Lakshmi, also known as the goddess of wealth, happiness and beauty, emerged from the ocean of milk upon which the Gods churned it to produce Amrita or divine nectar. She immediately became Vishnu’s consort. She is pictured as the ideal in feminine beauty, slim-waisted and full breasted. When she is seen separately from Vishnu as in this statue, she has four hands. In two hands she is holding lotus flowers, the other two bestow the gifts of well-being and prosperity. When she is depicted with Vishnu, Lakshmi has only two hands.
