Among the most powerful and cherished hymns dedicated to the Goddess of Fortune, the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam holds a special place in the hearts of devotees. An “Ashtakam” is a prayer composed of eight verses, but this complete version includes the vital Phala Shruti—the concluding verses that describe the benefits of its recitation. Chanted with devotion, especially during Diwali and on Fridays, it is believed to remove sins and grant all forms of prosperity.
The Significance of the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
This stotram is a direct invocation of the Ashta Lakshmi, the eight divine manifestations of wealth. These are not just about money, but encompass all of life’s fortunes: spiritual enlightenment (Adi Lakshmi), grains and food (Dhanya Lakshmi), courage (Dhairya Lakshmi), progeny (Santana Lakshmi), victory (Vijaya Lakshmi), knowledge (Vidya Lakshmi), and material riches (Dhana Lakshmi). By reciting this hymn, a devotee asks for a complete and blessed life. The concluding verses promise specific fruits for regular recitation, reinforcing the devotee’s faith.
Listen to Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
Before exploring the profound meaning, let us listen to a powerful and melodious rendition of this sacred hymn.
Mahalakshmi Ashtakam: Complete Lyrics & Meaning
Here are the complete lyrics for the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam in Hindi (Devanagari), English Transliteration, and a simple line-by-line English translation.
| Hindi Lyrics (Devanagari) | English Transliteration | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| नमस्तेऽस्तु महामाये श्रीपीठे सुरपूजिते । शङ्खचक्रगदाहस्ते महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥१॥ | Namastestu Mahamaye, Shree Peethe Surapoojite, Shankha Chakra Gada Haste, Mahalakshmi Namostute. ||1|| | Salutations to you, O Mahamaya (Great Enchantress), who resides in your sacred abode and is worshipped by the gods. You who hold the conch, discus, and mace, O Mahalakshmi, salutations to you! |
| नमस्ते गरुडारूढे कोलासुरभयङ्करि । सर्वपापहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥२॥ | Namaste Garudaroodhe, Kolasura Bhayankari, Sarva Paapa Hare Devi, Mahalakshmi Namostute. ||2|| | Salutations to you who rides the divine Garuda, and who was terrifying to the demon Kolasura. O Goddess who removes all sins, O Mahalakshmi, salutations to you! |
| सर्वज्ञे सर्ववरदे सर्वदुष्टभयङ्करि । सर्वदुःखहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥३॥ | Sarvajne Sarva Varade, Sarva Dushta Bhayankari, Sarva Duhkha Hare Devi, Mahalakshmi Namostute. ||3|| | O omniscient one, giver of all boons, and a terror to all the wicked. O Goddess who removes all sorrows, O Mahalakshmi, salutations to you! |
| सिद्धिबुद्धिप्रदे देवि भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनि । मन्त्रमूर्ते सदा देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥४॥ | Siddhi Buddhi Prade Devi, Bhukti Mukti Pradayini, Mantra Murte Sada Devi, Mahalakshmi Namostute. ||4|| | O Goddess who grants success and intelligence, the bestower of both worldly enjoyment and ultimate liberation. You who are the very form of all mantras, O Mahalakshmi, salutations to you always! |
| आद्यन्तरहिते देवि आद्यशक्तिमहेश्वरि । योगजे योगसम्भूते महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥५॥ | Aadyanta Rahite Devi, Aadya Shakti Maheshwari, Yogaje Yoga Sambhute, Mahalakshmi Namostute. ||5|| | O Goddess without beginning or end, the primordial energy, the great Maheshwari. You who are born of Yoga and manifested through Yoga, O Mahalakshmi, salutations to you! |
| स्थूलसूक्ष्ममहारौद्रे महाशक्तिमहोदरे । महापापहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥६॥ | Sthula Sukshma Maha Raudre, Mahashakti Mahodare, Maha Paapa Hare Devi, Mahalakshmi Namostute. ||6|| | You are the gross, the subtle, and the most terrible; you are the great power, the one with a great belly holding the universe. O Goddess who removes even the greatest of sins, O Mahalakshmi, salutations to you! |
| पद्मासनस्थिते देवि परब्रह्मस्वरूपिणि । परमेशि जगन्मातर्महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥७॥ | Padmasana Sthithe Devi, Para Brahma Swaroopini, Parameshi Jagan Matar, Mahalakshmi Namostute. ||7|| | O Goddess seated on the lotus, you are the very embodiment of the Supreme Brahman. You are the supreme ruler and the Mother of the Universe, O Mahalakshmi, salutations to you! |
| श्वेताम्बरधरे देवि नानालङ्कारभूषिते । जगत्स्थिते जगन्मातर्महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥८॥ | Shwetambara Dhare Devi, Nanalankara Bhushite, Jagat Sthithe Jagan Matar, Mahalakshmi Namostute. ||8|| | O Goddess adorned in white garments and decorated with various beautiful ornaments. You who pervade the universe and are the Mother of the Universe, O Mahalakshmi, salutations to you! |
| महालक्ष्म्यष्टकं स्तोत्रं यः पठेद्भक्तिमान्नरः । सर्वसिद्धिमवाप्नोति राज्यं प्राप्नोति सर्वदा ॥९॥ | Mahalakshmyashtakam Stotram, Yah Pathed Bhaktiman Narah, Sarva Siddhimavapnoti, Rajyam Prapnoti Sarvada. ||9|| | Whichever devoted person recites this Mahalakshmi Ashtakam stotram shall attain all successes (siddhis) and will always attain a state of prosperity (like a kingdom). |
| एककाले पठेन्नित्यं महापापविनाशनं । द्विकालं यः पठेन्नित्यं धनधान्य समन्वितः ॥१०॥ | Ekakale Pathennityam, Maha Papa Vinashanam, Dwikalam Yah Pathennityam, Dhana Dhanya Samanvitah. ||10|| | One who recites it once daily will have their great sins destroyed. One who recites it twice daily will be blessed with wealth and grains. |
| त्रिकालं यः पठेन्नित्यं महाशत्रुविनाशनं । महालक्ष्मीर्भवेन्नित्यं प्रसन्ना वरदा शुभा ॥११॥ | Trikalam Yah Pathennityam, Maha Shatru Vinashanam, Mahalakshmir Bhavennityam, Prasanna Varada Shubha. ||11|| | One who recites it three times daily will have their great enemies destroyed. Upon them, Mahalakshmi will be ever pleased, granting boons and auspiciousness. |
| ॥ इतिंद्रकृत श्रीमहालक्ष्म्यष्टकस्तवः संपूर्णः ॥ | Itindra-kritam Shri Mahalakshmyashtaka-stavah Sampurnah | Thus ends the hymn of praise, the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam, composed by Lord Indra. |
The Story and Origin of the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
According to the Padma Purana, this powerful hymn has a divine origin. It is said to have been first recited by Lord Indra, the king of the gods. Due to a curse by the sage Durvasa, Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of all fortune, abandoned the heavens. The Devas were immediately plunged into darkness, despair, and poverty. Desperate to win back her grace, a humbled Indra performed intense penance and recited this beautiful hymn. Pleased with his sincere devotion, Goddess Mahalakshmi returned, restoring prosperity and light to the cosmos. The final line of the Stotram confirms this: `Iti Indra-kritam Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtaka Stavam Sampurnam` (Thus completes the hymn of praise, the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam, composed by Lord Indra).
The Essence of the Stotram
The Mahalakshmi Ashtakam is a complete prayer. It praises her divine form, her power to destroy evil, her role as the bestower of boons and liberation, and her ultimate identity as the Supreme Mother of the universe. The repeating refrain, “Mahalakshmi Namostute,” is a powerful mantra of surrender. The final verses, the *Phala Shruti*, are not just an addition; they are a sacred promise, assuring the devotee of the tangible spiritual and material benefits that come from chanting this hymn with a pure and devoted heart.
