Invoking Lakshmi -- Invoking Lakshmi -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction: The Goddess Arrives in Delhi -- What Does It Mean to Invoke a Goddess? -- On the Format of This Book -- Sources: Sanskrit Texts and Popular Worship Manuals -- PART ONE: The Divine Personalities of Laksmi -- CHAPTER 1: The Awesome Power of Auspiciousness: Laksmi of the Vedic Traditions -- The Primordial Lotus Goddess -- The Goddess of Auspiciousness: Sri's Essence, Laksmi's Form -- Alaksmi, the Inauspicious -- CHAPTER 2: Living the Good Life: Laksmi of the Puranic Traditions -- The Burgeoning World of the Puranas -- Laksmi and the Lords of the Three Realms: Indra, Visnu, and Bali -- All Women Are Embodiments of Laksmi -- Laksmi, Embodiment of the "Four Wealths" (Caturartha) -- The Absence of Laksmi: Is Lady Luck a Fickle Goddess? -- CHAPTER 3: Living the Powerful Life: Laksmi of the Tantric Traditions -- The World According to Tantra -- Laksmi as Kundalini -- Laksmi, Siva, and the "Ten Great Wisdom Goddesses" (Dasamahavidyas) -- The Grace-Bestowing Mother -- Laksmi as Siddhi: Magical Attainment, Spiritual Power -- PART TWO: The Power of Poetry to Summon the Goddess -- CHAPTER 4: The Power of Vedic Hymns: Generating Auspiciousness -- Reciting the Hymns (Suktas) -- Ritual Application of the Vedic Hymns -- CHAPTER 5: The Power of Puranic Songs: Drawing Down the Goddess -- Reciting the |