Index Page numbers for definitions are in boldface. 275 abundance, as expression of Lak∑m¥, 2, 17–19, 28, 34–37, 68; Lak∑m¥ as source of, 4–5, 16, 71 aißvarya (majesty), as quality of Lak∑m¥, 27, 29 Alak∑m¥ (the inauspicious), 20–21; as Akirt¥ (Ill Repute), 44; as Atulå (Unbalanced), 44; as Daridrå (Poverty), 44; as Jye∑†hå (Elder Sister), 44, 65; in Puråˆic literature, 43–45; in Tantric literature, 55–56; in Vedic literature, 65; kept from Lak∑m¥ ceremonies, 20, 94 alchemy, 71, 74–76 Ambujå, 16 Aphrodite, 32 årat¥ (ceremonial waving of lights), 115 artha (material wealth), 7, 27, 31, 41; as expression of Lak∑m¥, 33–39, 40 asuras (demigods, antigods), 25, 34, 260n41 Atharva Veda, 74, 75, 249n5 auspiciousness, 7, 15, 24, 29, 42, 60; invocation of, 4–5, 94; power of, 15–21, 93 Bali (lord of the underworld), 24, 25 beauty, as expression of Lak∑m¥, 1, 5, 17–18, 29, 43, 49, 52, 95; auspicious power of, 108 bhukti-mukti pradåyin¥ (bestower of worldly enjoyment and spiritual liberation), epithet of Lak∑m¥, 4–5, 40, 48 Biernacki, Loriliai, 81, 254n9 b¥ja mantras, 76–77, 78, 80. See also mantras Bollywood, 10 boon (vara), 8, 43, 68, 70, 82, 86 Brooks, Douglas, 252n2 cakras (energy vortexes in subtle body), 50–52; See also under lotus cardinal directions, 204, 259n26 chanting, 18, 44, 78, 84, 97, 253n1; devotional mood in, 69–70, 74; to awaken divine consciousness, 49 Chinnamastå, 53, 252n9 Churning of the Ocean, 25, 43, 257n11; See also Ocean of Milk Chutes and Ladders, 24 circumambulation (pradakƒi£å), 115, 117, 256n27 clay lamps, 1–2, 112, 114, 117 cobras, in iconography of Lak∑m¥, 47 consciousness, awakening of, 49–51, 71–74; goddess’s divine, 17, 51, 58–60, 64, 74; integration of, 54–56; pervaded by the goddess, 34–35, 47, 51, 73–74; revelation of the goddess through, 68–69; 276 INDEX consciousness (continued) transformation of, 7–8, 10, 72–73; undifferentiated state of pure, 203 cows, as embodiments of Lak∑m¥, 17, 95, 106, 115, 256n4 (Puråˆic Hymns to Lak∑m¥) Daßamahåvidyås (Ten Great Wisdom Goddesses), 52–55, 58 devadås¥ (“servant of the gods,” sacred courtesan), 27, 29 devanågar¥ script, 19 devas (deities), 5, 25 dev¥ (goddess), 5, 19 devotional texts, origins of, 9–10 Dhanadå (Bestower of Wealth), 34, 36–38 dharma (virtuous conduct), 7, 27, 31, 74; as expression of Lak∑m¥, 38–41; neglect of, 44 Dh¨måvat¥, 55–56 D¥vål¥ (Festival of Lights), 1, 2, 33 Dixit, Pandit Rajesh, 8, 97, 116, 207, 254n2 (Lak∑m¥ P¶jå Text), 258n17, 262n5, 263n6, 263n9 elephants, in iconography of Lak∑m¥, 15–16, 33, 47, 63 elixir, of immortality, 25–26, 76, 111; the goddess’s marvelous, 74–76, 78 favor (prasannå) of the goddess, 8, 64, 68, 69, 75 flower offerings, 59, 110–111, 115–116, 117 fruit offerings, 59, 113–114 Gaˆeßa, 5, 94, 101–102 gaur¥ (“bright,” beneficent goddess), 41, 52 ghee (clarified butter), 1, 2, 106, 112, 114, 115 “god-posters,” 37 goddess of prosperity, 1–4, 15, 17, 31, 68, 203–204 gold coins, as forms of Lak∑m¥, 17; in iconography of Lak∑m¥, 33, 37; in Lak∑m¥ p¶jå, 95, 114, 117 golden urn, as respository of immortal nectar, 111; as repository of seed-syllables, 76, 81; as symbol of woman’s body, 81 Gonda, Jan, 35, 250n6, 250n8, 251n23 G®hya Lak∑m¥ (Lak∑m¥ of the Home), 27–30 Hestia, 30 horses, in iconography of Lak∑m¥, 63, 256n4 h®dayam, 82–83 incense, 2, 44, 65, 95, 111–112, 117 Indra (lord of heaven), 24–26, 43, 99; as composer of praise-songs for Lak∑m¥, 7, 26, 42, 133, 137, 146–147, 190–192 invoking Lak∑m¥, as yogic discipline, 94; consistency of, 21, 36; for spiritual and material blessings, 7, 40, 80; study of, 3–5; to attract prosperity and auspiciousness, 3–5, 7–8, 43, 76, 68, 89; to awaken consciousness within, 27, 35–36, 79; to repel inauspiciousness, 20, 44, 65. See also chanting; mantras Jones, Sir William, 16 Kål¥, 41, 52–53 kåma (pleasure), 7, 27, 31, 41; as expression of Lak∑m¥, 32–33, 39, 40 Kamalå, 16; as Tantric form of Lak∑m¥, 52–55, 58, 70 karma, 23, 24; reversing the effects of, 67...