Nepalese brass Shri Lakshmi
Forani Collection
Cat. No: IN84-1255

Brass statue of Hindu goddess standing on the back of a turtle, representing Vishnu's wife and sakti (female energy) Shri Lakshmi. H 42.00 cm. Acquired: Kathmandu, Nepal.

Note: Shri Lakshmi is commonly depicted in this form by the Newar people of the Kathmandu Valley. With one of her left hands she is holding a sinhamu (a container for vermillion powder) and in one of her right hands she is holding a jyalanheka (ceremonial metal mirror). These are the last two objects which a future Newar bride receives from her parents in their home before she is delivered to the bridegroom. Thus they identify Shri-Lakshmi as the wife of Vishnu who is symbolically present as the turtle under her feet. In his second avatar, Vishnu took the form of a turtle called Kurma to support Mount Mandara for the Churning of the Sea of Milk. Shri Lakshmi emerged from the sea during the churning and immediately went to Vishnu as his wife. This particular iconographical form of Shri-Lakshmi is frequently mistaken for the river goddess Yamuna who also stands on a turtle but who carries a water-pot.

Photo: John Noone IMG_0998.jpg