Vishnu ji and Maa Lakshmi

Vishnu ji sustains dharma and the worlds; Maa Lakshmi is splendor, prosperity, and the grace that supports good order and practice.

How to recognize each figure

Vishnu ji / Narayan ji

• Weapons & emblems: The classic set is shankha (conch), Sudarshan chakra (sacred discus), gada (mace, e.g. Kaumodaki), and lotus or abhaya hand. Some murtis also show a bow—depends on the artist and region.
• Dress: Many images show royal dress and jewelry more than full armor; warrior Vishnu forms may add crest, armlets, and chest ornaments.
• Arms: Usually four arms in standing or seated murti.
• Adornments: Crown, Kaustubha gem, Shrivatsa mark on the chest, pitambar cloth; dark blue skin.
• Vahana (when shown separately): Garuda; in couple images he may sit on Shesha in ocean of milk scenes.

Maa Lakshmi

• Weapons: She is not a battle goddess in standard art—her hands carry lotus, pot of nectar, blessing / fear-not—signs of grace and nourishment, not war.
• Adornments: Rich gold jewelry, red or green sari in many North Indian murtis; lotus seat.
• Vahana: Owl is widely named as Maa Lakshmi’s vahana—wisdom and wise use of blessings; some art shows elephant instead—both traditions exist; owl is the classic one to learn first.
• Other signs: Full water pot, coins or shower of blessings in paintings.