The Anusara Sadhana: Get to Know the Goddess Lakshmi
- seadhna Treacy
- Oct 7
- 5 min read
Get to Know the Goddess Lakshmi
Embodying Gratitude and Mindful Living
Written by Jeanie Manchester
My first encounter with the Goddess Lakshmi as a child was watching my mother dress in her finest silks and taffeta dresses for parties, symphony concerts, and school fundraisers, as well as witnessing her financial contributions to the arts and education. While my mother modeled Lakshmi, at sixteen, blossoming into womanhood, I dressed in oversized khakis and my father's flannel shirts—wearing anything that could cover my discomfort as my body changed.
Though an avid athlete and modern dancer, it wasn’t until I started a formal yoga practice in my twenties that I began to confront my negative body image and cultivate reverence for myself. Each inhale asked me to fill up with gratitude for breath, life, and body. Every exhale invited me to let go of my negative self-talk.
When we look at Lakshmi in yoga, we turn to the lotus (Padmasana). The lotus is a gorgeous flower rising from the murky, muddy pond—a powerful metaphor for the dark underworld of our pain, confusion, and feelings of inadequacy. Yet, the lotus remains a symbol of purity, strength, resilience, and rebirth. The process of yoga demands confrontation with our shadows—our sense of lack, fear, shame, doubt, greed, and pride. We must traverse the murky pond to blossom fully.
Purnatva, an attribute of Absolute Consciousness, means whole, worthy, and full. We all long for wholeness, and yoga and meditation help us recalibrate our inner maps, rewriting the story we wish to live—one of vibrancy, creativity, joy, and reverence. Tantric wisdom teaches us to turn our kleshas (stains, wounds, pain) into Lakshmi’s jewels—transforming detrimental memories into fuel for outrageous creativity. Our longing for wholeness, hidden beneath self-doubt, propels us toward deeper understanding and self-acceptance.
Anytime Lakshmi is disrespected, she leaves her human form and seeks refuge in nature. The reversal of bans on hunting and trophy-worshipping of slain elephants exemplifies disrespect to nature and the feminine essence she represents. Human disconnection from the life force in themselves and nature has led to environmental devastation and cruelty.
A Little More About Lakshmi
Lakshmi’s name derives from the root Lak, meaning to mark or signify. She is a mark of beauty—auspicious, radiant, and abundantly full. Often depicted rising from the ocean, adorned in silk saris and gold jewelry, she embodies prosperity. Elephants bathe her in water, symbolizing abundance. Any time we find ourselves near water—oceans, lakes, or waterfalls—we are in Lakshmi’s flow. Conversely, drought and climate crisis signify her shadow side, known as Alakshmi (inauspiciousness), a reminder of our disconnection from nature and abundance.
Lakshmi holds gold coins that flow from her left hand, symbolizing her ability to transmute inner radiance into material prosperity. Her myth suggests that true success begins with honoring what life already provides. It’s easy to focus on lack, but Lakshmi teaches us to wake up to abundance. Any time we lose sight of the divine feminine—the reflective, embodied aspect of ourselves—we must reawaken to possibility and renewal. Tantric yoga philosophy insists that we confront and move through our resistance and shadow to create beauty, like the lotus shining in murky waters.
Lakshmi’s left-hand gesture, Abhaya Mudra, signifies courage. It asks us to confront limiting beliefs, fear, and doubt, standing strong in our transformation. We must face our struggles and turn them into assets—this is the essence of yoga.
The Myth of Lakshmi
To understand Lakshmi, we turn to her myth.
A grumpy sage, Durvasas, was disliked for his negativity until Lakshmi offered him a garland of flowers, instantly transforming him with radiance and gratitude. He wished to share this gift with Indra, the king of the gods. However, Indra, indifferent, dismissed the offering. Instantly, every flower wilted, food spoiled, and the air became toxic—signs of the feminine being disrespected. Lakshmi, embodying divine abundance, vanished into the ocean. The gods and demons had to churn the milky ocean—mixing light and dark, joy and pain—to bring her back.
Lakshmi’s descent into the ocean mirrors the process of meditation. We dive deep into our inner world, vibrating and pulsating like ocean waves. With eyes closed, listening to the heartbeat, we access this inner space. Meditation reveals both our shadows and our beauty. Like Lakshmi’s reemergence, regular practice eventually lightens us, allowing access to joy, creativity, and freedom.
The Invitation
Until we awaken to the feminine within, suffering will persist. Yoga insists on integrating the masculine and feminine within each of us. We need the masculine for structure and action, but without the feminine, we lack the reflection, nurturing, and sustaining power essential for survival.
How do we create inner harmony with these two complementary opposites?
Lakshmi’s message is one of reverence for life. When we honor her essence—through gratitude, self-care, and mindful living—we tap into the limitless prosperity available to us. Like the lotus rising from the mud, our journey through darkness is what makes our brilliance possible.
Jeanie Manchester shares with all of us some daily practices to create inner harmony by embracing Lakshmi and also shares with us an amazing episode of her podcast where she invited Constantina Rhodes and they talked about the light and shadow of Lakshmi.
Daily Lakshmi Practices
To embody Lakshmi’s lessons in daily life, integrate these simple yet powerful practices:
Buy fresh flowers for your home.
Walk in nature with gratitude for its beauty and fresh air.
Take a shower or bath with a moment of gratitude for the water cleansing you.
Set a beautiful table, using fine china and candles—even for a simple meal.
Wear exquisite clothing—your best yoga tights, a favorite scarf, or mala beads.
Practice Lotus Pose (Padmasana) or hip openers like Eka Pada Rajakapotasana.
Donate to a humane society or a cause that aligns with your values.
Clean and organize your space—home, desk, or car.
Dress with intention—adorn yourself in a way that honors your inner radiance.
Track your finances diligently, hiring a bookkeeper if needed.
Keep a gratitude journal to acknowledge the abundance in your life.
Recite her mantra 108X OM Shrim maha Lakshmaye Namaha ctica.
Podcast Highlights
Exploring Intuition as a Divine Feminine Tool : Jeannie and Constantina emphasize that we all possess intuitive abilities—it’s about learning to listen and trust our inner voice to navigate challenges and find alignment with higher consciousness.
The Many Faces of Lakshmi : From her radiant form symbolizing prosperity and beauty to her esoteric "shadow side" represented by Siddha Lakshmi and Dhumavati, Constantina reveals how embracing both aspects of the goddess leads to deeper self-awareness and spiritual growth.
Balancing Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha : The conversation highlights Lakshmi’s role in harmonizing life’s four pillars: righteousness (dharma), material wealth (artha), enjoyment (kama), and liberation (moksha). Understanding these dimensions helps cultivate balance and fulfillment.
Navigating Shadow Work Through Goddess Energy : Constantina explains how confronting fears, doubts, and feelings of unworthiness—the “dark night of the soul”—is essential for transformation and aligning with Lakshmi’s blessings.
Rituals and Practices for Connecting with Lakshmi : Discover accessible ways to invoke Lakshmi’s energy, from chanting mantras to simple rituals like reciting hymns near cows or horses, which ground divine connection in tangible experiences.
Finding Joy Amidst Darkness : Drawing parallels between the current global challenges (like the pandemic) and the dance of the goddess, the discussion celebrates moments of collective joy emerging even in difficult times—for instance, New Yorkers cheering at 7 PM daily during quarantine.
A Guided Exercise for Intuitive Development : Constantina offers a brief meditation exercise to help listeners tap into their intuition, encouraging them to quiet external noise and tune into their inner guidance system.
The Cyclical Nature of Life : Both hosts reflect on the impermanence of prosperity and hardship, emphasizing that Lakshmi’s energy teaches resilience and adaptability while reminding us to stay aligned with consciousness and authenticity.
Shakti Energy Made Accessible : Constantina breaks down complex concepts like Shakti (cosmic energy) and its manifestations in everyday life, making ancient wisdom relatable and actionable for modern seekers.
Surrender and Trust in Challenging Times : The episode concludes with reflections on surrendering to the flow of life and trusting the process, inviting listeners to view challenges as opportunities for spiritual expansion.
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