Ashta Lakshmi (and Durga Mahalakshmi)

A Homam (12.00 Noon) & Abhishekam (11.30 AM) for Ashtalakshmi deities are conducted
every Friday.

Lakshmi is the Goddess who grants both worldly prosperity as well as liberation from the cycle
of life and death. The word Lakshmi is derived from the Sanskrit word Lakshya, meaning (aim)
or (goal). Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual.

The Ashtalakshmi Sannidhi also includes Durga Mahalakshmi which is a rare inclusion and is
very auspicious and beneficial to the devotees. The pratishta of the Ashtalakhmi deities took
place in August 2004.

SELECTION OF NAVARATHNA STONES FOR THE PRATHEESHTA

The Nine precious Gems called Navaratnas consist of: Diamonds, Ruby, Emerald, Blue
Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Cats Eye, Hessonite, Pearl, and Coral. These are made of essentially
Carbon, Silica, Aluminum and Chromium with various other elements like beryllium and other
trace elements. These are the elements that are abundant on Earth and are also found in the
Human body in various proportions. Hindu Vedic Astrology suggests that by wearing a certain
gem stone that is defined by one’s birth star, the wearer is protected and is connected to the
governing Navagraha (Planet) or the deity under which the same gem is placed. Thus, people can
choose a given stone based on their star and place them under any specific deity that is being
consecrated and installed in a temple. By doing this and, if possible, by wearing this same gem,
the devotee is said to establish a direct contact with the deity.

Following is a list of the 27 constellations (Nakshatras), their ruling planet and corresponding
primary gemstone. Alternate names of the stars are given in parenthesis.
BIRTH STAR RULED BY GEM
ASWINI (Aswathy) KETU CAT'S EYE
BHARANI VENUS DIAMOND
KARTIKAI SUN RUBY
ROHINI MOON PEARL
MRIGASIRA (Makayiram)) MARS CORAL
ARDRA (Thirivathirai) RAHU HESSONITE
PUNARVASU (Punartham) JUPITER YELLOW-SAPPHIRE
PUSHYAM ( Poosam) SATURN BLUE-SAPPHIRE
ASLESHA (AYILYAM) MERCURY EMERALD
MAGHAM KETU CAT'S EYE
POORVA-PHALGUNI (Pooram) VENUS DIAMOND
UTTAR-PHALGUNI ( Uttram) SUN RUBY
HASTAM (Atam) MOON PEARL
CHITRA MARS CORAL
SWATI (Choti) RAHU HESSONITE
VISHAKAM JUPITER YELLOW-SAPPHIRE
ANURADHA ( Anusham) SATURN BLUE-SAPPHIRE
JUSTHA ( Kettai) MERCURY EMERALD
MOOLAM KETU CAT'S EYE
POORVASHADA (Pooradam) VENUS DIAMOND
UTTARSHADA (Uthradam) SUN RUBY
SRAVANA ( Thiruvonam) MOON PEARL
DHANISTHA ( Avittam) MARS CORAL
SATHABHISHA( Chatayam) RAHU GOMEDA/HESSONITE
POORVABADRAPADA ( Poororuttathy) JUPITER YELLOW-SAPPHIRE
UTTARBHADRAPADA ( Uthrattady) SATURN BLUE-SAPPHIRE
REVATHI MERCURY EMERALD

Devi Mahalakshmi, Gajalakshmi and Ashtalakshmi

Lakshmi is the Goddess who grants both worldly prosperity as well as liberation from the cycle
of life and death. The word Lakshmi is derived from the Sanskrit word Lakshya, meaning (aim)
or (goal). Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. Lakshmi
pooja is celebrated on full-moon night of Kojagari Purnima.

Mythology

Lakshmi arose out of a sea of milk, the primordial cosmic ocean, bearing a red lotus in Her hand.
Each member of the divine triad – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva (Creator, Preserver and Destroyer
respectively) – wanted to have Her for himself. Shiva’s claim was refused for he had already
claimed the Moon, Brahma had Saraswathi, so Vishnu claimed her and she was born and reborn
as his consort during all of his 10 incarnations. For example as Sita to Rama, Radha and later
Rukmini to Krishna. Though Vishnu’s consort, Lakshmi, remained an avid devotee of Lord
Shiva.

Deity Representation.
The Lakshmi deity is depicted as a beautiful woman of golden complexion, with four hands,
sitting or standing on a full-bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud. Her four hands represent four
spiritual virtues –

• Dharma or Righteousness
• Kama or Desire
• Artha or Wealth
• Moksha or Liberation from the cycle of birth and death

The hands in the front represent the activity in the physical world and the hands on the back
indicate the spiritual activities that lead to spiritual perfection. Since the right side of the body
symbolizes activity, a lotus in the back right hand conveys the idea that one must perform all
duties in the world in accordance with Dharma. This leads to Moksha (Liberation), which is
symbolized by a lotus in the back left hand of Lakshmi.

The golden coins falling on the ground from the front left hand of Lakshmi illustrates that she
provides wealth and prosperity to Her devotees. Her front right hand is shown bestowing
blessings upon the devotees.

The two elephants standing next to the goddess symbolize the name and fame associated with
worldly wealth. The idea conveyed here is that a true devotee should not earn wealth merely to
acquire name and fame or only to satisfy his own material desires, but he should share it with
others in order to bring happiness to others in addition to himself. This denotes the ceaseless
effort in accordance with ones Dharma and is governed by wisdom and purity that leads to both
material and spiritual prosperity.

Lakshmi is the active energy of Vishnu and also appears as Lakshmi Narayan – Lakshmi
accompanying Vishnu.

The coconut with the shell, kernel and water denotes that She is the origin of three levels of
creation. She sits on a lotus in a graceful Lalitha asana. The Lotus bud stands for beauty, purity,
and fertility. It is rooted in the mud but blossoms above the water and stays completely
uncontaminated by the mud which serves to represent spiritual perfection and authority. To be
seated on the lotus means that one has transcended the limitations of the finite world (the mud of
existence) and floats freely in a sphere of purity and spirituality.

Ashta Lakshmis are Her eight forms, which are commonly worshipped aspects. In each form,
She bestows one form of wealth to Her devotees.

The Ashta Lakshmis are:

Aadi Lakshmi: Aadi Lakshmi is Maha Lakshmi’s first manifestation and stands for welfare and
euphoria. She is the first Lakshmi, daughter of sage Bhrigu who later re-incarnated herself as the
splendor to emerge from the churning of the sea of milk. Without her, Lord Vishnu is incomplete.
When a curse brings her down from heaven to earth, Lord Vishnu too jons her as Lord
Venkateswara in Tirupathi.
Santhana Lakshmi: Bestower of offspring. The Hinud tradition attaches a lot of importance to
children and regards life as incomplete without them. Childess couples are advised to worship
Santaana Lakshmi to be blessed with children.

Gaja Lakshmi: Mythology tells us that Gaja Lakshmi brought back the wealth lost by Indra
from the ocean. It implies that worshipping her brings back lost prosperity and wealth.

Dhana Lakshmi: When worshipped in this form, she provides abundant wealth

Dhaanya Lakshmi: While Adi Lakshmi is regarded as the incarnation of life, Dhaanya Lakshmi
is worshipped because she represents food that sustains life.

Vijaya Lakshmi: She is the goddess of victory not only in battle but also in ensuring victory
over all hurdles

Dhairya Lakshmi (Veera Lakshmi): She bestows courage and strength on those who worship
her so that they may overcome all difficulties and stresses in life.

Aishwarya Lakshmi: Aishwaryam broadly denotes wealth but it also means wealth of good
health, knowledge, learning, strength, power or the eight facets of Aishwaryam through the Ashta
Lakshmi.

DURGA-Mahalakshmi: an aspect of Durga is shown with eight hands. This is a rare depiction
of Mahalakshmi to show that she is also Durga.The bow and arrow, mace and discus are added.
She also holds in one hand Amritha Kalasa (pot of ambrosia) and in the other a bilva fruit. A
bilva fruit is good for health and represents Moksha, the pinnacle of spiritual life. Amritha
Kalasa signifies immortality.

Adyantharahithe Devi Adi Sakthi Mahesvari

Yogaje yoga Sambhoothe Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe

Maha Lakshmi is the one who is without beginning or end. She is the primordial energy and
Maheswari. I worship Maha Lakshmi who was created out of yoga and who sustains yoga
shakthi.

Sthoola Sookshma Maharowdhre Mahasakthi Mahodhare

Maha Pape Hare Devi Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe

Maha Lakshmi represents both the gross and the subtle manifestations of life. She is feared by
the evil entities. She is the great energy. I worship Maha Lakshmi who destroys the greatest sins.

Padma Sanas Sthithe Devi Para Bramha Swaroopini

Paramesi Jaganmatha Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe

Maha Lakshmi who has a lotus as Her seat symbolizes the ultimate reality. I worship Maha
Lakshmi who is Parameswari and the mother of the universe.
Svethambharadhare Devi Nanalankara Booshithe
Jagat Stithe Jaganmatha Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe

Wearing white clothes Devi Maha Lakshmi is adorned completely with jewels. I worship Maha
Lakshmi who is the omnipresent Divine Mother.

Palasruthi:
Maha Lakshmi Ashtakam Stotram Ya: patheth Bhakthiman Naraha Sarva Siddhi Mavapnothi
Rajyam Prapnothi Sarvadha
Yeka Kalam Pathem Nithyam Maha Papa Vinasanam
Dwi Kalam Ya: Pathen Nithyam Dhana Dhanya Samanvithaha
Thri kalam Ya:Pathen Nithyam Maha Shathru Vinasanam
Maha Lakshmir Baven Nithyam Prasanna Varadha Subha

Benefits of Chanting this Sloka:

The one who chants the above sloka with devotion will get all desires fulfilled and will inherit
great land. Chanting this sloka once daily destroys all sins and twice daily will bring the devotee
wealth and grains. Chanting this sloka thrice a day will help destroy powerful enemies and
enable the attainment of the grace of Maha Lakshmi.

MAHALAKSHMI ASHTAKAM
(The sloka chanted by Indra)

The Mahalakshmi Ashtakam is recited to get the blessings of Divine Mother Lakshmi so that she
may bestow happiness and prosperity on us. This sloka was offered by Lord Indra to Mother
Lakshmito seek her blessings so that He may achieve success in his endeavours. Given below is
the Sloka with the meaning outlined so that one may develop the reverence to the Sloka and
thereby achieve the benefits that can result from it’s recitation

Indra Uvacha:
Namasthesthu Mahamaye Sreepeethe Surapoojithe Sankha Chakra Gada Hasthe Maha
LakshmiNamosthuthe

Indra speaks:
I offer my worship to Maha Lakshmi, who symbolizes the great illusion and who is worshipped
by all Devas. I worhip Maha Lakshmi who resides in Sri Peetam and who carries Sanku(Conch),
Chakram(Disk) and Gadha(Club) in Her hand.

Namasthe Garudaroodhe Kolasura Bhayankari Sarva Papa Hare Devi Maha Lakshmi
Namosthuthe

I offer worship to the one who has the bird Garuda as Her vehicle and who was feared by even
Demon "Kola". I worship Maha Lakshmi who destroys all sadness.

Sarvagne Sarva Varade Sarva dushta bhayankari, Sarva duhkha hare devi Maha Lakshmi
Namosthute
I offer worship to the one who is all knowing, the giver of all boons, and the remover of all
dangerous enemies. I worship Maha Lakshmi who is the remover of all afflictions.

Siddhi Buddhi Pradhe Devi Bhukthi Mukthi Pradayini Manthra Moorthe Sada Devi Maha
Lakshmi Namosthuthe

Maha Lakshmi confers great powers, desires, good intellect, enjoyment and Liberation (heaven).
I worship Maha Lakshmi who is the personification of all mantras and who is ever shining and
radiant.

INSTALLATION OF MAHALASKHMI AND ASHTALAKSHMI VIGRAHA YANTHRA

PRATHEESHTA AT KARUMARIAMMAN DEVI TEMPLE

The divine mother, Devi Karumari Amman-Parashakthi during intense Kundalini mediation
conveyed that she desires to have Vishnu and Mahalakshmi’s aspect to be installed at the
Parashakthi temple, so that she could energize them, which would result in granting of material
wealth to devotees. Since then Dr. Krishna Kumar along with certain mystics in India, who are
associated with Parashakthi worship, have coordinated to bring Mahalakshmi and Ashtalakshmi
Vigrahas to the Parashakthi temple. This entailed deep meditative experiences along with
mystical happenings between this group of people and this has resulted in the creation of these
vigrahas that are to be installed at our Parashakthi Temple. To begin with, Lord Krishna in the
form of Guruvayurappan was installed in the early part of this year. This was followed by
Mahalakshmi in the form of Durga Mahalakshmi - Ashtalakshmi, which were installed in May of
2004. Mahalakshmi and Ashtalakshmi Vigrahas will be installed by the way of Yanthra
Pratheeshta, which will entail placement of Yanthras, Navrathna, and Ashtabandhana. Vigrahas
will be placed over this base that encompasses the ritualistic divine forms.

YANTHRA PRATHEESHTA

Yanthra Pratheeshta energizes the vigrahas to the fullest. The vibratory activities of these deities
will then be in an intense form to grant wealth in its various aspects to the divine Mother’s
devotees.

These vigrahas are made in a ritualistic manner by using various precious metals (pancha lokas)
in proper proportions. This was done by Dr. Kumar and mystics in India with whom he works.
These Vigrahas were made by the Sthapathies who make all vigrahas for the Kanchi Kamakoti
Peetam. A great deal of meditative and mystical experiences have gone into the making of these
Vigrahas and Yanthras. The Yanthras are made through ancient Vedic rituals by a person who
makes Yanthras for temples sponsored by the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.

This Yanthra is kept in Dr. Kumar’s meditation room, and proper manthras in the way described
by the Divine Mother have been performed along with various rituals which will help energize
Yanthras before placing it during Yanthra Pratheeshta underneath the Vigrahas.

The Vigrahas are made of pancha lokas - precious metals. The pancha lokas are combined in
proper proportions. The metals used are gold, silver, lead, nickel, and zinc.
Yanthras are then placed underneath the Vigrahas. During the making of the Yanthras, the mystic
who has “given life” to that manthra continuously chants the manthra thereby installing divine
vibratory energy to the yanthra which makes the deity to be present in an “active energetic
form”.

Ashtabandhana is placed next around and under the vigrahas. Ashtabandhana is made in a most
ritualistic manner using eight materials such as sandalwood, khorosani, punugu and other
auspicious materials.

Placing Yanthras after giving life to proper manthras, which are associated with that particular
Yanthra, brings divine vibratory energy to these Vigrahas. Precious stones are then placed on top
of the yanthras, which stand on ashtabandhana and accentuates the divine vibratory energy so
that the divine deity can reach lower vibratory realms in which we reside with greater densities.

All these rituals and proper placement of the vigrahas will permit us to receive the Devatas’ (high
vibratory beings) blessings. Our own eternal wisdom, which we learn in so many ways at our
Temple along with the reverence we show to the divine will help us receive the devatas blessings
and grace.

The sacrifice we make towards the betterment of our fellow beings and towards our temple will
facilitate the receiving of divine blessings by us.

The essence of spiritual evolution involves knowledge of reality, appreciation of reality -

divinity, and demonstration of our own gratitude towards Divine Mother- Parashakthi for
granting us wisdom and grace through which we evolve back to the Godhead.

Our temple board of trustees hopes and prays that many devotees of our congregation will attend
Mahalakshmi – Ashtalakshmi Pratheeshta on 08/27/04 and take part in all rituals and receive
divine blessings, which Parashakthi – KaruMariamman has so kindly granted us.

Board of trustees
PARASHAKTHI TEMPLE

LAKSHMI MOOLA MANTRA

The Lakshmi Moola Mantra is to be recited at the time of the installation of the yantra for the
deities. This mantra is powerful and is offered to Mother Lakshmi as our humble Prayer.

Om Im Hreem Shreem Ashta Mahalakshmeem Yah

Ayhee Swaahaa

LAKSHMI PRATHEESHTA MANTRA

The Lakshmi Pratheeshta Mantra is to be recited at the time of the Yantra Pratheeshta
Om Namo Bhagavathi Loka Vaseekara Mohini
Om Eem Im Aadhi Lakshmi, Santhaana Lakshmi,
Veera Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi,
Dhaanya Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Vidhya Lakshmi
Ashtaa Dhasa Bhuja Durga Maha Lakshmi Hrudaya
Sthitha Sarva Loka Vaseekaraaya Hum Phut Swaahaa