The Divine Wedding of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu

In the beginning, when the world was new, the forces of good and evil were constantly at war. The gods (Devas) and the demons (Asuras) often clashed, each vying for supremacy over the universe. Over time, the balance of power began to tilt.

The Devas, weakened and weary, were on the brink of losing their place in the cosmos. To restore their strength, Lord Vishnu, the Preserver, advised the Devas and Asuras to come together for a mighty task—the Samudra Manthan, or Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Only by this divine effort could they obtain Amrit, the nectar of immortality, and other powerful treasures hidden in the depths of the cosmic ocean.

Samudra Manthan with Devas, Asuras, Vasuki, and Mount Mandara.

The Jewels Emerged During Samudra Manthan

Using the great serpent Vasuki as the churning rope and Mount Mandara as the churning rod, the Devas and Asuras began the arduous task. The ocean roared and foamed, and divine, powerful beings watched eagerly as it churned.

The first thing that came out of the Samudra Manthan was a deadly poison called Halahal, which was so powerful that it could destroy the entire universe. Distressed by its destructive energy, all the gods and demons turned to Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva drank the poison and held it in his throat, which turned his throat blue and earned him the name Neelkanth.

The gods and demons were pleased. They began to churn the sea again with renewed enthusiasm. One by one, many divine treasures began to appear from the depths of the ocean:

  • Kamdhenu, the wish-fulfilling cow
  • Uchchaihshravas, the divine horse
  • Airavata, the white elephant
  • Kalpavriksha, the wish-granting tree
  • Kaustubha, the radiant jewel
  • Divine nymphs, sacred herbs, and more

“समुद्रमथनात् प्राप्ता लक्ष्मीः कमलवासिनी।”
Samudra-mathanāt prāptā Lakṣmīḥ Kamala-vāsinī
Goddess Lakshmi, the one who dwells in the lotus, emerged from the ocean churning.

After this, the most divine and radiant of all these treasures was Goddess Lakshmi herself. Her lightning-like brightness illuminated the directions. Her beauty, generosity, youth, appearance, and glory attracted everyone. Devas, asuras, humans- all wanted to get them. Indra himself brought a very strange seat, on which he seated her with his own hands.

Goddess Lakshmi rising from the ocean during Samudra Manthan with Lord Vishnu and Devas in the background

The Grand Welcome of Goddess Lakshmi

As the Goddess Lakshmi arrived, all the best of rivers brought holy water in golden pitchers for her consecration. The Earth gave all sacred herbs for her anointing. The spring season gave her all the flowers and fruits that grow in the months of Chaitra and Vaishakh. With these materials, the sage ritually performed his consecration. The dancers danced and sang to the melody of auspicious music. The clouds assumed their bodies and began to play loudly with mridangam, drums, nagaras, Narasimha, conches, flutes, and harps.

Then, Goddess Lakshmi sat on the throne with a lotus in her hand. The giants bathed her with water-filled pitchers. At that time, the Brahmins were reciting Vedic mantras. 

Goddess Lakshmi was adorned with gifts from across the universe:

  • The ocean gave her yellow silken clothes to wear. 
  • Varuna presented a Vaijayanti garland whose sweet fragrance was intoxicating the bees. 
  • Prajapati Vishwakamani presented various ornaments. 
  • Saraswati presented a pearl necklace.
  • Brahma presented a lotus. 
  • The serpents presented two earrings.
Goddess Lakshmi holding a lotus garland during her Swayamvara, with Devas in the background.

The Swayamvara – A Matrimonial tradition to choose a husband

“या लक्ष्मीः पद्मनयना विष्णोः प्रियसखी सदा।”
Yā Lakṣmīḥ padma-nayanā Viṣṇoḥ priya-sakhī sadā
That Lakshmi, lotus-eyed and ever dear to Lord Vishnu.

After the Brahmins recited the sacred Vedic mantras, Goddess Lakshmi prepared for the Swayamvara (a sacred tradition in which a bride decides her groom) with a garland of lotus flowers in her delicate hands. And she went in search of the man with all the virtues.

The bees, intoxicated by its fragrance, were buzzing around the garland. At that time, the beauty of Lakshmi’s face was indescribable. Earrings were hanging on her beautiful cheeks. Goddess Lakshmi had a shy, divine smile on her face.

Her neck was smeared with sandalwood and saffron. When she walked, her anklets made a sweet sound. It seemed as if a golden creeper was moving here and there.

Goddess Lakshmi contemplating during Swayamvara, seated on a lotus with a garland in hand.

The Inner Conflict of Goddess Lakshmi

Although Goddess Lakshmi was ready to choose her life partner, she wished that if she found a flawless and immortal man who always possessed all the divine qualities, she would make him her refuge and accept him.
But, she did not find any such among the Gandharvas, Yakshas, Asuras, Siddhas, Charanas, and even Devas.

She thought deeply:

  1. Some ascetics had intense discipline, but hadn’t conquered anger.
  2. Others possessed great knowledge, but they are not completely detached
  3. Some were very powerful, but they have not been able to conquer lust
  4. Many had a lot of wealth, but what is the use of that wealth when they have to take shelter with others
  5. Some have religious conduct, but they do not show full love towards living beings
  6. There was a sacrifice, but only sacrifice is not the cause of salvation.
  7. Some have bravery, but they are also not beyond the clutches of time.
  8.  Some great souls do not have an attachment to worldly things, but they are always immersed in a 📚 Read morestate of Advaita Samadhi
  9. Some sages have attained a very long life, but their character and happiness are also not worthy of me. 
  10. Some individuals possess character and happiness, but their lifespan is not predetermined.

With her divine wisdom, she saw that many have both qualities, but they live in an ominous guise.

Goddess Lakshmi placing a garland on Lord Vishnu during their divine wedding.

The Divine Wedding of Lord Vishnu & Goddess Lakshmi

“श्रियः पतिः लक्ष्म्याः नित्यं हृदये स्थितः।”
Śriyaḥ patiḥ Lakṣmyāḥ nityaṁ hṛdaye sthitaḥ
Lord Vishnu is the eternal consort of Lakshmi and resides in her heart.

While thinking all this, Goddess Lakshmi came to a powerful realisation that there is only one in the universe who is perfect in every way: Lord Vishnu. All auspicious qualities, divine virtues, always reside in him. But Goddess Lakshmi thought to herself, “He is perfect”, and he may not desire me.

Thinking and deliberating in this manner, Goddess Lakshmi chose the Lord Vishnu, her long-desired one, as her husband. Because the Lord is the only refuge of Lakshmi, she went to him, and Lakshmi placed around the Lord’s neck a beautiful garland of new lotuses, around which flocks of intoxicated bees were humming.

After this, she stood near him with a shy smile and a loving gaze, looking at his abode, his chest. The Father of the World, Lord Vishnu, gave a place to Lakshmi, the presiding deity of all wealth, to reside forever on his chest. Sitting there, Goddess Lakshmi blessed all three worlds, the people, and her beloved subjects with her compassionate thoughts.

The Celestial Celebration

As the divine union of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu was complete, the heavens rejoiced. At that time, Sacred musical instruments like conch, trumpet, mridangam, and nagaras began to play. The Gandharvas started dancing and singing with the Apsaras. Prajapati showered flowers and began praising God with mantras that accurately described his divine qualities, form, and eternal pastimes

This wasn’t just a divine wedding: it was the restoration of cosmic balance, harmony, and holy love.

“लक्ष्मीः करोतु कल्याणं, आरोग्यं धनसंपदा।”
Lakṣmīḥ karotu kalyāṇaṁ, ārogyaṁ dhana-sampadā
May Goddess Lakshmi bless us with well-being, health, and prosperity.

The Spiritual Impact of Lakshmi’s Arrival

Goddess Lakshmi seated on a lotus, showering gold coins with a radiant golden aura.

The birth of Goddess Lakshmi from the cosmic ocean churning marked not just a moment of divine beauty but the restoration of balance, dignity, and abundance in the universe.

With her divine grace, the gods, the Prajapatis, and all living beings were blessed with virtues like modesty, dignity, and contentment.

When Goddess Lakshmi ignored the demons, they sank into weakness, laziness, shamelessness, greed, and material darkness.

🙏 We pray that the grace of Goddess Lakshmi fills your life with peace and divine bliss.

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