PRAYERS TO LAXMI MAA – How is Laxmi Puja different at Diwali?
Puja (alternative transliteration Pooja, Sanskrit: reverence or worship, loosely) is a religious ritual which most Hindus perform
every morning after bathing and dressing but prior to taking any food or drink. Puja rituals vary between Hindu sects, but
generally involve the chanting of a particular series of Mantra for a specific deity and, optionally, the offering of food and drink
to one’s personal Murtis (idols) of God and Guru.
A puja can be performed for anyone the performer considers God, from an idol of Vishnu to a holy tree. This is because the Puja is
not done onto the object, idol or person, but for the doer’s sake – which is to empower and strengthen his/her mind. The worship
consists of making offerings to the Lord, such as flowers or food, and possibly lighting a diya or incense. All offerings are done with
their respective Mantras which, again, is for our own purification. Hence, after purification of one’s mind, one’s action, thoughts and
deeds will be pure.
At Diwali, the prayers to Maha Laxmi Maa is not much different than a regular puja ceremony. However, there is a simple, yet special
manner, in which it’s done. Some persons may choose to do an elaborate Puja while others may opt for a simple Puja with just family
members of their home or household.
Family members would gather the necessary ingredients and utensils required for the Puja and also prepare their Diyas that would
be lit and placed in and around their homes. This will be kept aside and be lit from the single Diya that is used during the Puja. This
is the origin of the concept that a single flame (Diya) can light thousands of Diyas. Similarly, for us humans, once we allow light,
brilliance, knowledge, wealth and happiness to enter our lives, only then we can share same with our fellow humans. The Puja during
Diwali is done to remind us that we must all strive for inner illumination, happiness, peace, wisdom and wealth. They are superior
to the material things of life.
After prayers to Maha Laxmi Maa, the Diyas are placed around the homes and this extends throughout villages and communities.
Being the darkest night of the year, humans transform it to the brightest night of the year with flickering flames of the diyas and other
forms of light.
THE FOLLOWING MANTRAS CAN BE RECITED FOR THE INVOCATION OF MAA LAXHMI AND TO ESTABLISH THE
LIGHTING OF THE DIYA.
शुभं करोतु कलियानमारोग्यम् सुख सम्पदाम्
बुदि प्रकाशं च दीप ज्योति नमोऽस्तुते
SHUBHAM KAROTU KALIYAANAM AAROGYAM SUKH SAMPADAAM
BUDWI PRAKAASHAM CHA DEEPA JYOTI NAMOSTUTE
ॐ सर्व लोकस्य जननीं शूल हस्तां त्रिलोचनम्
सर्वदेव मयि मीषां देवी मा वाह्याम्य्हम्
OM SARVA LOKASYA JANANIM SHOOL HASTAAM TRILOCHANAM
SARVADEWA MAYI MEESHAAM DEVI MAA WAAHYAAMYHAM
महालक्ष्मि नमस्तुभ्यं नमस्तुभ्यं सुरेश्वरि
हरि प्रिये नमस्तुभ्यं नमस्तुभ्यं दयानिधे
MAAHALAXHMI NAMASTUBHYAM NAMASTUBHYAM SURESHWARI
HARI PRIYE NAMASTUBHYAM NAMASTUBHYAM DAYAANIDHE
भो दीप त्वं ब्रह्म रूपं अन्धकार निवारकः
इमां मया कृतां पूजा गृहाण तेजः प्रवर्ध्य
BHO DEEPA TWAM BRAHMA RUPAM ANDHKAAR NIWAARKAH
IMAAM MAYAA KRITAAM PUJAA GRIHAARN TEJAH PRAWARDHYA
ॐ लक्ष्मी करोतु कल्याणं आरोग्यं सुख सम्पदाम् |
मम शत्रु विनाशाय दीप ज्योति र्नमोस्तुते ||
OM LAKSHMEE KAROTU KALYAANAM AAROGYAM SUKHA SAMPADAAM
MAMA SHATRU VINAASHAAYA DEEPA JYOTIR NAMOSTUTE
