Invoking Lakshmi : the goddess of wealth in song and ceremony / Constantina Rhodes.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rhodes, Constantina Eleni, 1954-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Lakshmi (Hindu deity)--Prayers and devotions--History and criticism.

Lakshmi (Hindu deity).

Hindu hymns--History and criticism.

Hindu hymns.

Lakshmi (Hindu deity)--Cult.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (294 p.)

Place of Publication:

Albany : State University of New York Press, c2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

A multi-faceted portrait of Lakshmi, Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. Includes translations of verses used to invoke this goddess.

Contents:

Invoking Lakshmi

Invoking Lakshmi

Contents

Acknowledgments

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

CHAPTER 1: The Awesome 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

CHAPTER 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?

CHAPTER 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

CHAPTER 4: The Power of Vedic Hymns: Generating Auspiciousness

Reciting the Hymns (Suktas)

Ritual Application of the Vedic Hymns

CHAPTER 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)

CHAPTER 6: The Power of Tantric Songs: Waking Up the Goddess

Alchemy of the Goddess: The Magic of Transformation

The Potency of a Woman's Recitations

Literary Genres of the Tantric Songs

Structure of the 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 Suktam)

Puranic Songs to 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

Vedic Texts

Puranic Texts

Tantric Texts

Notes

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781438433226

1438433220

9781441687005

1441687009

OCLC:

704278458