Lakshmi Chalisa — Complete with Meaning

The Goddess of the Lotus

Lakshmi — the divine mother of wealth, beauty, grace, and good fortune — is among the most beloved deities in the Hindu pantheon. She emerged from the churning of the cosmic ocean (samudra manthan), seated on a lotus, holding a lotus, and showering gold coins from her hands. Every home that honours the Divine hopes that Lakshmi will cross its threshold and dwell within.

The Lakshmi Chalisa addresses her in all her forms — Mahalakshmi the great goddess, Annapurna the provider of food, Saraswati the bestower of wisdom, the beloved of Vishnu and the power that sustains creation.

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दोहा — Opening Doha

मातु लक्ष्मी करि कृपा, करो हृदय में वास ।
मनोकामना सिद्ध कर, पुरवहु मेरी आस ॥

Matu Lakshmi Kari Kripa, Karo Hriday Mein Vaas. Manokamna Siddh Kar, Puravahu Meri Aas.

O Mother Lakshmi, show your grace and make your home in my heart. Fulfil my heart’s desire and complete my hope.

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चौपाई — The Forty Verses

Verse 1

सिन्धु सुता मैं सुमिरों तोही । ज्ञान बुद्धि विद्या दे मोही ॥

Sindhu Suta Main Sumiroon Tohi. Gyan Buddhi Vidya De Mohi.

O Daughter of the Ocean, I remember and call upon you. Give me knowledge, intelligence, and learning.

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Verse 2

तुम समान नहिं कोई उपकारी । सब विधि पूर्ण करो मम आरी ॥

Tum Samaan Nahin Koi Upakaari. Sab Vidhi Poorn Karo Mam Aari.

None is as beneficent as you. In every way, fulfil what I lack and complete my life.

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Verse 3

जय जय जय लक्ष्मी भवानी । सब की तुम हो पालनहारी ॥

Jai Jai Jai Lakshmi Bhavaani. Sab Ki Tum Ho Palanhaaree.

Victory, victory, victory to Lakshmi Bhavani! You are the sustainer of all.

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Verse 4

जय जय जय लक्ष्मी दयानी । दुख को दूर करन वाली ॥

Jai Jai Jai Lakshmi Dayani. Dukh Ko Door Karan Waali.

Victory, victory, victory to compassionate Lakshmi, who removes all sorrow.

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Verse 5

विष्णु प्रिया प्रणवों हम तोही । जग जननी तुमको नमो ॥

Vishnu Priya Pranavon Hum Tohi. Jag Janani Tumko Namo.

O beloved of Vishnu, I bow before you with Om. O Mother of the Universe, I salute you.

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Verse 6

पद्मासना पद्म धारिणी । सत्य वचन की ही पालिनी ॥

Padmaasana Padma Dhaarini. Satya Vachan Ki Hi Paalini.

You are seated on the lotus and you bear the lotus. You are the upholder of truth in word and deed.

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Verse 7

नाम अनेक तेरे अम्बे माई । कहाँ लगि कहूँ महिमा तेरी ॥

Naam Anek Tere Ambe Maai. Kahan Lagi Kahoon Mahima Teri.

You have countless names, O Mother Ambe! How far can I go in describing your glory?

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Verse 8

सरस्वती लक्ष्मी महाकाली । तुम्हीं दुर्गा तुम्हीं भवानी ॥

Saraswati Lakshmi Mahakali. Tumhin Durga Tumhin Bhavaani.

You are Saraswati, you are Lakshmi, you are Mahakali. You are Durga, you are Bhavani — one Goddess, many forms.

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Verse 9

सुन्दर रूप मनोहर तेरो । अर्ध शरीर शिव के नेरो ॥

Sundar Roop Manohar Tero. Ardh Sharir Shiv Ke Nero.

Your beautiful form enchants the mind. As the left half of Shiva’s body, you are ever near him.

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Verse 10

जग पालन को जन्म लीयो है । माता रूप जग को दीयो है ॥

Jag Palan Ko Janma Liyo Hai. Mata Roop Jag Ko Diyo Hai.

You have taken birth to sustain the world. You have given the world the form of the Mother.

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Verse 11

नित नित रूप बदलत तेरो । माया रूप सदा अँधेरो ॥

Nit Nit Roop Badlat Tero. Maya Roop Sada Andhero.

Your forms change constantly — yet in your maya (divine illusion) there is always a veil of mystery.

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Verse 12

भव सागर अति कठिन है माई । तुम बिन कौन करे सहाई ॥

Bhav Sagar Ati Kathin Hai Maai. Tum Bin Kaun Kare Sahaaee.

The ocean of worldly existence is very difficult to cross, O Mother. Without you, who can help?

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Verse 13

दीनन की तुम हो रखवारी । क्षमा करो अपराध हमारी ॥

Deenan Ki Tum Ho Rakhwaari. Kshama Karo Apraadh Hamaari.

You are the guardian of the humble and poor. Please forgive our transgressions.

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Verse 14

मातु मुझे इतना वर दीजो । त्वरित दर्श आकर मुझे दीजो ॥

Matu Mujhe Itna Var Deejo. Tvrit Darsh Aakar Mujhe Deejo.

O Mother, grant me this one boon — come quickly and show me your vision.

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Verse 15

मोहि न भावे विषय विकारा । निज पद भक्ति दे एक बारा ॥

Mohi Na Bhaave Vishay Vikaara. Nij Pad Bhakti De Ek Baara.

Worldly pleasures and distortions do not appeal to me. Grant me just once the devotion to your own feet.

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Verse 16

तुम्हरी भक्ति सुख दायिनी है । तुम्हरी शक्ति मुक्ति दायिनी है ॥

Tumhaari Bhakti Sukh Daayini Hai. Tumhaari Shakti Mukti Daayini Hai.

Your devotion is the giver of happiness. Your power is the giver of liberation.

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Verse 17

चाहत नहीं राज पद माता । चाहत बस तव शुभ वर दाता ॥

Chaahat Nahin Raaj Pad Mata. Chaahat Bas Tav Shubh Var Daata.

I do not desire a kingdom or high position, O Mother. I only desire your auspicious blessing.

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Verse 18

देहु कृपा करि मातु भवानी । दुख दारिद्र हरो महारानी ॥

Dehu Kripa Kari Matu Bhavaani. Dukh Daaridr Haro Mahaaraani.

Show your grace, O Mother Bhavani! Remove sorrow and poverty, O Great Queen.

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Verse 19 — The Promise

लक्ष्मी चालीसा पाठ जो गावे । वह लक्ष्मी की कृपा पावे ॥
धन धान्य बढ़े घर माहीं । लक्ष्मी माता की कृपा से ॥

Lakshmi Chalisa Path Jo Gaave. Vah Lakshmi Ki Kripa Paave. Dhan Dhanya Badhe Ghar Maahin. Lakshmi Mata Ki Kripa Se.

Whoever reads or sings the Lakshmi Chalisa receives the grace of Lakshmi. Wealth and grain increase in the home by Mother Lakshmi’s grace.

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दोहा — Closing Doha

लक्ष्मी पूजन कीजिए, कीजिए हर व्रत नेम ।
सदा रहे सुख सम्पदा, माता करे प्रेम ॥

Lakshmi Poojan Keejiye, Keejiye Har Vrat Nem. Sada Rahe Sukh Sampada, Mata Kare Prem.

Worship Lakshmi, observe every vrat and discipline. May happiness and prosperity always remain, as the Mother shows her love.

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How to Recite the Lakshmi Chalisa

Goddess Lakshmi is traditionally worshipped on:

• Fridays — her special day each week
• Diwali — the greatest Lakshmi puja of the year, on the night of the new moon in Kartik month
• Sharad Purnima — the full moon of autumn, when Lakshmi descends to earth
• Kojagari (Kojagara Purnima) — the night Lakshmi walks the earth asking “Ko jagarti?” (Who is awake?)

For puja preparation:

• Clean and decorate the home
• Draw a rangoli at the threshold (Lakshmi enters auspicious, clean homes)
• Light a ghee diya — Lakshmi loves light
• Offer lotus flowers or any yellow or pink flowers
• Offer sweets, fruits, and rice (Lakshmi is Annapurna — the food goddess)

The Chalisa may be recited after the puja, while the lamp is still burning. Sit facing east, recite with a steady heart, and place your palms in anjali (prayer position) at the close.

Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah.