Sri Laxmi is by far the most popular form of god to be associated with the lotus, which is itself an integral part of the cultural consciousness of Asia. She is even called Padma or Lotus as a result. The symbolism of fertility as well as the religious overtones of the lotus have provided many commentators with endless work and speculation. The lotus is a symbol of the entire universe in creation and Sri Laxmi is the glowing lustrous heart of it. Another popular form of Laxmi is the Gaja-Laxmi, the elephant Laxmi. This means that elephants attend her, not that she is fat! Elephants are another fertility symbol, clouds with their life giving rain being the elephants of the sky, as well as symbolizing the grace and power of Kingship. A picture of Laxmi seated on a lotus, showered with sacred water by elephants around her while a river of gold issues forth from her hand or a sacred vessel may seem trite today, but there was a time when it was a powerful archetypal figure. Even today, meditating on the many layers of meaning veiled in that image is an extraordinary experience.

While poets may moan of Laxmi's peculiar conferring of favors, the scriptures are unanimous in declaring her to be the kindest goddess of all. So forgiving and compassionate is Laxmi that she protects even those who persecute her! When Hanuman wanted to kill the rakshashis who were planning to make dinner of Sita, she peremptorily ordered him to forget about it. Even if they had apologized out of fear for their worthless skins, they had asked for protection and it would not be denied. This infinite kindness is what led Sri Aurobindo to make the perceptive remark that it is best to worship the mother as Laxmi. Kali, the Black Mother, makes life too hectic and exciting for her devotees, unless you are a hardy soul with a natural bent for such things. Durga, the White Mother, is of such a terrifying dignity and superiority that it intimidates and sometimes even disheartens the worshipper. Only Laxmi, the Red Mother, is the right blend of love and power for the average devotee.

The best-known origin story of Laxmi is a curiously flat one. She emerged like another Aphrodite from the churning of the Ocean of Milk, looked around for a suitable mate, and found only Vishnu to be her equal, if not superior. She garlands him as her choice of husband. End of Story. While there is no doubt that Laxmi is now the spouse of Vishnu, her power as Sri seemed to retain this embarrassing habit of sneaking off and favoring the mortal enemies of the gods, the asuras. The explanation given is that as long as you are virtuous and deserve success because of your actions, it cannot be denied to you. You lose your Sri when you let your power and glory go to your head and act arrogant and foolishly. Laxmi has nothing to do with either situation. In the Mahabharatha she is made to state," I dwell in truth, giving gifts, austerities, vows, strength and virtue."

In the Vaishnava schools of South India, Laxmi grew to become the greatly merciful mediator between weak humanity and a justly stern Vishnu. She intervenes for the worshipper and coaxes out of Vishnu the act of prasada, the grace that saves. It is an act of love and forgiveness, not a conferring of just deserts. Were that so, many people would be in deep trouble. Sri has therefore been called karunyasima, the 'ultimate in compassion' or, more literally, 'compassion without limit'. The great poet Desika has argued the entire process is implicit in her names thus.

Sriyate: She who is resorted to
Srayate: She who resorts (to the Lord)
Srnoti: She who listens (to humans)
Sravayati: She who compels listening (from the Lord)
Srnati: She who removes (past karmas, faults et al)
Srinati: She who makes perfect

Popular worship of Laxmi is universal all over India and there are millions of little shrines, though no major temples traditionally exist as already stated. The most popular festival in her honor is the only real pan-Indian festival, Diwali - the festival of lights. The festival of Diwali is also the New Year from a religious perspective. There are a plethora of nature festivals, which are in some way or the other associated with Laxmi, especially, though not particularly, in the state of Orissa. Nobody is sure of the number, as they seem to multiply all the time. The lighted lamp to respectfully take leave of Laxmi seems to be the only common feature. The worship of Laxmi is so popular and it answers such genuine needs that it inevitably brings everybody under its spell. Even the great Adi Shankara, austere proponent of Vedanta, came under the irresistible sway of Laxmi and composed one of the best hymns in her praise. Given the realities of society, Laxmi worship will only increase. A clear indication is the remarkably strange Ashta Laxmi Koil (temple of eight Laxmis) that sprang up in 1974 in Chennai City. Here we have the eight primary manifestations of Sri and the central shrine has Vishnu and Laxmi together. Vishnu is unmistakably only the consort here! Sri Laxmi and Hinduism are amazing in their ability to mutate.