Maha Ashtha Lakshmi

Star of Lakshmi Ashthalakshmi or Star of Lakshmi. The Star of Lakshmi is a complex {8/2} star figure (i.e. two squares with the same centre at 45° angles), and figures in Hinduism, where it represents Ashtalakshmi.[1

Star of Lakshmi

Ashthalakshmi or Star of Lakshmi. The Star of Lakshmi is a complex {8/2} star figure (i.e. two squares with the same centre at 45° angles), and figures in Hinduism, where it represents Ashtalakshmi.[1



Names and powers
The Ashta Lakshmi listed as per the prayer Shri Ashta Lakshmi Stotram are [1]:

• Adi Lakshmi (Sanskrit: आदि लक्ष्मी, Ādi Lakṣmī, lit "Primeval Lakshmi") or Maha Lakshmi (Sanskrit: महा लक्ष्मी, Mahā Lakṣmī, lit "The Great Lakshmi") : an ancient form of Lakshmi [3] and incarnation of Lakshmi as daughter of sage Bhrigu.[2]
• Dhana Lakshmi (Sanskrit: धन लक्ष्मी, Dhana Lakṣmī, lit "Money Lakshmi"): for money and gold [3]
• Dhanya Lakshmi (Sanskrit: धान्य लक्ष्मी, Dhǎnya Lakṣmī, lit " Lakshmi as goddess of grain"): Giver of agricultural wealth.[3]
• Gaja Lakshmi (Sanskrit: गज लक्ष्मी, Gaja Lakṣmī, lit "Elephant Lakshmi"): Giver of animal wealth like cattle and elephants [3] Swami Chidananda interprets Gaja Lakshmi as giver of power of royalty.[4] According to Hindu mythology, Gaja Lakshmi brought back the wealth lost by Indra (king of demi-gods) from the ocean.[2] Vasudha Narayanan intrepret the name as "one who is worshipped by elephants".[1]
• Santana Lakshmi (Sanskrit: सन्तान लक्ष्मी, Santāna Lakṣmī, lit "Progeny Lakshmi"): Bestower of offspring [3]
• Veera Lakshmi (Sanskrit: वीर लक्ष्मी ,vīra lakṣmī, lt. "Valourous Lakshmi")or Dhairya Lakshmi (Sanskrit: धैर्य लक्ष्मी, Dhairya Lakṣmī, lit "Courage Lakshmi"): Bestower of valour in battles [3] and courage and strength for overcoming difficulties in life.[2]
• Vijaya Lakshmi (Sanskrit: विजय लक्ष्मी, Vijaya Lakṣmī, lit "Victorious Lakshmi") or Jaya Lakshmi (Sanskrit: जय लक्ष्मी, Jaya Lakṣmī, lit "Victorious Lakshmi") [4] : Giver of victory, not only in battles [3] but also over conquering hurdles in order to beget success.[2]
• Vidya Lakshmi (Sanskrit: विद्या लक्ष्मी, Vidyā Lakṣmī, lit "Knowledge Lakshmi"): the bestower of knowledge of arts and sciences [4]

In some Ashta Lakshmi lists, other forms of Lakshmi are included:

• Aishwarya Lakshmi (Sanskrit: ऎश्वर्य लक्ष्मी, lit "Prosperity Lakshmi") : Goddess of riches [3]
• Saubhagya (Sanskrit: सौभग्या, lit "Giver of good Fortune") : Giver of prosperity in general.[4]
• Rajya Lakshmi (Sanskrit: राज्य लक्ष्मी, Rājya Lakṣmī, lit "Royal Lakshmi"): "She who blesses rulers (with secular power)" [5]
• Vara Lakshmi (Sanskrit: वर लक्ष्मी, Vara Lakṣmī, lit "Boon Lakshmi"): "The lady who bestows Beautiful Boons".[5]

Iconography
The Ashta Lakshmi are all depicted seated on a lotus.

• Adi Lakshmi : Four-armed, carries a lotus and a white flag, other two arms in Abhaya mudra and varada mudra.
• Aishwarya Lakshmi : Four-armed, in white garments, carries two lotuses, other two arms in abhaya mudra and varada mudra.
• Dhana Lakshmi : Six-armed, in red garments, carries chakra (discus), shankha (conch), kalasha (water pitcher with mango leaves and a coconut on it) or Amrita kumbha (a pitcher containing Amrita - elixir of life), bow-arrow, a lotus and an arm in abhaya mudra with gold coins falling from it.
• Dhanya Lakshmi : Eight-armed, in green garments, carries two lotuses, gada (mace), paddy crop, sugarcane, bananas, other two hands in abhaya mudra and varada mudra.
• Gaja Lakshmi : Four-armed, in red garments, carries two lotuses, other two arms in abhaya mudra and varada mudra, surrounded by two elephants bathing her with water pots.
• Santana Lakshmi : Six-armed, carries two kalashas (water pitcher with mango leaves and a coconut on it), sword, shield, a child on her lap, a hand in abhaya mudra and the other holding the child. The child holds a lotus.
• Veera Lakshmi : Eight-armed, in red garments, carries chakra, shakh, bow, arrow, trishul (or sword), gold bar or book ?, other two hands in abhaya mudra and varada mudra.
• Vijaya Lakshmi : Eight-armed, in red garments, carries chakra, shakh, sword, shield, lotus, pasha, other two hands in abhaya mudra and varada mudra.