Lajja Gauri is a
goddess associated with abundance and fertility, and she has been euphemistically described as
Lajja (that is, modesty).
History
Early depictions of Lajja Gauri in
Shaktism cults were found in the
Indus Valley deals, though her later depiction dates to the 1-3rd century, and her worship is prevalent in the
Deccan, a region of the
Indian subcontinent.
Iconography
Her fertility aspect is emphasized by symbolic representation of the genitals,
Yoni or the Womb, as blooming
Lotus flower denoting blooming youth in some cases and in others through a simple yet detailed depiction of an exposed
vulva. Added to the fact that she is sitting in a
squatting position (uttanpada) with legs open, as in during childbirth, in some cases, the right foot is placed on a platform to facilitate full opening. She is invoked for abundant crops (vegetative fertility) and good progeny. A blossoming
lotus replaces her head and neck, an icon often used in
Tantra. The seven
Chakras of human energy anatomy are often depicted as blossoming lotuses, and
Sri or
Lakshmi is often depicted in her
Sri Yantra as a
Yoni, shown as a simplified triangle at the centre. Further, most
fertility goddesses of the
Ancient world are similarly shown headless, while giving prominent focus to the genitals. The arms of the goddess are bent upwards, each holding a lotus stem, held at the level of the head again depicted by the matured lotus flower.
Owning to an...
Read More