Lakshmi Chalisa
लक्ष्मी चालीसा
Origin & Story
Hindu devotional tradition · Unknown (folk devotional composition) · Medieval period
The Lakshmi Chalisa evolved from the tradition of singing the praises of Goddess Lakshmi during Diwali and Friday worship. It combines chalisa format (40 verses) with aarti style (the Jai Lakshmi Mata refrain). This dual nature made it extremely popular — families could use it as both their Friday chalisa and their Diwali aarti, making it one of the most widely recited Lakshmi prayers.
✦ As told in scripture
During the Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean), Goddess Lakshmi emerged standing on a lotus, radiant beyond description. All the gods and demons desired her, but she chose Vishnu as her eternal consort. The 14 gems (ratna chaturdash) mentioned in this chalisa also emerged during this churning — including the Kaustubha gem, the Parijata tree, and Amrit (nectar of immortality). Devotees believe that chanting this chalisa during Diwali recreates this primordial moment of abundance manifesting from the cosmic ocean.
Complete Text with Meaning
जय लक्ष्मी माता, मैया जय लक्ष्मी माता। तुमको निशिदिन सेवत, हरि विष्णु धाता॥ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥
Jai Lakshmi Mata Maiya Jai Lakshmi Mata Tumko Nishidin Sevat Hari Vishnu Dhata Jai Lakshmi Mata
Meaning:Victory to Mother Lakshmi! Day and night Hari Vishnu serves you. Victory to Mother Lakshmi!
उमा रमा ब्रह्माणी, तुम ही जग माता। सूर्य चन्द्रमा ध्यावत, नारद ऋषि गाता॥ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥
Uma Rama Brahmani Tum Hi Jag Mata Surya Chandrama Dhyavat Narad Rishi Gata Jai Lakshmi Mata
Meaning:You are Uma, Rama, Brahmani — you are the mother of the world. The sun and moon meditate on you, Sage Narad sings your praise.
दुर्गा रूप निरंजनी, सुख सम्पत्ति दाता। जो कोई तुमको ध्यावत, ऋद्धि सिद्धि धन पाता॥ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥
Durga Roop Niranjani Sukh Sampatti Data Jo Koi Tumko Dhyavat Riddhi Siddhi Dhan Pata Jai Lakshmi Mata
Meaning:In the pure form of Durga, you give happiness and prosperity. Whoever meditates on you attains wealth and spiritual powers.
तुम पाताल निवासिनी, तुम ही शुभदाता। कर्म प्रभाव प्रकाशिनी, भवनिधि की त्राता॥ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥
Tum Patal Nivasini Tum Hi Shubhdata Karm Prabhav Prakashini Bhavanidhi Ki Trata Jai Lakshmi Mata
Meaning:You dwell in the netherworld, you are the giver of auspiciousness. You illuminate the effects of karma, you are the savior from the ocean of existence.
जिस घर में तुम रहती, सब सद्गुण आता। सब सम्भव हो जाता, मन नहीं घबराता॥ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥
Jis Ghar Mein Tum Rahti Sab Sadgun Aata Sab Sambhav Ho Jata Man Nahin Ghabrata Jai Lakshmi Mata
Meaning:In whatever home you reside, all good qualities come. Everything becomes possible, the mind does not waver.
तुम बिन यज्ञ न होते, वस्त्र न कोई पाता। खान पान का वैभव, सब तुमसे आता॥ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥
Tum Bin Yagya Na Hote Vastra Na Koi Pata Khan Pan Ka Vaibhav Sab Tumse Aata Jai Lakshmi Mata
Meaning:Without you, no rituals take place, no one obtains garments. All the glory of food and drink comes from you.
शुभ गुण मन्दिर सुन्दर, क्षीरोदधि जाता। रत्न चतुर्दश तुम बिन, कोई नहीं पाता॥ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥
Shubh Gun Mandir Sundar Ksheerodadhi Jata Ratna Chaturdash Tum Bin Koi Nahin Pata Jai Lakshmi Mata
Meaning:Beautiful temple of virtues, born from the ocean of milk. Without you, no one obtains the fourteen gems.
महालक्ष्मी जी की आरती, जो कोई गाता। उर आनन्द समाता, पाप उतर जाता॥ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥
Mahalakshmi Ji Ki Aarti Jo Koi Gata Ur Anand Samata Paap Utar Jata Jai Lakshmi Mata
Meaning:Whoever sings the aarti of Mahalakshmi, their heart fills with bliss and sins are washed away.
स्थिर चर जगत बचावो, शरण जो तेरी आता। मन वांछित फल पावो, मन नहीं घबराता॥ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥
Sthir Char Jagat Bachavo Sharan Jo Teri Aata Man Vanchit Phal Pavo Man Nahin Ghabrata Jai Lakshmi Mata
Meaning:Protect the moving and still world — whoever comes to your refuge obtains their heart's desire, the mind does not waver.
दोहा: मातु लक्ष्मी सदगुणी, नित पूजूँ पद पद्म। धन धान्य विद्या दीजिए, सकल कामना सिद्ध॥
Doha: Matu Lakshmi Sadguni Nit Poojun Pad Padm Dhan Dhanya Vidya Dijiye Sakal Kamana Siddh
Meaning:Closing: O virtuous Mother Lakshmi, I worship your lotus feet daily. Grant wealth, grain and knowledge — fulfill all desires.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Lakshmi Chalisa
Essential Diwali prayer — sung in millions of homes during Lakshmi Puja
Attracts wealth, prosperity and material abundance
Each verse is also the Lakshmi Aarti — two prayers in one
'Riddhi Siddhi Dhan Pata' — grants both material and spiritual wealth
Removes sins and fills the heart with bliss
Friday recitation is especially powerful for financial improvement
How to Chant Lakshmi Chalisa
Light a ghee diya before Lakshmi's image. Offer red lotus flowers or marigolds. Sing/chant the chalisa with the 'Jai Lakshmi Mata' refrain after each verse. On Diwali night, chant 9 times after midnight for maximum effect. Regular Friday recitation brings sustained prosperity.