“Aarti for Goddess Lakshmi”
Om Jai Laxmi Mata, Maiya JaiLaxmi Mata,
Tumko nis din sevat, Hari, Vishnu Data
Om Jai Laxmi Mata
Uma Rama Brahmaani, Tum ho Jag Mata,
Maiya, Tum ho Jag Mata,
Surya ChanraMa dhyaavat, Naarad Rishi gaata.
Om Jai Laxmi Mata.
Durga Roop Niranjani, Sukh Sampati Data,
Maiya Sukh Sampati Data
Jo koyee tumko dhyaataa, Ridhee Sidhee dhan paataa
Om Jai Laxmi Mata.
Jis ghar mein tu rehtee, sab sukh guna aataa,
Maiya sab sukh guna aataa,
Taap paap mit jaataa, Man naheen ghabraataa.
Om Jai Laxmi Mata
Dhoop Deep phal meva, Ma sweekaar karo,
Maiya Ma sweekaar karo,
Gyaan prakaash karo Ma, Moha agyaan haro.
Om Jai Laxmi Mata.
Maha Laxmiji ki Aarti, jo gaavey
Maiya nis din jo gaavey,
Uraananda samata, paap uttar jata.
Om Jai Laxmi Mata.
Shree Ganesh Aarti
Jai Ganesha Jai Ganesha Jai Ganesha Deva
Maata Jaaki Parvati Pitaa Mahadeva
Ladoowan Ka Bhog Lage Sant Karen Sevaa
Jai Ganesh Deva
Eka Dant Dayavant Chaar Bhujadhari
Maathe Par Tilak Sohe Muse Ki Sawaari
Paan Chadhe Phool Chadhe Aur Chadhe Mevaa
Jai Ganesh Deva
Andhe Ko Aankh Det Kohin Ko Kaaya
Banjhan Ko Putra Det Nirdhan Ko Maaya
Surya Shama Sharan Aaye Safal Kijye Sevaa
Jai Ganesh Deva
Lakshmi Pooja
Lakshmi was the daughter of the sage Bhrigu and took refuge in the ocean of milk
when the gods were sent into exile. Lakshmi was reborn during the Churning of the
Ocean. As soon as the gods saw Lakshmi, they all fell in love with her beauty. Shiva
claimed Lakshmi as his wife, but since he had already taken the Moon, her hand was
given to Vishnu, whom Lakshmi herself preferred.
Lakshmi is the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth. While Laxmi is
generally worshiped to achieve success, she does not reside long with anyone who
is lazy or desire her only as wealth.
Steps of Lakshmi Pooja
Spread a new cloth on a raised platform: Place a handful of grains in the center and,
on this, place a kalash (pitcher) made of gold, silver, copper, or terracotta. Fill three-
fourth of the kalash with water and place a betel nut, a flower, a coin, and some rice
grains in it. Arrange five kinds of leaves or mango leaves in the kalash. Place a small
dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains. Draw a lotus with turmeric powder
( haldi ) over the rice grains and place the idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along
with coins.
Place the idol of Ganesha: In front of the kalash, on the right (South-West
direction), place the idol of Ganesha. Also place ink and books related to your
business or occupation on the platform. Light a lamp and begin the puja by offering
haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the platform on which the kalash is placed. Then offer
haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the water that is to be used for the puja. Invoke the
river goddesses to be part of this water.
Invoke goddess: Lakshmi by reciting the Vedic mantras addressed to her. One can
also recite the mantras mentioned in the Puranas or simply take some flowers in
your hands, close your eyes, and think of goddess Lakshmi being showered with
gold coins by two elephants standing on either side of Her and chant Her name.
Then offer the flowers to the idol.
Place the idol of Lakshmi: Place the idol of Lakshmi in a plate and bathe it with
water, panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee or clarified butter, honey, and sugar)
and then with water containing some gold ornament or a pearl. Wipe the idol clean
and place it back on the kalash. Alternately, you can just sprinkle water and
panchamrit on the idol with a flower.
Offerings: Offer sandal paste, saffron paste, perfume ( itr ), haldi, kumkum, abeer,
and gulal to the goddess. Offer a garland of cotton beads to the goddess. Offer
flowers, especially the marigold flowers and leaves of Bel (wood apple tree). Light an
incense stick and dhoop. Make an offering of sweets, coconut, fruits, and tambul.
Make an offering of puffed rice and batasha. Pour some puffed rice, batasha,
coriander seeds, and cumin seeds over the idol. Safe where you keep money and
jewelry; Worship this safe as a symbol of Lord Kuber.
Aarti: Finally, perform the aarti for goddess Lakshmi. Always remember that She
abhors loud noise. So the aarti should be accompanied only by a small bell. Do not
clap hands, as is the practice when performing aarti for other gods. A peaceful and
sublime atmosphere should prevail during the diwali day pujan. Do not light crackers
while the puja is on or immediately after it.
