Mahalakshmi Namastubhyam and Jai Lakshmi Mata Aarti
A Sanskrit salutation to Goddess Lakshmi followed by the beloved Hindi 'Om Jai Lakshmi Mata' aarti sung on Fridays and Diwali.
Verses
Salutations to Mahalakshmi, salutations to the goddess of the gods. Salutations to the beloved of Hari, salutations to the treasure of compassion.
Verse 1
Salutations to the lotus-dwelling one, salutations to the goddess of all. For the welfare of all beings, always bestow wealth upon me.
Verse 2
Victory to Mother Lakshmi, O Mother, victory to Mother Lakshmi. Hari Vishnu, the Creator, serves You day and night.
Verse 3
You are Uma, Rama, and Brahmani—You alone are the mother of the universe. The sun and moon meditate on You, and the sage Narada sings Your praises.
Verse 4
You are the form of Durga, the immaculate, the giver of happiness and wealth. Whoever meditates on You attains prosperity, supernatural powers, and riches.
Verse 5
You dwell in the netherworld, and You are the bestower of auspiciousness. You illuminate the effects of karma, and You are the savior from the ocean of worldly existence.
Verse 6
In whichever house You reside, all virtues come. Everything becomes possible, and the mind is never afraid.
Verse 7
Without You, no sacrifice can be performed, and no one obtains clothing. The splendor of food and drink all comes from You.
Verse 8
You are the beautiful temple of auspicious virtues, You arise from the ocean of milk. Without You, no one can obtain the fourteen jewels.
Verse 9
Whoever sings the aarti of Mahalakshmi, their heart is filled with joy, and their sins are washed away.
Verse 10
Victory to Mother Lakshmi, O Mother, victory to Mother Lakshmi. Hari Vishnu, the Creator, serves You day and night.
Verse 11
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Friday (Shukrawar) & Purnima (Full Moon)
Evening Sandhya (Dusk / Deepa Lighting Time)
Pink Lotus, Kheer, Panchamrit, Kumkum & Ghee Lamp
- Abundance (Dhana-Dhanya), household harmony, and spiritual purity
Background
This piece combines a short Sanskrit salutation with the popular Hindi aarti 'Om Jai Lakshmi Mata', both dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. The two introductory Sanskrit lines ('Mahalakshmi namastubhyam...') are a brief prayer often sung before the aarti; a scriptural source for them was not traced, and they are not the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam, which begins 'Namastestu mahamaye'. The aarti proper is anonymous (Kavitakosh credits no author) and is sung in homes and temples on Fridays, at Diwali, and on other auspicious occasions. Its image of Lakshmi and the fourteen gems rising from the milk ocean alludes to the Churning of the Ocean told in the Vishnu Purana (1.9) and the Bhagavata Purana (8.8).
Did You Know?
Two texts in one
This piece combines two distinct devotional pieces. The first two verses are a short Sanskrit salutation (not the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam, which begins 'Namastestu mahamaye'), while the remaining verses form the popular Hindi Lakshmi Aarti (a sung offering of light).
The Sanskrit salutation
The Sanskrit verses (0–1) are a direct salutation to Goddess Lakshmi, calling her 'Sureshvari' (queen of the gods) and 'Hari Priye' (beloved of Vishnu). The second verse asks her to always create wealth ('Vasu Srashtin') for the welfare of all beings.
Aarti structure
The Hindi portion (verses 2–10) follows the classic aarti format: a recurring chorus ('Om Jai Lakshmi Mata') alternates with verses that praise the goddess's forms, powers, and blessings. This call-and-response pattern is designed for group singing in homes or temples.
Goddess of all worlds
Verse 3 identifies Lakshmi with three major goddesses — Uma (Parvati), Rama (Sita), and Brahmani (Saraswati) — declaring her the universal mother ('Jag-Mata'). It also says even the sun, moon, and sage Narad constantly meditate on her.
Wealth beyond money
Verse 4 promises that those who meditate on Lakshmi gain not just material wealth ('Dhan') but also spiritual prosperity: 'Riddhi' (accomplishment) and 'Siddhi' (spiritual power). This reflects the Hindu idea that true prosperity includes both worldly and divine gifts.
The fourteen gems
Verse 8 references the famous Hindu myth of the 'Churning of the Ocean' (Samudra Manthan), where fourteen precious treasures emerged — including Lakshmi herself. The verse says without her, no one could obtain even one of those gems, emphasizing her as the source of all value.
Lakshmi
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