LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
सर्व-यन्त्रात्मिका सर्व-तन्त्ररूपा मनोन्मनी ।
माहेश्वरी महादेवी महालक्ष्मीर् मृडप्रिया ॥ ५३॥
Sarva Yantratmika Sarva Tantrarupa Manonmani Maheshvari Mahadevi Mahalakshmir Mrudapriya – 53
महालक्ष्मी (210)
Mahalakshmi (210)
Meaning:
Devi, in this Namah, has been referred to as taking up the form of Mahalakshmi.
Interpretation:
Readers should understand that basically there are three different Mahalakshmi-s mentioned in the Hindu scriptures:
1.Maha Lakshmi - the consort of Maha Vishnu:
This is the most common and prominent form of Maha Lakshmi. Devi Maha Lakshmi is believed to have emerged from the Milk Ocean during the great churning (sagar manthan) and Lord Vishnu took her as his consort. The Sri Suktam, forming part of Yajur Veda, is dedicated to her and her Gayatri is
ॐ श्री महालक्ष्म्यै च विद्महे विष्णु पत्न्यै च धीमहि तन्नो लक्ष्मी प्रचोदयात् ॥
Maha Lakshmi is always depicted sitting on a lotus flower and holding the flower in two of her four hands. The other two hands are held in Vara Hastham (granting boons) and Abhaya Hastham (protecting devotees)
सेवे सैरिभमर्दिनीमिह महालक्ष्मीं सरोजस्थिताम्
2. Maha Lakshmi as one of the Names of Shakti / Parvati Devi
The reference to Devi Parvati / Shakti being referred as Maha Lakshmi is found in the Shiva Puranam. Verse 9.46.33 of the holy text says
ततोऽम्बिकां परां शक्तिं महालक्ष्मीस्वरूपिणीम् तुष्टुवुस्ते सुरास्सर्वे भक्तिगद्गदया गिरा ॥
All the demigods (Devas) worship with deep devotion Devi Ambika (Parvati) who appears in the form of Maha Lakshmi.
Further the same text mentions:
तस्याङ्कमण्डलारूढा शक्तिमाहेश्वरी परा। महालक्ष्मीरिति ख्याता श्यामा सर्वमनोहरा ॥
Shakti or Maheshwari (consort of Lord Maheshwsra / Shiva) is seen sitting on his lap. She is of dark complexion, very attractive and is called Maha Lakshmi.
The Parvati Sahasranamam also contains the term Maha Lakshmi - it is one of the thousand names of Devi:
ईश्वराणी च शर्वाणी शंकरार्द्धशरीरिणी ।
भवानी चैव रुद्राणी महालक्ष्मीरथाम्बिका ॥ २६ ॥
From the above references,it can be clearly understood why Vaak Devi-s have referred to Devi Lalithambika as Maha Lakshmi in LSN.
3.Maha Lakshmi as part of the Trinity of Durga Lakshmi Saraswati
Another Maha Lakshmi finding mention is the Devata of Madhyam Charitra of Devi Mahatmyam. As per Devi Bhagavatam, Devi Durga assumes three different forms as Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati in the Mahatmyam.
The thirteen chapters of Mahatmyam are divided into three sections Chapter 1 (Madhu Kaitaba Vadam) covering the Prathama Charitram, in which Devi appears as Durga, Chapters 2,3 & 4 covering the Madhyama Charitam in which Devi appears as Maha Lakshmi and the rest - Chapters 5 to13 covering Uttama Charitam where Devi appears as Maha Saraswati.
It is to be noted that these forms of Devi Durga as Maha Lakshmi & Maha Saraswati are very different from Maha Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) and Maha Saraswati (goddess of wisdom).
In Mahatmyam Devi assumes the form of Lakshmi (she is not different from Durga Herself) to destroy the army of Mahishasura and later the demon himself and assumes the form of Saraswati (she is not different from Devi Durga Herself) to kill various demons such as Rakta-bheeja, Dhoomra-lochana, Chanda, Munda, Nishumba and Shumba.
Author's Notes:
Worship of Devi Maha Lakshmi has been popular from time immemorial.
The festival of Diwali is the most important occasion when Devi Maha Lakshmi is worshiped. In South India there is a custom to worship Devi in the form of Vara Lakshmi observing certain specific rituals. Bengal celebrates Lokki puja on the full moon day following Durga Puja.
There are numerous temples for Maha Lakshmi where she is depicted either separately or in the company of her consort - as Lakshmi Narayana or Lakshmi Narasimha. The most famous temple dedicated for Maha Lakshmi (the Vishnu Patni - goddess of wealth form) is located in Vellore, Tamil Nadu.
Situated at the foot of the green hills at Thirumalaikodi, the salient feature of Golden Temple, Vellore, housing the deity Sri Lakshmi Narayani is whose Vimanam and Ardha Mandapam are covered with pure gold.
The Maha Lakshmi temple also known as Ambabai temple located in Kolhapur is one among the 51 Shakti Peeth temples where the third eye of Devi is believed to have fallen. This Maha Lakshmi temple is dedicated to the Shakti form of Devi Parvati.
The most famous Maha Lakshmi temple dedicated to the Trinity form of Devi is located in Mumbai.
The Maha Lakshmi temple was built by Dhakji Dadaji in 1831 and is dedicated to Mahalakshmi, the central deity of Devi Mahatmyam. The temple contains images of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati.
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