Sri Mahalakshmi or Lakshmi, as the Goddess is also referred to, is the Hindu Goddess of Wealth, auspiciousness, purity, prosperity and generosity. She also embodies charm, beauty and grace. Lakshmi is a very popular and powerful Goddess in Indian mythology.
Lakshmi's four hands represent four spiritual virtues. The fully bloomed lotus she is seated on represents the seat of Divine Truth.
Peace and prosperity always exist around her. As Lakshmi, She is often depicted as an indescribably beautiful woman, seated on a full-bloomed lotus, holding lotus buds in two of her hands, a pot of gold in the third and benignly blessing all those who come to her for succor.
The lotus remains completely uncontaminated, even though rooted in the dirtiest, muddiest waters and this teaches us to go beyond the surface of worldly contamination and proceed deep into life, to learn precious spiritual truths from it and the lotus also embodies purity, fertility and the growth of organic life.
