Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.2476

c4.2476

5) *Changing Vijayalakṣmī to Laṅkālakṣmī, by curse.* Vijayalakṣmī, one of the eight Lakṣmīs, was the treasury-keeper of Brahmā. Once she became careless in discharging her duties. Brahmā got angry and cursed her. “You go to Rāvaṇa and keep his tower”. She humbly requested for absolution from the curse. Brahmā said, “At the time of the incarnation of Śrī Rāma, a monkey-hero named Hanumān will reach Laṅkā in search of Śrī Rāma’s wife, whom Rāvaṇa had kidnapped. You will obstruct him, and he will strike you. On that day you will be absolved from the curse and you will return here instantly.” Accordingly Vijayalakṣmī was born in Laṅkā under the name Laṅkālakṣmī. When Hanumān jumped to Laṅkā she prevented him, and he struck her down to the ground. (Kampa Rāmāyaṇa, Sundara Kāṇḍa).