Mahalakshmi Ashtakam is a revered hymn dedicated to Goddess Durga who once took a powerful manifestation in the form of Mahalakshmi. Mahalakshmi, which embodies wealth, prosperity, and auspiciousness in Hinduism. Ashtakam means “eight verses,” and this stotram comprises eight verses praising and invoking the blessings of Goddess Mahalakshmi.
Devotees traditionally recite the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam Stotram to seek the grace and favor of Goddess Lakshmi for wealth, prosperity, and overall well-being. It is believed that sincere devotion and chanting of this hymn can bring about the blessings of the goddess and attract positive energy and abundance.
The verses of the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam describe the various attributes, forms, and qualities of Goddess Mahalakshmi.
Devotees often recite this stotram with faith and devotion during festivals dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, such as Diwali, Navaratri, and other auspicious occasions associated with wealth and prosperity.
The hymn is a prayer, and each verse contains specific epithets and praises dedicated to the goddess. The recitation of Mahalakshmi Ashtakam is considered an act of worship and a means of invoking the divine blessings of Goddess Mahalakshmi for material and spiritual well-being.
Devotees believe that regular recitation of the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam with devotion can lead to the removal of financial obstacles, the attainment of success in endeavors, and the overall enhancement of one’s life.
॥१॥
नमस्तेऽस्तु महामाये श्रीपीठे सुरपूजिते। शङ्खचक्रगदाहस्ते महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तुते॥१॥ Namastestu mahāmāye śrīpīṭhe surapūjite। śaṅkhacakragadāhaste mahālakṣhmi namo'stute॥1॥
Translation in English:
Salutations to You, Goddess, Abode of wealth, revered by gods.
You bear the discus, conch, and mace, O Mahalakshmi, I bow to You.
Meaning
This verse is an invocation and homage to Goddess Mahalakshmi, acknowledging her divine presence and expressing reverence for her with the mention of symbolic attributes like the conch (shankha), discus (chakra), and mace (gada). It seeks the blessings of Mahalakshmi, regarded as the goddess of wealth and prosperity in Hindu tradition.
॥२॥
नमस्ते गरुडरूढे कोलासुरभयङ्करी। सर्वपापहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तुते॥२॥ Namaste garuḍarūḍhe kolāsurabhayaṅkarī। Sarvapāpahare devi mahālakṣhmi namo'stute॥2॥
Translation in English:
Salutations to you, O Goddess mounted on Garuda, the one who strikes fear in the hearts of demons like Kola. O Devi, the remover of all sins, Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.
Meaning
This verse continues the homage to Goddess Mahalakshmi, describing her as riding on the divine eagle Garuda and being the terror of demons, particularly mentioning Kola. The verse expresses gratitude for her role as the remover of all sins, seeking her blessings for purity and prosperity.
॥३॥
सर्वज्ञे सर्ववरदे सर्वदुष्ट भयंकरी । सर्व दुःख हरे देवी महालक्ष्मी नमोस्तूते । ३ । Sarvajñe sarvavarade sarvaduṣṭa bhayaṅkarī। Sarva duḥkha hare devī mahālakṣhmi namo'stute। 3।
Translation in English
O Omniscient One, Bestower of All Boons, Terrifier of All Evil,
O Goddess who removes all sorrows, Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.
Meaning
This verse continues to extol Goddess Mahalakshmi, emphasizing her attributes as the knower of all, the giver of all blessings, and the dispeller of all fears and evils. The devotee seeks the goddess’s blessings to alleviate all sorrows and difficulties, expressing deep reverence and devotion.
। ४ ।
सिद्धीबुद्धूीप्रदे देवी भुक्तिमुक्ति प्रदायिनी । मंत्रमूर्ते सदा देवी महालक्ष्मी नमोस्तूते । ४ । Siddhibuddhiprade devī bhuktimuktipradāyinī। Mantramūrte sadā devī mahālakṣhmi namo'stute। 4।
Translation in English:
O Goddess who bestows success and wisdom, the giver of worldly pleasures and liberation,
With mantras we invoke your grace, ever-present Goddess Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.
Meaning
This verse highlights the divine attributes of Goddess Mahalakshmi, acknowledging her as the bestower of success (siddhi) and intelligence (buddhi), as well as the provider of both material and spiritual well-being. The reference to the “mantramūrte” underscores her association with the divine mantra, emphasizing the power of her sacred vibrations. The devotee expresses continuous reverence and bows to the eternal presence of Mahalakshmi.
। ५ ।
आद्यंतरहिते देवी आद्यशक्ती महेश्वरी । योगजे योगसंभूते महालक्ष्मी नमोस्तूते । ५ । Ādyantarahite devī ādyashakti maheśvarī। Yogaje yogasambhūte mahālakṣhmi namo'stute। 5।
Translation in English:
O Goddess without beginning or end, the primal power and the Supreme Goddess,
Through yoga, You can be attained, O Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.
Meaning
This verse emphasizes the transcendental nature of Goddess Mahalakshmi, describing her as without a beginning or an end. She is acknowledged as the primal power (ādyashakti) and the Supreme Goddess (maheśvarī). The reference to being born of the union with Yoga signifies her divine origin. The devotee expresses deep respect and devotion, offering salutations to the eternal and transcendent Mahalakshmi.
। ६ ।
स्थूल सूक्ष्म महारौद्रे महाशक्ती महोदरे । महापाप हरे देवी महालक्ष्मी नमोस्तूते । ६ । Sthūla sūkṣhma mahāraudre mahāśakti mahodare। Mahāpāpa hare devī mahālakṣhmi namo'stute। 6।
Translation into English:
O Goddess with immense power, both gross and subtle, formidable and great,
Remover of great sins, O Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.
Meaning in English
This verse describes the various aspects of Goddess Mahalakshmi, highlighting her vast and profound attributes. She is praised as having both gross and subtle manifestations, being formidable, and possessing great strength. The verse also acknowledges her role as the remover of significant sins, and the devotee expresses deep reverence by offering salutations to Mahalakshmi.
। ७ ।
पद्मासनस्थिते देवी परब्रम्हस्वरूपिणी । परमेशि जगन्मातर्र महालक्ष्मी नमोस्तूते । ७ । Padmāsanasthite devī parabrahmasvarūpiṇī। Parameśi jagannātarra mahālakṣhmi namo'stute। 7।
Translation:
O Goddess seated on the lotus throne, the embodiment of the Supreme Brahman,
O Supreme Ruler, the Mother of the Universe, O Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.
Meaning in English
This verse depicts the divine form of Goddess Mahalakshmi seated gracefully on a lotus, symbolizing purity and transcendence. She is recognized as the embodiment of the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate reality. “Parameśi” signifies her as the Supreme Ruler, and “Jagannātarra” refers to her as the Mother of the Universe. The devotee expresses deep respect and devotion, offering salutations to the transcendent and universal Mahalakshmi.
। ८ ।
श्वेतांबरधरे देवी नानालंकार भूषिते । जगत्स्थिते जगन्मार्त महालक्ष्मी नमोस्तूते । ८ । Śvetāṁbaradhare devī nānālaṁkāra bhūṣhite। Jagatsthite jagannārta mahālakṣhmi namo'stute। 8।
Translation:
O Goddess adorned in white attire, adorned with gleaming ornaments,
Residing in the universe, the compassionate Mother of the world, O Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.
Meaning in English
This verse describes the divine appearance of Goddess Mahalakshmi, dressed in white attire and adorned with various ornaments, symbolizing purity and divine beauty. It acknowledges her omnipresence in the universe and recognizes her as the compassionate Mother of the world who nurtures and cares for all. The devotee expresses profound respect and devotion, offering salutations to Mahalakshmi.
Phalastu (Benefits of Reciting this Hymn)
महालक्ष्म्यष्टकस्तोत्रं यः पठेत् भक्तिमान्नरः ।
सर्वसिद्धीमवाप्नोति राज्यं प्राप्नोति सर्वदा । ९ ।
Mahālakṣhyaṣṭakastotraṁ yaḥ paṭhet bhaktimān naraḥ।
Sarvasiddhīmavāpnoti rājyaṁ prāpnoti sarvadā। 9।
Translation:
One who devoutly recites the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam,
Attains unwavering devotion and acquires all accomplishments, obtaining eternal sovereignty.
Meaning
This verse emphasizes the benefits of reciting the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam with devotion. The devotee is promised unwavering devotion and the attainment of all accomplishments. The continuous practice of recitation is believed to lead to the acquisition of eternal sovereignty or a state of enduring spiritual fulfillment.
एककाले पठेन्नित्यं महापापविनाशनं ।
द्विकालं यः पठेन्नित्यं धनधान्य समन्वितः । १० ।
Ekakāle pathe nityaṁ mahāpāpavināśanaṁ।
Dvikālaṁ yaḥ pathe nityaṁ dhanadhānya samanvitaḥ। 10।
Translation:
Reading daily at a fixed time destroys great sins,
One who recites it twice daily is blessed with wealth and prosperity.
Meaning
This verse guides the frequency of reciting the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam. Reciting daily at a fixed time is believed to eliminate significant sins. For those who recite it twice daily, blessings of wealth and prosperity are promised. It underscores the spiritual and material benefits gained through regular and devout recitation.
त्रिकालं यः पठेन्नित्यं महाशत्रूविनाशनं ।
महालक्ष्मीर्भवेन्नित्यं प्रसन्ना वरदा शुभा । ११ ।
Trikālaṁ yaḥ pathe nityaṁ mahāśhatrūvināśanaṁ।
Mahālakṣhmīrbhaven nityaṁ prasannā varadā śubhā। 11।
Translation:
One who recites it three times daily destroys great adversaries,
Goddess Mahalakshmi, ever pleased and bestowing blessings, becomes gracious always.
Meaning
This verse encourages the devotee to recite the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam three times daily. Such regular recitation is believed to lead to the destruction of significant adversaries or obstacles. It further emphasizes that Goddess Mahalakshmi becomes ever gracious when pleased through consistent recitation, bestows blessings on the devotee.