Grow Affection for Lakshmi Ma

[DeviChaaya]

Namaste, my dear friends!

I have something of an aversion to Lakshmi Mata through no fault of Her own but through my experiences with the Hare Krishnas and, I believe, the way She is associated with Lord Visnu. I like Her better when She is one of the Dasa Mahavidyas, Kamala Ma, than I do as Lakshmi Ma.

Does anyone have any suggestions so that I can strengthen my relationship with Lakshmi ma?

 

[Terese]

How unfortunate! Well, i have a big feeling this might not help you, but to me the fact that Lakshmi serves Lord Visnu increases my relationship with her. Is Kamala Ma somehow different to Lakshmi? Are they not the same personality?

 

[Aupmanyav]

You have to get over the duality and multiplicity. There is only one Mother Goddess, call her Lakshmi, Parvati, Saraswati, Durga, Kali or by any other name. Kamala, particularly, is just another name for the Mother goddess. The name itself indicate the lotus flower in her hand.

 

[Jainarayan]

I have something of an aversion to Lakshmi Mata through no fault of Her

I don't have any advice, just sharing that I have a similar situation with Lord Rama. Not an aversion, but I can't seem to get close to him like I can to Krishna or Narasimha, though I try. The irony is that Rama embodies ideals I hold in high regard. Even though he is Vishnu, I wonder if maybe we're not meant to be drawn to every form, incarnation, emanation, avatar, or what-have-you, of every god and goddess. Even though there is only one.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Namaste, my dear friends!

I have something of an aversion to Lakshmi Mata through no fault of Her own but through my experiences with the Hare Krishnas and, I believe, the way She is associated with Lord Visnu. I like Her better when She is one of the Dasa Mahavidyas, Kamala Ma, than I do as Lakshmi Ma.

Does anyone have any suggestions so that I can strengthen my relationship with Lakshmi ma?

As Jainarayan suggested, I think our attraction to certain forms of the divine is really dictated by our nature as well as what best suits are current path. No reason to feel bad for lacking a feeling of connection. As you know, Maa Lakshmi is my Ishta Devata so it's easy for me to feel close to her, but I feel nothing from Parvati Maa's form. Also, I have trouble connecting to Lord Shiva, who feels aloof to me. I think it's all by design. God takes the form/s he/she/it knows will hold our attention the most.

As for advice, if it helps, I find that I connect to Maa Lakshmi most when I meditate on her as a symbol of generosity and charity. I find that even though many people go to her hoping to ask for more material wealth, in her open palm I see the gesture of eternal giving and sharing. Wealth is useless if it is not shared.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I don't have any advice, just sharing that I have a similar situation with Lord Rama. Not an aversion, but I can't seem to get close to him like I can to Krishna or Narasimha, though I try.

Don't. If you are close to Krishna or Narasimha, then you are already close to Rama. It is only matter of inclination. Same for other people traveling in the same boat. Thankfully, I am close to Rama and Parvati, and not far from any other God or Goddess.

 

[Viraja]

Dear DeviChaaya,

Lakshmi is 'param' -- so say the texts. As such, she is devoid of desires, which is what that makes her grant moksha to her aspirants.

What do you expect out of someone who is devoid of desires? I believe she is all free for you to imagine as not looking as great as ma Parvati. You can view Lakshmi's notion is of 'willingness to assume a second role' as and when necessary. May be this will make you see her in the right light.

 

[Viraja]

I don't have any advice, just sharing that I have a similar situation with Lord Rama. Not an aversion, but I can't seem to get close to him like I can to Krishna or Narasimha, though I try. The irony is that Rama embodies ideals I hold in high regard. Even though he is Vishnu, I wonder if maybe we're not meant to be drawn to every form, incarnation, emanation, avatar, or what-have-you, of every god and goddess. Even though there is only one.

Hi Jai,

Not offering any solution for your relationship with Rama. But nevertheless, I cannot help but only exclaim how satisfying it is for me to find that your aloofness with Rama is motivated by viewing him as too perfect, rather than reasons that most other cite - that he seems perfect but with a track-record of less than perfect deeds (like killing Vali from behind the tree, killing of Shambuka - *disputed*, etc).

 

[Jainarayan]

If you are close to Krishna or Narasimha, then you are already close to Rama.

That's a really good point. When I first set up my shrine someone told me to include Rama, almost as a "you must" or "you should". But even then I really didn't have an affinity for him. I didn't know any better, so I did include him. That's probably the reason I began "collecting" deities and include them in my shrine. I revere them, though I don't pray to all of them. Hence the reason that I talk about paring down and scaling back my shrine.

 

[Viraja]

That's a really good point. When I first set up my shrine someone told me to include Rama, almost as a "you must" or "you should". But even then I really didn't have an affinity for him. I didn't know any better, so I did include him. That's probably the reason I began "collecting" deities and include them in my shrine. I revere them, though I don't pray to all of them. Hence the reason that I talk about paring down and scaling back my shrine.

Hi Jai,

So now you think you know Rama better? (Unless of course, if you had collected Rama's idol without knowing abc about him to begin with... that is). (But even then, I'm curious how you came to know him without knowing his side which is not out there anywhere).

Hope its ok for me to ask.

 

[Jainarayan]

Hi Jai,

So now you think you know Rama better? (Unless of course, if you had collected Rama's idol without knowing abc about him to begin with... that is). (But even then, I'm curious how you came to know him without knowing his side which is not out there anywhere).

Hope its ok for me to ask.

I can't say I know him better, rather, I know of him better. I knew very little of him to start.

 

[Viraja]

I know of him better.

Then it might be as good of you, to try to know 'him' than 'of him'. Sorry, not preaching, just taking some liberty.

I need not remind you, but:

i) There are people who speak ill of Prahlada because as per Hindu texts, it is the foremost duty of the son to obey his father and be dutiful to one's parents, before rendering duty to one's god.

ii) Some people speak ill of Vishnu's role in acquiring Tulsi for his wife.

When perspectives change, the vision also changes. The wise learn to acquire truer ability to discern, and that comes partly with maturity and partly with truer form of devotion, IMHO.

I thank you for the reply.

 

[DeviChaaya]

Thank you, everyone, for the advice, particularly @Viraja for your wonderful commentary.

@Viraja I had never thought of Lakshmi in the way you suggest. I think I will start looking at Her that way. While I know She is Ma as much as Parvati, Durga and Kali ma, I have never felt drawn to Her in that Form. Perhaps because She does seem so passive to me.

Interesting. I will have to thing on this some more.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Perhaps because She does seem so passive to me. .. Interesting. I will have to thing on this some more.

Passive! Lakshmi is considered most mobile in Hinduism (chalāyamān) and is prone to move from one place to another. That is why Hinduism does not advise anyone to become proud of one's riches. That is because Mother Lakshmi, if displeased, will move from her place without any delay. You know of large empires crumbling in a short time Darius III, Moghuls; large corporation going into bankruptcy, Lehman Brothers, General motors, Worlcom Inc., and even Trump Entertainment Resort.

 

[Shantanu]

Namaste, my dear friends!

I have something of an aversion to Lakshmi Mata through no fault of Her own but through my experiences with the Hare Krishnas and, I believe, the way She is associated with Lord Visnu. I like Her better when She is one of the Dasa Mahavidyas, Kamala Ma, than I do as Lakshmi Ma.

Does anyone have any suggestions so that I can strengthen my relationship with Lakshmi ma?

Strenthening relationship with God is accomplished by surrendering ones ego and will power and taking guidance in faith. Do you know how one can do this without harbouring any doubts that one is having a conversation with God?