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Gajalakshmi (), also spelt as Gajalaxmi, is a prominent representation of the goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of wealth, prosperity, and fertility, depicted with two elephants on either side. This representation symbolises not only the divine blessings of wealth and prosperity but also embodies themes of fertility and royal authority.
This form has been incorporated as one of the Ashta Lakshmi, the eight aspects of Lakshmi representing different aspects of wealth.
The elephants are often interpreted as symbols of fertilising rains, drawing from an ancient Hindu belief that associates them with clouds. Mythological narratives suggest that the original elephants had wings and traversed the skies, bestowing rain upon the earth. Cursed to remain earthbound after interrupting a sage's meditation, they retained a connection to the clouds, symbolising the nurturing power of rain essential for the growth of crops. Thus, the presence of elephants in conjunction with Lakshmi reinforces her role as a provider of fertility and abundance.
Elephants have historically been associated with royalty in India, serving as symbols of power and majesty. Kings maintained stables of elephants for both ceremonial and military purposes, as they were integral to royal processions and were believed to influence rainfall and agricultural fertility. Consequently, the depiction of elephants alongside Lakshmi highlights the intertwining of wealth and sovereignty, merging the attributes of the goddess with those of royal power.
Additionally, she is the form of the goddess who stands for animal wealth, as well as other symbols of wealth that represent strength.
An image is found from the 2nd century BCE, possibly in Buddhist contexts,Coomaraswamy, Ananda, Elements of Buddhist Iconography, Harvard University Press, p. 22, 1935, online text and appears on the railings from the Buddhist site of Bharhut, from 125–100 BCE. It appears on a 1st-century BCE coin of Azilises, and a 3rd-century CE coin from Kausambi.
A depiction of Gajalakshmi seated on a lotus is found in Cave 14 at Ellora Caves.G. RAVINDRAN NAIR (2017). 9788123025681, Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. . ISBN 9788123025681
Temples in Odisha in the classic local Kalinga architecture style very often have a figure of Gajalakshmi in lalitasana as their lalatabimba or central protective image over the doorway to a temple or the sanctuary. One of the tympana at the Temple of Banteay Srei in Siem Reap, has a beautifully sculptured image of the Goddess Gajalakshmi in pink sandstone. Though over a thousand years old, this tympanum is in almost as good a state as it must have been when created.
Gajalakshmi is worshipped in many places in Goa and Konkan as a fertility goddess, mostly under the names Gajantlakshmi, Gajalakshmi, Kelbai or Bhauka devi, by various Konkani people as their tutelary deity.
According to Timothy Taylor, there might be a connection between the female deity with elephants portrayed on the Gundestrup cauldron and Gajalakshmi.Taylor, Timothy (1992), "The Gundestrup cauldron", Scientific American, 266: 84–89.
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