Lakshmim Kshira Samudra Raja Tanayam (Mahalakshmi Dhyana) — Word-by-Word Meaning
लक्ष्मीं क्षीरसमुद्रराजतनयाम् (महालक्ष्मी ध्यान)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
लक्ष्मीं
lakṣmīṃ
Lakshmi (the Goddess of fortune)
क्षीरसमुद्रराजतनयां
kṣīra-samudra-rāja-tanayāṃ
daughter of the king of the Ocean of Milk (born at the churning of the milk-ocean)
श्रीरङ्गधामेश्वरीं
śrī-raṅga-dhāma-īśvarīṃ
the sovereign mistress of Srirangam, the abode of Sri (Ranganatha)
दासीभूतसमस्तदेववनितां
dāsī-bhūta-samasta-deva-vanitāṃ
She whom all the wives of the gods serve as handmaidens
लोकैकदीपाङ्कुराम्
loka-eka-dīpa-aṅkurām
the one flame / lamp-sprout that lights all the worlds
श्रीमन्मन्दकटाक्ष
śrīman-manda-kaṭākṣa
by Her gracious, gentle sidelong glance
लब्धविभव
labdha-vibhava
having gained their glory and power
ब्रह्मेन्द्रगङ्गाधरां
brahma-indra-gaṅgā-dharāṃ
(by whose glance) Brahma, Indra and Shiva (the bearer of the Ganga) attain their majesty
त्रैलोक्यकुटुम्बिनीं
trailokya-kuṭumbinīṃ
the matriarch / homemaker of the three worlds, who holds all the worlds as her family
सरसिजां
sarasijāṃ
the lotus-born / lotus-seated One
वन्दे
vande
I bow to / I worship
मुकुन्दप्रियां
mukunda-priyāṃ
the beloved of Mukunda (Vishnu, the giver of liberation)
Complete Translation
I bow to Lakshmi — daughter of the king of the Ocean of Milk, sovereign mistress of Srirangam; She whom all the consorts of the gods serve as handmaidens, the single lamp-flame that illumines every world; She by whose gracious gentle glance Brahma, Indra and Shiva, the bearer of the Ganga, obtain their glory; the lotus-born matriarch of all the three worlds, the beloved of Mukunda (Vishnu).
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Mahalakshmi dhyana shloka (Sri Vaishnava tradition)
Author: Traditional
Period: Classical
This celebrated dhyana verse is recited at the opening of Mahalakshmi worship to establish her majestic form in the heart of the devotee. Cherished especially in the Sri Vaishnava tradition — where Lakshmi is adored as Sri Ranganayaki, the mistress of Srirangam — it gathers her greatness into a single sentence: born of the milk-ocean, served by all the goddesses, the lamp that lights the worlds, the giver of glory to Brahma, Indra and Shiva, and the beloved of Vishnu who holds all the three worlds as her household.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Lakshmim Kshira Samudra Raja Tanayam' shloka?▼
It is one of the most famous single-verse dhyana (meditation) prayers to Goddess Mahalakshmi. It praises her as the daughter of the Ocean of Milk, mistress of Srirangam, served by all the goddesses, the lamp of all the worlds, and the beloved of Vishnu, from whose glance even Brahma, Indra and Shiva gain their glory.
Why is Lakshmi called 'Kshira Samudra Raja Tanaya'?▼
'Kshira Samudra Raja Tanaya' means 'daughter of the king of the Ocean of Milk.' Lakshmi arose from the churning of the milk-ocean (Samudra Manthan) and is therefore described as its daughter. She then chose Vishnu as her consort, which is why she is also called 'Mukunda-priya.'
What does 'Trailokya Kutumbini' mean?▼
'Trailokya Kutumbini' means the matriarch or homemaker of the three worlds — She who regards all the three worlds as her own family and cares for them. It expresses Lakshmi's role as the nourishing mother of the entire universe.
When is it recited?▼
It is recited in Lakshmi worship, especially on Fridays and during Diwali, Dhanteras and Varalakshmi Vrata. It is most often used as the opening dhyana before longer hymns such as the Sri Suktam or the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam.
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