Lakṣmī is the Constant Companion of the God
Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the Supreme Lord is never devoid of His energies. Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, is His eternal consort and the ultimate manifestation of His spiritual potency.
The Eternal Internal Potency
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the goddess of fortune is not a material creation, but the direct manifestation of the Lord's supreme spiritual energy. Although He (the Lord) is not of the material world, He is much more than simply a negation of material variegatedness. He is positively the supreme enjoyer of spiritual variegatedness, of which Lakṣmī, the internal potency, is the fountainhead. Therefore, she is completely transcendental; Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has accepted para-śakti, the spiritual energy of the Lord, as being identical with the Lord. Thus she (Lakṣmīdevī) is also included in the independent viṣṇu-tattva. This makes her position profound: Lakṣmī is extremely difficult to understand because she is so powerful that the jurisdiction of her power is difficult to overcome. She is represented in the material world as the external energy but actually she is always the internal energy of the Lord. Thus, a pure devotee addresses the Lord affectionately; he (King Kulaśekhara) first addresses the Lord as Śrī-vallabha, "He who is very dear to Lakṣmī." The Lord is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and His consort, Lakṣmī, is a manifestation of His internal potency.
- Although He (the Lord) is not of the material world, He is much more than simply a negation of material variegatedness. He is positively the supreme enjoyer of spiritual variegatedness, of which Laksmi, the internal potency, is the fountainhead.
- He (King Kulasekhara) first addresses the Lord as Sri-vallabha, "He who is very dear to Laksmi." The Lord is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and His consort, Laksmi, is a manifestation of His internal potency.
- Laksmi is extremely difficult to understand because she is so powerful that the jurisdiction of her power is difficult to overcome. She is represented in the material world as the external energy but actually she is always the internal energy of the Lord.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has accepted para-sakti, the spiritual energy of the Lord, as being identical with the Lord. Thus she (Laksmidevi) is also included in the independent visnu-tattva.
The Constant Companion (Anapāyinī)
Mother Lakṣmī is eternally inseparable from Lord Viṣṇu. Pure devotees understand this absolute truth and never worship the Supreme Lord without His divine energy. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes, O best of the brāhmaṇas, Lakṣmījī is the constant companion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, and therefore she is called anapāyinī. She is the mother of all creation. Her presence is fundamental to the identity of the Lord; the word Mādhava is significant. Mā, mother Lakṣmī, the mother of all opulences, is always with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and if a devotee is in touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all the opulences of the Lord are ready to help him. Even the greatest demigods cannot claim this intimacy: what to speak of Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī, is the Lord's constant companion in service, since she always associates with His body. Therefore, Vaiṣṇavas strictly observe this pairing; Vaiṣṇava, they do not worship Kṛṣṇa alone without Rādhārāṇī. They do not worship Rāma without Sītā. They do not worship Nārāyaṇa without Lakṣmī, because the Lord and the energy must be there.
- O best of the brahmanas, Laksmiji is the constant companion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu, and therefore she is called anapayini. She is the mother of all creation.
- What to speak of Lord Brahma and Lord Siva, the goddess of fortune, Laksmi, is the Lord's constant companion in service, since she always associates with His body. But even she could not get such mercy - as mother Yasoda.
- The word Madhava is significant. Ma, mother Laksmi, the mother of all opulences, is always with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and if a devotee is in touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all the opulences of the Lord are ready to help him.
- Vaisnava, they do not worship Krsna alone without Radharani. They do not worship Rama without Sita. They do not worship Narayana without Laksmi, because the Lord and the energy must be there.
The Humble Servitor
Despite being the mother of all opulence, Lakṣmī finds her highest ecstasy in the simple, humble service of massaging the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. The scriptures confirm her perpetual devotion: she can always be found massaging the legs and thighs of the transcendental Lord, very carefully serving Him in this way. This unalloyed service continued even during the universal creation; when Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu begot Lord Brahmā from His navel, He did not take any help from Lakṣmī, who was just sitting by Him and massaging His lotus feet. In the royal assemblies of the Lord, this standard is maintained: Parīkṣit Mahārāja was listening, and Śukadeva Gosvāmī was performing kīrtana by describing the glories of the Lord. Pṛthu Mahārāja simply worshiped the Lord, and Lakṣmīdevī massaged Viṣṇu's lotus feet. Thus, as the king of bees hovers over the tulasī leaves offered to the lotus feet of the Lord, so Lakṣmī, the goddess who is sought by the demigods, brāhmaṇas, Vaiṣṇavas and everyone else, always engages in rendering service to the lotus feet of the Lord.
- She can always be found massaging the legs and thighs of the transcendental Lord, very carefully serving Him in this way.
- Pariksit Maharaja was listening, and Sukadeva Gosvami was performing kirtana by describing the glories of the Lord. Prthu Maharaja simply worshiped the Lord, and Laksmidevi massaged Visnu's lotus feet.
- When Garbhodakasayi Visnu begot Lord Brahma from His navel, He did not take any help from Laksmi, who was just sitting by Him and massaging His lotus feet.
- As the king of bees hovers over the tulasi leaves offered to the lotus feet of the Lord, so Laksmi, the goddess who is sought by the demigods, brahmanas, Vaisnavas and everyone else, always engages in rendering service to the lotus feet of the Lord.
The Supreme Protector and Husband
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate proprietor of all wealth and the only true husband and protector of the goddess of fortune. As Lakṣmī herself prays, He alone who is never afraid but who, on the contrary, gives complete shelter to all fearful persons can actually become a husband and protector. Therefore, my (Lakṣmī's) Lord, you (Kāmadeva) are the only husband, and no one else can claim this position. Understanding this relationship cures the mundane illusion of treating God as a beggar; Nārāyaṇa is the master of Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, and only fools think that He somehow becomes poverty-stricken. Addressing the concoction of daridra-nārāyaṇa, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies: this daridra-nārāyaṇa-sevā has come under this misunderstanding, that—We have to serve God, so when God comes as daridra, then we shall give. When God comes with Lakṣmī, with Sītā, with Rādhārāṇī, no, no, that is not required. Therefore, the intelligent path is to think always that the money which is accumulated is the wealth of the Lord. Wealth is considered to be the goddess of fortune (Lakṣmī), and the Lord is Nārāyaṇa, or the husband of Lakṣmī. Try to engage Lakṣmī in the service of Lord Nārāyaṇa and be happy.
- He alone who is never afraid but who, on the contrary, gives complete shelter to all fearful persons can actually become a husband and protector. Therefore, my (Laksmi's) Lord, you (Kamadeva) are the only husband, and no one else can claim this position.
- Narayana is the master of Laksmi, the goddess of fortune, and only fools think that He somehow becomes poverty-stricken.
- Think always that the money which is accumulated is the wealth of the Lord. Wealth is considered to be the goddess of fortune (Laksmi), and the Lord is Narayana, or the husband of Laksmi. Try to engage Laksmi in the service of Lord Narayana and be happy.
- This daridra-narayana-seva has come under this misunderstanding, that - We have to serve God, so when God comes as daridra, then we shall give. When God comes with Laksmi, with Sita, with Radharani, no, no, that is not required.
Worshipped by All, Yet Seeking Only the Lord
While the entire universe begs for a fraction of her mercy, the goddess of fortune ignores material prestige to seek the pleasure of the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes this distinction: Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, is worshiped by all materialistic men, including big kings, and demigods in heaven. Lakṣmī, however, is always after the Supreme Personality of Godhead, even though He does not require her service. Even the highest cosmic authorities desire her favor, yet she remains focused; even the highly placed demigods worship the goddess of fortune, but the goddess of fortune, Mahā-Lakṣmī herself, is always seeking the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Abandoning the opulence offered by the demigods, Lakṣmījī, whose glance of grace was sought by demigods like Brahmā and for whom they surrendered many a day unto the Personality of God, gave up her own abode in the forest of lotus flowers and engaged herself in the service of the lotus feet of the Lord. Thus, her example is the ultimate standard for all living entities: by worshiping the Lord, Pṛthu Mahārāja attained perfection. By serving the lotus feet of the Lord, the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī, attained perfection.
- Laksmi, the goddess of fortune, is worshiped by all materialistic men, including big kings, and demigods in heaven. Laksmi, however, is always after the Supreme Personality of Godhead, even though He does not require her service.
- Even the highly placed demigods worship the goddess of fortune, but the goddess of fortune, Maha-Laksmi herself, is always seeking the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Laksmiji, whose glance of grace was sought by demigods like Brahma and for whom they surrendered many a day unto the Personality of God, gave up her own abode in the forest of lotus flowers and engaged herself in the service of the lotus feet of the Lord.
- By worshiping the Lord, Prthu Maharaja attained perfection. (6) By serving the lotus feet of the Lord, the goddess of fortune, Laksmi, attained perfection. (7) By rendering personal service to the Lord, Hanuman attained the desired result.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings vividly illuminate the supreme, transcendental position of Lakṣmīdevī. She is not an independent purveyor of material wealth to be exploited by ambitious men; she is the internal spiritual potency of Lord Nārāyaṇa, completely absorbed in the loving service of His lotus feet. Her title as anapāyinī, the constant companion, reveals that the Supreme Lord is never without His divine energy, and true devotees must never attempt to separate the two. To seek the goddess of fortune while neglecting her husband is the path of illusion. By understanding that all opulence naturally resides with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and by dedicating everything to His service just as mother Lakṣmī does, the sincere soul easily attains the eternal, spiritual perfection of Vaikuṇṭha.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category God and Laksmi. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.