A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.962

c5.962

Lakshmī or Srī in later times is the goddess of fortune, wife of Vishnu, and mother of Kāma. The origin ascribed to her by the *Rāmāyana* is the one commonly received. According to this legend she sprang, like Aphrodite, from the froth of the ocean, in full beauty with a lotus in her hand, when it was churned by the gods and the Asuras. Another legend represents her as floating on the flower of a lotus at the creation. With reference to this origin, one of her names is Kshīrābdhi-tanayā, ‘daughter of the sea of milk.’ From her connection with the lotus she is called Padmā. According to the *Purānas*, she was the daughter of Bhrigu and Khyāti. The *Vishnu Purāna* says, “Her first birth was the daughter of Bhrigu by Khyāti. It was at a subsequent period that she was produced from the sea at the churning of the ocean. . . . When Hari was born as a dwarf, Lakshmī appeared from a lotus (as Padmā or Kamalā). When he was born as Rāma of the race of Bhrigu (or Parasu-rāma), she was Dharanī. When he was Rāghava (Rāma-chandra), she was Sītā. And when he was Krishna she became Rukminī. In the other descents of Vishnu she is his associate.” One version of the *Rāmāyana* also affirms that “Lakshmī, the mistress of the worlds, was born by her own will, in a beautiful field opened up by the plough,” and received from Janaka the name of Sītā.