Chapter 237 - A hymn in praise of Goddess Śrī (Lakṣmī) for the sake of success

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Puṣkara said:

1. Indra made the prayer to (the goddess Śrī (Lakṣmī) in days of yore for securing the kingdom. A king should similarly do that prayer for the sake of victory.

Indra said:

2. I make obeisance to the mother of all worlds, that is born of the ocean, the (Goddess) Śrī (Fortune), that has eyes like the lotus that is waking up after sleep and that person dwelling on the chest of lord Viṣṇu.

3-4. O Goddess! You are the success. You are the Svadhā (food offered to the manes), the Svāhā (oblations). You are ambrosia. (You are) the purifier of the world. You are the twilights, night, lustre, wealth, memory, faith and Sarasvatī (the Goddess of speech). (You are) the sacrificial knowledge, supreme knowledge and secret knowledge. O Auspicious one! O Goddess! You are the knowledge of the soul and the conferer of the benefit of emancipation.

5. You are the metaphysics, the three Vedas and the science of administration. O Goddess! The Beautiful! This has been filled by your beautiful worldly forms.

6. O Godess! Who else other than you would rest in the body composed of all sacrifices of the mace-wielding Lord Nārāyaṇa, the god of gods whom the yogins contemplate.

7. O Goddess! All the three worlds were forsaken by you and the Earth was almost lost and resuscitated by you now.

8. O Most Fortunate One! Men would always get wives, sons, house, friends, grains, wealth etc. on account of your glances.

9. O Goddess! It is not impossible for men seen by your glances to get beauty, health, fortune, destruction of the enemy beside happiness.

10. You are the mother of all beings; and Lord Hari (Viṣṇu), the god of gods, is the father. O Mother! This world of movable and immovable beings is pervaded by you and lord Viṣṇu.

11-12. O Purifier of all! Do not forsake honour, treasury, granary, house, attendants, body and wife. One resting on the chest of lord Viṣṇu! Do not desert children, circle of friends, cows and ornaments.

13. O Spotless one! Those men forsaken by you would be forsaken at once by nobility, truth, purity and other qualities such as good conduct.

14. Men seen by you would at once be endowed with all qualities such as good conduct, the fortune of good family etc. even though they be without good qualities.

15. O Goddess! Whoever is seen by you would be praiseworthy, possessing good qualities, fortunate, belonging to a good family, wise, valiant and victorious.

16. O Consort of lord Viṣṇu! The Sustainer of the universe! All qualities such as good conduct shed their excellence at once in men from whom you have turned your face.

17. Even the tongue of Brahmā is not capable of describing your qualities. O Goddess Lotus-eyed! Be gracious. Never forsake us.

Puṣkara said:

18-19. Being thus adored, (goddess) Śrī (Lakṣmī) conferred on Indra the desired boon (such as) firmness of sovereignty and success in the battle etc. It confers enjoyment and emancipation on those reciting or hearing the hymn. Hence one should always read and listen to the hymn on (goddess) Śrī (Lakṣmī).