[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.962 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.962 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.962 - **Language:** English ### [c5.962](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.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. - [Previous: c5.961](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.961) - [Next: c5.963](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.963) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5) ## Cites (3) - [Purāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana) — Sanskrit - [Viṣṇupurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki) — Vālmīki, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.962](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.962) · Pramāṇa