34: Sri Maha Lakshmi Ashtakam

Maha Lakshmi Ashtakam – The goddess of wealth

Mahalakshmi, who is the consort of Vishnu is worshipped as goddess of wealth by the Hindus. In the beginning of creation she took form from the left side of Vishnu and was later born again from the sea of milk, when the devas churned it for getting nectar. She resides on the chest of Maha Vishnu as Sri Vatsa. It was she who took birth as Seetha and Rukmani. This very simple prayer is very ancient and has been chanted by generations for solving all their problems.

Namosthesthu Maha Maye,Sree peede, sura poojithe!!
Sanka, chakra, Gadha hasthe,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 1

( Salutations and salutations to Goddess Mahalakshmi*,Who is the great enchantress,Who lives in riches,Who is worshipped by Gods,And who has conch, wheel and mace in her hands.)

Namasthe garudarude,Kolasura bhayam kari,
Sarva papa hare, devi,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 2

Salutations and salutations to Goddess Mahalakshmi.Who rides on an eagle,Who created fear to Kolasura,And is the goddess who can destroy all sins.)

Sarvagne Sarva varadhe,Sarva dushta Bhayam karee!!
Sarva dukha hare, devi,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 3

(Salutations and salutations to Goddess Mahalakshmi.Who knows everything,Who can grant any thing,Who appears fearsome to bad people,And is the goddess who can destroy all sorrows.)

Sidhi budhi pradhe devi,Bhakthi mukthi pradayinee!!
Manthra moorthe, sada devi,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 4

(Salutations and salutations to Goddess Mahalakshmi,Who grants intelligence and occult powers,Who grants devotion to God and salvation,Who can be personified by holy chants,And who is Goddess for ever.)

Adhyantha rahithe, devi,Adhi Shakthi maheswari!!
Yogaje yoga sambhoothe,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 5

(Salutations and salutations to Goddess Mahalakshmi.Who neither has an end nor beginning,Who is the primeval power,Who is the greates Goddess,Who is born out of hard penance,And who can be personified by meditation.)

Sthoola Sukshma maha roudhre,Maha Shakthi Maho dhare!!
Maha papa hare devi,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 6

(Salutations and salutations to Goddess Mahalakshmi,Who is micro and also gross,Who is most fearsome,Who is the greatest strength,Who within her holds the worlds,And is the Goddess who can destroy sins.)

Padmasana sthithe, devi,Para brahma swaroopini!!
Para mesi, jagan matha,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 7

(Salutations and salutations to Goddess Mahalakshmi,Who is the goddess who has the seat of Lotus,Who is the personification of the ultimate truth,Who is Goddess of all,And who is the mother of all the worlds.)

Swethambara dhare, devi,Nanalankara bhooshithe!!
Jagat sthithe, jagan matha,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 8

Salutations and salutations to Goddess Mahalakshmi,Who wears white cloth,Who wears variety of ornaments,Who is everywhere in the world,And who is the mother of all the worlds.)

Phala SruthiMaha lakmyashtakam stotram,
Ya padeth Bhakthiman nara,
Sarva sidhi mavapnothi,
Rajyam prapnothi sarvadha.

(Those men who read this octet praising Mahalakshmi,With devotion and discipline,Would make all powers as his own,And also would attain the kingdom for ever.)

Yeka kale paden nithyam, maha papa vinasanam,
Dwi kale paden nithyam Dana dhanya samanvitha,
Tri kalam paden nithyam Maha shathru vinasanam,
Maha Lakshmir Bhaven nithyam Prasanna, varada Shubha.

(If this is read daily once, great sins committed would be destroyed,If this is read twice daily, you would be blessed with wealth and grains,If this is read thrice daily, your great enemies would be destroyed,And the goddess Maha Lakshmi would be with you,With happiness, with blessings and with good tidings.
Whoever with devotion recite this hymn to SriMahaa Laxmi, composed in eight stanzas, attains all success through the Grace ofMahaa Laxmi Devi.


Take flowers or unbroken grains of rice in yourhands. Meditate upon the goddess, saying:

YA SA PADMA SANASTHA VIPULA KATI TATI PADMA PATRAYAT AKSI

GAM BHIRA VARTANA BHISTANA BHARANA MITA SUBHRA VASTROTTARIYA

YA LAKSMIR DIVYA RUPA IRMANI GANA KHA CITAIH SNA PITAHEMA KUMBH AIH

SA NITYAM PADMA HASTA MAMA VASATU GRHE SARVA MANGALYAYUKTA SWAHA

Laksmi who is seated on a lotus, has eyes as wideas lotus petals, massive hips, deep navel, and heave breasts, wears white upperand lower garments, wears jewelry, is bathed from a golden pitcher, carries alotus in her hand, and is associated with every auspicious sign, let her residein my house.