We have seen many pictures of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi – or Laxminarayan at various places- at home, temples, streets, shops – to name a few. Lord Vishnu otherwise also known as the Narayan is the most powerful God of the Hindus. According to Hindu Mythology Lord Vishnu is the Sustainer of the Universe. He is that Lord who incarnated as Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Parashurama and Lord Balaji. All the 10 avatars (incarnations) – Dashavatar belong to Lord Vishnu.
Goddess Laxmi is his wife. She is the goddess of all riches. She is the goddess of wealth. This wealth, and long with-it Goddess Laxmi, takes many forms – Dhana Laxmi, Dhanya Laxmi, Dhairya Laxmi – to name a few forms of Mother Laxmi. Along with every incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Mother Laxmi also incarnated.
The general and most common picture of Lord Vishnu (rather than the word picture, allow me call it as the depiction) is that he is relaxing on the huge coils/bed of Seshnaag, which floats in the ocean of milk. The place of Lord Vishnu is called ‘VAIKUNTA’. He has four hands – in his right two hands he is seen holding Chakra (Divine Discus) and Gada (Mace). In his left two hands he is depicted holding a Shankh (Conch) and a Lotus. From His naval originates a lotus flower with a long stem, on that Lord Brahma sits. Lord Vishnu’s vehicle is Garud (Eagle).
In this depiction it is shown that the Goddess of wealth and his wife Laxmi is seated near his feet. It is also depicted that she is pressing his legs and feet. Probably she will be talking, when talked to. She is very close to Lord Vishnu and his heart. The moot issue is what do we learn from this depiction?
Goddess of wealth should be kept at her place. Money is wealth and is important. Similarly, knowledge too is a wealth and it is also important. Whatever is the type of wealth it may be – it must be kept at its place! There are innumerable examples in human history of those people who gave more importance to wealth, kept it over and above all of life – they were all ruined. Hence, from this wonderful pictorial depiction of Laxminarayan, I understand that wealth is important, only to a certain extent. Never let wealth get into your head. Keep it nearer to your feet!
By keeping Goddess Laxmi at his feet, Lord Vishnu is telling that whenever you were to compare yourself with others, then look at all those who are below you…at your feet. Thank the existence for giving so much. To indicate this Lord Vishnu has kept Laxmi is at his feet.
Now let us look at the depiction painting to Lord Vishnu. His face pleasant. Relaxed. He seems to be enjoying the warmth of his wife’s devoted service. From here it can be understood that the real wealth is in enjoying the given life… dress well, live well, talk well, relax well etc.
I do not think this interpretation of the painting of Laxminaryan is given till date either by the scriptures or in their various interpretations. I am not saying I am a religious man or asking you to embrace a specific religion. Both are irrelevant. All I am saying is that this a different angle. A different take. I request you to abstain concluding about my religiousness, based on this article.
About the Author
Dr. K. Raja Gopal Reddy is a seasoned internationally qualified Insurance professional.
What you are reading here, may not answer all the questions we have, but has the absolute power of asking unsettling questions which increase the interest in the strange world, and show the contradictory wonders lying just below the surface of the commonest things of life. Look at this disturbing but beautiful thought of Friedrich Nietzsche “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him”.
Dr. Reddy can be reached at: raja66gopal@gmail.com
