Praying to Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity, and fortune, is a significant practice in Hinduism. She is revered in various forms, each symbolizing different aspects of prosperity, such as material wealth, spiritual wealth, fortune, and fertility. Devotees pray to her for financial stability, prosperity, and well-being.
How to Pray to Goddess Lakshmi
Praying to Goddess Lakshmi involves rituals, offerings, and chanting specific mantras. Here are the steps and practices for performing a prayer or puja to Goddess Lakshmi:
1. Preparation for the Puja
- Choose an Auspicious Day: Fridays are considered auspicious for Lakshmi puja, as well as during the festival of Diwali, especially on the day of Lakshmi Pooja. Other important days include Full Moon Days (Purnima) and Amavasya (New Moon Day).
- Cleanliness: Clean your home thoroughly, especially the puja area, as Goddess Lakshmi is believed to reside in clean and tidy places.
- Set up an Altar: Place a clean cloth (preferably red or white) on a table or on the floor where you intend to perform the puja. Position a small idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi on the cloth.
- Offerings: Prepare offerings like flowers (lotus or marigold), fruits, sweets, kumkum (vermillion), turmeric, rice, and incense sticks. Prepare a small diya (lamp) filled with ghee (clarified butter) or oil.
2. Puja Steps for Praying to Goddess Lakshmi
Invocation (Dhyaan and Avahanam):
- Begin the puja by meditating on Goddess Lakshmi, visualizing her form and seeking her blessings. Recite the following mantra to invoke her presence:
- Mantra: "ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं कमले कमलालये प्रसीद प्रसीद श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः"
- Transliteration: "Om Shring Hring Shring Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed Shring Hring Shring Om Mahalakshmyai Namah."
- Begin the puja by meditating on Goddess Lakshmi, visualizing her form and seeking her blessings. Recite the following mantra to invoke her presence:
Offering the Kalash (Pot):
- Place a Kalash (a small water-filled pot) on the altar, symbolizing the universe. Put mango leaves around its rim and a coconut on top. Wrap a red cloth around the coconut and Kalash. This symbolizes Goddess Lakshmi.
Lighting the Lamp (Deepa Jyoti):
- Light the diya (lamp) to symbolize the presence of divine light and seek the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and spiritual enlightenment.
Offering Flowers and Incense:
- Offer flowers, especially lotuses, and light incense sticks in front of the Goddess’s idol or picture. Lotus is considered the favorite flower of Goddess Lakshmi.
Reciting Lakshmi Mantras:
- Chant the following mantras with devotion:
- Mahalakshmi Ashtakam:
- "Namastestu Mahamaye, Shri Pithe Surapujite, Shankha Chakra Gada Haste, Maha Lakshmi Namostute."
- Meaning: "Salutations to the great Goddess, who is worshipped by all, who holds the conch, discus, and mace in her hands, O Mahalakshmi, I bow to you."
- Shree Suktam (from the Rig Veda):
- This is a Vedic hymn dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Chanting these verses is believed to bring prosperity and remove financial troubles.
Offering Naivedyam (Food Offering):
- Offer freshly prepared sweets, fruits, and other dishes to the goddess. While offering the food, recite the prayer:
- Mantra: "Naivedyam Samarpayami."
- Meaning: "I offer you this food."
Aarti (Waving the Lamp):
- Perform aarti by waving a lit lamp in a circular motion in front of the goddess’s image or idol, accompanied by the Lakshmi Aarti song:
- "Om Jai Lakshmi Mata, Maiya Jai Lakshmi Mata, Tumko Nish Din Sevat, Hari Vishnu Vidhata..."
- Perform aarti by waving a lit lamp in a circular motion in front of the goddess’s image or idol, accompanied by the Lakshmi Aarti song:
Prayers and Meditation:
- Conclude the puja with heartfelt prayers, asking Goddess Lakshmi to bless you and your family with wealth, prosperity, health, and happiness. Meditate on her divine form, absorbing her blessings.
Distribution of Prasad:
- Distribute the offerings (Prasad) among family members and guests after the puja.
Ideal Gods or Goddesses to Worship Alongside Lakshmi
- Lord Vishnu: Goddess Lakshmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu. Praying to both ensures the harmony of wealth (Lakshmi) and protection/sustenance (Vishnu).
- Lord Ganesha: He is the remover of obstacles and is worshiped before starting any auspicious activity. His blessings are invoked for the success of any ritual, including Lakshmi puja.
- Saraswati: The Goddess of knowledge and wisdom is also worshipped alongside Lakshmi and Durga during festivals like Navaratri and Diwali, emphasizing the need for knowledge, wealth, and strength together.
Mantras for Worship
Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra:
- "Om Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe Vishnu Patnyai Cha Dhimahi Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat."
- Meaning: "Om, let us meditate on the great Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu. May that Lakshmi inspire and enlighten us."
Ashtalakshmi Stotram: A hymn praising the eight forms of Lakshmi representing different aspects of wealth and prosperity, such as Dhana Lakshmi (wealth), Dhairya Lakshmi (courage), and Santana Lakshmi (progeny).
Rare Facts about Goddess Lakshmi
- Multiple Forms: Goddess Lakshmi has various forms, including Dhana Lakshmi (goddess of wealth), Dhanya Lakshmi (goddess of grains), Veera Lakshmi (goddess of valor), and Gaja Lakshmi (goddess of animals and royal power).
- Origin: According to Hindu mythology, Lakshmi emerged from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) by gods and demons, symbolizing the manifestation of prosperity from hard work and determination.
- Association with Lotus: The lotus flower is deeply associated with Lakshmi, symbolizing purity, beauty, and spiritual awakening. It signifies how prosperity can bloom even in adversity (as the lotus blooms in muddy water).
Relevant Facts About Lakshmi Worship
- Significance of Diwali: During Diwali, especially on Lakshmi Puja day, Hindus clean their homes, decorate them with lights and rangoli, and perform Lakshmi puja to welcome the goddess into their homes and lives.
- Goddess Lakshmi’s Symbolism: She symbolizes not only material wealth but also spiritual wealth and well-being. She is often depicted with gold coins flowing from her hands, representing material prosperity and abundance.
Praying to Goddess Lakshmi with devotion, sincerity, and respect brings not just material wealth but also spiritual fulfillment and inner peace. Performing these rituals with a clean heart and pure intentions aligns one with the divine energy of abundance and prosperity.