On the twentieth day of every month, another Siddha Yoga student and I meet to sing this captivating hymn together. This is one of the ways that I remember and pay homage to the abundance that inhabits my being in the form of Mahalakshmi. Every time I sing this sacred hymn, its chords awaken feelings of beauty, softness, and gratitude within me. It seems that my heart recognizes the presence of divine grace and wants to expand its reach into all my actions. I am grateful for the presence of this hymn on the Siddha Yoga path website and also for all the texts and images that enable me to study more about Mahalakshmi.
Santa Fe, Argentina
I often sing the
Shri Mahalakshmyashtakam Stotram and sometimes listen to it as I work. I believe that this practice has strengthened my resolve to act from love in all that I do. As a result, I now feel that when I undertake actions such as writing emails, creating paintings, hunting for jobs, or offering
seva, I am more able to do so from a place supported by grace. I have started a gratitude journal, in which I try to write down the abundance of gifts that Mahalakshmi has bestowed upon me in many forms. This has helped me to see that even in times when I have stumbled, I have always been upheld. I recognize that, for me, while life is never completely certain, I am able to find joy in the discovery of new horizons in my inner and outer landscapes. The practice of singing and listening to this sacred hymn is a gift and a blessing that I cherish.
California, United States
The first verse in
Shri Mahalakshmyashtakam Stotram always intrigued me. How could “the great illusion that is manifested in the world” be “the abode of auspiciousness and prosperity?”
Today I understood it. I realize that my entire experience—including that of the parts of me that feel like a burdensome illusion about who I truly am—is a manifestation of the dance of Shiva.
As I sing these sacred verses, I feel Mahalakshmi bringing me back to a greater understanding through my direct experience of the Self.
California, United States
While meditating after singing
Shri Mahalakshmyashtakam Stotram, I had a beautiful visualization. I saw myself seated on a mound of gleaming gold, its luster and glow illuminating my entire being. My heart was flooded with golden light. I felt it was the light of the Truth, the light of my boundless love for the Guru.
Paris, France
Singing this hymn to mother Lakshmi before offering
dakshina was so sweet and nourishing! I felt as if Gurumayi were enfolding me in her lightness and love.
This is truly a sacred path, full of inner splendor and continuous acknowledgement of my true Self.
Texas, United States
I have really enjoyed finding time during the day to delve into the grace and beauty of this hymn. As I started singing it today, my seven-year-old daughter proclaimed, “Welcome to my room!” I was already literally in her room, but her words felt auspicious nevertheless. These moments shift my perception in a very supportive way.
Texas, United States
This
stotram is dear to my heart. For two years, I sang it three times every morning before offering
seva. When I saw it on the Siddha Yoga path website yesterday, I felt it had been a long time since I connected with it, so during some anxiety and sadness I decided to turn to it once more. As I sang, the hymn uplifted me. My worries seemed to dissolve.
New York, United States
I truly love to sing
Shri Mahalakshmyashtakam Stotram along with this recording by the music ensemble. It touches my heart. I can feel my mind settling into my connection with Gurumayi and the Siddha Yoga path.
When I heard this for the first time in my life, I felt I wanted to listen daily. I felt blessed by peace of mind, good energy, and positive thoughts.
Vadodara, India
Although my rational mind does not understand how this works, I do recognize that I feel strong and full of energy whenever I give my attention to
Shri Mahalakshmyashtakam Stotram. I feel as if the goddess is filling my entire body with her blessings and love. Just by listening to this
stotram, I am able to free myself from fear.
Vadodara, India
I really love singing this hymn—it brings out love, strength, and generosity in me. Whenever I recite this hymn, I feel that I am receiving this in Gurudev Siddha Peeth and in front of Mahalakshmi herself.
Gozaria, India
My three-year-old son loves to listen to
Shri Mahalakshmyashtakam Stotram. He feels so happy when he does! My eight-year-old daughter says that she feels like it removes fear from her. As for me, the verses awaken devotion within me when I sing them.
I am full of gratitude for having the image of the goddess and the words and music of the s
totram available on the Siddha Yoga path website, so that I can stay attuned with this divine
shakti. I feel very fortunate to be walking the Siddha Yoga path.
Tepoztlán, Mexico
For me, the chant of
Shri Mahalakshmyashtakam Stotram has an ambrosia-like fragrance!
In 1995, I was blessed to attend a course about Shri Mahalakshmi in Shree Muktananda Ashram. Swami Kripananda was the teacher for this course, and she meticulously described the eight divine forms of the goddess Mahalakshmi. She also taught us how to set up, with deep devotion and intention, a
puja tray for offering to Shri Mahalakshmi. Since then, I chant the
stotram daily to honor Shri Mahalakshmi’s boundless attributes!
The most cherished boon I have received from Shri Mahalakshmi is the quality of contentment—because this virtue grants peace within me, in my home, and in my workplace.
Bedford Gardens, South Africa
I am so grateful to receive the powerful energy of this hymn. Its devotional sweetness fills my heart with peace. It gives me confidence in the benefits of both my spiritual practice and the learnings and challenges of daily life. I feel connected with a long line of souls honoring the Mother of the Universe, the One that lives in yoga and that I can love with all my being.
Mexico City, Mexico
My favorite part about being in residence at Gurudev Siddha Peeth was singing the Mahalakshmyashtakam
Stotram and other hymns with my seva group before beginning seva. I am very grateful to be able to access this hymn so easily right here in my sunny home in New Zealand. Singing to Shri Lakshmi today, I felt a daring energy rise within me.
I am finding myself called to fill new roles in seva and my work life that require a delicate balancing act. Singing this beautiful hymn gives me the strength to meet these occasions and the confidence to rise willingly and happily to new situations, no matter how challenging they may seem.
Wellington, New Zealand
I was describing a life situation to a fellow sevite, and he suggested I sing to Lakshmi. His words resonated deeply, and I resolved to sing the
Mahalakshmyashtakam Stotram every day for a month.
Wow! What a purely divine experience! I have been singing this beautiful hymn every day for a week, and every time I do, I feel Gurumayi’s love swirling in and around me, into places I didn’t know existed within me: places where the sweetest bliss resides.
As I sang it this morning, the phrase “I am loved” arose from deep within, and echoed through me with tenderness and compassion. I felt a knot had been untied, leaving me humbled and grateful.
Katoomba, Australia