A multi-faceted portrait of Lakshmi, Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. Includes translations of verses used to invoke this goddess.
Beautiful, beloved Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, happiness, and abundant good fortune. This fascinating book is the first comprehensive guide to this celebrated goddess, her worship, and the deeper spiritual domain of prosperity she reveals. Constantina Rhodes presents over five hundred elegantly translated Sanskrit verses, including devotional songs, mantras, visualizations, and ceremonial instructions that devotees use to invoke Lakshmi.
Rhodes uses these texts to develop a richly detailed portrait of Lakshmi, revealing unexpected dimensions of this enigmatic deity. Even as Lakshmi is best known as a goddess of wealth and well-being, she also maintains a strong esoteric presence, expressing herself as Siddhi, the magnificent Tantric goddess of spiritual power, and as Kundalini Shakti, the transformative cosmic force that exists within each individual. These identities express the "prosperity consciousness" that is the essential nature of the goddess and the divine source of all wealth. Invoking Lakshmi is not only a matter of calling upon the external form of the goddess but also of aligning one's consciousness with the very essence of prosperity
Rezensionen / Stimmen
"Rhodes is a skilled scholar of ancient texts ... She is also a fine writer and a person who has a very deep appreciation of Hindu spirituality herself. In this highly readable book on the goddess Lakshmi, Rhodes analyzes and integrates material from a wide range of traditional sources ... Highly recommended." - CHOICE
Sprache
Verlagsort
Zielgruppe
Für Beruf und Forschung
US School Grade: College Graduate Student and over
Produkt-Hinweis
Illustrationen
1 Illustrations, black and white
Maße
Höhe: 229 mm
Breite: 152 mm
Dicke: 18 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-1-4384-3320-2 (9781438433202)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Constantina Rhodes teaches in the Program in Religion at the City University of New York's Hunter College. Her books include Shaiva Devotional Songs of Kashmir: A Translation and Study of Utpaladeva's Shivastotravali and Meditations on Shiva: The Shivastotravali of Utpaladeva, both also published by SUNY Press.
Acknowledgements
Introduction: The Goddess Arrives in Delhi
What Does It Mean to Invoke a Goddess?
On the Format of This Book
Sources: Sanskrit Texts and Popular Worship Manuals
Part One: The Divine Personalities of Laksmi
1. The Awseome Power of Auspiciousness: Laksmi of the Vedic Traditions
The Primordial Lotus Goddess
The Goddess of Auspiciousness: Sri's Essence, Laksmi's Form
Alaksmi the Inauspicious
2. Living the Good Life: Laksmi of the Puranic Traditions
The Burgeoning World of the Puranas
Laksmi and the Lords of the Three Realms: Indra, Visnu, and Bali
All Women are Embodiments of Laksmi
Laksmi, Embodiment of the "Four Wealths" (Caturartha)
The Absence of Laksmi: Is Lady Luck a Fickle Goddess?
3. Living the Powerful Life: Laksmi of the Tantric Traditions
The World According to Tantra
Laksmi as Kundalini
Laksmi, Siva, and the "Ten Great Wisdom Goddesses" (Dasamahavidyas)
The Grace-Bestowing Mother
Laksmi as Siddhi: Magical Attainment, Spiritual Power
Part Two: The Power of Poetry to Summon the Goddess
4. The Power of the Vedic Hymns: Generating Auspiciousness
Reciting the Hymns (Sutkas)
Ritual Application of the Vedic Hymns
5. The Power of Puranic Songs: Drawing Down the Goddess
Reciting the Songs of Praise (Stotras)
The Propitious Glance of the Goddess
Fruits of the Recitations (Phala)
6. The Power of Tantric Songs: Waking Up the Goddess
Alchemy of the Goddess: The Magic of Transformation
Vibratory Essence: Engaging the Sound Forms of Laksmi
The Potency of a Woman's Recitations
Literary Genres of the Tantric Songs
Structure of Tantric Songs
Part Three: Ceremony
Introduction: Invoking Laksmi In Ceremony: Laksmi Puja
Creating Space to Receive the Goddess
The Ancient Art of Hospitality
Structure of the Ceremony
Laksmi Puja Text
Preparation and Purification
Heart of the Ceremony: Receiving the Goddess
Outline of the Laksmi Puja
Part Four: Song
Vedic Hymns to Laksmi
Hymn to Sri (Sri Suktam)
Hymn to Laksmi (Laksmi Sutkam)
Puranic Songs of Laksmi
Song for Laksmi, Gracious Bestower of Blessings (Prasannavarada Sri Laksmi Stotram)
Song for the Glorious Lotus Goddess (Sri Kamala Stotram)
Lord Indra's Song for Laksmi (Devaraja Indrakrta Laksmi Stotram)
The Heavenly Gods' Praise Song for Laksmi (Sri Daivakrta Laksmi Stotram)
Eight Verses Praising Mahalaksmi (Mahalaksmyastakam Stotram)
Tantric Songs to Laksmi
The Secret Heart of Laksmi (Sri Mahalaksmi Hrdayam)
Praise-Song for the Bestower of Wealth (Dhanada Stotram)
Song-Amulet of the Bestower of Wealth (Dhanada Kavacam)
Praise-Song for the Lotus Goddess (Kamala Stotram)
108 Names of the Glorious Lotus Goddess (Sri Kamala Astottarasatanama Stotram)
Song-Amulet of the Lotus Goddess (Kamalatmika Kavacam)
Song for the Laksmi of Spiritual Power (Sri Siddhalaksmi Stotram)
Song for the Glorious "Eyes of Indra" (Sri Indraksi Stotram)
Song-Formulary of the Glorious Mahalaksmi (Sri Mahalaksmi Panjara Stotram)
Secret Laksmi Incantation That Yields Immediate Results (Sadyah Phalada Laksmistava Hrdayam)
Epilogue: The Goddess Returns Home
Transliterated Sanskrit Texts
Laksmi Puja Text
Verdic Texts
Puranic Texts
Tantric Texts
Notes
Bibliography
Index
