Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam stotra (or Lakshmi Ashtakam ) is a devotional hymn, a declaration of faith and devotion to Goddess Mahalakshmi, the consort of Vishnu. Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam stotra was first recited by God Indra in praise of Goddess Shri Lakshmi originally appeared in Padmapuranam (Padma Purana) propitiate Goddess Mahalakshmi. It is written in eight couplets and is and an octet hence got the name “ashtakam” in Sanskrit. This is a prayer to Goddess Maha Lakshmi who is also called “Shree” and represents wealth as well as auspiciousness. Reciting or listening Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam every day will benefit the person will be bestowed with success and worldly benefits. It is said at the end of this Ashtakam itself, that if always read once a day, great sins will be destroyed. If always read twice a day, wealth and prosperity will be ensured. If always read three times a day, the great enemy (ego) will be destroyed. Goddess Mahalakshmi will be ever pleased with that auspicious one.
नमस्तेस्तु महामाये श्रीपीठे सुरपूजिते।
शङ्खचक्रगदाहस्ते महालक्षि्म नमोस्तु ते॥1॥
Namastheasthu Maha-maaye, Sri pithe, Sura-poojite,
Shankha Chakra Ghadha-hasthe, Maha Lakshmi Namostuthe ॥1॥
Salutations to you O Great Maya, One who resides in Sri Chakra and is adored by the Gods, One who holds the Conch-shell, the Discus and the Mace, I worship to thee, Sri Maha Lakshmi.
नमस्ते गरुडारूढे कोलासुरभयङ्करि ।
सर्वपापहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥२॥
Namasthe Garudaarudhe, Kolaasura Bhayankari,
Sarva Paapa Hare Devi, Maha Lakshmi Namostuthe ॥2॥
Salutations to the One who is riding the Eagle Garuda (Lord Vishnu’s vehicle). To the One, who destroyed the demon Kola Asura. To the One, who can destroy all sins caused by the mind, body and the soul. I worship to thee, Sri Maha Lakshmi.
सर्वज्ञे सर्ववरदे सर्वदुष्टभयङ्करि ।
सर्वदुःखहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥३॥
Sarvaghne, Sarva-varade, Sarva-dhushta Bhayankari,
Sarva Dhukka Haree Devi, Maha Lakshmi Namostuthe ॥3॥
To the One, who is aware of everything in the creation, One who can fulfill all desires, One who is the destroyer of all evils, One who removes all miseries. I worship to thee, Sri Maha Lakshmi.
सिद्धिबुद्धिप्रदे देवि भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनि ।
मन्त्रमूर्ते सदा देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥४॥
Siddhi Buddhi-pradhe Devi, Bukhti Mukti Pradhaayini,
Mantra Moorte Sadhaa Devi, Maha Lakshmi Namostuthe ॥4॥
To the one who bestows success and intelligence. To the one who gives liberation or Moksha (Salvation). To the one who is an embodiment of all Mantras, I worship to thee, Sri Maha Lakshmi.
आद्यन्तरहिते देवि आद्यशक्तिमहेश्वरि ।
योगजे योगसम्भूते महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥५॥
Aadhyantha-rahite Devi, Aadhya Shakti Maheshwari,
Yogaghne Yoga-sambhoote, Maha Lakshmi Namostuthe ॥5॥
To the one who has no beginning or end, to one who the primordial energy of this cosmic creation. To one who is the divine fire born of all Yoga, to the one who is in the minds of the all Yogis, I worship to thee, Sri Maha Lakshmi.
स्थूलसूक्ष्ममहारौद्रे महाशक्ति महोदरे ।
महापापहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥६॥
Sthoola Sookshma Mahaa raudre, Maha Shakti Mahodare,
Mahaa Paapa Haree Devi, Maha Lakshmi Namostuthe ॥6॥
To the one who is the gross and subtle manifestation of Lord Rudra, to that ultimate strength who holds the entire creation within you, to the one who is the greatest energy of the cosmos and to the one who can eliminate all the hurdles of the progress. I worship to thee, Sri Maha Lakshmi.
पद्मासनस्थिते देवि परब्रह्मस्वरूपिणि ।
परमेशि जगन्माता महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥७॥
Padma-asana Sthithe Devi, Para-Brahma Swaroopini,
Parameshi Jagan-maataah, Maha Lakshmi Namostuthe ॥7॥
To the one who is seated in the yogic lotus posture, to the one can assume the form of Supreme Brahman, to the one who is the supreme and universal mother of the entire creation, I worship to thee, Sri Maha Lakshmi.
श्वेताम्बरधरे देवि नानालङ्कारभूषिते ।
जगत्स्थिते जगन्मातर्महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥८॥
Shveta-ambara-dhare Devi, Naana alankara Bhooshite,
Jagat-sthithe Jagan-maataah -- Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe ॥8॥
One who is clad in pure White clothes (Symbilic of purity, sanctity and truth), One who is adorned with many ornamentation, One who is the Universal Divine Mother of the entire Cosmic genesis of all time and space, and the Mother of all creation, I worship to thee, Sri Maha Lakshmi.
फलश्रुति । (Benefits of chanting this prayer)
महालक्ष्म्यष्टकस्तोत्रं यः पठेद्भक्तिमान्नरः ।
सर्वसिद्धिमवाप्नोति राज्यं प्राप्नोति सर्वदा ॥
The devotee who chants this verse of eight stanzas to Goddess Lakshmi gains all success and gains sovereignty at all times.
एककाले पठेन्नित्यं महापापविनाशनम् ।
द्विकालं यः पठेन्नित्यं धनधान्यसमन्वितः ॥
He who always recites once daily, gains destruction of great sin; he who recites twice daily, always is endowed with wealth and food.
त्रिकालं यः पठेन्नित्यं महाशत्रुविनाशनम् ।
महालक्ष्मीर्भवेन्नित्यं प्रसन्न वरदा शुभा ॥
He who recites it three times daily always gains destruction of great enemies, and (Goddess Lakshmi) the pure giver of boons, would be always pleased (with the person).
महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ।
Goddess Lakshmi, salutations to you.
॥ इतीन्द्रकृतं महालक्ष्म्यष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
॥ Here ends Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam ॥
