What does Lakshmi represent?

Lakshmi represents the fluctuation of one’s life and the need to accept change. At the beginning of the novel, Lakshmi’s life is fairly well planned out. She is close to having her own house. Her debts are being paid by both a marriage contract and an introduction to the palace. But Radha disrupts that life, forcing Lakshmi to make changes to accommodate. At first, she is resistant to these changes and ends up losing a lot by trying to maintain the status quo. It is only when she accepts this new life of hers that she is able to find happiness.