In Bengal, Lakshmi is worshipped by the following dhyanamantra:

Paasha-Akshamaalika-Ambhoja-Srinivir yamyasaumyaoh
Padmasanatham dhyatet cha Sriyam Trailokyamataram
Gauravarnam surupaam cha sarvaalankaarabhushitaam
Raukmapadma-byagrakaraam varadaam dakshinena tu

Here Pasha, Akshamala,Padma and Srini along with abhaya mudra have been mentioned.But in Bengal Lakshmi is always depicted with two hands.

Does the dhyanamantra clearly say that she has two hands?

  • Is it Tantric mantra ? – TheLittleNaruto Feb 9 at 17:45
  • @TheLittleNaruto yesi think so.But i did not get it in the Tantric texts nor did I get in any puraana as yet. It is there in the puja-paddhati books – user17294 Feb 9 at 17:59
  • Which puja-paddhati book ? Can you tell the name ? – TheLittleNaruto Feb 9 at 19:00
  • TheLittleNaruto its used in all bengali puja paddhati books that contain lakshmi puja including shyamacharan kaviratna – user17294 Feb 9 at 19:04
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    @TheLittleNaruto The mantra given here is in Sanskrit and not in Bengali .. even if the Puja Paddhati book is in Bengali, mantras given therein will be in Sanskrit only – Rickross Feb 13 at 8:10

This is the Dhyana Mantra for the Kojagari Lakshmi Puja.

I am giving the translation by Gautam Kumar Jha. It's there in one of my Sarva Devadevi Puja Paddhati books.

You are the mother of the three worlds; you are of the form Shri. In your left hand you have the Ankusha and a golden lotus held in vara(boon-giving) mudra; in your right hand you hold the Pasha and the rosary beads. Decked in jewels and ornaments, you are beautiful and of a fair complexion. You are seated in the lotus-posture.

So, the deity is apparently having two hands and not four.

  • Yes I m correcting that .. the translator gives " dakshin haste bara mudra diteche abhaya" @Partha – Rickross Feb 13 at 7:58
  • I think translator meant "by showing vara mudra she is giving assurance" .. Abhaya mudra of course is not talked abt in the mantra @Partha – Rickross Feb 13 at 8:01
  • Yes it's perfect .. @Partha – Rickross Feb 13 at 8:16

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