domingo, 3 de enero de 2010

Prayers to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune

Fotos de

Scenes from the "Annakut" festival, Go Puja (worship of Mother Cow -- "go maataa"), and Srila Prabhupada's disappearance day observance here at ISKCON Baroda (Annakut was observed on October 19).

Annakut, Go Puja, & SP Tirobhav @ ISKCON Baroda

Prayers to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune

These are Prayers to all of the qualities of the Goddess and the blessings that She gives.

The First is the Lakshmi-Stuti, from Vishnu Purana, 7.9.116-138,

The Second is the Sri Suktam.

This Stuti eulogy of Lakshmi, which was spoken by Lord Indra, is the source of all opulence. In this world, poverty never dwells among those who recite this stuti daily.

indra uvacha

namasye sarva-lokanam

jananim abja-sambhavam

Shriyam unnidra-padmaksim

vishnor vakshah-sthala-sthitam

Indra [the demigod king of heaven] said, "I offer my obeisances unto the lotus-born mother of all beings, unto Sri [the Goddess of fortune], having full-blown lotus-like eyes, and reposing in the bosom of Vishnu."

padmalayam padmakaram

padma patra-nibheksanam

vande padma-mukhim devim

padma-nabha-priyam aham

"I offer my obeisances unto the Goddess who is the abode of lotuses, who holds the lotus, whose eyes resemble the petals of a lotus, whose face is a lotus, and who is dear to the Lord who has a lotus navel."

tvam siddhis tvam svadha svaha

sudha tvam loka-pavani

sandhya ratrihi prabha bhutir

medha sraddha sarasvati

"You are siddhi, nectar, Svaha and Svadha, O purifier of the worlds. You are twilight, night, effulgence, opulence, intelligence, faith and Sarasvati."

yajna-vidya maha-vidya

guhya-vidya cha shobhane

atma-vidya cha devi tvam

vimukti-phala-dayini

"You are the knowledge of sacrifice, the worship of the universal form, and occult learning, O beauteous one. You are the knowledge of Brahman, O goddess, and the bestower of the fruit of liberation."

anvikshiki trayi varta

danda-nitis tvam eva cha

saumyasaumyair jagad rupais

tvayaitad devi puritam

"You are the science of dialectics, the three Vedas, Varta, the knowledge of chastisement. O goddess, this universe is filled with your gentle and terrifying forms."

ka tv anya tvam rte devi

sarva-yajna-mayam vapuhu

adhyaste deva-devasya

yogi cintyam gada-bhritaha

"O goddess, who except you can dwell in the person of that God of gods, who consists of all forbearance, the bearer of the mace, who is contemplated by the yogis?"

tvayi devi parityaktam

sakalam bhuvana-trayam

vinashta-prayam abhavat

tvaye danim samedhitam

"O goddess, the three worlds, having been abandoned by you, were on the verge of destruction--because of you, they have again recovered their position."

dara-putras tatha garam

suhrid-dhanya dhanadikam

bhavaty etan maha-bhage

nityam tvad-vikshanam nrinam

"O exalted one, men are endowed with wives, sons, houses, friends, grain and wealth due to your constant glance."

sharirarogyam aishvaryam

ari-paksa-ksayam sukham

devi-tvad-drishti-drishtanam

purushanam na durlabham

"O goddess, freedom from bodily ailments, riches, destruction of enemies, and happiness are not difficult to attain for persons who view your glances."

tvam mata sarva-bhutanam

deva-devo harih pita

tvayaitad vishnuma chadya

jagad vyaptam-characharam

"You are the mother of all creatures, as that God of gods, Hari, is their father. And this universe, consisting of moving and nonmoving entities, is presently permeated by you, as well as Vishnu."

ma nah kosham tatha goshtham

ma griham ma paricchadam

ma sariram kalatram cha

tyajethaha sarva-pavani

"O purifier of all, if you forsake us, neither our treasures, nor our cows, nor our houses, nor our possessions, nor our bodies, nor our wives, are secure."

ma putram ma suhrid-vargam

ma pashun ma vibhushanam

tyajetha mama devasya

vishnor vaksah-sthalalaye

"O you whose abode is the chest of Vishnu, if you forsake me, neither sons, nor friends, nor animals, nor ornaments can be mine."

sattvena satya-shaucabhyam

chatha shiladibhir gunaih

tyajante te narah sadyaha

sansyakto ye tvayamale

"O spotless one, men who are forsaken by you are also forsaken by goodness, truth, purity, good character and other virtues."

tvayavico kitah sadyaha

shiladyair akhilair gunaih

kulaishvaryaish cha muhyante

purusha nirguna api

"And those who are glanced upon by you, although devoid of any good qualities, are infatuated by all good qualities, such as good character, lineage, wealth, etc."

sa shlaghyah sa guni dhanyaha

sa kulinaha sa biddhinam

sa shurah sa cha vikranto

yas tvaya devi vikshitaha

"O goddess, he who is glanced upon by you, is praiseworthy, accomplished, fortunate, intelligent, high-born, heroic and possessed of power."

sadyo vaingunyam ayanti

shiladyah sakala gunaha

paranmukhi jaga-dhatri

yasya tvam vishnu-vallabhe

"O nurse of the universe, O beloved of Vishnu, all virtues, character, etc., immediately abandon him from whom you turn away."

na te varnayitum shakta

gunan jihvapi vedhasaha

prasida devi padmakshi

masmams tyakshih kadachana

"Even the tongue of Brahma is incapable of describing your qualities. O lotus-eyed one, be auspicious unto me. Please do not abandon me."

[Thus ends the Lakshmi-stuti]

Sri [the Goddess of Fortune] said: "I shall never turn my face from one who praises me every morning and evening with this hymn."

SRI SUKTAM

Om Hiranya Varnam Harineem

Survanam Rajatas Rajam

Chandraam Hiranmayim

LakshmeEm Jatavedo Mamaavaha

Sloka 1

O all-knowing fire-god (Agni), would you kindly propitiate Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity, one whose body has the golden color; one who is decked with gold and silver garlands; one whose sari is yellow colored and one Whose face is like the full moon and whose eyes bless humanity with soothing grace. O Jata Veda, the fire-god, kindly tell Her of our supplications.

Taamma Aavaha Jaatavedo

LakshmeEm Ananpagammineem

Yasyaam Hiranmyam Vindeyam

Gaam-Asvam Purusham-Aham

Sloka 2

O, Agni, the great fire-god, with the blessings of Mahalakshmi, wealth and prosperity, gold and cattle, horses and useful animals, family and children and every type of prosperity will come to me. By the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi in my home, the prosperity will be imperishable. Health, friends, knowledge, everlasting peace and finally freedom -- all these types of wealth will be mine by the arrival of the Universal Mother, Lakshmi, into my home.

Aswa-Poorvaam Ratha-MadhyaAm

Hastinaada Prabhodineem

Sriyam Deveem-Upahvahe

Sreemaa Devirjushataam

Sloka 3

That Goddess Lakshmi in whose procession the celestial horses and the divine chariots are used, as the elephants roar the OM sound which pleases that Goddess. She being Gajalakshmi or Lakshmi Who is worshiped by the elephants. O Agni, I am invoking that power, the spouse of Vishnu. May I attain Her grace.

Kaamsosmkitaam Hiranya PraakaaraamAardraam

Jvalenteem Truptaam Tarpayantim

Padmastitaam PadmavarnaAm

Taamihopahvaye Sriyam

Sloka 4

One Who is sitting on the blossomed thousand-petalled lotus; one whose body has the color of the lotus; may that great Goddess. The compassionate, radiant, ever-smiling, fulfiller of all the desires of Her votaries, hear my prayers. I invoke that Mother, Mahalakshmi of golden color.

Candraamprabhassaam Yasasaajvalantim

Sriyamloke Devajustamudharam

Tam Padmineemim Saranamaham

Prapadye Alakshmeerye

Nasyatam twaam vrine

Sloka 5

I invoke Mahalakshmi Who shines like the full moon and like lightening. Her fame is all-pervading. Denizens of heaven constantly worship Her. She is minificent. Her benevolent hands are like lotuses. I take refuge in Her lotus feet. Let Her destroy my poverty forever. O Mother Mahalakshmi, I take shelter at Your lotus feet.

Aadityavarne TapasodhijaatoO

Vanaspatistava Vrikshothabilvaha

Tasya Phalaani Tapassaanudantu

Maayaantaraayaastcha Baahyaa Alakshmehim

Sloka 6

O Universal Mother, shining like the sun, it is through Your penance that the holiest trees of Bilva and Tulasi are born. They symbolize the tree of life. The fruit of that tree of life removes our poverty from both within and without. In other words, bless us with inner light and outer independence and abundance.

Upaitumaam Devasakhaha

Keertishtcha Maninaa Saham

Praddour-booto smit rastresmin

Keerthimrudhim dadaatume

Sloka 7

O Devi, the great Goddess, with Your blessings let Kubera, the treasurer of the gods; his friend, Manibhadra, the protector of wealth, and Keerti, the goddess of fame who was the daughter of Daksha Prajapati.

Ksutipaasaamalaam JyesthaAm

Alakshreem naasayaamyaham

Abhootimasamriddhim cha

Sarvadh Nirmuda me grihaat

Sloka 8

That goddess of hunger and thirst, one who is reduced to a skeleton; I would like the death of the goddess of poverty. O Mahalakshmi, may You kindly drive away any fear of poverty and inauspiciousness from my home. In other words, bless me always with abundance and joy.

Gandhadvaraam duradharshaam

Nitya Pushtaam Karishineem

Eesvareehim sarvabhoottaanaam

Taamihopahvaye Sriyam

Sloka 9

I invoke that supreme Goddess Lakshmi to dwell in my home forever. She is the supreme power of protection and Goddess of all the universes and cosmic elements. She is Mother Earth, the bestower of great contentment. Her blessings are bringing us the fragrance of the sandalwood paste. May that Ishwari be ever present in me.

Manashaha-Kaamamaakootim

Vaachasatya masheemahi

Pashoonam Roopamanasya

Mayi Sreesrayataam Yasaha

Sloka 10

May Mahalakshmi fulfill all my desires. May I attain perfection. May my words come true. May I be bestowed with cattle, wealth, food, milk and honey to share with all. May that Sri Devi come to my home in the form of undying fame.

Kardhamena Prajaabhuttaa Mayi

Sambhava Kardhamam

Sriyam Vaasayame KuleE

Maataram Padma maalineem

Sloka 11

We are the progeny of our forefather, Sage Kardama, who is one of the sons of Goddess Lakshmi. We invoke that Sage Kardama to install in his family the Universal Mother, Mahalakshmi, who is decked with the garland of lotuses. So be it.

Apahasrujantu Snigdhaani Chikleeta

Vasa Me Gruhe

Nicha deveem MaatarahamM Sriyam

Vaasaya Me Kule

Sloka 12

We invoke another son of Lakshmi named Chikleeta. May he dwell in our home and may his mother, Mahalakshmi, dwell in our family.

Ardraam Pushkarineem Pushtim

Pingalaam Padmamalineem

Chandramm Hirnamayeem LakshmeEm

Jaatavedo Mamaavaha

Sloka 13

O Agni, may You propitiate Mahalakshmi, the destroyer of demons but merciful to Her devotees, abode of auspiciousness, bestower of total protection, extraordinarily beautiful, bedecked with valuable ornaments, shining like a thousand suns; may that Hiranmayi, the golden colored Goddess, be pleased with us.

Ardraam Yah-Karineem yastiIm

Survarnaam Hemamaalineem

Sooruyamm Hirnamayeem LakshmeEm

Jaatavedo Mamaavaha

Sloka 14

O Agni, the fire-god, I once again pray unto you to invoke the presence of the Lakshmi Devi with us. The Mother Who is merciful blessings with Her lotus hand. May that yellow-clad, lotus-garlanded, moon-faced Goddess shower Her choicest cup of blessings upon us.

Taama Aavaah JaatavedoO

Lakshmmeemanapa-gamineem

Yasyam Hiranyam Prabhootam Gaavo

Daasyoshvam Vindeyam Purushanaham

Sloka 15

O Agni, please pray to that Lakshmi that we should be blessed with inexhaustible wealth. May that wealth bring that greatest joy and peace along with all material comforts of cows, servants, horses, family and good children, and the highest of all, freedom.

Om Mahalakshmi cha Vidmahe Vishnu

Patnyaicha Dhimahi

Taano LakshmihiprachodayaAta

Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi

Sloka 16

Let that Mahalakshmi be invoked on Whom I meditate upon, Who is the consort of Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Mother. Let peace prevail everywhere.

[These prayers are available at www.stephen-knapp.com]