Mahalakshmi Ashtakam in Kannada
ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮ್ಯಷ್ಟಕಮ್
Mahalakshmi Ashtakam is a short Sanskrit hymn of eight verses in which Indra praises Goddess Mahalakshmi. Below is the complete Mahalakshmi Ashtakam in Kannada script, every line also in English letters, with the meaning of each verse in simple English.
- Kannada script
- 11 verses
- 3 min
- Traditional; spoken by Indra (said to be from the Padma Purana)
- Best on Friday
Recite line by line, listen, count with a mala. The reader opens in Kannada.
ನಮಸ್ತೇಽಸ್ತು ಮಹಾಮಾಯೇ ಶ್ರೀಪೀಠೇ ಸುರಪೂಜಿತೇ। Namastestu Mahamaye Shri Peethe Sura Poojite
ಶಂಖಚಕ್ರಗದಾಹಸ್ತೇ ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ॥ Shankha Chakra Gada Haste Mahalakshmi Namostu Te
Meaning
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.
- ನಮಸ್ತೇಽಸ್ತು Namastestu
- salutations be to you
- ಮಹಾಮಾಯೇ Mahamaye
- O great Maya, the Lord's wondrous power
- ಶ್ರೀಪೀಠೇ Shri Peethe
- O you seated on the throne of Shri
- ಸುರಪೂಜಿತೇ Sura Poojite
- worshipped by the gods
- ಶಂಖಚಕ್ರಗದಾಹಸ್ತೇ Shankha Chakra Gada Haste
- holding conch, discus and mace in your hands
- ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ Mahalakshmi
- O Mahalakshmi
- ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ Namostu Te
- salutations 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.
ನಮಸ್ತೇ ಗರುಡಾರೂಢೇ ಕೋಲಾಸುರಭಯಂಕರಿ। Namaste Garudarudhe Kolasura Bhayankari
ಸರ್ವಪಾಪಹರೇ ದೇವಿ ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ॥ Sarva Papa Hare Devi Mahalakshmi Namostu Te
Meaning
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.
- ನಮಸ್ತೇ Namaste
- salutations to you
- ಗರುಡಾರೂಢೇ Garudarudhe
- O rider on Garuda
- ಕೋಲಾಸುರಭಯಂಕರಿ Kolasura Bhayankari
- terror of the demon Kolasura
- ಸರ್ವಪಾಪಹರೇ Sarva Papa Hare
- remover of all sins
- ದೇವಿ Devi
- O Goddess
- ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ Mahalakshmi
- O Mahalakshmi
- ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ Namostu Te
- salutations to you
Kolasura is the demon whom, according to the Karavira Mahatmya, Mahalakshmi defeated at Kolhapur. The city's name is linked to him.
ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞೇ ಸರ್ವವರದೇ ಸರ್ವದುಷ್ಟಭಯಂಕರಿ। Sarvagye Sarva Varade Sarva Dushta Bhayankari
ಸರ್ವದುಃಖಹರೇ ದೇವಿ ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ॥ Sarva Duhkha Hare Devi Mahalakshmi Namostu Te
Meaning
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.
- ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞೇ Sarvagye
- O all-knowing one
- ಸರ್ವವರದೇ Sarva Varade
- giver of every boon
- ಸರ್ವದುಷ್ಟಭಯಂಕರಿ Sarva Dushta Bhayankari
- terror of all the wicked
- ಸರ್ವದುಃಖಹರೇ Sarva Duhkha Hare
- remover of all sorrow
- ದೇವಿ Devi
- O Goddess
- ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ Mahalakshmi
- O Mahalakshmi
- ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ Namostu Te
- salutations to you
ಸಿದ್ಧಿಬುದ್ಧಿಪ್ರದೇ ದೇವಿ ಭುಕ್ತಿಮುಕ್ತಿಪ್ರದಾಯಿನಿ। Siddhi Buddhi Prade Devi Bhukti Mukti Pradayini
ಮಂತ್ರಮೂರ್ತೇ ಸದಾ ದೇವಿ ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ॥ Mantra Murte Sada Devi Mahalakshmi Namostu Te
Meaning
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.
- ಸಿದ್ಧಿಬುದ್ಧಿಪ್ರದೇ Siddhi Buddhi Prade
- giver of success and wisdom
- ದೇವಿ Devi
- O Goddess
- ಭುಕ್ತಿಮುಕ್ತಿಪ್ರದಾಯಿನಿ Bhukti Mukti Pradayini
- bestower of worldly joy and liberation
- ಮಂತ್ರಮೂರ್ತೇ Mantra Murte
- O you whose form is the mantra
- ಸದಾ Sada
- always
- ದೇವಿ Devi
- O Goddess
- ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ Mahalakshmi
- O Mahalakshmi
- ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ Namostu Te
- salutations to you
Some books read "मन्त्रपूते" (purified by mantra) for "मन्त्रमूर्ते" (whose form is the mantra).
ಆದ್ಯಂತರಹಿತೇ ದೇವಿ ಆದ್ಯಶಕ್ತಿಮಹೇಶ್ವರಿ। Adyanta Rahite Devi Adya Shakti Maheshwari
ಯೋಗಜೇ ಯೋಗಸಂಭೂತೇ ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ॥ Yogaje Yoga Sambhute Mahalakshmi Namostu Te
Meaning
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.
- ಆದ್ಯಂತರಹಿತೇ Adyanta Rahite
- without beginning or end
- ದೇವಿ Devi
- O Goddess
- ಆದ್ಯಶಕ್ತಿಮಹೇಶ್ವರಿ Adya Shakti Maheshwari
- primal power, great sovereign
- ಯೋಗಜೇ Yogaje
- born of yoga
- ಯೋಗಸಂಭೂತೇ Yoga Sambhute
- revealed through yoga
- ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ Mahalakshmi
- O Mahalakshmi
- ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ Namostu Te
- salutations to you
stotranidhi.com notes "योगज्ञे" (knower of yoga) as a variant of "योगजे".
ಸ್ಥೂಲಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮಮಹಾರೌದ್ರೇ ಮಹಾಶಕ್ತೇ ಮಹೋದರೇ। Sthula Sukshma Maharaudre Mahashakte Mahodare
ಮಹಾಪಾಪಹರೇ ದೇವಿ ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ॥ Maha Papa Hare Devi Mahalakshmi Namostu Te
Meaning
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.
- ಸ್ಥೂಲಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮಮಹಾರೌದ್ರೇ Sthula Sukshma Maharaudre
- gross and subtle, and fierce beyond measure
- ಮಹಾಶಕ್ತೇ Mahashakte
- O great power
- ಮಹೋದರೇ Mahodare
- whose womb holds the universe
- ಮಹಾಪಾಪಹರೇ Maha Papa Hare
- remover of the gravest sins
- ದೇವಿ Devi
- O Goddess
- ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ Mahalakshmi
- O Mahalakshmi
- ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ Namostu Te
- salutations to you
sanskritdocuments.org prints "महाशक्ति"; we follow stotranidhi.com, which has the vocative "महाशक्ते" that the grammar of the line needs.
ಪದ್ಮಾಸನಸ್ಥಿತೇ ದೇವಿ ಪರಬ್ರಹ್ಮಸ್ವರೂಪಿಣಿ। Padmasana Sthite Devi Parabrahma Swaroopini
ಪರಮೇಶಿ ಜಗನ್ಮಾತರ್ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ॥ Parameshi Jaganmatar Mahalakshmi Namostu Te
Meaning
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.
- ಪದ್ಮಾಸನಸ್ಥಿತೇ Padmasana Sthite
- seated on a lotus
- ದೇವಿ Devi
- O Goddess
- ಪರಬ್ರಹ್ಮಸ್ವರೂಪಿಣಿ Parabrahma Swaroopini
- whose very nature is the Supreme Brahman
- ಪರಮೇಶಿ Parameshi
- O supreme Lady
- ಜಗನ್ಮಾತಃ Jaganmatah
- O Mother of the world
- ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ Mahalakshmi
- O Mahalakshmi
- ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ Namostu Te
- salutations to you
sanskritdocuments.org prints "जगन्माता" here; stotranidhi.com has "जगन्मातर्महालक्ष्मि", the vocative joined by sandhi, as in verse 8. We follow stotranidhi.com.
ಶ್ವೇತಾಂಬರಧರೇ ದೇವಿ ನಾನಾಲಂಕಾರಭೂಷಿತೇ। Shvetambara Dhare Devi Nanalankara Bhushite
ಜಗತ್ಸ್ಥಿತೇ ಜಗನ್ಮಾತರ್ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ॥ Jagatsthite Jaganmatar Mahalakshmi Namostu Te
Meaning
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.
- ಶ್ವೇತಾಂಬರಧರೇ Shvetambara Dhare
- dressed in white
- ದೇವಿ Devi
- O Goddess
- ನಾನಾಲಂಕಾರಭೂಷಿತೇ Nanalankara Bhushite
- adorned with many ornaments
- ಜಗತ್ಸ್ಥಿತೇ Jagatsthite
- present throughout the world
- ಜಗನ್ಮಾತಃ Jaganmatah
- O Mother of the world
- ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ Mahalakshmi
- O Mahalakshmi
- ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತೇ Namostu Te
- salutations to you
ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮ್ಯಷ್ಟಕಂ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರಂ ಯಃ ಪಠೇದ್ಭಕ್ತಿಮಾನ್ನರಃ। Mahalakshmyashtakam Stotram Yah Pathed Bhaktiman Narah
ಸರ್ವಸಿದ್ಧಿಮವಾಪ್ನೋತಿ ರಾಜ್ಯಂ ಪ್ರಾಪ್ನೋತಿ ಸರ್ವದಾ॥ Sarva Siddhim Avapnoti Rajyam Prapnoti Sarvada
Meaning
The devotee who recites this hymn of eight verses to Mahalakshmi gains every kind of success and always attains sovereignty.
- ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮ್ಯಷ್ಟಕಂ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರಂ Mahalakshmyashtakam Stotram
- this hymn of eight verses to Mahalakshmi
- ಯಃ Yah
- whoever
- ಪಠೇತ್ Pathet
- recites
- ಭಕ್ತಿಮಾನ್ Bhaktiman
- with devotion
- ನರಃ Narah
- a person
- ಸರ್ವಸಿದ್ಧಿಮ್ Sarva Siddhim
- every success
- ಅವಾಪ್ನೋತಿ Avapnoti
- attains
- ರಾಜ್ಯಂ Rajyam
- sovereignty, a kingdom
- ಪ್ರಾಪ್ನೋತಿ Prapnoti
- gains
- ಸರ್ವದಾ Sarvada
- always
The phalashruti ("fruit of hearing") gives the merit that tradition attaches to the hymn. These are statements of faith.
ಏಕಕಾಲಂ ಪಠೇನ್ನಿತ್ಯಂ ಮಹಾಪಾಪವಿನಾಶನಮ್। Ekakalam Pathen Nityam Maha Papa Vinashanam
ದ್ವಿಕಾಲಂ ಯಃ ಪಠೇನ್ನಿತ್ಯಂ ಧನಧಾನ್ಯಸಮನ್ವಿತಃ॥ Dvikalam Yah Pathen Nityam Dhana Dhanya Samanvitah
Meaning
Reciting it once every day destroys great sins. One who recites it twice a day is blessed with wealth and grain.
- ಏಕಕಾಲಂ Ekakalam
- once a day
- ಪಠೇತ್ Pathet
- should recite
- ನಿತ್ಯಂ Nityam
- every day
- ಮಹಾಪಾಪವಿನಾಶನಮ್ Maha Papa Vinashanam
- destruction of great sins
- ದ್ವಿಕಾಲಂ Dvikalam
- twice a day
- ಧನಧಾನ್ಯಸಮನ್ವಿತಃ Dhana Dhanya Samanvitah
- blessed with wealth and grain
sanskritdocuments.org reads "एककाले"; stotranidhi.com reads "एककालं", matching "द्विकालं" and "त्रिकालं". We follow stotranidhi.com.
ತ್ರಿಕಾಲಂ ಯಃ ಪಠೇನ್ನಿತ್ಯಂ ಮಹಾಶತ್ರುವಿನಾಶನಮ್। Trikalam Yah Pathen Nityam Maha Shatru Vinashanam
ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀರ್ಭವೇನ್ನಿತ್ಯಂ ಪ್ರಸನ್ನಾ ವರದಾ ಶುಭಾ॥ Mahalakshmir Bhaven Nityam Prasanna Varada Shubha
Meaning
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.
- ತ್ರಿಕಾಲಂ Trikalam
- three times a day
- ಯಃ ಪಠೇನ್ನಿತ್ಯಂ Yah Pathen Nityam
- whoever recites every day
- ಮಹಾಶತ್ರುವಿನಾಶನಮ್ Maha Shatru Vinashanam
- destruction of great enemies
- ಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀಃ Mahalakshmih
- Mahalakshmi
- ಭವೇತ್ Bhavet
- becomes
- ನಿತ್ಯಂ Nityam
- always
- ಪ್ರಸನ್ನಾ Prasanna
- pleased
- ವರದಾ Varada
- giver of boons
- ಶುಭಾ Shubha
- auspicious
About Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
The hymn opens with the words "Indra uvacha", "Indra said". Tradition places it in the Padma Purana, though printed booklets rarely give a chapter, and we have not traced it in a critical edition. In eight short verses Indra greets Mahalakshmi as Mahamaya, the rider on Garuda, the slayer of Kolasura, the giver of both worldly joy and liberation, and the Supreme Brahman seated on a lotus.
Questions
Is this the same Mahalakshmi Ashtakam that is sung in Hindi?
Yes. These are the same Sanskrit words, written in Kannada letters so you can read them aloud. It is a transliteration, not a translation into Kannada. The meaning of each verse is given in English.
How was the Kannada text prepared?
We keep one checked Devanagari edition (Mahalakshmyashtakam as printed in "Prabhata Stotranidhi" (stotranidhi.com, Devanagari); cross-checked line by line with sanskritdocuments.org mahaalakshmyashhTakaM (Indra-krita, with meaning)) and write it in Kannada letters with fixed spelling rules, so every verse matches the original letter for letter. The English-letter line is the common singing spelling.