Hindu Society of North Carolina

Author(s): Hindu Society of North Carolina
Publisher: Hindu Society of North Carolina

Page 40

LAKSHMI NARAYAN
लक्ष्मी नारायण
Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and the consort of Lord Vishnu, or Narayan, who represents the power of sustenance. In order to sustain life, one must possess wealth. Wealth in this context does not only mean money, it also includes the nobler values of life, the power of the mind, intellect, moral and ethical qualities etc. which constitute the spiritual wealth. According to a story in the Bhagwat Purana, the Gods (Devas) and the demons (Asuras) churned the ocean of milk (Kshirsagar) for obtaining the nectar (Amrit). One of the precious things that came out of the ocean was Goddess Lakshmi. The emergence of Lakshmi represents two things. The "churning of ocean" implies that one needsred intense efforts (Purushartha) to acquire material or spiritual wealth. Also, the emergence of Lakshmi from the ocean symbolizes the creation and development of ethical and cultural values of life in one's bosom when one's pure (satwik) mind is churned by the process of reflection and contemplation upon the higher self.
Lord Narayan is one of the trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh) representing the Power of Sustenance. He is the one who manifests himself in the world among mankind at appropriate eras in the form of various incarnations to rid life of its evil propensities and to make the world ready for greater evolution.
Traditionally, he is described as blue in color, clothed in yellow, wearing a crown, and standing upon a lotus divine. He has four hands and he holds in them the Conch (Shankha), the Discus (Chakra), the Mace (Gada), and Lotus (Padma). Every one of these represents a significant symbol very scientifically employed to indicate that Narayan is none other than the Divine mighty self which is the "Changeless Center" around all changes, the "Imperishable Essence" in the midst of all the perishable finite things.
The "hand that holds the conch" is symbolized as the intellect (buddhi), the "hand that holds the Discus" as the ego, "that which holds the Mace" as the mind (manas), and "that which holds the Lotus" as the
of
38 Page
consciousness (Chitta). The discriminating intellect gives us the call and points out a more rewarding way-of-life, and in case we ignore this silent whisper of the heart and plunge into a life of extrovertedness, the mind gives endless knocks to that personality. If even then, we are not able to realize our folly and withdraw our selves from the dissipating ways of living, the arrogant ego fattened by these stupidities of the mind in revolt against the intellect, ultimately drives the individual to its total doom.
HINDU SOCIETY OF NORTH CAROLINA CELEBERATION AND APPRICIATION (1976-2006)
December 2006