Saraswati and Lakshmi (Pair) 08

This is a pair of oleographs of Saraswati and Lakshmi by Raja Ravi Varma. Saraswati is the Goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. She is typically shown, as here, holding in her hands a pustaka (book or script), a mala (rosary, garland) and a musical instrument (veena). Her vahana (vehicle) - a peacock, is shown to the left of the image. Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth, fortune, love, beauty, joy and prosperity. Gajalakshmi, means Lakshmi with elephants (gaja), the elephant can be seen on the right with its trunk raised to garland Lakshmi. This aspect of Lakshmi is representative of prosperity, good luck, and abundance. Lakshmi typically stands on a lotus pedestal, as depicted here. In each of her upper hands, she holds a lotus, and the lower hands are shown in abhya (without fear) and varadamudra (dispensing boons).