Thursday 30 June 2011

Prayers to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune

Prayers to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune

by Mantra & shlokas on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 4:58pm


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.

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