Goddess Lakshmi, the divine consort of Lord Vishnu, is revered as the embodiment of wealth, prosperity, and fortune in Hinduism. She plays a pivotal role in the spiritual and material well-being of her devotees. One of the most sacred practices in honoring her is the chanting of her 108 names, each reflecting a unique attribute of the goddess. This article delves into the significance of these names and how they can enrich your spiritual journey.
The 108 Names of Lakshmi
Each of the 108 names of Goddess Lakshmi encapsulates her various qualities and blessings she bestows upon her devotees. While it’s not feasible to list all the names here, we will explore some of the most significant ones:
Sanskrit Name | English Name | Paraphrased Meaning |
ॐ प्रकृत्यै नमः। | Om Prakrityai Namah। | Essence of Nature. |
ॐ विकृत्यै नमः। | Om Vikrityai Namah। | One with Diverse Forms. |
ॐ विद्यायै नमः। | Om Vidyayai Namah। | Goddess of Knowledge. |
ॐ सर्वभूतहितप्रदायै नमः। | Om Sarvabhutahitapradayai Namah। | Benefactor of All Beings. |
ॐ श्रद्धायै नमः। | Om Shraddhayai Namah। | Embodiment of Devotion. |
ॐ विभूत्यै नमः। | Om Vibhutyai Namah। | Source of Prosperity. |
ॐ सुरभ्यै नमः। | Om Surabhyai Namah। | Divine Being. |
ॐ परमात्मिकायै नमः। | Om Paramatmikayai Namah। | Supreme Soul. |
ॐ वाचे नमः। | Om Vache Namah। | Voice Sweet as Nectar. |
ॐ पद्मालयायै नमः। | Om Padmalayayai Namah। | One Who Resides on the Lotus. |
ॐ पद्मायै नमः। | Om Padmayai Namah। | Lotus-Hued One. |
ॐ शुचये नमः। | Om Shuchaye Namah। | Personification of Purity. |
ॐ स्वाहायै नमः। | Om Swahayai Namah। | Goddess of Sacred Offerings. |
ॐ स्वधायै नमः। | Om Swadhayai Namah। | Form of Swadha Devi. |
ॐ सुधायै नमः। | Om Sudhayai Namah। | Divine Nectar. |
ॐ धन्यायै नमः। | Om Dhanyayai Namah। | Embodiment of Gratitude. |
ॐ हिरण्मय्यै नमः। | Om Hiranmayyai Namah। | Golden-Complexioned One. |
ॐ लक्ष्म्यै नमः। | Om Lakshmyai Namah। | Goddess of Wealth. |
ॐ नित्यपुष्टायै नमः। | Om NityaPushtayai Namah। | Ever-Nourishing One. |
ॐ विभावर्यै नमः। | Om Vibhavaryai Namah। | Radiant Goddess. |
ॐ अदित्यै नमः। | Om Adityai Namah। | Bright as the Sun. |
ॐ दित्ये नमः। | Om Dityai Namah। | Answerer of Prayers. |
ॐ दीपायै नमः। | Om Dipayai Namah। | Flame-Like One. |
ॐ वसुधायै नमः। | Om Vasudhayai Namah। | Earth Goddess. |
ॐ वसुधारिण्यै नमः। | Om Vasudharinyai Namah। | Bearer of the World. |
ॐ कमलायै नमः। | Om Kamalayai Namah। | Lotus-Born One. |
ॐ कान्तायै नमः। | Om Kantayai Namah। | Enchanting Goddess. |
ॐ कामाक्ष्यै नमः। | Om Kamakshyai Namah। | Goddess with Beautiful Eyes. |
ॐ क्ष्रीरोधसंभवाम् नमः। | Om Kshirodhasambhavam Namah। | One Born from the Milky Ocean. |
ॐ अनुग्रहप्रदायै नमः। | Om Anugrahapradayai Namah। | Granter of Blessings. |
ॐ बुद्धये नमः। | Om Buddhaye Namah। | Embodiment of Wisdom. |
ॐ अनघायै नमः। | Om Anaghayai Namah। | Sinless One. |
ॐ हरिवल्लभायै नमः। | Om Harivallabhyai Namah। | Beloved of Lord Hari. |
ॐ अशोकायै नमः। | Om Ashokayai Namah। | Dispeller of Sorrows. |
ॐ अमृतायै नमः। | Om Amritayai Namah। | Immortal Nectar. |
ॐ दीप्तायै नमः। | Om Diptayai Namah। | Effulgent One. |
ॐ लोकशोकविनाशिन्यै नमः। | Om Lokashokavinashinyai Namah। | Destroyer of Worldly Sorrows. |
ॐ धर्मनिलयायै नमः। | Om Dharmanilayayai Namah। | Foundation of Dharma. |
ॐ करुणायै नमः। | Om Karunayai Namah। | Compassionate Goddess. |
ॐ लोकमात्रे नमः। | Om Lokamatre Namah। | Mother of the World. |
ॐ पद्मप्रियायै नमः। | Om Padmapriyayai Namah। | Lover of Lotuses. |
ॐ पद्महस्तायै नमः। | Om Padmahastayai Namah। | Lotus-Handed Goddess. |
ॐ पद्माक्ष्यै नमः। | Om Padmakshyai Namah। | Lotus-Eyed One. |
ॐ पद्मसुन्दर्यै नमः। | Om Padmasundaryai Namah। | One Beautiful as a Lotus. |
ॐ पद्मोद्भवायै नमः। | Om Padmodbhavayai Namah। | One Emerging from the Lotus. |
ॐ पद्ममुख्यै नमः। | Om Padmamukhyai Namah। | Lotus-Faced Goddess. |
ॐ पद्मनाभप्रियायै नमः। | Om Padmanabhapriyayai Namah। | Beloved of the Lotus-Naveled Lord. |
ॐ रमायै नमः। | Om Ramayai Namah। | Joyful Goddess. |
ॐ पद्ममालाधरायै नमः। | Om Padmamaladharayai Namah। | Wearer of Lotus Garlands. |
ॐ देव्यै नमः। | Om Devyai Namah। | Divine Mother. |
ॐ पद्मिन्यै नमः। | Om Padminyai Namah। | Lotus Goddess. |
ॐ पद्मगन्धिन्यै नमः। | Om Padmagandhinyai Namah। | Fragrant as a Lotus. |
ॐ पुण्यगन्धायै नमः। | Om Punyagandhayai Namah। | One with Sacred Fragrance. |
ॐ सुप्रसन्नायै नमः। | Om Suprasannayai Namah। | Ever Cheerful and Gracious One. |
ॐ प्रसादाभिमुख्यै नमः। | Om Prasadabhimukhyai Namah। | Ready to Bestow Boons. |
ॐ प्रभायै नमः। | Om Prabhayai Namah। | Radiant One. |
ॐ चन्द्रवदनायै नमः। | Om Chandravadanayai Namah। | Moon-Faced Goddess. |
ॐ चन्द्रायै नमः। | Om Chandrayai Namah। | Goddess Like the Moon. |
ॐ चन्द्रसहोदर्यै नमः। | Om Chandrasahodaryai Namah। | Sister of the Moon. |
ॐ चतुर्भुजायै नमः। | Om Chaturbhujayai Namah। | Four-Armed One. |
ॐ चन्द्ररूपायै नमः। | Om Chandrarupayai Namah। | One with a Moonlike Form. |
ॐ इन्दिरायै नमः। | Om Indirayai Namah। | Radiant Goddess. |
ॐ इन्दुशीतलायै नमः। | Om Indushitalayai Namah। | Cool as Moonlight. |
ॐ आह्लादजनन्यै नमः। | Om Ahladajananyai Namah। | Producer of Joy. |
ॐ पुष्टयै नमः। | Om Pushtayai Namah। | Nourishing Goddess. |
ॐ शिवायै नमः। | Om Shivayai Namah। | Auspicious One. |
ॐ शिवकर्यै नमः। | Om Shivakaryai Namah। | Doer of Good Deeds. |
ॐ सत्यै नमः। | Om Satyai Namah। | Embodiment of Truth. |
ॐ विमलायै नमः। | Om Vimalayai Namah। | Pure One. |
ॐ विश्वजनन्यै नमः। | Om Vishwajananyai Namah। | Mother of the Universe. |
ॐ तुष्टयै नमः। | Om Tushtayai Namah। | Embodiment of Contentment. |
ॐ दारिद्र्यनाशिन्यै नमः। | Om Daridryanashinyai Namah। | Destroyer of Poverty. |
ॐ प्रीतिपुष्करिण्यै नमः। | Om Pritipushkarinyai Namah। | Pleasant-Eyed Goddess. |
ॐ शान्तायै नमः। | Om Shantayai Namah। | Peaceful One. |
ॐ शुक्लमाल्यांबरायै नमः। | Om Shuklamalyambarayai Namah। | Adorned in White Garments and Garlands. |
ॐ श्रियै नमः। | Om Shriyai Namah। | Goddess of Prosperity. |
ॐ भास्कर्यै नमः। | Om Bhaskaryai Namah। | Bright as the Sun. |
ॐ बिल्वनिलयायै नमः। | Om Bilvanilayayai Namah। | Resider Under the Bilva Tree. |
ॐ वरारोहायै नमः। | Om Vararohayai Namah। | Ready to Grant Boons. |
ॐ यशस्विन्यै नमः। | Om Yashaswinyai Namah। | Renowned Goddess. |
ॐ वसुन्धरायै नमः। | Om Vasundharayai Namah। | Daughter of the Earth. |
ॐ उदारांगायै नमः। | Om Udarangayai Namah। | Goddess with a Generous Form. |
ॐ हरिण्यै नमः। | Om Harinyai Namah। | Deer-Like One. |
ॐ हेममालिन्यै नमः। | Om Hemamalinyai Namah। | Adorned with Golden Garlands. |
ॐ धनधान्यकर्ये नमः। | Om Dhanadhanyakaryai Namah। | Bestower of Wealth and Grains. |
ॐ सिद्धये नमः। | Om Siddhaye Namah। | Goddess of Accomplishment. |
ॐ स्त्रैणसौम्यायै नमः। | Om Strainasoumyayai Namah। | Gentle Feminine One. |
ॐ शुभप्रदाये नमः। | Om Shubhapradayai Namah। | Giver of Auspiciousness. |
ॐ नृपवेश्मगतानन्दायै नमः। | Om Nripaveshmagatanandayai Namah। | Bringer of Joy to Royal Homes. |
ॐ वरलक्ष्म्यै नमः। | Om Varalakshmyai Namah। | Goddess of Great Fortune. |
ॐ वसुप्रदायै नमः। | Om Vasupradayai Namah। | Bestower of Wealth. |
ॐ शुभायै नमः। | Om Shubhayai Namah। | Auspicious One. |
ॐ हिरण्यप्राकारायै नमः। | Om Hiranyaprakarayai Namah। | Surrounded by Golden Walls. |
ॐ समुद्रतनयायै नमः। | Om Samudratanayayai Namah। | Daughter of the Ocean of Milk. |
ॐ जयायै नमः। | Om Jayayai Namah। | Victorious Goddess. |
ॐ मंगळा देव्यै नमः। | Om Mangala Devyai Namah। | Most Auspicious Goddess. |
ॐ विष्णुवक्षस्स्थलस्थितायै नमः। | Om Vishnuvakshassthalasthitayai Namah। | One Residing in Vishnu’s Chest. |
ॐ विष्णुपत्न्यै नमः। | Om Vishnupatnyai Namah। | Consort of Lord Vishnu. |
ॐ प्रसन्नाक्ष्यै नमः। | Om Prasannakshyai Namah। | Cheerful-Eyed One. |
ॐ नारायणसमाश्रितायै नमः। | Om Narayanasamashritayai Namah। | One Who Has Taken Refuge in Narayana. |
ॐ दारिद्र्यध्वंसिन्यै नमः। | Om Daridryadhwamsinyai Namah। | Eliminator of Poverty. |
ॐ देव्यै नमः। | Om Devyai Namah। | Divine Goddess. |
ॐ सर्वोपद्रव वारिण्यै नमः। | Om Sarvopadrava Varinyai Namah। | Remover of All Calamities. |
ॐ नवदुर्गायै नमः। | Om Navadurgayai Namah। | Embodiment of the Nine Durgas. |
ॐ महाकाल्यै नमः। | Om Mahakalyai Namah। | Great Kali. |
ॐ ब्रह्माविष्णुशिवात्मिकायै नमः। | Om Brahmavishnushivatmikayai Namah। | Essence of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. |
ॐ त्रिकालज्ञानसंपन्नायै नमः। | Om Trikalajnanasampannayai Namah। | Knower of Past, Present, and Future. |
ॐ भुवनेश्वर्यै नमः। | Om Bhuvaneshwaryai Namah। | Queen of the Universe. |
These names are more than mere titles; they are mantras that carry vibrations capable of transforming the chanter’s energy and attracting prosperity.
The Significance of the Number 108
In Hindu tradition, the number 108 holds profound spiritual importance. It is considered a sacred number in various religious practices:
- Cosmic Significance: There are 27 constellations in our galaxy, each with four directions, totaling 108.
- Mathematical Relevance: The diameter of the Sun is approximately 108 times that of the Earth.
- Meditative Practices: Mala beads used for meditation and chanting mantras often contain 108 beads, aiding in focus and spiritual connection.
Goddess Lakshmi: The Embodiment of Prosperity
Her Role in Hindu Mythology
Goddess Lakshmi emerged during the churning of the cosmic ocean, known as Samudra Manthan, symbolizing the emergence of wealth and purity from chaos. She is often depicted sitting or standing on a lotus, signifying purity and spiritual power.
Symbolism and Attributes
- Lotus Flower: Represents spiritual enlightenment and detachment from materialism.
- Elephants: Symbolize royal power and fertility.
- Gold Coins: Flowing from her hands, indicating endless prosperity.
How to Chant the 108 Names
Guidelines for Proper Chanting
- Purify Yourself: Take a bath to cleanse your body and mind.
- Choose a Quiet Place: Select a serene environment for uninterrupted focus.
- Use a Mala: A rosary with 108 beads can help keep count.
- Pronunciation Matters: Try to pronounce each name correctly to maximize the mantra’s efficacy.
Best Times and Practices
- Early Morning: The Brahma Muhurta (before sunrise) is considered ideal.
- Fridays: Dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, making it an auspicious day for worship.
- Festivals: Especially during Diwali and Sharad Purnima.
Benefits of Recitation
- Attracts wealth and prosperity.
- Removes obstacles and hardships.
- Enhances spiritual growth and inner peace.
FAQs about the 108 Names of Lakshmi
What are the 108 names of Lakshmi?
They are a series of sacred names, each representing different qualities and aspects of Goddess Lakshmi. Chanting them is a form of worship to seek her blessings.
Why is Goddess Lakshmi worshipped with 108 names?
The number 108 is spiritually significant in Hinduism, symbolizing completeness. Reciting her 108 names is believed to invoke her full spectrum of blessings.
Can anyone chant the 108 names of Lakshmi?
Yes, anyone seeking prosperity, peace, and spiritual growth can chant these names with devotion and proper understanding.
What are the benefits of chanting these names?
Chanting promotes spiritual well-being, attracts abundance, removes obstacles, and brings harmony into one’s life.
Conclusion
The 108 names of Goddess Lakshmi serve as a spiritual conduit, connecting devotees to the divine essence of wealth, prosperity, and well-being. By chanting and meditating upon these sacred names with sincerity and devotion, one can invite transformative energies and abundant blessings into their life. Embracing this practice enriches not only material prosperity but also fosters inner peace and spiritual growth.
At vrindavansasamrit, we are dedicated to bringing you authentic insights into Hindu spirituality and practices.
References
- Lakshmi Tantra: A specific text dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, providing details about her worship and mantras.
- Devi Suktam: A hymn from the Rig Veda dedicated to the Divine Mother, often interpreted as Lakshmi.
- Various Puranas: Other Puranas like the Padma Purana, Vayu Purana, and Matsya Purana also mention Lakshmi and her attributes.