Sanskrit: लक्ष्मी, Lakṣmī
Free Simple Lakshmi Puja PDF
“Situated on a lotus seat, Oh Goddess, the intrinsic nature of the Universal Consciousness, the Supreme Ruler, Mother of the Universe, to the Great Goddess of True Wealth we bow” — Mahalakshmi Ashtakam, Lakshmi Puja
Mahalakshmi is the source of Abundance – both material and spiritual. She is the epitome of beauty, grace, virtue, and of purity.
She is True Essence and resides in the Lotus of Peace in infinite communion.
In Sanskrit “Lakshya” means The Goal: every aim in existence.
Our goals reflect our values, and that which we value is our wealth. It is in this sense that Mahalakshmi is the Goddess of Wealth.
She represents our goals, our values, and our aspirations. It is She whom we call upon to help us fulfill these goals.
One of Mahalakshmi’s names is “Shri,” which means the highest respect. “Sha” means peace, “Ra” means the mind, “I” means the heart or intuition.
When we can experience life with peace in our mind and peace in our hearts, we are offering our respect. This is the Ultimate Goal of Spirituality.
Worship and its Benefits
“Grantor of perfection and intelligence, giver of enjoyment and liberation, wearing mantra as your form, to the Great Goddess of True Wealth we bow” – Mahalakshmi Ashtakam.
When we worship, we focus our attention; that is what worship is.
As we practice to achieve greater intensities of focus and degrees of absorption, we find that our efficiency improves and that we have greater peace in our hearts and in our minds.
Mahalakshmi’s promise is: “Whoever pursues their goals with peace, will find True Wealth.”
Mother Lakshmi helps us clarify our goals, and bestows the true wealth of their fulfillment.
After thinking carefully about our lives, and determining what will be the most worthy of goals to pursue, we perform Mother Lakshmi’s puja and offer our goals to Her.
Every day we can perform “Prana Prathishta,” which is to “Breathe life” into our goals. And every day we can seek Mahalakshmi’s blessing to give us the energy and strength to pursue our goals.
Worship and Celebrations at the Devi Mandir
Mother Lakshmi is worshipped every day at the Devi Mandir as part of the Cosmic Puja, and the recitation of the Chandi Path.
As the slayer of the Great Ego, and the grantor of the Ultimate Perfection, Mahalakshmi occupies the front and center space on the Cosmic Altar.
The Lakshmi Puja is celebrated every Fall at the Devi Mandir.
For this auspicious occasion, Shree Maa decorates the Temple by painting beautiful designs on the temple floor, and the Havan Kunda with a paste made of rice and water.
Shree Maa paints images of Lakshmi’s delicate feet in order to invite Lakshmi’s presence.
Reference Material
- Lakshmi Puja and Sahasranam by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.
- Cosmic Puja by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.This is also available as an iPad App and audio recording.
- Sanskrit podcast and English podcast of Lakshmi worship from the Cosmic Puja.
- Video class of Lakshmi worship from the Cosmic Puja.
- Chandi Path by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.This is also available as an iPad App and audio recording.
- Shree Maa’s In the Temple of the Heart CD, which includes the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam.