Vaibhav Lakshmi Mantraवैभव लक्ष्मी मंत्र

Mantras are at the heart of the Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat. In the popular booklet tradition, the devotee recites one particular Sanskrit verse to Goddess Lakshmi on every vrat Friday, after reading the katha and before the aarti. Alongside it, many devotees chant short Lakshmi mantras, the Lakshmi Gayatri and the beej (seed) syllable "Shreem".

This page gives each mantra in Devanagari, a simple Roman transliteration, its meaning in plain English, and notes on how and when it is usually chanted. Meanings are given to help understanding; the mantra itself is chanted in Sanskrit.

The Vaibhav Lakshmi vrat mantra

This verse is printed in the Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat Katha booklet and is recited during the Friday puja, with folded hands, while looking at the picture of the goddess. It is a dhyana verse: it describes the form of Lakshmi so that the mind can rest on her.

Transliteration

Meaning

She who dwells on the red lotus, who is full of grace and shines with the brilliance of the blazing sun; she who is rosy in colour and dressed in red, the companion of Hari (Vishnu), Shri who gladdens the heart; she who appeared from the churning of the ocean, the treasure-house of jewels, and became the consort of Vishnu: may that lovely goddess, Bhagavati Lakshmi, Padmavati (the lotus-born), protect me.

The verse sums up the main images of Lakshmi: the lotus, the colour red, her radiance, her place beside Vishnu and her birth from the ocean of milk. That is why the booklet tradition asks devotees to dress the chowki in red and offer red flowers (see vrat vidhi).

Lakshmi Gayatri mantra

Transliteration: Om Shri Mahalakshmyai cha vidmahe, Vishnupatnyai cha dhimahi, tanno Lakshmih prachodayat.

Meaning: We come to know Mahalakshmi and meditate on the consort of Vishnu; may that Lakshmi inspire and guide us. Like every Gayatri, it is a prayer for clear understanding as much as for blessing. The same line appears near the end of the longer recitations of the Shri Suktam.

Lakshmi beej mantra and short mantras

A beej (seed) mantra is a single syllable believed to hold the essence of a deity. For Lakshmi the beej is "श्रीं" (Shreem). It is usually chanted inside a short mantra rather than alone.

• Om Shreem Shriyai Namah: "Om, Shreem, salutations to Shri (Lakshmi)." The simplest and most widely used Lakshmi mantra, suitable for anyone.
• Om Mahalakshmyai Namah: "Om, salutations to the great Lakshmi." Often used when offering flowers, kumkum or akshat during the puja.
• Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Prasida Prasida, Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah: "O Kamala, who dwells in the lotus, be gracious, be gracious; salutations to Mahalakshmi." This longer Mahalakshmi mantra is popular for daily japa; its wording varies slightly between sources.

Other verses commonly recited to Lakshmi

These two verses come from the traditional recitation of the Shri Suktam and are often used as a short morning or evening prayer.

Transliteration: Sarasija-nilaye saroja-haste dhavalataramshuka-gandha-malya-shobhe, Bhagavati Harivallabhe manojne tribhuvana-bhutikari prasida mahyam. Vishnupatnim kshamam devim Madhavim Madhavapriyam, Vishnoh priyasakhim devim namamy Achyutavallabham.

Meaning: O goddess who dwells in the lotus and holds a lotus in her hand, adorned with the whitest garments, fragrance and garlands; O beloved of Hari, charming one, who brings prosperity to the three worlds, be gracious to me. I bow to the goddess who is the wife of Vishnu, patient as the earth, Madhavi, dear to Madhava, the beloved friend of Vishnu, the darling of Achyuta.

How to chant Lakshmi mantras

1. Bathe and wear clean clothes. Sit facing east or north on a clean mat, in front of the picture of Maa Lakshmi or the Shri Yantra.
2. Light a ghee diya. Take a moment to settle the breath and mind.
3. For the vrat mantra, fold your hands and recite the verse once (some recite it three times) with attention on its meaning.
4. For japa of a short mantra, use a mala of 108 beads. Lotus-seed (kamalgatta), crystal (sphatik) and tulsi malas are traditionally used for Lakshmi; any clean mala is acceptable. One round of 108 is the common count.
5. Chant clearly, either aloud, in a whisper or mentally. Tradition holds that steady, unhurried chanting with attention matters more than speed.
6. Finish with a bow and the Lakshmi aarti if you are doing a full puja.

When to chant

• Vrat mantra: on each vrat Friday, during the evening puja after the katha, and on the udyapan day.
• Short mantras and Gayatri: on Fridays, on Diwali, Dhanteras and Sharad Purnima, and daily as a personal practice, morning or evening.
• Many devotees chant at dusk, the time when the vrat puja is usually done, while the lamp is lit.

Devotees believe that sincere chanting brings peace of mind and the goddess's blessings. Mantras are a spiritual practice and are not a replacement for honest work, sound financial decisions or professional advice.

Frequently asked questions