Lakshmi Chalisa

Daughter of the ocean, I hold you in my thoughts; grant me knowledge, sound judgement, and learning.

No one is as generous as you; in every way you bring our hopes to fruition.

Hail, Mother of the universe and of all creation; you alone are the support of every being.

You reside in every heart without exception; this is the heartfelt prayer I place before you.

Hail, Mother of the world, born of the sea; you are the well-wisher of the poor and the helpless.

Daily I entreat you, great queen; have mercy, O Bhavani, Mother of the world.

In what manner can I rightly praise you? Overlook my faults and take notice of me.

Turn your kind gaze toward me; Mother of the world, listen to my plea.

You are the giver of wisdom, understanding, and joy; remove our troubles, O Mother.

When Vishnu had the ocean of milk churned, fourteen treasures were drawn up from the sea.

Among those fourteen jewels you were the very source of bliss, and you served the Lord as his devoted companion.

Wherever and whenever the Lord took birth, you changed your form and were there to serve him.

When Vishnu himself took a human body and was born in the city of Ayodhya,

you appeared in Janaka's city as Sita and served him with a heart thrilled by love.

The inner knower of all, master of the three worlds known across creation, claimed you as his own.

No power is as mighty as yours; how far could I describe your greatness in words?

Whoever serves you in thought, deed, and speech receives the very fruit their heart desires.

Setting aside deceit, cunning, and cleverness, they worship you wholeheartedly in many ways.

Let me explain another point clearly: whoever recites this text with full attention—

no hardship touches them, and they obtain exactly the reward their heart wishes for.

Save us, save us, O remover of sorrow; you dissolve the three afflictions and the bondage of worldly existence.

Whoever reads this Chalisa or has it read, and with focused mind listens to it or recites it for others—

no illness afflicts them, and they gain children, wealth, and prosperity.

Those without children or means, the blind, the deaf, the diseased, and the deeply distressed—

let them invite a learned priest to perform the recitation, and never let doubt enter their heart.

Whoever has the recitation done for forty days, upon them the Lord of Gauri bestows his grace.

They gain abundant happiness and wealth, and no shortage of anything ever comes their way.

One who performs this worship for twelve months—no one else is as blessed as they are.

Whoever recites it daily with a sincere mind has no equal anywhere in the world.

How much more can I praise it in so many ways? Put it to the test with a focused and steady mind.

Keep faith and observe the vow with discipline; it bears fruit, and love wells up within the heart.

Hail, hail, hail Lakshmi Bhavani; you pervade all things and are the wellspring of every virtue.

Your radiance is mighty throughout the world; nowhere is there anyone as compassionate as you.

Take notice of me, helpless as I am; cut away my troubles and grant me devotion.

Forgive my errors and lapses; see my condition and grant me your sight.

Without your darshan your worshipper grows restless; though you are present, he endures heavy sorrow.

I have no real wisdom or understanding within me; you know all of this in your own heart.

Take on your four-armed form and now remove my suffering.

In what way could I sing your praise enough? I possess no great wisdom or intellect.

Ramdas places all his hope in you; you know every sorrow and misfortune that is mine.