Lakshmi Chalisa (Shri Lakshmi Chalisa)
श्री लक्ष्मी चालीसा
Recited at the start of every new business, on Diwali Lakshmi Puja, and on Fridays which are sacred to the goddess. Praises Lakshmi as Vishnu’s consort, daughter of the cosmic ocean (Kshirsagar), and bestower of all eight prosperities (Ashta-Lakshmi).
Significance
The Lakshmi Chalisa is the principal hymn of the Vaishnava prosperity tradition. Recited 11 or 108 times during Diwali Mahalakshmi puja, accompanied by Sri Suktam, it is believed to invite Lakshmi to reside in the household account-books, safes and grain-stores for the new Samvat year.
When recited: Fridays, Diwali night, Akshaya Tritiya, Kojagari Purnima, before new business ventures
Benefits
- Attracts wealth and removes debt
- Resolves obstacles in business and trade
- Brings harmony between husband and wife (Lakshmi-Narayan bhava)
- Grants the eight forms of prosperity — Adi, Dhana, Dhanya, Gaja, Santana, Veera, Vijaya, Vidya
- Recommended for women seeking auspicious married life
Opening verses
First 6 verses of the Lakshmi Chalisa (Shri Lakshmi Chalisa) — the most-recited opening section.
मातु लक्ष्मी करि कृपा, करो हृदय में वास।
मनोकामना सिद्ध कर, पुरवहु मेरी आस॥
सिंधु सुता विष्णुप्रिये, नित नूतन सुख देहु।
कमलवासिनी कमलकर, मनवांछित फल देहु॥
जय जय श्री महालक्ष्मी, करूँ मातु तव ध्यान।
सिद्ध बुद्धि सुख-सम्पदा, देहु तुम मातु अमान॥
Meaning
Mother Lakshmi, show your grace and dwell in my heart. Fulfil my desires and complete my hopes. Daughter of the ocean, beloved of Vishnu, grant fresh joys each day. Seated on the lotus, lotus-handed one, grant the wished-for fruit. Glory, glory to Mahalakshmi — I meditate upon you. Grant me wisdom, intelligence, happiness and wealth, O immeasurable Mother.
For complete authoritative text
Refer to printed editions from these sources for the full 40-verse chalisa with traditional pronunciation guides: