Laxmi
Laxmi- Goddess of wealth. In Rigveda she stands for prosperity .!n Satapatha Brahmana she appears as the wife of Adity. In Puranas she sprang from the ocean with a lotus in hand at the time of churning of the ocean of milk. She is also represented as the daughter of sage Bhrigu and his wife Khyati- consort of Narayana. She has many namesKamala, Padmalaya, Sri, Indira, Lokamata, Haripriya etc.Padma Purana reveals that Lord Vishnu has eight saktis (energies)such as Sri, Bhu,Sarasvati,Priti,Prusti,Kirti,Santi and Tusti. Laxmi appears in Gupta coins holding a fillet in her out streched right hand, left hand resting on a lotus.
Cult image of Laxmi appears in the Jagamohan of Anant Vasudeva temple .She adorns the door lintel of Muktesvara temple and many other Siva temples. Laxmi temple in the inner compound of Jagannath temple, Puri is a three chamber structure. Laxmi Devi, wife of Chodagangadeva constructed a large tank called Laxmisagar in Bhubanesvara. Laxmi-Narasimha temple at Simhachalam of the time of Narasimhadeva-II contains a Telegu inscription. F.R.: Classical Dictionary by J.Dowson, Hindu Mythology by W.S Wilkins, South Indian Images by H.K.Sastri.
