Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam in English (Simplified)

श्री महालक्ष्मी अष्टकम्

Padma Purana Deity: Mahalakshmi Metre: Anushtup 11 verses

A simple place to start

This is the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam, eight short verses to Lakshmi, the Goddess of fortune, written in plain English letters with no accent marks, for first-time readers and children. Because it is short, only eight verses, it is often the very first prayer a child learns by heart. The verses come from an old text called the Padma Purana, where the king of the gods, Indra, sings them in praise of Lakshmi, and each one ends by bowing at her feet. People chant it for wellbeing and good fortune, on Fridays and at Diwali, the festival of lights, when Lakshmi is welcomed into the home for the new year. You do not need to know Sanskrit to begin, and eight verses are easy to learn one at a time. So start small and go at your own pace.

About the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam

Just eight verses, but they pack a punch. Indra composed this after Mahalakshmi appeared in her warrior form to destroy the demon Kolasura and save the gods. Every verse ends with the same line: "Mahalakshmi Namostu Te" (Salutations to Mahalakshmi). That repetition is the whole point. It builds, verse after verse, describing a different form of her grace each time. People chant it on Fridays, during Lakshmi puja, during Navaratri. It's short enough to memorize and powerful enough that you'll want to.

Chant the full Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam in ChantWise

Free, in your browser. No signup. Add anyone with a link.

Chant all 11 verses →

The opening verses are below.

Stōtram

1

indra uvaaca

namaste:'stu mahaamaaye shreepeethe surapoojite

shankhacakragadaahaste mahaalakshmi namo:'stu te

2

namaste garudaaroodhe kolaasurabhayankari

sarvapaapahare devi mahaalakshmi namo:'stu te

3

sarvajne sarvavarade sarvadushtabhayankari

sarvaduhkhahare devi mahaalakshmi namo:'stu te

4

siddhibuddhiprade devi bhuktimuktipradaayini

mantramoorte sadaa devi mahaalakshmi namo:'stu te

5

aadyantarahite devi aadyashakti maheshvari

yogaje yogasambhoote mahaalakshmi namo:'stu te

Stōtram

11

trikaalam yah pathennityam mahaashatruvinaashanam

mahaalakshmeerbhavennityam prasannaa varadaa shubhaa

11

iti shree mahaalakshmyashtakam

That's the opening and the closing. The full Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam continues for 5 more verses in between.

Free, in your browser. No signup. Add anyone with a link.

Chant all 11 verses →

Frequently asked about Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam

Who composed Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam?
Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam is traditionally attributed to Indra (Padma Purana).
How many verses are in Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam?
Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam has 11 verses, set in the Anushtup metre.
Which deity is Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam addressed to?
Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam is a prayer to Mahalakshmi.
In which languages can I read Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam?
ChantWise offers Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam in English, Sanskrit, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Gujarati — including English (Simplified) (Simplified Phonetic script) on this page.

If this resonates, you might also love...

Lakshmi Shobhane
Sri Vadiraja Tirtha's Kannada wedding song for Lakshmi and Vishnu, sung at Madhva weddings for five hundred years.
Sri Lalitha Sahasranama
A thousand names of Goddess Lalitha, not one repeated. The backbone of Sri Vidya practice.
Sri Hanuman Chalisa
Forty verses to Hanuman by Tulsidas. Probably the most-chanted prayer in all of India.
Sri Krishna Ashtottara Shatanama Stotram
108 names of Krishna from the Narada Pancharatra. His whole story, one name at a time.
Palayachyutha
Sri Vadiraja Tirtha's personal plea to Krishna of Udupi. Simple, melodic, deeply felt.
Shri Venkatesha Stotram
Sixteen verses from the Brahmanda Purana naming the Lord of the seven hills. Chanted daily at Tirumala.
Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram
The thousand names of Vishnu, given by Bhishma from his deathbed. Chanted every morning for centuries.
Chant the full Mahalakshmi Ashtakamall 11 verses · free · no signup Chant →