Lakshmi is the goddess of abundance and prosperity in Hinduism. She is the second half of Lord Vishnu and the mother of Lord Ganesha. This happens when Devi Parvati hands over Lord Ganesha to Lakshmi after promising that she’ll share every accomplishment with his son. This is the reason why they stay together as Ganesh Laxmi murti, which is a popular idol for prayers on special occasions in a Hindu family.
In our Vedas and religious books, there are various techniques and rituals to invoke her in a Lakshmi Murti to attract wealth and happiness. This blog is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and covers important rituals, mantras, and festivals related to her.
Goddess Lakshmi: Divine Symbol of Wealth
Mata Lakshmi is the representative of beauty, fertility, fortune, prosperity, and power in Hinduism. She forms Tridevi along with Saraswati and Parvati, represented as ‘Shri’ (a Sanskrit word that means ‘Noble’). The origin of the divine Lakshmi is said to be from the Milky Ocean, according to Hindu mythology, which is an important event, and both gods and demons were part of this. Later, she married Lord Vishnu and became the supreme goddess to help him manage the entire universe.
Lakshmi exhibits Indian culture and has always been seen in elegant red sarees with golden touches, which present prosperity. She can be either seen standing or sitting on a lotus, and among all her manifestations, Astha Lakshmi is the most prominent, demonstrating eight sources of wealth. The word Lakshmi is found in the Rigveda, an ancient Sanskrit scripture, which translates to this word as ‘kindred mark, sign of auspicious fortune’.
Regional Significance of the Ritual of Laxmi Puja:
Laxmi Puja is a flexible and adaptable ritual that can be found in many Indian regions, taking on different forms and customs. Every area celebrates the goddess’s presence in a different way. In some parts of North India, the ritual may include grand processions and a public display of devotion. The worship of Mahalakshmi is entwined with a number of local traditions in South India.
The Bengali community celebrates Lakshmi Puja as a part of their larger Durga Puja festival. These regional differences represent the rich tapestry of Indian culture and traditions in addition to enhancing the ritual’s diversity. Hindu communities around the world observe this ritual with equal devotion. Laxmi Puja is an important part of the religious and cultural calendars of many Hindu-populated countries in Southeast Asia, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, and other countries.
Mantras for Laxmi Invocation:
Mantras are used to invoke the divine presence of Goddess Lakshmi in Murti. From various Vedas, Upnishads, Puranas, and ancient epics, different mantras and slokas are found with their own individual significance. Here are few of the most popular mantras to invoke Lakshmi–
- Om Shreem Maha Lakshmiyei Namaha (ॐ श्रीं महा लक्ष्मीये नमः),
- Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed (ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं कमले कमलये प्रसीद प्रसीद),
- Om Hreem Shreem Kleem Maha Lakshmi Namaha (ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं क्लीं महा लक्ष्म्यै नमः),
- Om Shreeng Hreeng Kleeng Mahalakshmi Namaha (ॐ श्रीङ ह्रीङ क्लीङ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः),
- Om Maha Deyvicha Vidmahay Vishnupatnyicha Dheemahi Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat (ॐ महा देयविच विद्महाय विष्णुपत्न्यिच धीमहि तन्नो लक्ष्मी प्रचोदयात्),
- Om Shreem Maha Lakshmiyei Swaha (ॐ श्रीं महा लक्ष्मीये स्वाहा),
- Om Aing Hreeng Shreeng Kleeng Hasauh Jagatprasootyai Namah (ॐ ऐङ ह्रीङ श्रीङ क्लीङ हसौह जगतप्रसूत्यै नमः)
Step-by-Step Laxmi Puja Procedure:
Praying to Lord Lakshmi with these mantras and pujas requires a set of procedures. According to Hindu tradition and culture, here is a step-by-step process for worshiping the goddess –
- Puja Preparation: Before starting the Laxmi puja, clean and purify the area. Take a holy bath for yourself. Collect all the required Puja Samagri, such as Lakshmi Murti (Ganesh Laxmi murti in case it’s Diwali), flowers (Red flowers are favorites of Goodess), diyas (Lamps), etc.
- Divine Invocation in Murti: Based on the occasion or your manifestation, select mantras to chant and start prayer to invoke the presence of the mother of wealth and prosperity. Offer water (Jal), a flower, and incense to the deity.
- Aarti and Prayers: Lit the lamp (Diyas) and start performing aarti by waving the lamp in a circular motion in front of the goddess’s idol. Sing or play Aarti songs during this time. After aarti, express your devotion to the goddess and take her blessings to attract prosperity and well-being.
- Prasaad Distribution: After the puja is completed, distribute the blessed offerings (Prasaad) to family members, friends, and guests. Conclude the puja by giving thanks to Goddess Lakshmi for her presence and blessings. Spend some time in quiet meditation and manifest your wishes.
Tips for Vastu-friendly Laxmi Murti in the Home:
Vastu Shastra is an ancient Vedic text focusing on the science of architecture and energy. According to the Vastu Shastra, here are a few tips to follow when choosing Laxmi murti at home to attract maximum energy and the blessing of the goddess –
- Never place Lakshmi murti in the south direction; it attracts financial scarcity.
- Prefer Lakshmi Murti, in which she is in a standing position; otherwise, you’ll not get full blessings.
- Always place Lakshmi murti in the north direction or Ishan angle at home.
- Avoid Lakshmi when she is on her owl. This transformation shows a playful nature.
- Never place more than one murti of the goddess in a home; also, never place the idol against the wall with no space.
Conclusion:
As the representation of wealth, abundance, and divine grace, Goddess Lakshmi is the goddess of prosperity and mother to Lord Ganesha. The revered Ganesh Lakshmi Murti symbolizes their sacred connection, often adorning Hindu homes during special occasions. Guided by ancient Vedic texts, rituals, and mantras, devotees seek to welcome Goddess Lakshmi into their lives. Laxmi Puja, celebrated diversely across India and in Hindu communities worldwide, underscores the global resonance of the goddess’s blessings. The significance of mantras in Laxmi Puja cannot be overstated, offering a spiritual conduit to prosperity. Furthermore, Vastu Shastra imparts wisdom on selecting a Vastu-friendly Laxmi Murti in the home, recognizing the importance of positioning, direction, and attributes in attracting positive energy and divine blessings.
