Lakshmi Chalisa
श्री लक्ष्मी चालीसा
Lakshmi Chalisa is a devotional hymn of forty chaupais to Goddess Lakshmi in simple Awadhi Hindi, framed by an opening doha and sortha and two closing dohas. It recalls her rising from the ocean of milk and her birth as Sita, and asks her to live in the devotee's heart and home. Families read it on Fridays, on Sharad Purnima and on Diwali night.
- 44 verses
- 10 min
- Traditional; signed "Ramdas" in the closing verses
- Best on Friday
Matu Lakshmi Kari Kripa, Karo Hriday Mein Vaasमातु लक्ष्मी करि कृपा, करो हृदय में वास।
Manokamna Siddh Kari, Puravahu Meri Aasमनोकामना सिद्ध करि, पुरवहु मेरी आस॥
Mother Lakshmi, be kind and come to live in my heart. Fulfil the wishes of my mind and answer my hopes.
BhaktiBharat and AstroSage print "परुवहु", a slip for "पुरवहु" (fulfil), which sanskritdocuments.org and Shubh Panchang have. sanskritdocuments.org and bharatdiscovery.org also give a second opening couplet, "सिंधु सुता विष्णुप्रिये नत शिर बारंबार", which the other sources leave out; we leave it out too.
Yahi Mor Ardas, Haath Jod Vinti Karunयही मोर अरदास, हाथ जोड़ विनती करूँ।
Sab Vidhi Karau Suvas, Jai Janani Jagdambikaसब विधि करौ सुवास, जय जननि जगदंबिका॥
This is my one prayer, which I make with folded hands: come and make your home with me in every way. Glory to you, Mother of the world.
A sortha is a doha with its half-lines reversed, so the rhyme falls in the middle of each line (ardas / suvas).
Sindhu Suta Main Sumirau Tohiसिन्धु सुता मैं सुमिरौं तोही।
Gyan Buddhi Vidya Do Mohiज्ञान बुद्धि विद्या दो मोही॥
O daughter of the ocean, I remember you. Give me knowledge, understanding and learning.
Tum Saman Nahin Koi Upkariतुम समान नहिं कोई उपकारी।
Sab Vidhi Puravahu Aas Hamariसब विधि पुरवहु आस हमारी॥
No one does good to others as you do. Fulfil our hopes in every way.
Jai Jai Jagat Janani Jagdambaजय जय जगत जननि जगदम्बा।
Sabki Tum Hi Ho Avalambaसबकी तुम ही हो अवलम्बा॥
Glory, glory to you, Mother of the world, Jagadamba. You alone are the support of all.
sanskritdocuments.org and bharatdiscovery.org print "सबके तुमही हो स्वलम्बा"; we follow BhaktiBharat, AstroSage and Shubh Panchang: "सबकी तुम ही हो अवलम्बा".
Tum Hi Ho Sab Ghat Ghat Vasiतुम ही हो सब घट घट वासी।
Vinti Yahi Hamari Khasiविनती यही हमारी खासी॥
You live in every heart. This is our special prayer to you.
Jag Janani Jai Sindhu Kumariजगजननी जय सिन्धु कुमारी।
Deenan Ki Tum Ho Hitkariदीनन की तुम हो हितकारी॥
Glory to the Mother of the world, daughter of the ocean. You are the well-wisher of the poor and humble.
Vinvau Nitya Tumahin Maharaniविनवौं नित्य तुमहिं महारानी।
Kripa Karau Jag Janani Bhavaniकृपा करौ जग जननि भवानी॥
Every day I pray to you, great queen. Be kind to me, Mother of the world, Bhavani.
Kehi Vidhi Stuti Karau Tihariकेहि विधि स्तुति करौं तिहारी।
Sudhi Lijai Apradh Bisariसुधि लीजै अपराध बिसारी॥
How can I praise you as you deserve? Forget my faults and take care of me.
Kripa Drishti Chitavo Mam Oriकृपा दृष्टि चितवो मम ओरी।
Jag Janani Vinti Sun Moriजगजननी विनती सुन मोरी॥
Turn your kind gaze towards me. Mother of the world, hear my prayer.
Gyan Buddhi Jai Sukh Ki Dataज्ञान बुद्धि जय सुख की दाता।
Sankat Haro Hamari Mataसंकट हरो हमारी माता॥
Glory to you, giver of knowledge, understanding and happiness. Mother, take away our troubles.
Ksheer Sindhu Jab Vishnu Mathayoक्षीरसिन्धु जब विष्णु मथायो।
Chaudah Ratna Sindhu Mein Payoचौदह रत्न सिन्धु में पायो॥
When Vishnu had the ocean of milk churned, fourteen treasures were found in it.
The fourteen ratnas (treasures) from the churning include Lakshmi, the moon, amrit, the Kaustubha gem, the wish-granting cow and tree, and others.
Chaudah Ratna Mein Tum Sukhrasiचौदह रत्न में तुम सुखरासी।
Seva Kiyo Prabhu Bani Dasiसेवा कियो प्रभु बनि दासी॥
Among the fourteen treasures you were the store of all happiness, and you served the Lord with humble devotion.
sanskritdocuments.org and bharatdiscovery.org read "प्रभुहिं" for "प्रभु".
Jab Jab Janam Jahan Prabhu Linhaजब जब जन्म जहां प्रभु लीन्हा।
Roop Badal Tahan Seva Kinhaरूप बदल तहं सेवा कीन्हा॥
Whenever and wherever the Lord took birth, you took another form and served him there.
Swayam Vishnu Jab Nar Tanu Dharaस्वयं विष्णु जब नर तनु धारा।
Linheu Avadhpuri Avataraलीन्हेउ अवधपुरी अवतारा॥
When Vishnu himself took a human body, he was born in Ayodhya.
Tab Tum Pragat Janakpur Mahinतब तुम प्रगट जनकपुर माहीं।
Seva Kiyo Hriday Pulkahinसेवा कियो हृदय पुलकाहीं॥
Then you appeared in Janakpur as Sita and served him with a heart full of joy.
Apnayo Tohi Antaryamiअपनायो तोहि अन्तर्यामी।
Vishva Vidit Tribhuvan Ki Swamiविश्व विदित त्रिभुवन की स्वामी॥
The Lord who dwells in every heart took you as his own, you who are known through the world as queen of the three worlds.
Tum Sam Prabal Shakti Nahin Aaniतुम सम प्रबल शक्ति नहिं आनी।
Kahan Lau Mahima Kahau Bakhaniकहँ लौं महिमा कहौं बखानी॥
There is no other power as strong as you. How far can I go in describing your glory?
sanskritdocuments.org prints "तुम सब" and "कहँ तक"; we follow BhaktiBharat and Shubh Panchang ("तुम सम", "कहँ लौं").
Man Kram Vachan Karai Sevkaiमन क्रम वचन करै सेवकाई।
Man Ichchhit Vanchhit Phal Paiमन इच्छित वांछित फल पाई॥
Whoever serves you in thought, deed and word gains the fruit the heart wishes for.
Taji Chhal Kapat Aur Chaturaiतजि छल कपट और चतुराई।
Poojahin Vividh Bhanti Man Laiपूजहिं विविध भाँति मन लाई॥
Setting aside deceit, falseness and cunning, let them worship you in many ways with a whole heart.
Aur Haal Main Kahau Bujhaiऔर हाल मैं कहौं बुझाई।
Jo Yah Path Karai Man Laiजो यह पाठ करै मन लाई॥
Let me explain one thing more: whoever recites this with a whole heart
Tako Koi Kasht Na Hoiताको कोई कष्ट न होई।
Man Ichchhit Pavai Phal Soiमन इच्छित पावै फल सोई॥
meets no hardship, and that person gains the fruit the heart wishes for.
BhaktiBharat and AstroSage print "कष्ट नोई", a slip for "कष्ट न होई" (sanskritdocuments.org, Shubh Panchang).
Trahi Trahi Jai Dukh Nivariniत्राहि त्राहि जय दुःख निवारिणि।
Trividh Taap Bhav Bandhan Hariniत्रिविध ताप भव बंधन हारिणि॥
Save me, save me! Glory to you who end sorrow, who take away the three kinds of suffering and the bonds of worldly life.
The three kinds of suffering (trividh taap) are those from one's own body and mind, from other beings, and from nature and fate.
Jo Chalisa Padhai Padhavaiजो चालीसा पढ़ै पढ़ावै।
Dhyan Lagakar Sunai Sunavaiध्यान लगाकर सुनै सुनावै॥
Whoever reads this chalisa or has it read, and listens to it or recites it for others with attention,
sanskritdocuments.org has a longer line: "जो यह चालीसा पढ़े और पढ़ावे। इसे ध्यान लगाकर सुने सुनावै॥".
Takau Koi Na Rog Satavaiताकौ कोई न रोग सतावै।
Putra Aadi Dhan Sampatti Pavaiपुत्र आदि धन सम्पत्ति पावै॥
is troubled by no illness, and receives children, wealth and property.
Putraheen Aru Sampati Heenaपुत्रहीन अरु सम्पति हीना।
Andh Badhir Kodhi Ati Deenaअन्ध बधिर कोढ़ी अति दीना॥
Those without children or without wealth, the blind, the deaf, those with grave illness and the very poor
Vipra Bolay Kai Path Karavaiविप्र बोलाय कै पाठ करावै।
Shanka Dil Mein Kabhi Na Lavaiशंका दिल में कभी न लावै॥
should call a learned brahmin and have it recited, never letting doubt into the heart.
Path Karavai Din Chalisaपाठ करावै दिन चालीसा।
Ta Par Kripa Karain Gaurisaता पर कृपा करैं गौरीसा॥
Whoever has it recited for forty days receives the grace of Gaurisha.
Gaurisha, "lord of Gauri", is normally a name of Shiva. The line appears this way in all our sources.
Sukh Sampatti Bahut Si Pavaiसुख सम्पत्ति बहुत सी पावै।
Kami Nahin Kahu Ki Aavaiकमी नहीं काहू की आवै॥
That person gains much happiness and wealth, and lacks nothing.
Barah Maas Karai Jo Poojaबारह मास करै जो पूजा।
Tehi Sam Dhanya Aur Nahin Doojaतेहि सम धन्य और नहिं दूजा॥
No one is as blessed as the one who worships you through all twelve months of the year.
Pratidin Path Karai Man Mahinप्रतिदिन पाठ करै मन माहीं।
Un Sam Koi Jag Mein Kahun Nahinउन सम कोइ जग में कहुँ नाहीं॥
No one anywhere in the world equals the one who recites it in the heart every day.
Bahuvidhi Kya Main Karau Badaiबहुविधि क्या मैं करौं बड़ाई।
Ley Pariksha Dhyan Lagaiलेय परीक्षा ध्यान लगाई॥
Why should I praise it in so many ways? Try it yourself with full attention.
Kari Vishvas Karai Vrat Nemaकरि विश्वास करै व्रत नेमा।
Hoy Siddh Upjai Ur Premaहोय सिद्ध उपजै उर प्रेमा॥
Whoever keeps the vow and its rules with faith succeeds, and love grows in the heart.
Jai Jai Jai Lakshmi Bhavaniजय जय जय लक्ष्मी भवानी।
Sab Mein Vyapit Ho Gun Khaniसब में व्यापित हो गुण खानी॥
Glory, glory, glory to Lakshmi Bhavani! Mine of all virtues, you are present in everything.
sanskritdocuments.org and bharatdiscovery.org read "लक्ष्मी महारानी ... जो गुण खानी".
Tumhro Tej Prabal Jag Mahinतुम्हरो तेज प्रबल जग माहीं।
Tum Sam Kou Dayalu Kahun Nahinतुम सम कोउ दयालु कहुँ नाहीं॥
Your radiance is mighty in the world. No one anywhere is as kind as you.
Mohi Anath Ki Sudhi Ab Lijaiमोहि अनाथ की सुधि अब लीजै।
Sankat Kaati Bhakti Mohi Dijaiसंकट काटि भक्ति मोहि दीजै॥
Now look after me, for I have no one else. Cut away my troubles and give me devotion.
Bhool Chook Kari Kshama Hamariभूल चूक करि क्षमा हमारी।
Darshan Dijai Dasha Nihariदर्शन दीजै दशा निहारी॥
Forgive our mistakes and lapses. See our condition and give us your darshan.
Bin Darshan Vyakul Adhikariबिन दर्शन व्याकुल अधिकारी।
Tumahi Achhat Dukh Sahte Bhariतुमहि अछत दुःख सहते भारी॥
Without your darshan your devotee is restless, bearing heavy sorrow even though you are here.
"अछत" means "while (you) are present". sanskritdocuments.org and bharatdiscovery.org print "अक्षत".
Nahin Mohin Gyan Buddhi Hai Tan Meinनहिं मोहिं ज्ञान बुद्धि है तन में।
Sab Janat Ho Apne Man Meinसब जानत हो अपने मन में॥
I have no knowledge or understanding in me. You know everything in your own heart.
Roop Chaturbhuj Karke Dharanरूप चतुर्भुज करके धारण।
Kasht Mor Ab Karahu Nivaranकष्ट मोर अब करहु निवारण॥
Take your four-armed form and now remove my hardship.
Kehi Prakar Main Karau Badaiकेहि प्रकार मैं करौं बड़ाई।
Gyan Buddhi Mohi Nahin Adhikaiज्ञान बुद्धि मोहि नहिं अधिकाई॥
How can I praise you? I do not have much knowledge or understanding.
Ramdas Ab Kahai Pukariरामदास अब कहै पुकारी।
Karo Door Tum Vipati Hamariकरो दूर तुम विपति हमारी॥
Ramdas now calls out to you: take our misfortune away.
This line, with the poet's name, appears in sanskritdocuments.org and bharatdiscovery.org and gives the full count of 40. BhaktiBharat, AstroSage and Shubh Panchang leave it out and stop at 39.
Trahi Trahi Dukh Harini, Haro Begi Sab Traasत्राहि त्राहि दुख हारिणी, हरो बेगि सब त्रास।
Jayati Jayati Jai Lakshmi, Karo Shatru Ko Naashजयति जयति जय लक्ष्मी, करो शत्रु को नाश॥
Save me, save me, you who take away sorrow! Quickly remove all my fears. Glory, glory, glory to Lakshmi! Destroy my enemies.
"करो शत्रु को नाश" (BhaktiBharat, AstroSage); sanskritdocuments.org and bharatdiscovery.org read "करो शत्रुन का नाश", Shubh Panchang "करो दुश्मन का नाश". Tradition reads the enemies also as inner ones: greed, anger and fear.
Ramdas Dhari Dhyan Nit, Vinay Karat Kar Jorरामदास धरि ध्यान नित, विनय करत कर जोर।
Matu Lakshmi Das Par, Karahu Daya Ki Korमातु लक्ष्मी दास पर, करहु दया की कोर॥
Meditating on you every day, Ramdas prays with folded hands: Mother Lakshmi, turn the corner of your kind glance on your servant.
Shubh Panchang omits this closing doha; the other four sources have it.
Complete
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Questions
When should Lakshmi Chalisa be read?
Fridays are the traditional day, in the evening after lighting a ghee lamp. It is also read on Sharad Purnima, during Navratri and above all on Diwali night. The chalisa itself speaks of reading it for forty days, which some families do before an important new start.
Can I recite Lakshmi Chalisa on Diwali night after Lakshmi puja?
Yes. Many families read it right after the puja and then sing the aarti, Om Jai Lakshmi Mata. It takes about ten minutes, so children can join in easily.
Who wrote Lakshmi Chalisa?
The last chaupai and the closing doha name Ramdas. Nothing reliable is known about him beyond the name, and the chalisa has come down through printed booklets rather than a single manuscript.
Is Lakshmi Chalisa the same as Lakshmi aarti?
No. The aarti, Om Jai Lakshmi Mata, is a short song sung while waving the lamp. The chalisa is a longer prayer of forty verses that you read or recite, usually before the aarti.
Source and review
Source: Shri Lakshmi Chalisa as printed in popular aarti-chalisa booklets; text compared line by line across BhaktiBharat.com, AstroSage, Shubh Panchang (shubhpanchang.com), sanskritdocuments.org (laxmi40.itx) and Bharatkosh (bharatdiscovery.org). No Gita Press printing was available to us.
Online editions fall into two families. BhaktiBharat, AstroSage and Shubh Panchang have the sortha and 39 chaupais; sanskritdocuments.org and Bharatkosh (whose texts match each other closely) add an extra opening couplet ("सिंधु सुता विष्णुप्रिये नत शिर बारंबार", left out here) and a 40th chaupai with the poet's name ("रामदास अब कहै पुकारी", included as chaupai 40; Bharatkosh reads "कहाई"). Each line follows the reading of the majority of sources; variants are noted under ch. 3, 11, 16, 20, 22, 32, 36 and the closing doha. Obvious slips corrected: "परुवहु" to "पुरवहु" (doha 1), "कष्ट नोई" to "कष्ट न होई" (ch. 20), "चितववो" to "चितवो" (ch. 8), "दजै" to "दीजै" (ch. 35). Order of ch. 36 to 39 follows BhaktiBharat and sanskritdocuments.org (Shubh Panchang places "केहि प्रकार" earlier). A scholar should compare this with a printed booklet.
We checked the text line by line against the sources named here. The meanings are an AI-assisted draft. A scholar has not reviewed them yet.
The meanings are our own first draft. A scholar has not reviewed them yet. If you spot a mistake, please tell us.