Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
महालक्ष्म्यष्टकम्
Mahalakshmi Ashtakam is a short Sanskrit hymn of eight verses in which Indra praises Goddess Mahalakshmi. Every verse ends with "Mahalakshmi Namostu Te", "O Mahalakshmi, I bow to you", and three closing verses describe the merit of reciting it. Families recite it on Fridays, during Navratri and at Lakshmi puja on Diwali.
- 11 verses
- 3 min
- Traditional; spoken by Indra (said to be from the Padma Purana)
- Best on Friday
Namastestu Mahamaye Shri Peethe Sura Poojiteनमस्तेऽस्तु महामाये श्रीपीठे सुरपूजिते।
Shankha Chakra Gada Haste Mahalakshmi Namostu Teशङ्खचक्रगदाहस्ते महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते॥
Salutations to you, O Mahamaya, seated on the throne of Shri and worshipped by the gods. You hold the conch, the discus and the mace in your hands. O Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.
- Namastestusalutations be to you
- MahamayeO great Maya, the Lord's wondrous power
- Shri PeetheO you seated on the throne of Shri
- Sura Poojiteworshipped by the gods
- Shankha Chakra Gada Hasteholding conch, discus and mace in your hands
- MahalakshmiO Mahalakshmi
- Namostu Tesalutations to you
Indra speaks this hymn. Shri Peetha, "the seat of Shri", is read by many as Kolhapur (Karavira), where Mahalakshmi is worshipped as Ambabai. Conch, discus and mace are the emblems she shares with Vishnu.
Namaste Garudarudhe Kolasura Bhayankariनमस्ते गरुडारूढे कोलासुरभयङ्करि।
Sarva Papa Hare Devi Mahalakshmi Namostu Teसर्वपापहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते॥
Salutations to you who ride on Garuda, you who struck terror into the demon Kolasura. O Goddess who takes away every sin, O Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.
- Namastesalutations to you
- GarudarudheO rider on Garuda
- Kolasura Bhayankariterror of the demon Kolasura
- Sarva Papa Hareremover of all sins
- DeviO Goddess
- MahalakshmiO Mahalakshmi
- Namostu Tesalutations to you
Kolasura is the demon whom, according to the Karavira Mahatmya, Mahalakshmi defeated at Kolhapur. The city's name is linked to him.
Sarvagye Sarva Varade Sarva Dushta Bhayankariसर्वज्ञे सर्ववरदे सर्वदुष्टभयङ्करि।
Sarva Duhkha Hare Devi Mahalakshmi Namostu Teसर्वदुःखहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते॥
You know all things and grant every boon, and all wicked beings fear you. O Goddess who removes all sorrow, O Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.
- SarvagyeO all-knowing one
- Sarva Varadegiver of every boon
- Sarva Dushta Bhayankariterror of all the wicked
- Sarva Duhkha Hareremover of all sorrow
- DeviO Goddess
- MahalakshmiO Mahalakshmi
- Namostu Tesalutations to you
Siddhi Buddhi Prade Devi Bhukti Mukti Pradayiniसिद्धिबुद्धिप्रदे देवि भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनि।
Mantra Murte Sada Devi Mahalakshmi Namostu Teमन्त्रमूर्ते सदा देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते॥
O Goddess, you give success and wisdom, and you grant both the joys of this world and liberation. You are present always in the form of the mantra. O Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.
- Siddhi Buddhi Pradegiver of success and wisdom
- DeviO Goddess
- Bhukti Mukti Pradayinibestower of worldly joy and liberation
- Mantra MurteO you whose form is the mantra
- Sadaalways
- DeviO Goddess
- MahalakshmiO Mahalakshmi
- Namostu Tesalutations to you
Some books read "मन्त्रपूते" (purified by mantra) for "मन्त्रमूर्ते" (whose form is the mantra).
Adyanta Rahite Devi Adya Shakti Maheshwariआद्यन्तरहिते देवि आद्यशक्तिमहेश्वरि।
Yogaje Yoga Sambhute Mahalakshmi Namostu Teयोगजे योगसम्भूते महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते॥
O Goddess without beginning or end, primal power and great sovereign, you are born of yoga and revealed through yoga. O Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.
- Adyanta Rahitewithout beginning or end
- DeviO Goddess
- Adya Shakti Maheshwariprimal power, great sovereign
- Yogajeborn of yoga
- Yoga Sambhuterevealed through yoga
- MahalakshmiO Mahalakshmi
- Namostu Tesalutations to you
stotranidhi.com notes "योगज्ञे" (knower of yoga) as a variant of "योगजे".
Sthula Sukshma Maharaudre Mahashakte Mahodareस्थूलसूक्ष्ममहारौद्रे महाशक्ते महोदरे।
Maha Papa Hare Devi Mahalakshmi Namostu Teमहापापहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते॥
You are the gross and the subtle, and you are fierce beyond measure. O great power whose womb holds the universe, O Goddess who removes the gravest sins, O Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.
- Sthula Sukshma Maharaudregross and subtle, and fierce beyond measure
- MahashakteO great power
- Mahodarewhose womb holds the universe
- Maha Papa Hareremover of the gravest sins
- DeviO Goddess
- MahalakshmiO Mahalakshmi
- Namostu Tesalutations to you
sanskritdocuments.org prints "महाशक्ति"; we follow stotranidhi.com, which has the vocative "महाशक्ते" that the grammar of the line needs.
Padmasana Sthite Devi Parabrahma Swaroopiniपद्मासनस्थिते देवि परब्रह्मस्वरूपिणि।
Parameshi Jaganmatar Mahalakshmi Namostu Teपरमेशि जगन्मातर्महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते॥
O Goddess seated on the lotus, you are the Supreme Brahman itself. O supreme Lady, Mother of the world, O Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.
- Padmasana Sthiteseated on a lotus
- DeviO Goddess
- Parabrahma Swaroopiniwhose very nature is the Supreme Brahman
- ParameshiO supreme Lady
- JaganmatahO Mother of the world
- MahalakshmiO Mahalakshmi
- Namostu Tesalutations to you
sanskritdocuments.org prints "जगन्माता" here; stotranidhi.com has "जगन्मातर्महालक्ष्मि", the vocative joined by sandhi, as in verse 8. We follow stotranidhi.com.
Shvetambara Dhare Devi Nanalankara Bhushiteश्वेताम्बरधरे देवि नानालङ्कारभूषिते।
Jagatsthite Jaganmatar Mahalakshmi Namostu Teजगत्स्थिते जगन्मातर्महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते॥
O Goddess dressed in white and adorned with many ornaments, you are present throughout the world and you are its Mother. O Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.
- Shvetambara Dharedressed in white
- DeviO Goddess
- Nanalankara Bhushiteadorned with many ornaments
- Jagatsthitepresent throughout the world
- JaganmatahO Mother of the world
- MahalakshmiO Mahalakshmi
- Namostu Tesalutations to you
Mahalakshmyashtakam Stotram Yah Pathed Bhaktiman Narahमहालक्ष्म्यष्टकं स्तोत्रं यः पठेद्भक्तिमान्नरः।
Sarva Siddhim Avapnoti Rajyam Prapnoti Sarvadaसर्वसिद्धिमवाप्नोति राज्यं प्राप्नोति सर्वदा॥
The devotee who recites this hymn of eight verses to Mahalakshmi gains every kind of success and always attains sovereignty.
- Mahalakshmyashtakam Stotramthis hymn of eight verses to Mahalakshmi
- Yahwhoever
- Pathetrecites
- Bhaktimanwith devotion
- Naraha person
- Sarva Siddhimevery success
- Avapnotiattains
- Rajyamsovereignty, a kingdom
- Prapnotigains
- Sarvadaalways
The phalashruti ("fruit of hearing") gives the merit that tradition attaches to the hymn. These are statements of faith.
Ekakalam Pathen Nityam Maha Papa Vinashanamएककालं पठेन्नित्यं महापापविनाशनम्।
Dvikalam Yah Pathen Nityam Dhana Dhanya Samanvitahद्विकालं यः पठेन्नित्यं धनधान्यसमन्वितः॥
Reciting it once every day destroys great sins. One who recites it twice a day is blessed with wealth and grain.
- Ekakalamonce a day
- Pathetshould recite
- Nityamevery day
- Maha Papa Vinashanamdestruction of great sins
- Dvikalamtwice a day
- Dhana Dhanya Samanvitahblessed with wealth and grain
sanskritdocuments.org reads "एककाले"; stotranidhi.com reads "एककालं", matching "द्विकालं" and "त्रिकालं". We follow stotranidhi.com.
Trikalam Yah Pathen Nityam Maha Shatru Vinashanamत्रिकालं यः पठेन्नित्यं महाशत्रुविनाशनम्।
Mahalakshmir Bhaven Nityam Prasanna Varada Shubhaमहालक्ष्मीर्भवेन्नित्यं प्रसन्ना वरदा शुभा॥
For one who recites it three times a day, great enemies are destroyed, and Mahalakshmi, auspicious and generous with boons, is always pleased with that person.
- Trikalamthree times a day
- Yah Pathen Nityamwhoever recites every day
- Maha Shatru Vinashanamdestruction of great enemies
- MahalakshmihMahalakshmi
- Bhavetbecomes
- Nityamalways
- Prasannapleased
- Varadagiver of boons
- Shubhaauspicious
Complete
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Questions
Who composed Mahalakshmi Ashtakam?
The hymn is spoken by Indra, king of the gods, and opens with "Indra uvacha". Tradition says it comes from the Padma Purana. No human author is named.
What does "Namastestu Mahamaye" mean?
"Salutations to you, O Mahamaya." Mahamaya is the great wondrous power of the Lord, and here it is a name of Mahalakshmi herself.
Can I recite Mahalakshmi Ashtakam on Diwali night after Lakshmi puja?
Yes. Many families recite it right after the puja and before the aarti, or just after the aarti while the lamps are still lit. It takes about three minutes, so it fits easily alongside Shri Suktam or the Lakshmi aarti.
How many times should it be recited?
Once is enough for daily prayer. The closing verses mention reciting it once, twice or three times a day, and tradition says each brings a further blessing. Some people recite it 11 times on Fridays or during Navratri.
Who is Kolasura in the second verse?
A demon whom Mahalakshmi defeated, according to the Karavira Mahatmya, the sacred story of Kolhapur. The Mahalakshmi (Ambabai) temple there is one of the best-known shrines of the goddess.
Source and review
Source: Mahalakshmyashtakam as printed in "Prabhata Stotranidhi" (stotranidhi.com, Devanagari); cross-checked line by line with sanskritdocuments.org mahaalakshmyashhTakaM (Indra-krita, with meaning)
The two sources agree on the eight verses except for small spellings. We follow stotranidhi.com in v6 "महाशक्ते" (sanskritdocuments: "महाशक्ति"), v7 "जगन्मातर्महालक्ष्मि" (sanskritdocuments: "जगन्माता") and phalashruti 2 "एककालं" (sanskritdocuments: "एककाले"), and phalashruti 3 "प्रसन्ना" (sanskritdocuments: "प्रसन्न"). In v5 we keep the compound "आद्यशक्तिमहेश्वरि" (stotranidhi prints a space: "आद्यशक्ति महेश्वरि"); the sound is the same. Variants noted by the sources: "मन्त्रपूते" for "मन्त्रमूर्ते" (v4), "योगज्ञे" for "योगजे" (v5). The heading "इन्द्र उवाच" and the closing colophon are not shown as verses. The Padma Purana attribution is traditional; we could not trace a chapter.
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.