Sri AshtaLakshmi Stotram

 Below is a line-by-line, approximately word-by-word breakdown of this hymn (often called the “Ashta Lakshmi Stotram”), along with short glosses for each Sanskrit (or semi-Sanskrit) phrase. Please note that because many words in stotras appear as combined (sandhi), we have to break them into their root words and give a concise meaning. In poetry, certain words may also carry layered meanings. This breakdown aims to help you see how each word translates, while acknowledging that in devotional verses some words are used more for poetic address than literal meaning.

1. Sumanasavandit Sundari Maadhavi Chandra Sahodari Hemamaye

• Sumanasa-vandita – “worshiped (vandita) by noble-minded (sumanasa) devotees”

• Sundari – “O beautiful one”

• Maadhavi – “consort of Maadhava (Vishnu)” or “spring-like one”

• Chandra – “moon”

• Sahodari – “sister” (literally “born together”)

• Hemamaye – “golden-lustered (hema = gold, mayi = filled with)”

Overall sense of the line:

O beautiful, golden-lustered Goddess, worshiped by noble minds, consort of Vishnu, sister of the Moon.

2. Munigan Vandit Mokshapradayini Manjulabhashini Vedanute

• Munigaṇ-vandita – “adored/worshiped by groups of sages (munigaṇ)”

• Mokṣa-pradāyini – “giver (pradāyini) of liberation (mokṣa)”

• Mañjula-bhāśini – “one who speaks (bhāśini) sweetly (mañjula)”

• Veda-nute – “praised (nute) by the Vedas”

Overall sense:

O Goddess praised by sages and Vedas, who bestows liberation and speaks sweetly.

3. Pankajavasini Devasupoojita Sadgoonavarshini Shantiyute

• Pankaja-vāsini – “she who resides (vāsini) in the lotus (pankaja)”

• Deva-su-pūjita – “worshiped (pūjita) reverently (su) by the devas (gods)”

• Sad-guṇa-varṣiṇi – “she who showers (varṣiṇi) noble (sad) qualities (guṇa)”

• Śānti-yute – “endowed (yute) with peace (śānti)”

Overall sense:

O Lotus-dweller, worshiped by the devas, who rains down noble qualities and is filled with peace.

4. Jai Jai Hey Madhusoodan Kaamini Aadilakshmi Sada Paalay Maam

• Jai Jai he – “Hail, hail to you” / “Victory, victory!”

• Madhusūdana – “(the name of Vishnu) slayer of the demon Madhu”

• Kāmini – “O beloved (of Madhusūdana)”

• Ādi-lakṣmī – “primeval/primordial Lakshmi”

• Sadā – “always”

• Pālay – “protect”

• Mām – “me”

Overall sense:

Victory, victory to you! Beloved of Madhusūdana, O Ādi Lakshmi, always protect me.

5. Ayi Kalikalmashanaashini Kaamini Vaidikaroopini Vedamaye

• ayi – “O (exclamation)”

• Kali-kalmaṣa-nāśini – “destroyer (nāśini) of the sins/impurities (kalmaṣa) of Kali (the dark age)”

• Kāmini – “O beloved”

• Vaidika-rūpiṇi – “she who has (rūpiṇi) the form of (or is known through) the Vedas (Vaidika)”

• Veda-maye – “embodiment (maye) of the Vedas”

Overall sense:

O destroyer of Kali’s impurities, beloved one, whose form is Vedic and who is the essence of the Vedas.

6. Ksheerasamoodbhav Mangalaroopini Mantranivaasini Mantranoote

• Kṣhīra-samudbhava – “born (samudbhava) from the ocean of milk (kṣhīra)”

• Maṅgala-rūpiṇi – “whose form (rūpiṇi) is auspiciousness (maṅgala)”

• Mantra-nivāsini – “she who dwells (nivāsini) in sacred chants (mantra)”

• Mantra-nute – “praised (nute) by mantras (mantra)”

Overall sense:

O one who arose from the ocean of milk, auspicious in form, dwelling in mantras and praised by mantras.

7. Mangaladaayini Ambujavaasini Devaganaashrit Paadayute

• Maṅgala-dāyini – “bestower (dāyini) of auspiciousness (maṅgala)”

• Ambuja-vāsini – “lotus-dweller” (ambuja = lotus, vāsini = residing in)

• Deva-gaṇa-āśrita – “sought/refuged (āśrita) by the hosts of gods (deva-gaṇa)”

• Pāda-yute – “whose feet (pāda) are possessed of [worship/worthiness]” (yute often suggests “endowed with”)

Overall sense:

Bestower of auspiciousness, dwelling in the lotus, whose feet are the refuge of all the divine hosts.

8. Jai Jai Hey Madhusoodan Kaamini Dhaanyalakshmi Jai Paalay Maam

• Jai Jai he – “Victory, victory to you!”

• Madhusūdana Kāmini – “Beloved of Vishnu (the slayer of Madhu)”

• Dhānya-lakṣmī – “Lakshmi of grains/prosperity (dhānya)”

• Jai – “Hail / Victory”

• Pālay mām – “protect me”

Overall sense:

Hail, O Dhānya Lakshmi, beloved of Madhusūdana—please protect me.

9. Jaivar Varnini Vaishnavi Bhargavi Mantraswaroopini Mantramaye

• Jaivar-varṇini – (possibly “having the complexion (varṇini) of barley (jaivar)”? or “one who gives prosperity reminiscent of grain/harvest”; textual variations exist)

• Vaiṣṇavī – “the feminine of Vishnu; Lakshmi as the power of Vishnu”

• Bhārgavī – “descendant of Bhṛgu” (another name for Lakshmi, as she is said to be the daughter of the sage Bhṛgu)

• Mantra-svarūpiṇi – “whose very nature/form (svarūpiṇi) is mantra”

• Mantra-maye – “full of (maye) mantra”

Overall sense:

O Vaishnavi and Bhārgavī, your form is mantra itself; you shine with the radiance of prosperity.

10. Sooragan Poojit Sheeghra Phalaprad Gyaanvikaasini Shaastranute

• Sura-gaṇ-pūjita – “worshiped (pūjita) by the hosts (gaṇ) of gods (sura)”

• śīghra-phalaprad – “giver (prad) of quick (śīghra) fruits/results (phala)”

• jñāna-vikāsini – “she who expands (vikāsini) knowledge (jñāna)”

• śāstra-nute – “praised (nute) by the scriptures (śāstra)”

Overall sense:

Worshiped by the gods, bestower of quick results, who expands knowledge, praised by scriptures.

11. Bhavabhay Haarini Paapavimochini Saadhujanashrit Paadayute

• Bhava-bhaya-hāriṇi – “remover (hāriṇi) of the fear (bhaya) of worldly existence (bhava)”

• Pāpa-vimocini – “liberator (vimocini) from sins (pāpa)”

• Sādhu-jana-āśrita – “the refuge (āśrita) of holy (sādhu) people (jana)”

• Pāda-yute – “whose feet are endowed with … [worship/merit/etc.]”

Overall sense:

You who remove the fear of worldly life, free us from sins, and are the refuge of the virtuous.

12. Jai Jai Hey Madhusoodan Kaamini Dhairyalakshmi Sada Paalay Maam

• Jai Jai he – “Victory, victory to you!”

• Madhusūdana Kāmini – “Beloved of Vishnu”

• Dhairya-lakṣmī – “Lakshmi who grants courage (dhairya)”

• Sadā pālay mām – “always protect me”

Overall sense:

Victory, O Dhairya Lakshmi, beloved of Madhusūdana—always protect me.

13. Jai Jai Doorgati Nashini Kaamini Sarvaphalaprad Shaastramaye

• Jai Jai – “Victory, victory!”

• Durgati-nāśini – “destroyer of misfortunes (durgati)”

• Kāmini – “O beloved”

• Sarva-phalaprad – “bestower (prad) of all (sarva) fruits (phala)”

• Śāstra-maye – “embodiment (maye) of the scriptures (śāstra)”

Overall sense:

Victory! O beloved who destroys misfortunes, bestower of all fruits, embodiment of the scriptures.

14. Rathgaj Turag Padaadisamaavrut Parijanamandita Lokanute

• Ratha-gaja-turaga-padādi-samāvṛta – “surrounded (samāvṛta) by chariots (ratha), elephants (gaja), horses (turaga), and foot soldiers (padādi)” – (a royal imagery of procession)

• Parijana-maṇḍita – “adorned (maṇḍita) by attendants (parijana)”

• Loka-nute – “praised (nute) by the world (loka)”

Overall sense:

Encircled by chariots, elephants, horses, foot soldiers—adorned by attendants, praised by the world.

15. Hari Har Brahm Supoojita Sevita Taapanivaarini Paadayute

• Hari – “Vishnu”

• Hara – “Shiva”

• Brahma – “Brahma”

• Su-pūjita – “well/happily worshiped”

• Sevita – “served”

• Tāpa-nivāriṇi – “remover (nivāriṇi) of sufferings (tāpa)”

• Pāda-yute – “whose feet are endowed with … [greatness/merit]”

Overall sense:

Worshiped and served by Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma, O remover of suffering, revered at your feet.

16. Jai Jai Hey Madhusoodan Kaamini Gajalakshmi Jai Paalay Maam

• Jai Jai he – “Victory, victory!”

• Madhusūdana Kāmini – “Beloved of Vishnu”

• Gaja-lakṣmī – “the form of Lakshmi (symbolized by elephants), i.e. royal prosperity”

• Jai Pālay mām – “Victory, protect me!”

Overall sense:

Victory! O Gaja Lakshmi (royal, elephant-associated Lakshmi), beloved of Vishnu—protect me.

17. Ayi Khagavaahini Mohini Chakrini Raga Vivardhini Gyaanamaye

• ayi – “O (exclamation)”

• khaga-vāhinī – “she who rides (vāhinī) on Garuḍa (khaga = bird)”

• mohinī – “the enchanting one”

• chakriṇi – “holder of the discus (chakra)” (or “she who is connected with Vishnu who holds the discus”)

• rāga-vivardhini – “she who increases (vivardhini) divine passion/devotion (rāga)”

• jñāna-maye – “full/embodiment (maye) of wisdom (jñāna)”

Overall sense:

O one who rides Garuḍa, enchanting one, wielder of the discus, you enhance divine love and are the embodiment of wisdom.

18. Goonaganavaaridhi Lokahitaishini Saptaswaraavar Gaananute

• guṇa-gaṇa-vāridhi – “ocean (vāridhi) of countless (gaṇa) virtues (guṇa)”

• loka-hita-iṣiṇi – “desirous (iṣiṇi) of the welfare (hita) of the world (loka)”

• sapta-svara-āvara-gāna-nute – “praised (nute) in music (gāna) made of (āvara) seven notes (sapta-svara)”

Overall sense:

Ocean of virtues, who seeks the welfare of the world, praised in songs of the seven musical notes.

19. Sakala Soorasoor Devamunishwar Manavavandita Paadayute

• sakala – “all”

• sura-asura – “gods (sura) and demons (asura)”

• deva-muni-īśvara – “divine sages and great lords”

• mānava-vandita – “revered (vandita) by human beings (mānava)”

• pāda-yute – “whose feet are endowed with … [devotion/honor]”

Overall sense:

All gods, demons, sages, and humans revere your feet.

20. Jai Jai Hey Madhusoodan Kaamini Santaanalakshmi Sada Paalay Maam

• Jai Jai he – “Victory, victory!”

• Madhusūdana Kāmini – “Beloved of Vishnu”

• Santāna-lakṣmī – “Lakshmi bestowing offspring/progeny (santāna)”

• Sadā pālay mām – “always protect me”

Overall sense:

Victory! O Santāna Lakshmi, beloved of Madhusūdana—always protect me.

21. Jai Kamalaasani Sadgati Daayini Gyaanavikaasini Gaanamaye

• Jai Kamalāsani – “Hail (jai) to the one seated (āsani) on the lotus (kamala)”

• Sadgati-dāyini – “bestower (dāyini) of the highest/spiritual path (sadgati)”

• Jñāna-vikāsini – “who expands (vikāsini) knowledge (jñāna)”

• Gāna-maye – “embodiment (maye) of music (gāna)”

Overall sense:

Hail, O Lotus-Seated One, who grants the highest path, expanding knowledge, and is the essence of music.

22. Anudinamarchita Kumkumadhoosar Bhooshitavaasita Vaadyanute

• Anudina-marcita – “worshiped (arcita) day after day (anu-dina)”

• Kumkuma-dhūsara – “covered (dhūsara) in red kumkuma powder”

• Bhūṣita-vāsita – “beautifully adorned (bhūṣita) and made fragrant (vāsita)”

• Vādya-nute – “praised (nute) by musical instruments (vādya)”

Overall sense:

Worshiped daily, covered in red kumkuma, adorned and fragrant, praised with musical instruments.

23. Kanakdhara Stuti Vaibhavavandita Shankar Deshik Maanyaprate

• Kanakadhārā Stuti – “(the) Kanakadhārā hymn” (famous hymn for Lakshmi by Adi Shankara)

• Vaibhava-vandita – “adored (vandita) for your majestic splendor (vaibhava)”

• Śaṅkara-deśika-mānya-prate – “respected (mānya) by Śaṅkara (Adi Shankara) and by teachers (deśika)”—“prate” can be read as “unto you” or “giver”

Overall sense:

You who are extolled in the Kanakadhārā Stuti, revered for your grandeur by Śaṅkara and all spiritual teachers.

24. Jai Jai Hey Madhusoodan Kaamini Vijaylakshmi Jai Paalay Maam

• Jai Jai he – “Victory, victory!”

• Madhusūdana Kāmini – “Beloved of Vishnu”

• Vijaya-lakṣmī – “Lakshmi of victory/success”

• Jai pālay mām – “Hail, protect me!”

Overall sense:

Victory! O Vijayalakshmi, beloved of Madhusūdana—protect me.

25. Pranata Sooreshwari Bhaarati Bhaargavi Shokavinaashini Ratnamaye

• Praṇata-sureśvarī – “the supreme goddess (sureśvarī) bowed to (praṇata) by all”

• Bhāratī Bhārgavī – “the one who is Saraswati (Bhāratī) as well as Lakshmi (Bhārgavī = born in the lineage of Bhṛgu)” – (sometimes Lakshmi is also called Bhārgavī)

• śoka-vināśini – “destroyer (vināśini) of sorrow (śoka)”

• ratna-maye – “filled with (maye) jewels (ratna)” or “of jewel-like splendor”

Overall sense:

O Supreme Goddess bowed to by all, Bhāratī-Bhārgavī, who destroys sorrow and is resplendent like a jewel.

26. Manimay Bhooshita Karnavibhooshan Shantisamaavruta Haasyamukhe

• maṇimaya-bhūṣita – “adorned (bhūṣita) with gems (maṇimaya)”

• karṇa-vibhūṣaṇa – “ornament(s) worn on the ears (earrings)”

• śānti-samāvṛta – “completely enveloped (samāvṛta) in peace (śānti)”

• hāsya-mukhe – “with a smiling (hāsya) face (mukha)”

Overall sense:

Adorned with gem-studded earrings, surrounded by peace, and graced by a smiling face.

27. Navavidhi Daayini Kalimalahaarini Kaamya Phalaprad Hastayute

• nava-vidhi-dāyini – “giver (dāyini) of nine (nava) modes (vidhi)/forms [commonly interpreted as the nine forms of blessings or worship]”

• kali-mala-hāriṇi – “remover (hāriṇi) of the impurities (mala) of Kali (the dark age)”

• kāmya-phalaprad – “bestower (prad) of desired (kāmya) fruits (phala)”

• hasta-yute – “endowed with hands” or “in whose hands are [boons]”

Overall sense:

You grant the ninefold blessings, removing the evils of the Kali age, bestowing desired fruits with your hands.

28. Jai Jai Hey Madhusoodan Kaamini Vidyalakshmi Sada Paalay Maam

• Jai Jai he – “Victory, victory!”

• Madhusūdana Kāmini – “Beloved of Vishnu”

• Vidyā-lakṣmī – “Lakshmi of knowledge/learning”

• Sadā pālay mām – “always protect me”

Overall sense:

Victory! O Vidyā Lakshmi, beloved of Madhusūdana—always protect me.

29. Dhimi Dhimi Dhimdhimi Dhimdhimi Dhimdhimi Doondubhinaad Supoornamaye

• dhimi dhimi dhim-dhimi… – These are onomatopoeic drum sounds, not literal Sanskrit words.

• ḍuṇḍubhi-nāda – “sound (nāda) of the kettle-drum (ḍuṇḍubhi)”

• su-pūrṇa-maye – “completely filled (pūrṇa) with auspiciousness (su)”

Overall sense:

The resonant drum sounds fill the air with auspiciousness.

30. Ghum Ghum Ghumghuma Ghumghuma Ghumghuma Shankhaninaad Suvaadyanute

• ghum ghum ghumghuma… – Onomatopoeic conch or drum sounds

• śaṅkha-nināda – “sound (nināda) of the conch (śaṅkha)”

• su-vādya-nute – “praised (nute) through auspicious (su) instruments (vādya)”

Overall sense:

The conch resonates loudly, praised by all auspicious instruments.

31. Vedapooraanetihaas Supoojita Vaideekamaarg Pradarshayute

• veda-purāṇa-itihāsa – “the Vedas, Purāṇas, and epics (itihāsa)”

• su-pūjita – “well/happily worshiped”

• vaideeka-mārga-pradarśayute – “you who show (pradarśayute) the Vedic path (vaideeka-mārga)”

Overall sense:

Worshiped by the teachings of Vedas, Purāṇas, and Itihāsas, you reveal the true Vedic path.

32. Jai Jai Hey Madhusoodan Kaamini Dhanlakshmi Jai Paalay Maam

• Jai Jai he – “Victory, victory!”

• Madhusūdana Kāmini – “Beloved of Vishnu”

• Dhana-lakṣmī – “Lakshmi of wealth (dhana)”

• Jai pālay mām – “Victory, protect me!”

Overall sense:

Victory! O Dhana Lakshmi, beloved of Madhusūdana—protect me.

Closing Note

These verses praise Mahā Lakṣmī in her many aspects or as the eight forms of Lakshmi (Ādi Lakshmi, Dhānya Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santāna Lakshmi, Vijayalakshmi, Vidyā Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, etc.). The repeated refrain “Jai Jai he Madhusūdana Kāmini … Pālay mām” means “Victory, victory to you, beloved of Madhusūdana, please protect me.”

Because stotrams are poetic and full of compound words, the above breakdown gives you an approximate, line-by-line look at each significant Sanskrit term. In full English prose, the stotram is a continuous praise of Lakshmi’s virtues, forms, blessings, and her relationship to Vishnu.