Also known as
Asvayuajou or
Ashvini, Svasti is a
solar goddess of good fortune, luck, joy and happiness. She is the wife of
Vayu, god of air, and
spreads positive thoughts and vibrations--she wants every person to know happiness! Svasti's name means
wellbeing while one of her alternate names, Asvayujou, means
yoked with horses--symbols of energy, vitality and progress. It draws attention to her dynamic and perpetual force of luck and happiness: she drives away stagnation and attracts prosperity. Svasti was originally born into a kingdom suffering from drought and the people had fallen into despair. She appeared and brought life-giving rain, a rain which instilled happiness in all it touched! For this reason she is most equated to
Mpertem and sometimes
Rylmar.
Because of her benevolence and joyous nature, Svasti is a popular goddess albeit a minor one, especially in rural villages. While not as influential as the other gods, she is often invoked in rituals in order to attract good luck and success, especially before long journeys! Her worshippers celebrate Svasti during a number of harvest festivals, on the full moon and amid weddings, performing rituals, prayers and sacrificial offerings. Flowers -especially lotuses- are prefered offerings but her followers might also light oil lamps and recite mantras dedicated to Svasti, all believed to attract good fortune. Endlesslly benevolent and nurturing, Svasti expresses Vayu's purity as his shakti. She emphasizes the importance of joy, happiness and fortune needed in every human life!
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