In Hinduism, Dhanya Lakshmi is a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi and is counted among the Ashta-Lakshmis. Dhanyalakshmi as the name indicates is the Goddess of food and nourishment. She feeds the physical body and keeps hunger away. Dhanya means Grains and is that aspect of Goddess Lakshmi which suffices hunger. Hindu scriptures have numerous stories associated with Dhanya Lakshmi.
As per Ashta Lakshmi Stotram, she is
depicted as seated on a lotus carrying two lotus flowers, mace, paddy crop,
sugarcane, bananas, abhaya and blessings. She has eight hands.
One of the most famous incidents associated with Dhanya Lakshmi is found in the Mahabharata. It is said that Dhanyalakshmi presented Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas with a wooden bowl, which will always be filled with food. She presented it to Draupadi when they were exiled. This bowl helped the Pandavas to survive during their exile in inhospitable forests.
Another popular tale of Dhanya Lakshmi comes from the Oriya culture. It shows that no living being can survive without the blessing of Dhanya Lakshmi. Once Balrama, the brother of Lord Krishna, asked Krishna to keep Dhanya Lakshmi out of the palace and not let her in because she visits all kinds of people. Krishna obeyed his brother and kept Dhanya Lakshmi out.
Soon both Balram and Krishna felt hungry and ordered for food. But all the food in the house turned into dust. Every single morsel that the two brothers set their eye on turned into dust. Soon, they realized their folly and begged Dhanya Lakshmi to forgive them. They apologized to her and begged for forgiveness.
Dhanya Lakshmi appeared before them and gave food with her own hands and said ‘I exist everywhere and do not distinguish between rich and poor and all living beings need my blessing to survive.’
Dhanya Lakshmi is also perceived to be the Goddess of the Harvest. She blesses with abundance and success in harvest.