Gajalakshmi, Gajalakṣmī, Gaja-lakshmi: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Gajalakshmi means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Gajalakṣmī can be transliterated into English as Gajalaksmi or Gajalakshmi, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
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In Hinduism
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: Wisdom Library: PāñcarātraGajalakṣmī (गजलक्ष्मी, “Elephant Lakṣmī”):—One of the eight primary forms of Lakṣmī (aṣṭhalakṣmī) represented as the giver of power of royalty. According to Hindu mythology, Gaja Lakshmi restored the wealth and power lost by Indra (king of gods) when she rose from the churning of the ocean. She has four arms, is garbed in red garments, carries two lotuses in two hands, while the other hands are in the abhaya-mudra and varada-mudra pose, and she is flanked by two elephants bathing her with water pots.
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)Gajalakṣmī is the name of a deity depicted in the Aruṇācaleśvar or Arunachaleswara Temple in Thiruvannamalai (Tiruvaṇṇāmalai) which is one of the Pañcasabhā or “five halls where Śiva is said to have danced”.—Gajalakṣmī is found seated in ardha-padmāsana with four hands. The upper hands hold kaṭaka-hasta, holding the lotus, and the lower right hand is in abhaya and the lower left hand is in varada-hasta.
Gajalakṣmī is also depicted at the Nellaiappar Temple at Tirunelveli, representing another sacred place for the worship of Śiva.—After the Nellai Murukan sannidhi is the Gajalakṣmī sannidhi. Gajalakṣmī is represented as seated on a lotus throne in padmāsana with four hands. Each upper of the two hands carry a lotus in kaṭaka-hasta, and the lower right hand is in abhaya-hasta and the lower left hand is in varada. On either side of the goddess an elephant holds a vessel with its trunk, and with it waters the flowers which the goddess holds. While representing in dance, Gajalakṣmī is represented as seated in the butterfly position that is practised in the preliminary exercises before dancing. She is found with four hands, where the upper hands are held in kapittha-hasta and the lower right hand in patāka and the lower left hand in patāka inverted. Then there is a sannidhi for aṣṭanāyikas or aṣṭalakṣmīs.
Gajalakṣmī is also depicted at the Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram, one of the most sacred places for the worship of the Goddess (Devī).—Gajalakṣmī (the goddess of wealth) is represented seated with legs folded in butterfly position. She is represented with four hands where the upper right and left hands hold kapittha (lotus) and the lower hands are in patāka and patāka inverted. In iconography, she is represented in padmāsana pose and her hands are in kaṭaka-hasta, holding the lotus with the lower right and left hands in abhaya and varada-hasta. Two elephants are seen either in front of Gajalakṣmī or at the back of the goddess.
Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryGajalakṣmī.—(EI 32), representation of Lakṣmī receiving water on the head from a jar held in the trunk of an elephant on either side; found on the seals of certain rulers. Note: gajalakṣmī is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusGajalakṣmi (ಗಜಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ):—
1) [noun] elephants, owning of which is considered as wealth.
2) [noun] Goddess Lakṣmi, who is flanked by elephants on both sides.
3) [noun] (lightly) a plumpish woman.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Lakshmi, Gaja.
Full-text: Pundarika-valli, Abhisheka.
Relevant text
Search found 11 books and stories containing Gajalakshmi, Gaja-lakshmi, Gaja-laksmi, Gaja-lakṣmī, Gaja-lakṣmi, Gajalakṣmī, Gajalaksmi, Gajalakṣmi; (plurals include: Gajalakshmis, lakshmis, laksmis, lakṣmīs, lakṣmis, Gajalakṣmīs, Gajalaksmis, Gajalakṣmis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Matangalila and Hastyayurveda (study) (by Chandrima Das)
Gaja-Lakṣmī motif < [Chapter 4]
Depiction of elephants on the royal seals and inscription-slabs/plates < [Chapter 2]
Elephants in Buddhist mythology < [Chapter 4]
Pallava period (Social and Cultural History) (by S. Krishnamurthy)
Household Articles (f): Lamp < [Chapter 4 - Material Culture of the People]
Head-dress of Women (a): Karanda-makuta < [Chapter 4 - Material Culture of the People]
Depiction of Flora < [Chapter 4 - Material Culture of the People]
Later Chola Temples (by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam)
Temples in Toludur < [Chapter XII - Temples of Kulottunga III’s Time]
Temples in Argal (Argalur) < [Chapter XII - Temples of Kulottunga III’s Time]
Temples in Tirundu-devangudi < [Chapter II - Temples of Kulottunga I’s Time]
Jainism in Odisha (Orissa) (by Ashis Ranjan Sahoo)
Jaina Antiquities in Jagatsinghpur District (Introduction) < [Chapter 3: Survey of Jaina Antiquities in Odisha]
The Jaina Temple of Choudhury Bazar, Cuttack City < [Chapter 3: Survey of Jaina Antiquities in Odisha]
Jaina Antiquities at Khandagiri Hills (Khordha) < [Chapter 3: Survey of Jaina Antiquities in Odisha]
Sripura (Archaeological Survey) (by Bikash Chandra Pradhan)
Meaning and Significance of the Nomenclature < [Chapter 1 - Sripura]
Early Chola Temples (by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam)
The Manasara < [Chapter XIII - Prasada: Component Parts]
Temples in Konerirajapuram < [Chapter VIII - Temples of Uttama Chola’s Time]
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