नमस्तेऽस्तु महामाये श्रीपीठे सुरपूजिते।
शंखचक्रगदाहस्ते महालक्ष्मि नमोस्तुते॥१॥
Namaste'stu Mahamaye Shripithe surapujite
Shankha-chakra-gada-haste Mahalakshmi namostute (1)
Lyrics with meaning
नमस्ते गरुडारूढे कोलासुरभयंकरि।
सर्वपापहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोस्तुते॥२॥
Namaste Garudarudhe Kolasura-bhayankari
Sarva-papa-hare Devi Mahalakshmi namostute (2)
सर्वज्ञे सर्ववरदे सर्वदुष्टभयंकरि।
सर्वदुःखहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोस्तुते॥३॥
(verses 3-8 continue, each ending 'Mahalakshmi namostute', hailing her as all-knowing, giver of boons, bestower of enjoyment and liberation, the primal Shakti, seated on the lotus, the form of the Supreme; the closing verse promises every accomplishment to one who recites it)
सिद्धिबुद्धिप्रदे देवि भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनि।
मन्त्रमूर्ते सदा देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोस्तुते॥४॥
आद्यन्तरहिते देवि आद्यशक्ति महेश्वरि।
योगजे योगसम्भूते महालक्ष्मि नमोस्तुते॥५॥
स्थूलसूक्ष्ममहारौद्रे महाशक्ति महोदरे।
महापापहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोस्तुते॥६॥
पद्मासनस्थिते देवि परब्रह्मस्वरूपिणि।
परमेशि जगन्मातर्महालक्ष्मि नमोस्तुते॥७॥
श्वेताम्बरधरे देवि नानालंकारभूषिते।
जगत्स्थिते जगन्मातर्महालक्ष्मि नमोस्तुते॥८॥
महालक्ष्म्यष्टकं स्तोत्रं यः पठेद्भक्तिमान्नरः।
सर्वसिद्धिमवाप्नोति राज्यं प्राप्नोति सर्वदा॥
Meaning
Salutations to you, O Mahamaya, enthroned on the sacred Shri seat, worshipped by the gods, bearing conch, discus and mace — Mahalakshmi, salutations to you. Salutations to you who ride Garuda and strike fear into the demon Kola, remover of all sins, O Devi — Mahalakshmi, salutations. O all-knowing one, giver of all boons, terror of all the wicked, remover of all sorrow — salutations. Giver of accomplishment and wisdom, bestower of both enjoyment and liberation, O embodiment of the sacred mantra — salutations. Without beginning or end, O primal Shakti, great goddess, born of yoga and arising from yoga — salutations. Gross and subtle and terrible, O great power with the deep womb of creation, remover of great sins — salutations. Seated on the lotus, O Devi, you whose form is the Supreme Brahman, supreme goddess, mother of the world — salutations. Clad in white, adorned with many ornaments, upholder of the world, mother of the world — Mahalakshmi, salutations to you. Whoever, full of devotion, recites this Mahalakshmi Ashtakam attains all accomplishments and ever gains sovereignty.
About this stotra
The Mahalakshmi Ashtakam is an eight-verse Sanskrit hymn to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, fortune and auspiciousness. The Padma Purana places it in the mouth of Indra, king of the gods, who sang it in praise of Mahalakshmi. Each verse ends with the same salutation — Mahalakshmi namostute, “salutations to you, Mahalakshmi”.
The hymn names her as the one worshipped by the gods, bearing conch, discus and mace; rider of Garuda; giver of all boons and remover of all fear; bestower of both bhukti (enjoyment) and mukti (liberation); the primal Shakti, seated on the lotus, the very form of the Supreme. It is short, stately and easy to learn, which is why it is among the most recited of all Lakshmi hymns.
How to recite it
- Light a lamp before an image of Lakshmi; offer lotus or red flowers, kumkum and sweets.
- Recite the eight verses, ideally in the morning and evening; the closing verse says that reciting it brings every accomplishment.
- Most powerful on Fridays and on Diwali, during Lakshmi Puja.
Why devotees recite it
Lakshmi is not only the giver of money but of every kind of wealth — health, wisdom, beauty, devotion and peace. The Mahalakshmi Ashtakam is recited for prosperity that is steady and righteous, and, in its deeper reading, for the inner wealth that leads to liberation.
More for Lakshmi
Sources
- Mahalakshmi Ashtakam, Padma Purana (ancient)
- Gita Press, Gorakhpur, Stotra Ratnavali
Read our editorial policy on how scripture, Purana and folk tradition are labelled.
Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
Awake
Tap any line to jump there