Prayers to Lakshmi, the Goddess of
Fortune
These are Prayers to all of the qualities of the
Goddess and the blessings that She gives.
The First is
the Lakshmi-Stuti, from Vishnu Purana, 7.9.116-138,
The Second is
the Sri Suktam.
This Stuti eulogy of Lakshmi, which
was spoken by Lord Indra, is the source of all opulence. In this world, poverty
never dwells among those who recite this stuti daily.
indra uvacha
namasye sarva-lokanam
jananim abja-sambhavam
Shriyam
unnidra-padmaksim
vishnor
vakshah-sthala-sthitam
Indra [the demigod king of heaven]
said, "I offer my obeisances unto the lotus-born mother of all beings, unto
Sri [the Goddess of fortune], having full-blown lotus-like eyes, and reposing in
the bosom of Vishnu."
padmalayam padmakaram
padma
patra-nibheksanam
vande padma-mukhim
devim
padma-nabha-priyam
aham
"I offer my obeisances unto the
Goddess who is the abode of lotuses, who holds the lotus, whose eyes resemble
the petals of a lotus, whose face is a lotus, and who is dear to the Lord who
has a lotus navel."
tvam siddhis tvam
svadha svaha
sudha tvam loka-pavani
sandhya ratrihi prabha
bhutir
medha sraddha
sarasvati
"You are siddhi, nectar, Svaha
and Svadha, O purifier of the worlds. You are twilight, night, effulgence,
opulence, intelligence, faith and Sarasvati."
yajna-vidya maha-vidya
guhya-vidya cha
shobhane
atma-vidya cha devi
tvam
vimukti-phala-dayini
"You are the knowledge of
sacrifice, the worship of the universal form, and occult learning, O beauteous
one. You are the knowledge of Brahman, O goddess, and the bestower of the fruit
of liberation."
anvikshiki trayi varta
danda-nitis tvam eva
cha
saumyasaumyair jagad
rupais
tvayaitad devi puritam
"You are the science of
dialectics, the three Vedas, Varta, the knowledge of chastisement. O goddess,
this universe is filled with your gentle and terrifying forms."
ka tv anya tvam rte
devi
sarva-yajna-mayam
vapuhu
adhyaste deva-devasya
yogi cintyam
gada-bhritaha
"O goddess, who except you can
dwell in the person of that God of gods, who consists of all forbearance, the
bearer of the mace, who is contemplated by the yogis?"
tvayi devi parityaktam
sakalam bhuvana-trayam
vinashta-prayam
abhavat
tvaye danim samedhitam
"O goddess, the three worlds,
having been abandoned by you, were on the verge of destruction--because of you,
they have again recovered their position."
dara-putras tatha
garam
suhrid-dhanya
dhanadikam
bhavaty etan
maha-bhage
nityam tvad-vikshanam
nrinam
"O exalted one, men are endowed
with wives, sons, houses, friends, grain and wealth due to your constant
glance."
sharirarogyam
aishvaryam
ari-paksa-ksayam
sukham
devi-tvad-drishti-drishtanam
purushanam na
durlabham
"O goddess, freedom from bodily
ailments, riches, destruction of enemies, and happiness are not difficult to
attain for persons who view your glances."
tvam mata
sarva-bhutanam
deva-devo harih pita
tvayaitad vishnuma
chadya
jagad
vyaptam-characharam
"You are the mother of all
creatures, as that God of gods, Hari, is their father. And this universe,
consisting of moving and nonmoving entities, is presently permeated by you, as
well as Vishnu."
ma nah kosham tatha
goshtham
ma griham ma
paricchadam
ma sariram kalatram
cha
tyajethaha
sarva-pavani
"O purifier of all, if you
forsake us, neither our treasures, nor our cows, nor our houses, nor our
possessions, nor our bodies, nor our wives, are secure."
ma putram ma
suhrid-vargam
ma pashun ma
vibhushanam
tyajetha mama devasya
vishnor
vaksah-sthalalaye
"O you whose abode is the chest
of Vishnu, if you forsake me, neither sons, nor friends, nor animals, nor
ornaments can be mine."
sattvena
satya-shaucabhyam
chatha shiladibhir
gunaih
tyajante te narah
sadyaha
sansyakto ye tvayamale
"O spotless one, men who are
forsaken by you are also forsaken by goodness, truth, purity, good character and
other virtues."
tvayavico kitah
sadyaha
shiladyair akhilair
gunaih
kulaishvaryaish cha
muhyante
purusha nirguna api
"And those who are glanced upon
by you, although devoid of any good qualities, are infatuated by all good
qualities, such as good character, lineage, wealth, etc."
sa shlaghyah sa guni
dhanyaha
sa kulinaha sa
biddhinam
sa shurah sa cha
vikranto
yas tvaya devi
vikshitaha
"O goddess, he who is glanced
upon by you, is praiseworthy, accomplished, fortunate, intelligent, high-born,
heroic and possessed of power."
sadyo vaingunyam
ayanti
shiladyah sakala
gunaha
paranmukhi jaga-dhatri
yasya tvam
vishnu-vallabhe
"O nurse of the universe, O
beloved of Vishnu, all virtues, character, etc., immediately abandon him from
whom you turn away."
na te varnayitum
shakta
gunan jihvapi
vedhasaha
prasida devi padmakshi
masmams tyakshih
kadachana
"Even the tongue of Brahma is
incapable of describing your qualities. O lotus-eyed one, be auspicious unto me.
Please do not abandon me."
[Thus ends the Lakshmi-stuti]
Sri [the Goddess of Fortune] said:
"I shall never turn my face from one who praises me every morning and
evening with this hymn."
SRI
SUKTAM
Om, Hiranya varnam harinim
Suvarna rajatasrajam
Chandraam hiranmayim
Lakshmim jatavedo ma avaha
Sloka 1
O all-knowing fire-god (Agni), would
you kindly propitiate Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity, one whose body has
the golden color; one who is decked with gold and silver garlands; one whose
sari is yellow colored and one Whose face is like the full moon and whose eyes
bless humanity with soothing grace. O Jata Veda, the fire-god, kindly tell Her
of our supplications.
Tamaavaha jatavedo
Lakshmimananpagaminim
Yasyaam hiranyam vindeyam
Gamasvam purushanaham
Sloka 2
O, Agni, the great fire-god, with the
blessings of Mahalakshmi, wealth and prosperity, gold and cattle, horses and
useful animals, family and children and every type of prosperity will come to
me. By the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi in my home, the prosperity will be
imperishable. Health, friends, knowledge, everlasting peace and finally freedom
-- all these types of wealth will be mine by the arrival of the Universal
Mother, Lakshmi, into my home.
Ashwapurvam
Rathamadhyam
Hastinada
Prabodinim
Sriyam Devimupahvaye
Shrirmadevirjushatam
Sloka 3
That Goddess Lakshmi in whose
procession the celestial horses and the divine chariots are used, as the
elephants roar the OM sound which pleases that Goddess. She being Gajalakshmi or
Lakshmi Who is worshiped by the elephants. O Agni, I am invoking that power, the
spouse of Vishnu. May I attain Her grace.
Kamsosmitam Hiranya
Prakaramardram
Jvalantim truptam tarpayantim
Padmestitam padmavarnam
Tamihopahvaye sriyam
Sloka 4
One Who is sitting on the blossomed
thousand-petalled lotus; one whose body has the color of the lotus; may that
great Goddess. The compassionate, radiant, ever-smiling, fulfiller of all the
desires of Her votaries, hear my prayers. I invoke that Mother, Mahalakshmi of
golden color.
Chandramprabhasam yashasajvalantim
Sriyamloke devajustamudaram
Tam Padminimim
Saranamaham
Prapadye Alakshmirme
Nashyatam twam vrune
Sloka 5
I invoke Mahalakshmi Who shines like
the full moon and like lightening. Her fame is all-pervading. Denizens of heaven
constantly worship Her. She is minificent. Her benevolent hands are like
lotuses. I take refuge in Her lotus feet. Let Her destroy my poverty forever. O
Mother Mahalakshmi, I take shelter at Your lotus feet.
Aadityavarne
Tapasodhijato
Vanaspatistava
Vrukshothabilvaha
Tasya phalani
Tapasanudantu
Mayantarayascha
Bahya Alakshmihi
Sloka 6
O Universal Mother, shining like the
sun, it is through Your penance that the holiest trees of Bilva and Tulasi are
born. They symbolize the tree of life. The fruit of that tree of life removes
our poverty from both within and without. In other words, bless us with inner
light and outer independence and abundance.
Upaitumam Devasakhaha
Kirtishcha Maninaa
Saha
Praddurbhuto smi rastresmin
Kirthimrudhim
dadatume
Sloka 7
O Devi, the great Goddess, with Your
blessings let Kubera, the treasurer of the gods; his friend, Manibhadra, the
protector of wealth, and Keerti, the goddess of fame who was the daughter of
Daksha Prajapati.
Kshutpipasamalam
JyesthaAm
Alakshmim
nashayamyaham
Abhutimasamruddhim
cha
Sarvam Nirnuda me
grihat
Sloka 8
That goddess of hunger and thirst,
one who is reduced to a skeleton; I would like the death of the goddess of
poverty. O Mahalakshmi, may You kindly drive away any fear of poverty and
inauspiciousness from my home. In other words, bless me always with abundance
and joy.
Gandhadvaram
duradharsham
Nitya Pushtam
Karishinim
Eshvarim
sarvabhutanam
Tamihopahvaye Sriyam
Sloka 9
I invoke that supreme Goddess Lakshmi
to dwell in my home forever. She is the supreme power of protection and Goddess
of all the universes and cosmic elements. She is Mother Earth, the bestower of
great contentment. Her blessings are bringing us the fragrance of the sandalwood
paste. May that Ishwari be ever present in me.
Manasaha-Kamamakutim
Vachasatya mashimahi
Pashunam Rupamanasya
mayi
Shrishrayatam yashaha
Sloka 10
May Mahalakshmi fulfill all my
desires. May I attain perfection. May my words come true. May I be bestowed with
cattle, wealth, food, milk and honey to share with all. May that Sri Devi come
to my home in the form of undying fame.
Kardamena
Prajabhuta mayi
Sambhava Kardhama
Shriyam Vasayame Kule
Mataram Padma
malinim
Sloka 11
We are the progeny of our forefather,
Sage Kardama, who is one of the sons of Goddess Lakshmi. We invoke that Sage
Kardama to install in his family the Universal Mother, Mahalakshmi, who is
decked with the garland of lotuses. So be it.
Apsrujantu
Snigdhani Chiklita
Vasa Me Gruhe
Nicha devim
Mataram Sriyam
Vasayame kule
Sloka 12
We invoke another son of Lakshmi
named Chikleeta. May he dwell in our home and may his mother, Mahalakshmi, dwell
in our family.
Ardram pushkarinim
Pushtim
Pingalam
Padmamalinim
Chandram hiranmayim
Lakshmim
Jatavedo Ma avaha
Sloka 13
O Agni, may You propitiate
Mahalakshmi, the destroyer of demons but merciful to Her devotees, abode of
auspiciousness, bestower of total protection, extraordinarily beautiful,
bedecked with valuable ornaments, shining like a thousand suns; may that
Hiranmayi, the golden colored Goddess, be pleased with us.
Ardram Yah karinim
yastim
Suvarnam hemamalinim
Suryam Hiranmayim
Lakshmim
Jatavedo Ma avaha
Sloka 14
O Agni, the fire-god, I once again
pray unto you to invoke the presence of the Lakshmi Devi with us. The Mother Who
is merciful blessings with Her lotus hand. May that yellow-clad,
lotus-garlanded, moon-faced Goddess shower Her choicest cup of blessings upon
us.
Tama avaha
Jatavedo
Lakshmimanapagaminim
Yasyam Hiranyam
Prabhutam gavo
Dasyoshvam Vindeyam
Purushanaham
Sloka 15
O Agni, please pray to that Lakshmi
that we should be blessed with inexhaustible wealth. May that wealth bring that
greatest joy and peace along with all material comforts of cows, servants,
horses, family and good children, and the highest of all, freedom.
Om Mahadevyaicha vidmahe Vishnu
Pathnyaicha dhimahi
Tanno
Lakshmih prachodayatu
Om Shanti Shanti
Shantihi
Sloka 16
Let that Mahalakshmi be invoked on
Whom I meditate upon, Who is the consort of Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Mother. Let
peace prevail everywhere.
108 Names of Goddess
Lakshmi
Prakruti - Nature
Vikruti - Multi-Faceted Nature
Vidya - Wisdom
Sarvabhootahitaprada - Granter of Universal Niceties
Shraddha - Devoted
Vibhuti - Wealth
Surabhi - Celestial Being
Paramatmika - Omnipresence
Vachi - Nectar-Like Speech
Padmalaya - Residing On The Lotus
Padma – Lotus
Shuchi - Embodiment of Purity
Swaha - Shape of Swahadevi(Auspicious)
Swadha - Shape of Swadhadevi(Inauspicious)
Sudha - Nectar
Dhanya - Personification of Gratitude
Hiranmayi - Golden Appearance
Lakshmi - Goddess of Wealth
NityaPushta - Gaining strength Day By Day
Vibha - Radiant
Aditi - Radiant Like The Sun
Deetya - Answer Of Prayers
Deepta - Flame-Like
Vasudha - Earth
Vasudharini - Bearing the the Burden of Earth
Kamala - Lotus
Kantha - Consort of Vishnu
Kamakshi - One with Attractive Eyes
Kamalasambhava - Emanating from the Lotus
Anugrahaprada - Granter of Good Wishes
Buddhi - Wisdom
Anagha - Sinless
Navadurga - All Nine Forms of Durga
Harivallabhi - Consort of Lord Hari
Ashoka - Dispeller of Sorrows
Amrutha - Nectar
Deepa - Radiant
Lakashokavinashini - Remover of Universal Agonies
Dharmanilaya - Establisher of Eternal Law
Karuna - Compassionate
Lokamatri - Mother of the Universe
Padmapriya - Lover of Lotus
Padmahasta - Having Lotus-Like Hands
Padmakshya - Lotus-eyed
Padmasundari - Beautiful Like the Lotus
Padmodbhava - One Who Emerged Out of the Lotus
Padmamukhi - Lotus-Faced
Padmanabhapriya - Beloved of Padmanabha
Ramaa - Pleaser of the Lord
Padmamaladhara - Wearer of Lotus Garland
Devi - Goddess
Padmini - Lotus
Padmagandhini - Having the Fragrance of Lotus
Punyagandha - Having Divine Perfume
Suprasanna - Ever Cheerful and Beaming
Prasadabhimukhi - Emerging to Grant Boons
Prabha - Radiant Like the Sun
Chandravadana - Moon-Faced
Chanda - Cool Like the moon
Chandrasahodari - Sister of the Moon
Chaturbhuja - with four arms
Chandrarupa - Moon-Faced
Indira - Radiant like the Sun
Indusheetala - Cool like the Moon
Ahladajanani - Source of Happiness
Pushti - Healthy
Shiva - Auspicious
Shivakari - Source of Auspicious Things
Satya - All Truth
Vimala - Pure
Vishwajanani - Mother of the Universe
Pushti - Possessor of All Wealth
Daridriyanashini - Remover of Poverty
Preeta Pushkarini - One with Pleasing Eyes
Shanta - Full with peace or Calm
Shuklamalambara - Wearer of White Garland and Attire
Bhaskari - Radiant like the Sun
Bilvanilaya - Resider Under Bilva Tree
Vararoha - Ready to Offer Boons
Yashaswini - Reputed
Vasundhara - Daughter of the Earth
Udaranga - Endowed with a Beautiful Body
Harini - Deer-Like
Hemamalini - Having Golden Garlands
Dhanadhanyaki - Bestower of Wealth and Foodgrains
Siddhi - Ever Ready to Protect
Straina Soumya - Showering Goodness on Women
Shubhaprada - Granter of Auspicious Things
Nrupaveshvagathananda - Loves to Live in Palaces
Varalakshmi - Granter of Bounty
Vasuprada - Bestower of Wealth
Shubha - Auspicious
Hiranyapraka - Amidst Gold
Samudratanaya - Beloved Daughter of the Ocean of Milk
Jaya - Goddess of Victory
Mangala - Most Auspicious
Devi - The Deity
Vishnuvakshah - Residing in Vishnu's Chect
Vishnupatni - Consort of Vishnu
Prasannakshi - Lively-Eyed
Narayana Samashrita - Sought Refuge in Narayana
Daridriya Dhwamsini - Destroyer of Poverty
Devi - Goddess
Sarvapadravanivarini - Dispeller of all Distresses
Mahakali - A Form of Kali
Brahma-Vishnu-Shivatmika - Trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva
Trikala-dnyanasampanna - Aware of all 3 -the Past, Present and Future
Bhuvaneshwarya - Supreme Deity
[These prayers are available at www.stephen-knapp.com]
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