108 Names of Lakshmiलक्ष्मी जी के 108 नाम

The Shri Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali (श्रीलक्ष्म्यष्टोत्तरशतनामावली) is a garland of 108 sacred names of Goddess Lakshmi. "Ashtottara shata" means one hundred and eight, and "namavali" means a row of names. Each name praises one quality or form of the goddess: her birth from the ocean of milk, her love of the lotus, her place on the chest of Lord Vishnu, her compassion, and her power to remove poverty and sorrow. The list begins with "Om Prakrityai Namah" and ends with "Om Bhuvaneshvaryai Namah".

In the namavali, each name is set in the dative case and framed as a short mantra: "Om", the name, then "Namah", meaning "salutations to". So "Padma" becomes "Om Padmayai Namah", "salutations to Padma". Devotees chant these names on Fridays, during Diwali Lakshmi Puja, on Sharad Purnima and as part of the Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat puja, often offering a flower, a pinch of kumkum or a few grains of akshat (unbroken rice) at each name.

How to chant the 108 names

1. Bathe, wear clean clothes and sit before a picture or image of Maa Lakshmi with a lit ghee diya and incense.
2. Keep a plate of red flowers, lotus petals, kumkum or akshat within reach.
3. Begin with a short prayer to the goddess, such as the verse given below.
4. Chant each line clearly, "Om ... Namah", and offer a flower, a pinch of kumkum or a few grains of akshat as you complete each name.
5. Go through all 108 names in order. A mala of 108 beads helps if you lose count.
6. End with a prayer for forgiveness of any mistakes, then do the aarti and share the prasad.

A traditional opening verse often recited before the names:

Meaning: "O goddess who dwells in the lotus and holds a lotus in your hand, shining in the purest white garments, fragrant sandal and garlands; O blessed one, beloved of Hari, delight of the heart, giver of prosperity to the three worlds, be gracious to me."

Devotees believe that sincere devotion matters more than perfect pronunciation, so beginners can start slowly with the transliteration. You will notice that two names, Diptayai and Devyai, appear twice; this is how the traditional list has them, and each is chanted again at its place. Printed versions differ in a few names (for example, some read Kshamayai for Kamakshyai, Krodhasambhavayai for Kshirodasambhavayai, or Anugrahapradayai for Anugrahaparayai); the list below follows a common reading.

108 names of Lakshmi with meaning (1 to 54)

108 names of Lakshmi with meaning (55 to 108)

What the names tell us about Lakshmi

Read together, the 108 names paint a full portrait of the goddess. Many names are built around the lotus (Padma, Padmalaya, Padmakshi, Padmamukhi, Padmagandhini), the flower that rises clean from muddy water and is her constant symbol. Others recall her birth from the churning of the ocean of milk (Kshirodasambhava, Samudratanaya, Chandrasahodari) and her bond with Vishnu (Harivallabha, Vishnupatni, Padmanabhapriya). Names such as Vidya, Buddhi, Shraddha, Karuna and Shanti show that the tradition sees her as the source of knowledge, faith, compassion and peace, not of money alone. The closing names identify her with Navadurga, Mahakali and Bhuvaneshvari, expressing the belief that all forms of the Mother are one.

Many devotees also chant the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam or the Shri Suktam along with the names. On the vrat Friday, a simple order is: puja, katha, the vrat mantra, the 108 names, and then the aarti.