Lakshmi Narayan

Lakshmi Narayana or Lakshmi-Narayana (Sanskrit: लक्ष्मी-नारायण, IAST: Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa), also sometimes spelled Lakshminarayan, Lakshminarayana, Laxminarayana, is a manifestation of Vishnu in the Hindu religion. It is usually referring to Vishnu, also known as Narayan, when he is with his consort, Lakshmi, in his abode, Vaikuntha. The goddess of beauty Lakshmi is depicted as standing next to a dark-skinned Vishnu, who is holding a conch, mace, lotus and the Sudarshana Chakra. Another depiction of Lakshminarayan portrays Lakshmi in the service of Narayan, who is reclining on the cosmic serpent Sesha, floating in Kshīrsagār, the Ocean of Milk.[1]

"Laxminarayan" redirects here. For other uses, see Laxminarayan (disambiguation).
For the composite figure of Vishnu and Lakshmi, see Vaikuntha Kamalaja.
Lakshmi Narayana
Existence
Lakshmi-Narayana at Tirumala
Devanagariलक्ष्मी-नारायण
Sanskrit transliterationLakṣmīnārāyaṇa
AffiliationVishnu, Lakshmi, Radha, Krishna, Sita, Rama
AbodeVaikuntha
WeaponPanchajanya, Kaumodaki, Sudarshana Chakra
MountGaruda

Interpretations
Lakshmi Narayan statue at Naksaal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Lakshmi-Narayan at Halebidu, Karnataka, India

The deity Lakshmi Narayan has many historic roots and is sometimes interpreted differently by different traditions. Goddess Lakshmi incarnated again and again with Her beloved consort following Narayana's wish and mode of incarnation. When Lord Vishnu descended as Rama, Goddess Lakshmi appeared as Sita and when he was Krishna, she appeared as Radha. Other gopis and queens of Dwarka are believed to be Radha's expansion. This fact is explored in Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vishnu purana, Bhagavat purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Skanda Purana and in other authentic scriptures. Goddess Subhadra was treated as Lakshmi during the Ganga period, and afterwards. The Purushottama Mahatmya of Skanda Purana (13th century A.D.) and of Vishnurahasya (16th century A.D.) referred to the female wooden image between Jagannath and Balabhadra, Subhadrā as Lakshmi.[2]

Lakshmi Naryana Frontispiece from the "Tula Ram" Bhagavata Purana - Brooklyn Museum

In Swaminarayan Sampraday

In sect Swaminarayan Sampraday, Krishna in his two hands form holding flute is worshipped with his consort Radha and together the deity is referred as RadhaKrishna Dev while Krishna in his four hands form is identified with Narayana in the text Shikshapatri and is worshipped with his consort Lakshmi. The deity is referred as LaxmiNarayan Dev.[3] The founder of the sect, Swaminarayan installed the murtis of RadhaKrishna Dev and Laxminarayan Dev at the Swaminarayan Mandir, Vadtal.

Worship

Lakshmi Narayana worship is very popular with the people, who pray to the Lord at their homes and in temples. There are many Sampradhays or sects, which regard Lakshmi Narayana as the ultimate divinity, and grand and exquisite temples have been erected for the Lord accordingly, at many places. Lakshmi Narayan temple, popularly known as Birla Mandir, in New Delhi is one such well-known temple. It is believed that worshiping Lord Lakshmi Narayana can get for the devotees the complete blessings of the divine couple and shall bestow welfare, success, prosperity and a fulfilled life for the devotees and their families.[4]

See also

References
  1. Ellwood, Robert (2007). Encyclopedia of World Religions. New York: Infobase Publishing. pp. 468. ISBN 0-8160-6141-6.
  2. Dr. A.C. Pradhan (June 2004). "Evolution of Jagannath Cult" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2008-05-11. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. "Shikshapatri, verse 109 by Swaminarayan".
  4. "Benefits of praying to Lord Lakshmi Narayana, About Lord Lakshmi Narayana - Astropedia". www.astroved.com. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
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