Devi Lakshmi - In Her Eight Aspects - Ashtalakshmi Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Ashta Lakshmi - Warm and pure
Wealthy - wealthier - wealthiest!
Wielding power - flaunting power -
Wallet of plentitude!
Wonderful Goddess of gems and jewellery,
Waking aspirations,
Wishes fulfilled,
Winner always!

Adi Lakshmi - the unborn mother!
The first lady of creation,
The primordial Goddess,
The first sensitive movement
The fine rhythmic step
The first dance of life
The flute of the first dawn
The perfect symphony!

Dhana Lakshmi - the Goddess of wealth!
Mantra of abundance
Money Maker
Manifold activities,
Mansions and castles
Magnetic attraction
Magnanimous disposition
Majestic life!

Dhanya Lakshmi - the Goddess of sustenance!
Ruler of sugar canes and paddy fields,
Rice, wheat, grams and pulses
Ripe fruits and vegetables,
Rich golden yellow corns
Red apples so juicy
Rosy cheeks glowing with
Radiant health!

Dhairya Lakshmi - the Goddess of courage!
Bestowing valour and strength,
Bustling about with energy,
Beguiling weakness and cowardliness,
Brave fighter,
Blazing trail of heroism,
Booster of Shakti,
Bright flame of fire within!

Gajalakshmi -Goddess flanked by elephants!
Elephants that guard faithfully,
Elephants that spray nectar,
Elephants that worship with lotus flowers,
Elephants appearing during the churning of ocean,
Elephants that hold the ambrosia,
Elephants that remove obstacles,
Elephants that protect the Goddess!

Santana Lakshmi - Goddess of family welfare!
Maternal love so tender,
Meaningful and contented life
Marvellous children - bright and brilliant,
Motherly concern and happiness,
Many more boons for a prosperous family,
Maha Prakriti - the great play of nature
Mystic revelations and blessings!

Vijaya Lakshmi - the Goddess who conquers!
Cherishing dreams of victory,
Concentrated on winning,
Convictions so strong,
Challenging even the mighty,
Concepts clear and well defined,
Conqueror of fear,
Conqueror of the self!

Vidya Lakshmi -Goddess bestowing Knowledge
Knowledge of Vedas and Upanishads,
Knowledge of Fine arts - music and dance,
Knowledge of right Karma -in thought, word and deed,
Knowledge of Viveka - Discrimination
Knowledge of Atman - the Self,
Knowledge of Paramatman - the Supreme God,
Knowledge of Yoga - the union of Atma and Parmatma!

Bless me, O Devi Lakshmi! In your eight fold aspects!
Eight glorious forms as Ashtalakshmi!
Eternal divine manifestations, O Devi!
May your protective hands be on my head
To lead a simple, yet virtuous life,
To live and to let live,
To share with a generous mind,
To give with great joy!