Mother of the World

Mother of the World.   The very first bhajan I learned in carnatic singing class was Maha Lakshmi. I can still remember being intrigued by it and the unusual sound of the raga, and the fact that the bhajan did not start on the Sa of the raga but on the Da, up the raga or scale, and a challenge to find at first.  I have done my best below to provide some translation of the lyrics and the source of the bhajan, which honors the Goddess Lakshmi in Her manifestations as Ashta Lakshmi.  I have also provided some excerpts from a lovely article written by Swami Adyhatananda below.

Maha Lakshmi , “The Great Lakshmi”) jaganmatha, mother of the world
Priya or loved one  of Madhusudhana Krishna, one who killed demon madhu
mohini to bewitch; beautiful one; a female ioncarnation of vishnu which became a consort of Lord Shiva

Adi Lakshmi, “Premeval Lakshmi”)
Dhaana (wealth) Dhanya Lakshmi, “Money Lakshmi”): for money and gold or bounty in spirituality
Sowbhagya:  Giver of good Fortune”) : Giver of prosperity in general
Santāana Lakshmi, “Progeny Lakshmi”): Bestower of offspring
Veera  “Valourous Lakshmi”)
Dhairya Lakshmi,  “Courage Lakshmi”): Bestower of valour in battles and courage and strength for overcoming difficulties in life.
Vara Lakshmi,  “Boon Lakshmi”): “The lady who bestows Beautiful Boons

sumangala auspicious
vasundara profound relief
vasuprada bestower of wealth

padmini full of lotusses
sunandini happy
kamala lakshmi lotus 

Excerpts from Sri Asta Lakshmi-God as the Mother of Prosperity by Swami Adhyatananda:

“Almighty Lord Sri Narayana or Mahavishnu is known for looking after the welfare and well being of the phenomenal world or the creation. The power or energy of Sri Narayana is Sri Lakshmi. Mother Lakshmi is always identified with the Lord, and hence they are known as Sri Lakshmi Narayana. Mother Lakshmi is a mother of prosperity, peace and illumination. Without Her grace one can’t have inner peace or perennial joy…

…Thus all these eightfold Sri Lakshmi is ultimately one single power only. That is Adishakti.
The perennial and unchangeable, ever lasting, eternal truth or the absolute is this Supreme blessedness, the mother Adishakti. She is the origin. She is the light. She is the power, the wisdom and the strength. She is the Supreme Joy, peace, bliss and illumination.
May Mother Adishakti’s and Sri Ashta Lakshmi’s grace be ever upon we all, to receive Her divine grace for being befitting servant of the mankind in Her cosmic kingdom. Om Shanti

Adi Lakshmi: Mother Lakshmi resides with Lord Narayana in the Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Narayana. She is known as Ramaa, means bringing happiness to the mankind. She is also known as Indira (who holds lotus or purity in the hands or heart.) Divine Mother’s this form is normally seen serving Sri Narayana. Lord Narayana is omnipresent. Adi Lakshmi or Ramaa Lakshmi serves Sri Narayana is symbolic of her serving the whole creation. Though Sri Narayana is attended by innumerable devotees, still she personally loves to serve the Lord. Actually mother Adi Lakshmi and Narayana are not two different entities but one only. Many a place we see her form sitting in the lap of Sri Narayana. “