Ashtalakshmi Stotram: Eight Forms of Lakshmi, Sanskrit Text and Verse Meaning

Quick answer: what is the Ashtalakshmi Stotram?

• All eight stanzas follow a distinctive rhythmic meter with an internal rhyme scheme and a recurring refrain appealing for the grace of each specific form of Lakshmi.
• The eightfold sequence integrates spiritual liberation (Adi/Moksha), nourishment (Dhanya), courage (Dhairya), sovereignty (Gaja), lineage care (Santana), ethical triumph (Vijaya), knowledge (Vidya) and shared material resources (Dhana).
• Recited on Fridays, Diwali, Kojagari Purnima and Varalakshmi Vrat alongside lamp worship and responsible household action.

Complete Ashtalakshmi Stotram: Stanzas 1 to 4 (Adi, Dhanya, Dhairya and Gaja Lakshmi) with Sanskrit, transliteration and meaning

To understand how the hymn expands the theology of Goddess Lakshmi—introduced in our foundational guide to Goddess Lakshmi's Vedic Sri Suktam origins and iconography—it should be read stanza by stanza. Each verse of the traditional Ashtalakshmi Stotram opens with a cascade of compound epithets describing the Goddess’s cosmic beauty, musical harmony and compassion, and closes with a distinct refrain (dhruvapada) naming one of the eight forms. Below are the first four stanzas in Devanagari Sanskrit, clear Roman transliteration and verse-by-verse English meaning.

1. Adi Lakshmi (Primordial Grace and Spiritual Source)
सुमनस वन्दित सुन्दरि माधवि चन्द्र सहोदरि हेममये ।
मुनिगण वन्दित मोक्षप्रदायिनि मञ्जुल भाषिणि वेदनुते ॥
पङ्कजवासिनि देवसुपूजित सद्गुण वर्षिणि शान्तियुते ।
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनि आदिलक्ष्मि परिपालय माम् ॥ १॥
Sumanasa vandita sundari mādhavi candra sahodari hemamaye |
Munigaṇa vandita mokṣapradāyini mañjula bhāṣiṇi vedanute ||
Paṅkajavāsini devasupūjita sadguṇa varṣiṇi śāntiyute |
Jaya jaya he madhusūdana kāmini ādilakṣmi paripālaya mām || 1 ||
Meaning: O Radiant Consort of Madhava (Vishnu), revered by pure-hearted devas and sages, sister of the Moon born from the Milky Ocean, golden in splendour, bestower of liberation (moksha-pradayini), gentle-voiced and praised by the Vedas! Dwelling in the lotus, showerer of noble virtues and filled with peace—victory to You, beloved of Madhusudana; O Adi Lakshmi, protect and sustain me.

2. Dhanya Lakshmi (Nourishment, Harvest and Food Security)
अयि कलि कल्मष नाशिनि कामिनि वैदिक रूपिणि वेदमये ।
क्षीरसमुद्भव मङ्गल रूपिणि मन्त्रनिवासिनि मन्त्रनुते ॥
मङ्गलदायिनि अम्बुजवासिनि देवगणाश्रित पादयुते ।
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनि धान्यलक्ष्मि सदा पालय माम् ॥ २॥
Ayi kali kalmaṣa nāśini kāmini vaidika rūpiṇi vedamaye |
Kṣīrasamudbhava maṅgala rūpiṇi mantranivāsini mantranute ||
Maṅgaladāyini ambujavāsini devagaṇāśrita pādayute |
Jaya jaya he madhusūdana kāmini dhānyalakṣmi sadā pālaya mām || 2 ||
Meaning: O Destroyer of the impurities of the Kali age, embodiment of Vedic wisdom, auspicious form risen from the Ocean of Milk, indwelling presence within sacred mantras! Bestower of welfare seated on the lotus, whose feet are the refuge of the gods—victory to You, beloved of Madhusudana; O Dhanya Lakshmi (Goddess of grain and nourishment), ever protect me.

3. Dhairya / Veera Lakshmi (Inner Courage, Resilience and Steadiness)
जयवरवर्षिणि वैष्णवि भार्गवि मन्त्रस्वरूपिणि मन्त्रमये ।
सुरगण पूजित शीघ्रफलप्रद ज्ञानविकासिनि शास्त्रनुते ॥
भवभयहारिणि पापविमोचनि साधुजनाश्रित पादयुते ।
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनि धैर्यलक्ष्मि परिपालय माम् ॥ ३॥
Jayavaravarṣiṇi vaiṣṇavi bhārgavi mantrasvarūpiṇi mantramaye |
Suragaṇa pūjita śīghraphalaprada jñānavikāsini śāstranute ||
Bhavabhayahāriṇi pāpavimocani sādhujanāśrita pādayute |
Jaya jaya he madhusūdana kāmini dhairyalakṣmi paripālaya mām || 3 ||
Meaning: O Vaishnavi, daughter of Sage Bhrigu (Bhargavi), showerer of victorious boons, very form of sacred mantra, awakener of wisdom (jnana-vikasini) praised by the scriptures! Remover of the fear of worldly existence (bhava-bhaya-harini), liberator from wrongdoing and refuge of virtuous seekers—victory to You, O Dhairya Lakshmi (Goddess of courage and fortitude); protect me.

4. Gaja Lakshmi (Dignity, Sovereign Grace and Shared Abundance)
जय जय दुर्गति नाशिनि कामिनि सर्वफलप्रद शास्त्रमये ।
रथगज तुरगपदाति समावृत परिजन मण्डित लोकनुते ॥
हरिहर ब्रह्म सुपूजित सेवित तापनिवाऱिणि पादयुते ।
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनि गजलक्ष्मि रूपेण पालय माम् ॥ ४॥
Jaya jaya durgati nāśini kāmini sarvaphalaprada śāstramaye |
Rathagaja turagapadāti samāvṛta parijana maṇḍita lokanute ||
Harihara brahma supūjita sevita tāpanivāriṇi pādayute |
Jaya jaya he madhusūdana kāmini gajalakṣmi rūpeṇa pālaya mām || 4 ||
Meaning: Victory to You, remover of distress, bestower of holistic fruits, attended by royal retinues of chariots, elephants, horses and foot-soldiers, praised across the worlds! Revered by Hari (Vishnu), Hara (Shiva) and Brahma, whose lotus feet relieve all threefold afflictions (tapa-nivarini)—protect me in the form of Gaja Lakshmi.

Complete Ashtalakshmi Stotram: Stanzas 5 to 8 (Santana, Vijaya, Vidya and Dhana Lakshmi) and holistic prosperity

The second half of the stotram turns to intergenerational care, ethical perseverance, the arts and sciences, and responsible material stewardship. Notice how stanza 7 invokes Bharati and Bhargavi to show that learning (Vidya) and auspiciousness (Sri) support each other rather than standing in rivalry.

5. Santana Lakshmi (Family Continuity, Care and Protection)
अयिखग वाहिनि मोहिनि चक्रिणि रागविवर्धिनि ज्ञानमये ।
गुणगणवारिधि लोकहितैषिणि सप्तस्वर भूषित गाननुते ॥
सकल सुरासुर देवमुनीश्वर मानव वन्दित पादयुते ।
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनि सन्तानलक्ष्मि परिपालय माम् ॥ ५॥
Ayikhaga vāhini mohini cakriṇi rāgavivardhini jñānamaye |
Guṇagaṇavāridhi lokahitaiṣiṇi saptasvara bhūṣita gānanute ||
Sakala surāsura devamunīśvara mānava vandita pādayute |
Jaya jaya he madhusūdana kāmini santānalakṣmi paripālaya mām || 5 ||
Meaning: O Rider of the celestial bird Garuda (khaga-vahini), wielder of the discus, awakener of devotional love, ocean of virtues, well-wisher of the worlds (loka-hitaishini), praised in music adorned with the seven notes (sapta-svara)! Revered by gods, sages and humanity alike—victory to You, O Santana Lakshmi; protect and nurture our household.

6. Vijaya Lakshmi (Ethical Perseverance and Triumph over Obstacles)
जय कमलासिनि सद्गति दायिनि ज्ञानविकासिनि गानमये ।
अनुदिन मर्चित कुङ्कुम धूसर भूषित वासित वाद्यनुते ॥
कनकधरास्तुति वैभव वन्दित शङ्करदेशिक मान्यपदे ।
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनि विजयलक्ष्मि सदा पालय माम् ॥ ६॥
Jaya kamalāsini sadgati dāyini jñānavikāsini gānamaye |
Anudina marcita kuṅkuma dhūsara bhūṣita vāsita vādyanute ||
Kanakadharāstuti vaibhava vandita śaṅkaradeśika mānyapade |
Jaya jaya he madhusūdana kāmini vijayalakṣmi sadā pālaya mām || 6 ||
Meaning: Victory to You seated on the lotus, granter of the noble path (sadgati-dayini), worshipped daily with fragrant kumkuma and musical instruments, whose glory was praised in the Kanakadhara Stotram by Acharya Shankara! O Vijaya Lakshmi, ever sustain me in righteous endeavour.

7. Vidya Lakshmi (Sacred and Secular Knowledge, Skill and Discernment)
प्रणत सुरेश्वरि भारति भार्गवि शोकविनाशिनि रत्नमये ।
मणिमय भूषित कर्णविभूषण शान्तिसमावृत हास्यमुखे ॥
नवनिधि दायिनि कलिमलहारिणि कामित फलप्रद हस्तयुते ।
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनि विद्यालक्ष्मि सदा पालय माम् ॥ ७॥
Praṇata sureśvari bhārati bhārgavi śokavināśini ratnamaye |
Maṇimaya bhūṣita karṇavibhūṣaṇa śāntisamāvṛta hāsyamukhe ||
Navanidhi dāyini kalimalahāriṇi kāmita phalaprada hastayute |
Jaya jaya he madhusūdana kāmini vidyālakṣmi sadā pālaya mām || 7 ||
Meaning: O Bowed-to Queen of the gods, Bharati (voice of wisdom), Bhargavi, dispeller of sorrow, radiant with jewel-studded ear ornaments and a serene, smiling countenance! Bestower of the nine treasures (nava-nidhi) whose hands grant worthy aspirations—O Vidya Lakshmi, ever illumine and protect me.

8. Dhana Lakshmi (Material Resources Held for Dharma and Generosity)
धिमिधिमि धिन्धिमि धिन्धिमि-दिन्धिमि दुन्दुभि नाद सुपूर्णमये ।
घुमघुम घङ्घुम घङ्घुम घङ्घुम शङ्ख निनाद सुवाद्यनुते ॥
वेदपुराणेतिहास सुपूजित वैदिक मार्ग प्रदर्शयिते ।
जय जय हे मधुसूदन कामिनि धनलक्ष्मि रूपेण पालय माम् ॥ ८॥
Dhimidhimi dhindhimi dhindhimi-dindhimi dundubhi nāda supūrṇamaye |
Ghumaghuma ghaṅghuma ghaṅghuma ghaṅghuma śaṅkha nināda suvādyanute ||
Vedapurāṇetihāsa supūjita vaidika mārga pradarśayite |
Jaya jaya he madhusūdana kāmini dhanalakṣmi rūpeṇa pālaya mām || 8 ||
Meaning: Amidst the resounding rhythm of festive drums (dhimi-dhimi dundubhi) and the deep auspicious resonance of conches (ghuma-ghuma shankha ninada), O Goddess revered by the Vedas, Puranas and Itihasas who reveals the dharmic Vedic path (vaidika-marga-pradarshayite)—protect me in the form of Dhana Lakshmi.

During Shravana Fridays, Diwali and the annual vow explained in our guides to Varalakshmi Vrat significance and katha and the step-by-step Varalakshmi Puja Vidhi household sequence, families recite these eight stanzas while offering flowers or kumkuma at each refrain.

How to read the stotram in Hindi and English

Many devotees recite the Sanskrit verses, use a Devanagari edition, or follow a transliteration in Roman letters. English and Hindi translations are aids to understanding, not substitutes for the exact sound of Sanskrit. Check that the edition gives the verse you intend to follow and that the transliteration matches its audio. Printed texts sometimes use “Dhairya Lakshmi” where another version says “Veera Lakshmi,” or vary compound words and refrain punctuation.

For study, read one stanza at a time. Note the form named in that verse, the qualities praised, and the prayer made in the repeated refrain. Ask: is the verse describing food, wisdom, courage, protection, prosperity or another expression of Lakshmi’s grace? This approach gives meaning to the hymn without forcing every poetic image into a literal promise.

A simple way to include the hymn in puja

Ashtalakshmi Stotram may be recited during a Lakshmi puja, on a Friday, or at a family observance such as Diwali or Varalakshmi Vratam. These are devotional choices, not compulsory dates for every household. If you are new to the hymn, keep the practice simple and use a version that your family recognises.

1. Prepare a clean place for prayer and keep the text or audio ready.
2. Begin with a short remembrance of Lakshmi and your intention.
3. Recite at a comfortable pace, pausing to understand each form.
4. Close with gratitude and share prasada if it is part of your custom.

Offering a flower, lamp or food is optional and varies by family. Keep a flame supervised and away from curtains or paper. A quiet reading without a lamp is also a complete way to engage with the hymn.

What the hymn says about abundance

The eight forms invite devotees to think of prosperity as a life with several supports: food, courage, family care, education, success in meaningful work and resources to share. A prayer for abundance can coexist with budgeting, study, honest work, health care and mutual aid. It does not make these actions unnecessary.

When translating the hymn, explain that “wealth” is a devotional theme whose meaning depends on the verse and tradition. Do not tell a person that financial hardship proves a lack of devotion or that the stotram guarantees pregnancy, examination success or income. Santana Lakshmi can be approached as a prayer for family flourishing without making promises about fertility; Vidya Lakshmi honours learning while leaving room for teachers and effort.

Textual differences and respectful use

Devotional hymn collections do not always agree on spelling, stanza headings, transliteration or attribution. For a public reading, puja booklet or online meaning, choose one edition and keep its Sanskrit, transliteration and explanation aligned. If versions differ, name the variant rather than silently mixing lines. A short explanatory translation should preserve the verse’s devotional intent instead of claiming to be the only possible meaning.

The stotram is a prayer, not a test of language skill. Children and new readers can listen, follow a transliteration or read a Hindi explanation first. Invite participation without pressuring anyone to recite in a language they do not know. Devotion can include learning the hymn gradually and treating its images with care.

Pronunciation, meter and Friday–Varalakshmi recitation guide

Because the Ashtalakshmi Stotram relies on internal rhyme (antyanuprasa) and compound epithets, reading it aloud becomes much easier once you notice its four-line structure. In each stanza, the first three lines consist of vocative feminine epithets ending in short -i or -e (such as sundari, madhavi, sahodari, hemamaye, mokshapradayini, vedanute), while the fourth line delivers the unchanging devotional invocation Jaya jaya he Madhusudana kamini followed by the specific Ashtalakshmi name and paripalaya mam or sada palaya mam. Pausing lightly at the midpoint of each line keeps the breath steady and prevents slurring the consonant clusters in stanza 8 (dhimidhimi dhindhimi and ghumaghuma ghanghuma).

For a household Friday, Diwali or Varalakshmi Vrat observance, place a clean lamp before the Lakshmi image or kalasha, offer eight pinches of kumkuma or eight flower petals one by one at the end of each stanza as the corresponding form (Adi through Dhana Lakshmi) is named, and conclude with a quiet prayer for ethical livelihood, learning and family harmony.

Continue reading

Explore the connected scripture, iconography and practice guides below. Each article examines a dedicated topic so you can study individual symbols, hymns and ritual sequences in their proper context.

• Goddess Lakshmi: Symbols, Sri Suktam and Worship
• Varalakshmi Vrat Significance and Story
• Varalakshmi Puja Vidhi Step-by-Step Guide

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to common reader questions.