Lakshmi is the goddess of all that is good-wealth (dhana), beauty (saundarya) and happiness (sukha). As Vishnu's consort and in her incarnations as Sita and Rukmini, she represents the ideal of femininity in Hinduism. She is also Shri, the goddess of fertility and grain, and Mahalakshmi, the amalgam of the goddesses Kali, Lakshmi and Sarasvati. She is benevolent and generous, yet it takes surprisingly little to offend her. And when she leaves, her place is taken by Alakshmi, all that Lakshmi is not-poverty, pestilence and ill fortune. How did this popular and accessible goddess come to represent these qualities? R. Mahalakshmi presents an evocative picture of the mythical and historical development of the goddess Lakshmi. Using a range of sources, from ancient texts to sculptures and everyday religious customs and prayers, this fascinating and deeply-insightful book sheds new light not only on the figure of Lakshmi, but also on the fundamental tenets of Hinduism as it is practised today.
Let's dive into the vast and wonderful world of Hindu mythology! Clever Ganesha's got something on his mind, but what that is you'll have to read on to find. With charming illustrations and simple language, this short tale about Ganesha will entertain and delight. · This series of charmingly illustrated board books introduces kids to some of the best known and best loved gods from popular Hindu mythology, including Krishna, Ganesha, Lakshmi, Hanuman, Shiva, and Durga. · Dotted with interesting facts about each god as well as an interactive seek-and-find activity. · Suitable for bedtime reading and parent-child association. · Perfect way to familiarize babies with India's rich cultural fabric. · These books offer a fun and enjoyable introduction to timeless myths and festivals for modern kids. · A must have to impart important life lessons from various gods and goddesses. · Collect all books in the series!
A vivid memoir of food and family, survival and triumph, Love, Loss, and What We Ate traces the arc of Padma Lakshmi’s unlikely path from an immigrant childhood to a complicated life in front of the camera—a tantalizing blend of Ruth Reichl’s Tender at the Bone and Nora Ephron’s Heartburn Long before Padma Lakshmi ever stepped onto a television set, she learned that how we eat is an extension of how we love, how we comfort, how we forge a sense of home—and how we taste the world as we navigate our way through it. Shuttling between continents as a child, she lived a life of dislocation that would become habit as an adult, never quite at home in the world. And yet, through all her travels, her favorite food remained the simple rice she first ate sitting on the cool floor of her grandmother’s kitchen in South India. Poignant and surprising, Love, Loss, and What We Ate is Lakshmi’s extraordinary account of her journey from that humble kitchen, ruled by ferocious and unforgettable women, to the judges’ table of Top Chef and beyond. It chronicles the fierce devotion of the remarkable people who shaped her along the way, from her headstrong mother who flouted conservative Indian convention to make a life in New York, to her Brahmin grandfather—a brilliant engineer with an irrepressible sweet tooth—to the man seemingly wrong for her in every way who proved to be her truest ally. A memoir rich with sensual prose and punctuated with evocative recipes, it is alive with the scents, tastes, and textures of a life that spans complex geographies both internal and external. Love, Loss, and What We Ate is an intimate and unexpected story of food and family—both the ones we are born to and the ones we create—and their enduring legacies.
In the pantheon of Hindu deities, few hold as significant a place as the divine and revered Goddess Lakshmi. Known as the embodiment of wealth, prosperity, and abundance, she is celebrated and worshipped by millions around the world. Through her presence, devotees seek blessings for material and spiritual prosperity, and her grace is believed to bring forth blessings, fortune, and auspiciousness. This book, "Manifestations of Lakshmi: Exploring the Eight Forms of the Goddess of Wealth," delves into the profound significance of the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi as described in ancient Hindu scriptures and mythological narratives. These eight forms, known as Ashtalakshmi, represent different aspects of wealth and prosperity, each carrying its unique symbolism and blessings. Throughout the pages of this book, we embark on a journey to understand the essence of each form of Lakshmi and the wisdom they impart. From Adi Lakshmi, the primal source of all abundance, to Dhanya Lakshmi, the bestower of bountiful harvests, each form offers profound insights into the multifaceted nature of wealth and its role in our lives. The exploration of these forms takes us beyond the material realm, revealing the spiritual significance and transformative power they hold. As we delve into the stories, rituals, and teachings associated with each form, we gain a deeper understanding of the Goddess's presence in various aspects of human existence. From the importance of generosity and compassion to the significance of knowledge and education, these forms of Lakshmi guide us towards a holistic understanding of prosperity and its true meaning. While rooted in ancient wisdom, this book aims to make these profound teachings accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Whether you are a devout follower of Hinduism or simply intrigued by the wisdom and symbolism of the divine, the intention is to provide a comprehensive exploration of the eight forms of Lakshmi, allowing you to connect with the Goddess's grace and embody her qualities in your own life. May this journey into the manifestations of Lakshmi awaken your spirit, illuminate your path, and inspire you to cultivate abundance and prosperity in all aspects of your existence. May the Goddess's blessings shower upon you, bringing forth wealth, wisdom, and spiritual fulfillment. Om Shri Mahalakshmi Namah.
Treasures of Lakshmi is the culmination of the much-loved goddess series, brilliantly curated and edited by Namita Gokhale and Malashri Lal. This trilogy, which began with In Search of Sita and continued with Finding Radha, examines the mystical realms of Hindu thought and practice, celebrating the essence of the sacred feminine. Whether it is Lakshmi's 108 names or a sahasranama of a thousand appellations, her blessings are multidimensional and eternal. as the third and final instalment of this remarkable trilogy, Treasures of Lakshmi takes readers on a unique journey of exploration, unravelling the compelling narrative of 'the goddess who gives'.
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Vishnu's consort, is a versatile goddess who functions at two levels. She is a source of strength and inspiration for Lord Vishnu and helps him whenever he is called upon to save the world from evil. And at another level, she showers blessings on all her devotees who worship her with love and devotion, and turns her back on all those who are immoral and deceitful. The stories in this book explore her multi-faceted persona centred around both these roles. The book, apart from narrating wisdom tales from Indian mythology, introduces the child to the world of new words. The words have been carefully chosen by a panel of experts and are explained in detail at the end of the book in a glossary.
This book is compiled with the goal of explaining the hidden history, significance, and meaning of the mantras used in common Hindu puja rituals performed by the Bengalis to the Bengali immigrants.
Life today is filled with the continual challenge of having ‘enough’. Enough money, enough food, enough clothes; a good house, a good car, a good job. The struggle to provide for oneself and one’s family seems like it will never end. It is only natural that, for centuries, Maha Lakshmi has been worshipped in order to gain financial wealth. But those willing to look more deeply will find that She has much more to offer than just money and material things. The key is to develop a deeply personal relationship with Her. The question is, how? This book contains a selection of Maha Lakshmi’s mantras and prayers recommended by Paramahamsa Vishwananda to bring you closer to the heart of the Universal Mother, who is just waiting to bestow Her blessings upon you. Reading these mantras and prayers, chanting them, and meditating upon Her Divine Form are powerful ways to help you connect to Her, and the results can show up surprisingly fast. All you need is to devote some time to enjoying Her Presence with love, sincerity and faith.
Seeking to escape captivity, Lakshmi the temple elephant sets out on a stirring journey toward freedom. On her way, she briefly experiences life as a film star and encounters a colorful cast including a three-legged dog named Tripod Dog Baba, other elephants in the Bandipur Forest, a chameleon facing an existential crisis, a moon who dances with an elephant, and a flying fish called Alphonse. Lakshmi’s Secret Diary is a remarkable Indian Francophone novel set in Pondicherry, the former capital of French India. Blending philosophical meditations, retellings of Sanskrit mythology, and social critique, Ari Gautier tells the story of Lakshmi’s attempt to escape her fate. From the point of view of animals, the novel explores concepts of destiny, freedom, and identity. It illuminates the paradoxes of animal-human relations in India, where animals are both abused and worshiped, and provides an imaginative critique of the caste system. Gautier’s vivid portrait of Pondicherry brings to life the religious, cultural, culinary, and visual diversity of the city’s districts and sheds light on the little-known history of French colonialism in India. An afterword explores issues such as reincarnation and Indian translation traditions in relation to the novel. At once tragic and comic, satirical and surreal, Lakshmi’s Secret Diary is a surprising, compelling, and moving novel from a gifted storyteller.
