om gam gajavaktraaya namah

Hi Smt Lakshmi & Sarbani, namaste

Just returned from Tiruchi where I had been to see the different manifestations of the divine mother and of course the magnificent Sri Rangam Ranganathaswamy temple where I saw the padukas of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (He visited this place sometime in the 15th century and stayed for 4 months there), said a silent thank-you to Sri Garuda for being kind enough to bless a certain couple with progeny and explored the manifold vibrations of the astakshari Narayana mantra (revealed by Sri Ramanuja Alwar whose shrine is also there) inside the sanctum sanctorum where Lord Narayana is shown lying on his bed smeared in sandalwood paste (at the time of visit). And also participated in the serene Lalita sahasranama chanting at the Sringeri Sankara mutt branch there as well...Saradambal and the linga from Nepal were too cute!

Just in front of the main temple is a small shrine of Hanuman where my grandfather performed abhisheka for me having prayed to him about a year back for my career. On the top of the portico marking the entrance into the small shrine was engraved Goddess Lakshmi with two elephants saluting her. My mother brought this to my attention and when I was wondering about the significance of this, to my surprise, the priest came out of the shrine and offered some concealed item (I think its naivedyam) to her!!! I was wondering what is the connection between Goddess Lakshmi and Hanuman....after seeing this discussion on the astalakshmi mapping, I thought I would jump in with my half-baked two cents!!! Can it be inferred that Gaja Lakshmi could possibly be mapped to Mars?

best regards

Hari

PS: also bought Devakeralam tr. Sri Santhanam...and am left wondering whether I am capable to understand this work. Would like to know if the author of this book, Achyuta is from Kerala or Orissa?

On 12/28/05, Sarbani Sarkar <sarbani wrote:  Shri Brahmadaru Smarami

Dear Lakshmi,

Long time back in 2002 Guruji had asked me to map the ashta Lakshmis, the nava Durgas and the Dasa Mahavidyas according to the tithis and planets. I had prepared some vague table at that time. I am putting forth the Ashta Lakshmi section:

Sun: Adi Lakshmi

Moon: Dhanya Lakshmi

Mars: Vijaya Lakshmi

Mercury: Vidya Lakshmi

Jupiter: Santana Lakshmi

Venus: Gaja Lakshmi

Saturn: Dhairya Lakshmi

As you can see Dhana lakshmi is missing. Also this was mapped to the tithis. And itwas done long ago. As you know, Kamalatmika is represented by Venus. One of the very basic forms of her is Sri, who is none other than Gaja Lakshmi. Probably that is why Gaja Lakshmi was put along with Venus. I don't think this list is correct at all. The list you put forward makes sense except for Santana and Vijaya Lakshmi.

Best Regards,

Sarbani

lakshmi ramesh [b_lakshmi_ramesh] Wednesday, December 28, 2005 2:09 PMsohamsa Subject: Re: Ashta Laksmi

Om Gurave Namah

Dear Guruji & Zoran,

Namaste.

The order of Ashta Lakshmis I know of is slightly different. it is taken from Ashta Lakshmi stotram.

They are:

Adi Lakshmi - Sun

Dhanya Lakshmi - Moon

Dhairya Lakshmi - Mars

Vidya Lakshmi - Mercury

Gaja Lakshmi- Jupiter

Dhana Lakshmi- Venus

Vijaya Lakshmi- Saturn

Santana Lakshmi- Rahu & Ketu

The original mapping to planets was done by Vishnu Jandhyala and me for a workshop he held. But later I have changed it slightly so that Vijaya lakshmi is represented by Saturn (success is not possible without hardwork and without overcoming of obstacles). Sun was the original choice for Vijaya Lakshmi.

We first chose Jupiter for Santana Lakshmi also, but I feel progeny is a karmic matter and hence later chose Rahu & Ketu, the "naaga" for that representation.

Waiting for your & Narasimha's corrections,

Regards,

Lakshmi

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Om Gurave Namah Dear Sarbani, What you have said is right. All deities are capable satisfying mundane as well as higher needs, so here the question is not about capability but that of need based role-play. As one matures and his "needs" become more elevated, there is a corresponding elevation in role-play of the deity too. This is what i briefly hinted at in my reply to Dr. Paul. Let me take up a routine example to illustrate my point. My younger son wanted me to write a simple essay on Sunderbans for his school assignment, as he's still weak and not yet fully recovered. I might have written a really beautiful article on Sankaracharya, but will it satisfy his need? I might have many other abilities and talents, but what matters to the child at this moment is that essay on Sunderbans. That's what he had come seeking for. My real capability has no relevance to him unless it satisfies his present need. Hopefully, when he's more mature and perceives the need for higher knowledge, he will come asking for the write-up himself. Mother, likewise, humours us... Her children. I feel that the sages have defined the devatas and their respective roles, with a holistic view to satisfying both the material and metaphysical needs of man. Probably they thought in terms of providing wholesome succour for the Soul, the body and the mind and assigned those areas to Ishta devata, Palana devata and Guru devata. From the perspective of Amatya karaka and Palana devata, the emphasis is on nourishment for the body (image too) and Palana devata fulfils only that need. Hence Ashta Lakshmis as the ashta dik-gajas (lovely simile!!) that support "the earth" are Palana devatas and mainly fulfill that need. Nourishment for the Soul is to be seen from the perspective of higher maturity and higher need... Atma Karaka and Ishta devata. If the

graha symbolising Palana devata also doubles up as Ishta, then definitely both the lower and higher needs are met by a single deity. Nourishment for the mind is represented by Bhratri Karaka and Guru devata. But why that order? Shouldn't it be body, mind and soul as per hierarchy of needs? Perhaps this order is more correct, because that's how the cosmic chaitanya (soul) manifests in man...first as Soul, then as body(head, eye etc) and then as mind!! Regards, Lakshmi Sarbani Sarkar <sarbani wrote: Shri Brahmadaru Smarami Dear Lakshmi, What you say is right, but is there a possibility that the Ashta Lakshmis have a hidden swarupa behind the mirage of a material front? The thought came to me as Gaja Lakshmi is none other than Sri (read the dhyana for Srim bija/also Sri Sukta). And when we talk of Sri we are transcending far, far beyond the material domain. Hari, the

Martian form of Lakshmi is known as Kanakdhara. Best Regards, Sarbani lakshmi ramesh [b_lakshmi_ramesh] Thursday, December 29, 2005 4:15 PMsohamsa Subject: Re: Ashta Laksmi Om Gurave

Namah Hi Hari, Namaste. You know, as soon as i read your mail, I received a copy of "Rishi Peetham" magazine in post, and the very first page contained the image of Gaja Lakshmi! Talk about divine coincidences and you always seem to trigger them! Most of the doors of temples in South India, especially those of the sanctum sanctorum, bear the motif of Gaja Lakshmi. This can be seen even in saivaite temples. Durga Kavacham speaks of that aspect of Mother who inhabits/protects the doorway of the King/kingdom as "raaja dwaare Maha Lakshmi". Gaja Lakshmi, (associated with Airavata/Indra/Sachi) symbolises great power and prosperity, which are the attributes of gods, and hence is commonly portrayed on the entrances to garbha griha. In Kanchi Kamakshi

temple, as soon as they open the door for the first time in the morning, an elephant and a cow are stationed opposite the door in such a way, that Mother's first gaze would fall on "Gaja mukha" and "Go prishta"...said to be two of the most auspicious things!! I don't know if it is the practice in other temples too. Regards, Lakshmi Jyotisa Shisya <achyutagaddi wrote: om gam gajavaktraaya namah Hi Smt Lakshmi & Sarbani, namaste Just returned from Tiruchi where I had been to see the different manifestations of the divine mother and of course the magnificent Sri Rangam Ranganathaswamy temple where I saw the padukas of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (He visited this place sometime in the 15th century and stayed for 4 months there), said a silent thank-you to Sri Garuda for being kind enough to bless a certain couple with progeny and explored the manifold vibrations of the astakshari Narayana mantra (revealed by Sri Ramanuja Alwar whose shrine is also there) inside the sanctum sanctorum where Lord Narayana is shown lying on his bed smeared in sandalwood paste (at the time of visit). And also participated in the serene Lalita sahasranama chanting at the Sringeri Sankara mutt branch there as well...Saradambal and the linga from Nepal were too cute! Just in front of the main temple is a small shrine of Hanuman where my grandfather performed abhisheka for me having prayed to him about a year back for my career. On the top of the portico marking the entrance into the small shrine was engraved Goddess Lakshmi with two elephants saluting her. My mother brought this to my attention and when I was wondering about the significance

of this, to my surprise, the priest came out of the shrine and offered some concealed item (I think its naivedyam) to her!!! I was wondering what is the connection between Goddess Lakshmi and Hanuman....after seeing this discussion on the astalakshmi mapping, I thought I would jump in with my half-baked two cents!!! Can it be inferred that Gaja Lakshmi could possibly be mapped to Mars? best regards Hari PS: also bought Devakeralam tr. Sri Santhanam...and am left wondering whether I am capable to understand this work. Would like to know if the author of this book,

Achyuta is from Kerala or Orissa? On 12/28/05, Sarbani Sarkar <sarbani wrote:  Shri Brahmadaru Smarami Dear Lakshmi, Long time back in 2002 Guruji had asked me to map the ashta Lakshmis, the nava Durgas and the Dasa Mahavidyas according to the tithis and planets. I had prepared some vague table at that time. I am putting forth the Ashta Lakshmi section: Sun: Adi Lakshmi Moon: Dhanya Lakshmi Mars: Vijaya Lakshmi Mercury: Vidya Lakshmi Jupiter: Santana Lakshmi Venus: Gaja Lakshmi Saturn: Dhairya Lakshmi As you can see Dhana lakshmi is missing. Also this was mapped to the tithis. And itwas done long ago. As you know, Kamalatmika is represented by Venus. One of the very basic forms of her is Sri, who is none other than Gaja Lakshmi. Probably that is why Gaja Lakshmi was put along with Venus. I don't think this list is correct at all. The list you put forward makes sense except for Santana and Vijaya Lakshmi. Best Regards, Sarbani lakshmi ramesh [b_lakshmi_ramesh] Wednesday, December 28, 2005 2:09 PMsohamsa Subject: Re: Ashta Laksmi Om Gurave Namah Dear Guruji & Zoran, Namaste. The order of Ashta Lakshmis I know of is slightly different. it is taken from Ashta Lakshmi stotram. They are: Adi Lakshmi - Sun Dhanya Lakshmi - Moon Dhairya Lakshmi - Mars Vidya Lakshmi - Mercury Gaja Lakshmi- Jupiter Dhana Lakshmi- Venus Vijaya Lakshmi- Saturn Santana Lakshmi- Rahu & Ketu The original mapping to planets was done by Vishnu Jandhyala and me for a workshop he held. But later I have changed it slightly so that Vijaya lakshmi is represented by Saturn (success is not possible without hardwork and without overcoming of obstacles). Sun was the original choice for Vijaya Lakshmi. We first chose Jupiter for Santana Lakshmi also, but I feel progeny is a karmic matter and hence later chose Rahu & Ketu, the "naaga" for that representation. Waiting for your & Narasimha's corrections, Regards, Lakshmi PhotosRing in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.

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