Laxmi & Saraswati

[Dr. Nupam Mahajan]

Dear members,

What is the relationship between Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and
Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge in Indian mythology? Secondly,
is there any mention of association of Laxmi with peacock, the
vehicle of Saraswati?

I have an ancient gold coin minted by great Gupta emperor, Kumargupta
which depicts a goddess feeding a peacock. All the gupta emperors
minted coins showing Laxmi sitting on lotus. But this coin seems
to be totally different from rest of them. I have a feeling that perhaps
Kumargupta tried to mint coins showing Saraswati instead Laxmi
which many of the scholars simply considering `Laxmi feeding
peacock'. The coin can be seen at

http://www.med.unc.edu/~nupam/Sgupta1.html

Your veiws in this regard would be greatly appreciated.

With best wishes,

Nupam


Dr. Nupam Mahajan, Ph.D.
Room 230, CB#7295
Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
UNC, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA

Fax: 919-933-5455
http://www.med.unc.edu/~nupam/welcome.html