Shri’ or ‘Lakshmi’, as depicted in the Vedas, is the goddess of wealth and fortune, power and beauty. In her first incarnation, according to the Puranas, she was the daughter of the sage Bhrigu and his wife Khyati. She was later born out of the ocean of milk at the time of its churning.
She, being the consort of Shri Vishnu, is born as his spouse whenever he incarnates. When he appeared as Vamana, Rama and Krishna, she appeared as Padma (or Kamala), Sita and Rukmani. She is as inseparable from Shri Vishnu as speech from meaning or knowledge from intellect, or good deeds from righteous-ness. He represents all that is masculine, and she, all that is feminine.
What is the meaning of Lakshmi?
Goddess Lakshmi means Good Luck to Hindus. The word ‘Lakshmi’ is derived from the Sanskrit word “Laksya”, meaning ‘aim’ or ‘goal’, and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. She is the goddess of prosperity, wealth, purity, generosity, and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm.
Worship of a mother goddess has been a part of Indian tradition since its earliest times. Lakshmi is one of the mother goddesses and is addressed as “mata” (mother) instead of just “Devi” (goddess). Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped by those who wish to acquire or to preserve wealth.
It is believed that Lakshmi (wealth) goes only to those houses which are clean and where the people are hardworking. She does not visit the places which are unclean/dirty or where the people are lazy. She is the active energy of Shri Vishnu.
Her four hands signify her power to grant the four Purusharthas (ends of human life), Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama and Moksha (beatitude). Representations of Maa Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments. In Buddhist sects of Tibet, Nepal and Southeast Asia, goddess Vasudhara mirrors the characteristics and attributes of Hindu goddess Lakshmi, with minor iconographic differences. 
Jai Maa Lakshmi
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