Praise of Mahalakshmi

The Hindu

6 days ago

In his Guna Ratna Kosa, Parasara Bhattar prays for Goddess Mahalakshmi's merciful glances to fall on him, for he has no one else who can offer him protection (asaranam maam paalaya).
Parasara shows his affection for Goddess Ranganayaki of Srirangam through Guna Ratna Kosa, said T.A.K. Srinivasacharya in a discourse. In one verse, he says he is afraid to even praise Her, for even his words of praise might hurt Her tender body! He says that when Her attendants look at Her, Her body suffers like a flower exposed to the heat of the sun. The vanamala garland that the Lord wears is Her swing, says Parasara. He is concerned that even these flowers will have an abrasive effect on Her delicate skin. She is Herself a garland on the Lord's chest. Goddess Ranganayaki is beautiful even when She is not wearing ornaments. And when the priests of the temple adorn her with pearl earrings and pearl necklaces, anklets, a jewel on Her forehead and a girdle, She looks even more charming. The ornaments are like lovely buds and flowers on a creeper.
Parasara Bhattar elaborates on Goddess Mahalakshmi's qualities. Like Lord Narayana, Goddess Mahalakshmi is eternally youthful. She shares many other qualities with Him. She stands by Him in everything. Here one should recall the Ramayana sloka, where Janaka gives Sita in marriage to Rama. Janaka says with reference to Sita — saha dharamacharee tava. Here he is assuring Rama that Sita will share in His duties. While Lakshmi and He share the same auspicious qualities, there are some that are special to Her. While She is worshipped by Her devotees, She, in turn, worships the Lord.
She gets rid of the doshas of Her bhaktas. She pays attention to us, when we tell Her about our problems. She accepts us despite our flaws. She persuades Him to accept us.