In Vedas the epithet/name used for prosperity is Shree.
Indra being the supreme amongst devas represented rains. Rains was directly connected with prosperity for agrarian society. Farmers were dependent on rain for bountiful harvest and when farmers had a good harvest, traders also had a good revenue. Overall the kingdom would have a good economy and prosperity.
Hence Shree became the Shakti of Indra the power of prosperity that Indra will give his devotees when they pray to him.
Prayers to Indra seek his blessing, address him as lord of Shree.
In Puranas as Vishnu was raised to prominence by Vaishnava, they made prosperity or Shree Devi Vishnu's wife, and got stories like Bhrigu cursed Indra and she went into ocean and came out of Samudra Manthan and chose Vishnu as husband. Some stories have her as Bhrigu's daughter. Some as Sagar's daughter. Some as Dharma's daughter.
Basically personified prosperity as a woman and mad her someone's daughter and most importantly Vishnu's wife and his power.
But she was originally Indra's power, and to cover that up, Indra's wife was given the name Sachi and Swargashree.
In Mahabharata this conundrum becomes more obvious.
Krishna is incarnation of Vishnu. And Indra is supposed to be the greatest amongst King's and Lord of all, so Pandavas being supported by Krishna the protagonist of MB become the five Indras in some stories . In other stories Arjun Krishna's friend becomes Vishnu's brother in a previous incarnation, in the main story however he becomes avatar/ansha/son of Indra helped by Krishna Avatar of Vishnu.
In this particular incarnation of Krishna his own wives especially Rukmini has no role whatsoever other than being his wife. Satyabhama was atleast has Narakasura's death, Parijata story etc. Rukmini has nothing to do other than being a devoted wife. Something like Urmila in Ramayana or Subhadra in MB. (these roles are awesome in themselves but not relevant as such for the main action in the story)
Unlike in Ramayana where Sita was as critical to the story as Rama.
You can consider Parshuram avatar for eg. He is brahmachari and has no wife, so Lakshmi does not even exist in that story. But here in Krishna Avatar he has wives, but wives are not relevant in the most critical Leelas of his life. Kansa vadha and Mahabharata.
In MB that heroine position belongs to Draupadi, the one whose presence takes the story forward. And if who is not there story falls apart.
But Krishna is Vishnu and his wife is Rukmini who has no role in the story of Mahabharata and Draupadi the power of prosperity is with Pandavas (Arjun) the Indras.
That's the conundrum of Indra Vishnu and Shree.
Or Pandavas Krishna and Draupadi.
Vaishnava in the purana make Krishna's wives Ashtavharya different forms of Lakshmi and Rukmini specially as Shree Devi. Because now Lakshmi has to be Vishnu's wife come what may. If Krishna had to be Vishnu Rukmini and other wives are default Lakshmi. Even Radha is Vishnu's Shakti and Vishnu's Shakti is Shree... So all that confusion.
And Draupadi becomes Sachi/Swargashree wife of Indras.
But instead of all that prudishness, if people can simply go as per Vyasa. A wife is the biggest strength or power for her husband. She with her love and intelligence and wisdom brings prosperity in his life. A man's wife is his Lakshmi the power of prosperity
Draupadi was Pandavas Shree. Rukmini, Satya and his other 6 wives were Krishna's shree, Radha was Krishna's Shree too.
Just like Sita was Rama's Shree.
They all basically represent the same Devi, we all call as Lakshmi, Sree, or prosperity.
As per Purana only Vishnu's wife is Lakshmi as per Vyasa, For everyman his wife is his grihaLakshmi.
Vyasa in MB has given that position for Draupadi because she is female protagonist, the heroine of that epic. Rukmini is mentioned only by name a few times as Krishna's wife that is all.
Draupadi because of her knowledge of Dharma is Saraswati. He calls her Jaya. The epic starts with a prayer to Nara Narayana and her as saraswati.
Draupadi because of her intelligence wisdom and deeds is also the Shree in the epic. As long as she is treated with respect Pandavas rule the world and when she is disrespected they become beggars
Draupadi is also represented as Kali who helped execute the will of the almighty in getting the earth rid of evil Kshatriya.
So she is not just Lakshmi, she is Saraswati, She is Kali too.
PS. Nothing against Rukmini or Radha but fact is they have nothing to do with Mahabharat and they have nothing to do in Mahabharat
Edited by Chiillii - 4 years ago
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