Consorts of Lord Vishnu

Consorts of Lord Vishnu

Consorts of Lord Vishnu according to Hinduism are said to be Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Parvati. These deities stand for Rajas, Sattva and Tamas respectively.

As per a popular legend Lord Vishnu had three wives: Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Parvati. However, finding it difficult to manage three wives Vishnu gave Saraswati to Lord Brahma, Parvati to Lord Shiva, and retained Lakshmi for himself. According to Shiva Purana, goddesses Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati represent the three gunas Rajas, Sattva and Tamas respectively

Goddess Saraswati
Goddess Saraswati, known and worshipped as the goddess of learning, music and arts, is popularly regarded as the consort of Lord Brahma. However, according to some icons north India, Lakshmi and Saraswati are regarded as the two consorts of Vishnu. In South India Shri (Lakshmi) and Bhudevi (Prithvi or Earth personified) are represented as the consort of Vishnu.

Goddess Lakshmi
Goddess Lakshmi, venerated as the goddess of wealth, is regarded as the consort of Lord Vishnu. The goddess has incarnated as his consort in different forms when the Lord has appeared on earth in his various avatara forms. When the Lord incarnated as Lord Rama, the goddess accompanied him as his holy consort Sita and when he descended as Lord Krishnashe accompanied as his wife Rukmini.

Lakshmi also referred to as Shri evolved out of the Ocean of Milk during Samudra Manthan when it was churned by the devatas and the demons to extract amrita. Sitting on a lotus she emerged out of the Ocean with the two celestial elephants pouring milk over her on both sides. This representation of the deity is known as Gajalakshmi.

Shri or Lakshmi has been a popular deity portrayed in different forms such as, Dhana Lakshmi (goddess of corn); Bhoga Lakshmi (goddess of pleasure); Rajya Lakshmi, (goddess of royalty) and Vira Lakshmi (goddess of valour). Several exquisite Mauryan sculptural works depict Lakshmi's idols.

Shri is worshipped as the goddess of beauty, prosperity and good luck. According to Vishnu Purana the deity has been represented as the mother of the world, eternal and omnipresent.

Bhudevi
Bhudevi is the second consort of Vishnu and associated with Varaha avatara. She is depicted standing or sitting on one side of Vishnu, while Shri occupies the other side.

Recently Updated Articles in Indian Religion


•	Yajna - Hindu Ritual Performing a Yajna is expected to ensure fulfilment of specific desires and the overall welfare of an individual.

•	Havan Ritual Havan is an ancient ritual, where worshippers offer their prayers, thoughts and emotions to the Divine Fire God.

•	Days of the Week Days of the Week in a Hindu Calendar is associated with different Gods and planets. There are several legends related to each day.

•	Dwapara Yuga Dwapara is the third Yuga or age, which lasts for 2,400 divine years.

•	Sachi Sachi is the consort of Indra, also called Indrani. She is portrayed as a woman of incomparable beauty, whose charm virtually no one could resist.

E-magazine

Subscribe to E-Magazine on Society