Shri Lakshmi Chalisa

O Mother Lakshmi, be gracious and dwell in my heart.

Fulfil my desires and complete my hopes.

This is my prayer, entreating with folded hands.

Make all things auspicious — hail, mother of the world!

Daughter of the ocean, I remember you; grant me wisdom, intellect and learning.

None is as benevolent as you; fulfil all my hopes in every way.

Hail, hail, mother of the world — you alone are everyone’s support.

You alone dwell in every heart; this alone is my special plea.

Hail mother of the world, daughter of the ocean, benefactress of the lowly.

Daily I entreat you, great queen; be gracious, mother of the world.

How shall I praise you? Heed me, forgetting my offences.

Cast your gracious glance toward me; hear my plea, mother of the world.

Hail giver of wisdom, intellect and joy; remove my distress, O Mother.

When Vishnu churned the ocean of milk, fourteen jewels emerged from the sea.

Among the fourteen jewels, blissful one, you served the Lord as his handmaid.

Whenever and wherever the Lord took birth, you changed form and served there.

When Vishnu himself took human form, incarnating at Ayodhya...

Then you appeared at Janakpur, serving with a thrilled heart.

The inner-dweller accepted you; the world knows him as lord of the three worlds.

No power has come equal to yours; how far shall I sing your glory?

Whoever serves with mind, deed and word gains the wished-for fruit.

Abandoning deceit and cunning, they worship in many ways with devoted mind.

And I tell you further of whoever recites this with devoted mind.

They suffer no pain and gain the fruit their heart desires.

Hail, hail, remover of sorrow, releaser from the three afflictions and worldly bondage.

Whoever reads or teaches this Chalisa, listens or recites it with focus...

No sickness troubles them; they gain sons, wealth and property.

The sonless and wealthless, blind, deaf, leprous and wretched...

Should call a Brahmin and have it recited, never doubting in heart.

Have it recited for forty days; Gauri’s Lord will grace them.

They will gain abundant joy and wealth; nothing will ever fall short.

Whoever worships for twelve months — none is as blessed as they.

Whoever recites daily with devoted mind — none in the world equals them.

How much more shall I praise you? Test it with focused mind.

Keeping vows with faith brings fulfilment, and love awakens in the heart.

Hail, hail, hail Lakshmi Bhavani, mine of virtues pervading all.

Mighty is your splendour in the world; none is as merciful as you.

Heed me now, an orphan; cut away my distress and grant me devotion.

Forgive my errors and faults; grant me your sight, seeing my plight.

Without your sight your servant is distraught, enduring heavy sorrow.

I have no wisdom or sense in me; you know all within your own heart.

Taking your four-armed form, now end my suffering.

How shall I praise you? My wisdom and sense are not great.

Save, save, O remover of sorrow, swiftly take away all terror; hail, hail, Lakshmi, destroy my foes. Ramdas meditates daily, entreating with folded hands: Mother Lakshmi, cast a glance of grace upon your servant.