Lakshmi — Shukravar Puja Steps & Ashtalakshmi Names

Goddess Lakshmi — the divine consort of Lord Vishnu — embodies wealth, fortune, beauty, and prosperity in all its forms. She is not merely the goddess of material wealth; she represents the abundance of health, knowledge, courage, and spiritual fulfillment.

The Eight Forms: Ashtalakshmi

Lakshmi manifests in eight forms, each governing a different aspect of prosperity:

Form	Domain	Mantra
Adi Lakshmi	Primordial wealth, spiritual liberation	Om Shreem Adi Lakshmiyei Namah
Dhana Lakshmi	Material wealth and financial abundance	Om Shreem Dhana Lakshmiyei Namah
Dhanya Lakshmi	Agricultural wealth, food abundance	Om Shreem Dhanya Lakshmiyei Namah
Gaja Lakshmi	Royal power, animal wealth	Om Shreem Gaja Lakshmiyei Namah
Santana Lakshmi	Progeny, family blessings	Om Shreem Santana Lakshmiyei Namah
Veera Lakshmi	Courage and strength	Om Shreem Veera Lakshmiyei Namah
Vijaya Lakshmi	Victory in all endeavors	Om Shreem Vijaya Lakshmiyei Namah
Vidya Lakshmi	Knowledge and wisdom	Om Shreem Vidya Lakshmiyei Namah

When you worship Lakshmi, you invite all eight forms of abundance into your life — not just money.

Friday Puja (Shukravar Vrat)

Friday is Lakshmi’s sacred day. Regular Friday worship is one of the most effective ways to invite prosperity.

Preparation

• Clean your home thoroughly (Lakshmi does not enter unclean spaces)
• Wear clean, preferably white or yellow clothes
• The puja area should have a red or pink cloth

Step-by-Step Puja Vidhi

1. Set Up

• Place Lakshmi murti or image on a clean platform
• Place a Kalash (water pot) with coconut and mango leaves
• Keep a lotus flower (fresh or artificial) near the murti
• Place a silver coin and some rice grains before the murti

2. Invocation (Avahana) Light a ghee diya and incense. Invite Lakshmi: “Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah. Shri Lakshmiyai Avahayami.”

3. Offerings (Upachara) Offer each item while chanting “Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah”:

• Sandalwood paste (chandan)
• Turmeric and kumkum
• Fresh flowers — lotus, marigold, jasmine
• Fruits — especially banana and pomegranate
• Sweets — kheer, laddoo
• Betel leaves and supari

4. Main Mantra Chanting Chant the Lakshmi mantra 108 times with a mala: “Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah”

5. Sri Sukta Recitation (optional but powerful) The Sri Sukta from the Rig Veda is the oldest and most authoritative hymn to Lakshmi. Even reciting the first few verses brings blessings.

6. Aarti Perform the Lakshmi aarti: “Om Jai Lakshmi Mata, Maiya Jai Lakshmi Mata”

7. Pradakshina and Prarthana Circumambulate the puja space (or turn in place) three times, then offer your personal prayer.

Friday Fasting Rules

• Eat one meal — preferably after the evening puja
• Avoid non-vegetarian food, garlic, and onion
• Fruits, milk, and sweets are permitted throughout the day
• Wear white clothes if possible
• Continue for 16 consecutive Fridays for the traditional Lakshmi Vrat

Lakshmi Mantras for Daily Practice

The Maha Mantra

“Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah”

• Most widely used. Suitable for daily chanting.
• 108 repetitions, morning or evening.

Lakshmi Beej Mantra

“Om Shreem”

• Compact, powerful. Good for meditation.
• Activates abundance energy in the heart chakra.

Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra

“Om Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe, Vishnu Patnyai Cha Dhimahi, Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat”

• For deeper spiritual practice and wisdom.

Kanakadhara Stotra

Composed by Adi Shankaracharya, this hymn is specifically for material prosperity. Reciting it on Fridays is considered extremely auspicious.

Signs of Lakshmi’s Presence

According to tradition, Lakshmi is present where:

• The home is clean, well-lit, and fragrant
• Family members treat each other with respect
• There is no wastage of food or resources
• Tulsi plant is healthy and well-maintained
• The entrance is clean and decorated (rangoli)
• There is generosity — Lakshmi flows through giving, not hoarding

Lakshmi and Diwali

Diwali night is the most important Lakshmi worship of the year. On Amavasya night:

• The entire house is lit with diyas
• The main door is kept open
• Lakshmi-Ganesh puja is performed during Pradosh Kaal
• New account books are placed before Lakshmi for blessing

Read our complete guide: Diwali Puja Vidhi — Step by Step

Practical Wisdom from Lakshmi Worship

Lakshmi teaches that wealth is not static — it flows. Key principles:

1. Cleanliness attracts prosperity — Keep your workspace and home orderly
2. Generosity creates circulation — Donate regularly; stagnant wealth leaves
3. Respect for resources — Never waste food, water, or money
4. Gratitude — Acknowledge what you have before asking for more
5. Ethical earning — Lakshmi leaves homes where wealth is earned through adharma

Track Your Lakshmi Mantra Practice

Use our Naam Jap Counter to maintain your daily “Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah” count, especially during your Friday vrat.

Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah.