Gajalakshmi, Goddess of wealth Lakshmi, lustrated by elephants (Gaja), is a popular and ancient motif. This motif may be traced back to Buddhist sculptures. Gajalakshmi is one of the eight forms of Lakshmi.

Here, the Goddess is holding a lotus in her upper hands.  The elephants are standing on two independent columns topped by a lotus.  A change from the conventional iconography  The elephants are holding upturned pots of water in their trunk and doing ‘Abhishek’ (ritual bathing).

Gajalakshmi’ s lower hands are in Varada (bestowing) and Abhaya (protection) mudra, the most common mudras in Hindu deities. There are four elephants, each holding a pot, representing the four cardinal directions. A view from the top shows four pots, and the elephants are delineated.

This bronze is from Orissa (crown in the form of a tiara, material used and beaded rims). It is about 9.5 cm in height and may be from the 18th century.

For a more detailed discussion on the iconography, please see the blog on standing Gajalakshmi.