Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam (śrī mahālakṣmī aṣṭakam)
The sacred eight-verse hymn composed by Lord Indra invoking Goddess Mahalakshmi for auspicious wealth, peace, and spiritual abundance.
namaste'stu mahāmāye śrīpīṭhe surapūjite | śaṅkhacakragadāhaste mahālakṣmi namo'stu te || १ ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):Salutations to You, O Mahamaya, who resides in the sacred seat of Sri Peetha, who is revered and worshipped by all celestial gods, and who holds the sacred Conch, Chakra, and Mace in Your divine hands—O Goddess Mahalakshmi, prostrations to You!
namaste garuḍārūḍhe kolāsurabhayaṅkari | sarvapāpahare devi mahālakṣmi namo'stu te || २ ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):Salutations to You who mounts the celestial eagle Garuda, who struck terror into the demon Kolasura, and who removes all sins and afflictions of devotees—O Goddess Mahalakshmi, salutations to You!
sarvajñe sarvavarade sarvaduṣṭabhayaṅkari | sarvaduḥkhahare devi mahālakṣmi namo'stu te || ३ ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):Omniscient Mother, bestower of all boons, terror to the wicked, and dispeller of all sorrows and grief—O Goddess Mahalakshmi, prostrations to You!
siddhibuddhiprade devi bhuktimuktipradāyini | mantramūrte sadā devi mahālakṣmi namo'stu te || ४ ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):O Goddess who grants spiritual accomplishments (Siddhi) and divine wisdom (Buddhi), who bestows worldly fulfillment (Bhukti) as well as ultimate liberation (Mukti), embodiment of sacred Mantras—O Goddess Mahalakshmi, salutations to You forever!
ādyantarahite devi ādyaśakti maheśvari | yogaje yogasambhūte mahālakṣmi namo'stute || ५ ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):O Goddess Maheshwari, You are without beginning or end and are the Primordial Divine Power. You are born of Yoga and arise from the power of Yoga. O Mahalakshmi, I bow to You.
sthūlasūkṣmamahāraudre mahāśakti mahodare | mahāpāpahare devi mahālakṣmi namo'stute || ६ ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):O Goddess Mahalakshmi, You exist as both the gross and the subtle, and You possess a mighty and awe-inspiring form. O Great Power, whose vastness contains the entire universe, You destroy great sins. I bow to You.
padmāsanasthite devi parabrahmasvarūpiṇi | parameśi jaganmātar mahālakṣmi namo'stute || ७ ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):O Goddess seated upon the lotus, You are the embodiment of the Supreme Brahman. O Supreme Goddess, Mother of the entire universe, O Mahalakshmi, I bow to You.
śvetāmbaradhare devi nānālaṅkārabhūṣite | jagatsthite jaganmātar mahālakṣmi namo'stute || ८ ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):O Goddess clad in white garments and adorned with various ornaments, You are the One who sustains and pervades the universe. O Mother of the entire world, O Mahalakshmi, I bow to You.
mahālakṣmyaṣṭakastotraṃ yaḥ paṭhed bhaktimān naraḥ | sarvasiddhimavāpnoti rājyaṃ prāpnoti sarvadā || ९ ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):Whoever devotedly recites this Mahalakshmi Ashtaka Stotra attains all kinds of spiritual and worldly accomplishments and is blessed with prosperity and sovereignty.
ekakāle paṭhennityaṃ mahāpāpavināśanam | dvikālaṃ yaḥ paṭhennityaṃ dhanadhānyasamanvitaḥ || १० ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):One who recites this daily once destroys great sins. One who recites it twice every day becomes blessed with wealth, food, prosperity, and abundance.
trikālaṃ yaḥ paṭhennityaṃ mahāśatruvināśanam | mahālakṣmīrbhavennityaṃ prasannā varadā śubhā || ११ || || iti indrakṛtaṃ śrīmahālakṣmyaṣṭakastavaḥ sampūrṇaḥ ||
Word-by-Word Meaning (English):One who recites this stotra three times every day is protected from and overcomes great enemies. Goddess Mahalakshmi remains ever pleased with such a devotee and bestows auspicious blessings and boons
Phala Shruti (Spiritual Merits) & Puja Method & Guidelines
Chanting once daily destroys great sins; twice bestows wealth, abundance, and prosperity; thrice destroys all formidable adversaries and bestows the eternal grace and blessings of Goddess Mahalakshmi.
Ideally chanted on Fridays, Tuesdays, or during Diwali and Navratri before an altar of Goddess Lakshmi with lotus/red flowers and a pure ghee lamp.