Worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal and invoked in Shaktism and Tantric rituals, Mahalakshmi (Great Lakshmi) is the name of a cosmic protector form of the goddess Lakshmi as the primordial Supreme Mother Goddess, Adi Parashakti (First Supreme Energy). Mahalakshmi is also one of the Eight Mother Goddesses (Astha Matrikas). She is crowned, heavily ornamented, and has Shiva’s third eye of wisdom (jñana netra). Regarded as a fierce protective goddess, she is multi-armed and holds multiple weapons. In this 16-armed representation, she displays the following attributes and gestures (clockwise from the uppermost left hand): shield, kettledrum, bow, waterpot, book, noose, gesture of admonition (tarjani mudra), gesture of exposition (vitarka mudra), skull cup, gesture of charity (varada mudra), lotus, trident, rosary, arrow, bell, and sword. She sits cross-legged on her lion mount (simha vahana) crouching on a lotus base. Although Mahalakshmi is a fearful warrior, here she is depicted as smiling and her lion is seemingly grinning as he gazes up at his mistress with adoration.
See also M.81.271.1 and M.88.228.
