Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam - Complete meaning and benefits of chanting

Mahalakshmi Ashtakam is a revered hymn composed in praise of Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity, good fortune and abundance. This hymn is attributed to the great sage Adi Shankara, who is famous for his profound contributions to Hindu philosophy and devotional literature. Mahalakshmi Ashtakam glorifies the various qualities and forms of Goddess Lakshmi and expresses devotion and reverence towards her. It is often chanted by devotees to seek blessings, wealth, prosperity and spiritual abundance.

Mantra

Namastestū mahāmāye shrīpiṭhe sūrapujite ।
Shankha chakra gadā haste mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥1॥

Namaste garūḍārūḍhe kolāsūr bhayankarī ।
Sarva pāp hare devī mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥2॥

Sarvajnye sarvavarade sarvaduṣhṭa bhayankarī ।
Sarva duahkha hare devī mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥3॥

Siddhībuddhūīprade devī bhuktimukti pradāyinī ।
Mantramūrte sadā devī mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥ 4 ॥

Ādyantarahite devī ādyashaktī maheshvarī ।
Yogaje yogasanbhūte mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥ 5 ॥

Sthūl sūkṣhma mahāraudre mahāshaktī mahodare ।
Mahāpāp hare devī mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥ 6 ॥

Padmāsanasthite devī parabramhasvarūpiṇī ।
Parameshi jaganmātarra mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥7॥

Shvetāanbaradhare devī nānālankār bhūṣhite ।
Jagatsthite jaganmārta mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥8॥

Mahālakṣhmyaṣhṭakastotran yah paṭhet bhaktimānnarah ।
Sarvasiddhīmavāpnoti rājyan prāpnoti sarvadā ॥9॥

Ekakāle paṭhennityan mahāpāpavināshanan ।
Dvikālan yah paṭhennityan dhanadhānya samanvitah ॥10॥

Trikālan yah paṭhennityan mahāshatrūvināshanan ।
Mahālakṣhmīrbhavennityan prasannā varadā shubhā ॥11॥

॥ itiandrakṛut shrīmahālakṣhmyaṣhṭakastavah sanpūrṇah ॥
- ath shrī iandrakṛut shrī mahālakṣhmī aṣhṭaka

Ashtakam with meaning

Namastestū mahāmāye shrīpiṭhe sūrapujite ।
Shankha chakra gadā haste mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥1॥
O great illusionist, you are seated on the seat of the goddess of fortune and are worshiped by the gods.O great Lakshmi, with conch, disc and mace in your hands, I salute you.

Namaste garūḍārūḍhe kolāsūr bhayankarī ।
Sarva pāp hare devī mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥2॥
O terrible Kolasura, mounted on Garuda, I salute you.
O Goddess Mahalakshmi, remover of all sins, I salute you.

Sarvajnye sarvavarade sarvaduṣhṭa bhayankarī ।
Sarva duahkha hare devī mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥3॥
She knows everything and bestows all blessings and is the one who makes all the wicked fearful.
O Goddess Mahalakshmi, remover of all suffering, I bow to you.

Siddhībuddhūīprade devī bhuktimukti pradāyinī ।
Mantramūrte sadā devī mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥ 4 ॥
She bestows perfection and wisdom and bestows joy and liberation.
O Goddess Mahalakshmi, always in mantra form, I salute you

Ādyantarahite devī ādyashaktī maheshvarī ।
Yogaje yogasanbhūte mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥ 5 ॥
The Goddess, without beginning or end, is the original Shakti Maheshwari.
O great Lakshmi, born of yoga and born of yoga, I bow to you

Sthūl sūkṣhma mahāraudre mahāshaktī mahodare ।
Mahāpāp hare devī mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥ 6 ॥
O gross, subtle, extremely terrifying, extremely powerful, extremely bellyful.
O Goddess Mahalakshmi, destroyer of great sins, I bow to you

Padmāsanasthite devī parabramhasvarūpiṇī ।
Parameshi jaganmātarra mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥7॥
The goddess sitting on the lotus seat is the incarnation of Supreme Brahma.
O Supreme Goddess, Mother of the Universe, O great Lakshmi, I bow to you.

Shvetāanbaradhare devī nānālankār bhūṣhite ।
Jagatsthite jaganmārta mahālakṣhmī namostūte ॥8॥
The goddess was dressed in white clothes and decorated with various jewellery.
O mother of the universe, O pain of the universe, O great Lakshmi, I bow to you.

Mahālakṣhmyaṣhṭakastotran yah paṭhet bhaktimānnarah ।
Sarvasiddhīmavāpnoti rājyan prāpnoti sarvadā ॥9॥
Whoever recites this stotra of the eightfold goddess with devotion
He attains all siddhis and attains kingdom at all times.

Ekakāle paṭhennityan mahāpāpavināshanan ।
Dvikālan yah paṭhennityan dhanadhānya samanvitah ॥10॥
To destroy great sins, this mantra should be chanted once every day.
The person who chants this mantra for two hours every day becomes prosperous.

Trikālan yah paṭhennityan mahāshatrūvināshanan ।
Mahālakṣhmīrbhavennityan prasannā varadā shubhā ॥11॥
The person who recites this mantra three times a day, his biggest enemies are destroyed.
May Mahalakshmi always be happy and the giver of auspicious blessings.

॥ itiandrakṛut shrīmahālakṣhmyaṣhṭakastavah sanpūrṇah ॥
- ath shrī iandrakṛut shrī mahālakṣhmī aṣhṭaka
This is the complete hymn of Shri Mahalakshmi composed by Indra.
- Ath Shri Indrakritam Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtak

Benefits of chanting Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam

Reciting or listening to Mahalakshmi Stotram with devotion is believed to bestow several benefits:
1. Wealth and Prosperity.
2. Removal of Obstacles.
3. Blessings for Family Harmony.
4. Spiritual Growth.
5. Protection and Grace.

Who can chant Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam & When to chant?

Anyone can chant Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam for seeking blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, especially during Fridays or auspicious occasions, to attract wealth, prosperity, and spiritual abundance.
Devotees: Anyone who believes in the power of prayer and devotion can chant Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam. There are no specific restrictions based on gender, age, or caste.
Seekers of prosperity: Those who seek wealth, abundance, and prosperity in their lives often turn to the chanting of this hymn as a means of invoking the blessings of Goddess Mahalakshmi.
Spiritual practitioners: Individuals engaged in spiritual practices and seeking the grace of the divine for their spiritual growth and material well-being may find chanting Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam beneficial.

As for when to chant Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam:
Daily: Many devotees choose to chant Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam daily as part of their morning or evening prayers. This regular practice is believed to invite the blessings of Mahalakshmi into one's life and ensure continued prosperity.
Special occasions: The hymn can also be chanted on special occasions such as Fridays (considered auspicious for the worship of Goddess Mahalakshmi), during Navaratri (a nine-night festival dedicated to the worship of the divine feminine), and during Diwali (the festival of lights associated with wealth and prosperity).

How to chant the Ashtakam?

Chanting Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam involves reciting each of the eight verses with devotion and focus. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to chant it:
1. Prepare for the chanting: Find a quiet and peaceful place where you can sit comfortably without distractions. You may choose to light incense, a lamp, or offer flowers to create a sacred atmosphere.
2. Invoke blessings: Before beginning the chanting, take a moment to invoke the blessings of Goddess Mahalakshmi. You can do this by silently offering a prayer or mantra asking for her guidance and grace.
3. Start chanting: Begin reciting each verse of Shri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam slowly and attentively. You can chant aloud or silently, whichever feels more comfortable for you. Pay attention to the pronunciation of each word to ensure clarity.
4. Focus on the meaning: As you chant, try to connect with the meaning and significance of each verse. Reflect on the qualities of Goddess Mahalakshmi that are being praised and invoked in the hymn. Let your heart be filled with devotion and reverence.
5. Repeat each verse: After completing one verse, pause briefly before moving on to the next one. Take a moment to absorb the vibrations of the chant and internalize its message. Repeat this process for each of the eight verses.
6. Conclude with gratitude: After chanting all the verses, conclude your practice by expressing gratitude to Goddess Mahalakshmi for her blessings and guidance. Offer a final prayer or mantra seeking her continued presence in your life.
7. Close the session: Take a few moments to sit quietly and bask in the energy generated by the chanting. You may choose to meditate or simply enjoy the sense of peace and tranquility that follows the practice.