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Mahalakshmi Dhyana (Aksasrak Parashum) — Word-by-Word Meaning

महालक्ष्मी ध्यान (अक्षस्रक्परशुं)

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

अक्षस्रक्
akṣa-srak
a rosary (mala) of rudraksha / aksha beads
परशुं
paraśuṃ
a battle-axe
गदा
gadā
a mace
इषु
iṣu
an arrow
कुलिशं
kuliśaṃ
a thunderbolt (vajra)
पद्मं
padmaṃ
a lotus
धनुः
dhanuḥ
a bow
कुण्डिकां
kuṇḍikāṃ
a water-pot (kamandalu)
दण्डं
daṇḍaṃ
a staff / rod
शक्तिम्
śaktim
a spear (shakti weapon)
असिं
asiṃ
a sword
चर्म
carma
a shield
जलजं
jala-jaṃ
a conch (born of water)
घण्टां
ghaṇṭāṃ
a bell
सुराभाजनम्
surā-bhājanam
a wine-cup / vessel of nectar
शूलं
śūlaṃ
a trident
पाश
pāśa
a noose
सुदर्शने
sudarśane
the Sudarshana discus
दधतीं हस्तैः
dadhatīṃ hastaiḥ
holding (all these) in Her (eighteen) hands
प्रसन्नाननां
prasanna-ānanāṃ
of serene, gracious countenance
सेवे
seve
I worship / I serve
सैरिभमर्दिनीम्
sairibha-mardinīm
the slayer of the buffalo-demon (Mahishasura)
महालक्ष्मीं सरोजस्थिताम्
mahālakṣmīṃ saroja-sthitām
Mahalakshmi, seated upon the lotus

Complete Translation

I worship Mahalakshmi, seated upon the lotus, the slayer of the buffalo-demon (Mahishasura), of serene and gracious countenance — who holds in her hands the rosary, the battle-axe, the mace, the arrow and the thunderbolt; the lotus, the bow and the water-pot; the staff, the spear, the sword and the shield; the conch, the bell and the vessel of nectar; the trident, the noose and the Sudarshana discus.

Origin & History

Source: Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmyam) — dhyana of the Madhyama Charita

Author: Traditional (Markandeya Purana tradition)

Period: Classical

In the Durga Saptashati the Devi Mahatmyam unfolds in three charitas, each presided over by a great form of the Goddess — Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. This verse is the dhyana of Mahalakshmi, the deity of the middle episode, in which the Goddess took shape from the combined splendour of all the gods and, bearing each of their weapons in her eighteen arms, rode forth to destroy the buffalo-demon Mahishasura. The dhyana is recited to behold and meditate upon that very form before reciting the chapters of her victory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Goddess does this dhyana describe?▼
It describes Mahalakshmi as she appears in the middle episode (Madhyama Charita) of the Durga Saptashati — an eighteen-armed warrior form of the Divine Mother who is the slayer of the buffalo-demon Mahishasura. In this context Mahalakshmi is the supreme Shakti, not only the goddess of wealth.
Why does she hold so many weapons?▼
The eighteen arms bearing the rosary, axe, mace, arrow, thunderbolt, lotus, bow, water-pot, staff, spear, sword, shield, conch, bell, nectar-cup, trident, noose and discus signify that the one Goddess wields all the powers and weapons of all the gods together, making her invincible against evil.
What does 'sairibha-mardini' mean?▼
'Sairibha' is another word for the buffalo (mahisha), so 'sairibha-mardini' means 'the crusher of the buffalo-demon' — that is, the slayer of Mahishasura. It is one of the great titles of the Goddess in her victorious warrior form.
When is this dhyana recited?▼
It is recited as the dhyana (meditation verse) before the middle charita of the Durga Saptashati / Chandi Path, especially during Navaratri. It may also be chanted independently as a meditation on the Goddess in her full protective splendour.

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