Lakshmi Lajje Mahavidye
लक्ष्मि लज्जे महाविद्ये
Also known as: lakshmi lajje mahavidye · medhe sarasvati vare · chamunde mundamathane narayani · narayani namostute lakshmi · durga saptashati chapter 11 lakshmi sarasvati
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✦ Meaning
In these verses of the Narayani Stuti (Chapter 11 of the Devi Mahatmya / Durga Saptashati), the gods salute the Divine Mother in her many forms with the refrain 'Narayani Namostute.' She is hailed as the fierce Chamunda who slew Munda, and then as Lakshmi, modesty, faith, nourishment, the great night and the great illusion, and as Medha, Sarasvati, prosperity and the constant law of the cosmos. The hymn reveals the one Goddess as the inner reality of every grace, power and virtue in creation.
Origin & Story
Durga Saptashati Chapter 11 · Maharshi Markandeya (traditionally ascribed) · Puranic period (c. 5th–6th century CE for the Devi Mahatmya)
The Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati or Chandi), part of the Markandeya Purana, recounts the Goddess's triumphs over the great demons. In Chapter 11, after Shumbha is slain, Indra and the gods sing the Narayani Stuti, saluting the Mother in form after form with the refrain 'Narayani Namostute.' These verses move from the fearsome Chamunda — who, with Kali, slew Chanda and Munda earlier in the text — to a sweeping litany of her gracious forms: Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Medha, Shraddha, Pushti and the cosmic powers of Maharatri and Mahamaya, declaring that all the riches and virtues of the worlds are the one Goddess herself.
✦ As told in scripture
Tradition holds that because this passage names the Goddess as Lakshmi, Sarasvati and Chamunda together, its sincere recitation invites wealth, wisdom and protection in a single prayer. Devotees recount that during the autumn Navaratri, households that recite the Narayani Stuti are blessed with prosperity, harmony and freedom from fear.
Complete Text with Meaning
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दंष्ट्राकरालवदने शिरोमालाविभूषणे । चामुण्डे मुण्डमथने नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
daṃṣṭrākarālavadane śiromālāvibhūṣaṇe cāmuṇḍe muṇḍamathane nārāyaṇi namo'stu te
Meaning:O You whose face is fearsome with tusks, adorned with a garland of heads, O Chamunda, slayer of Munda — O Narayani, salutation be unto You.
लक्ष्मि लज्जे महाविद्ये श्रद्धे पुष्टि स्वधे ध्रुवे । महारात्रि महामाये नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
lakṣmi lajje mahāvidye śraddhe puṣṭi svadhe dhruve mahārātri mahāmāye nārāyaṇi namo'stu te
Meaning:O Lakshmi, O Modesty, O great Knowledge (Mahavidya), O Faith, O Nourishment, O Svadha, O Steadfast One, O great Night (Maharatri), O great Illusion (Mahamaya) — O Narayani, salutation be unto You.
मेधे सरस्वति वरे भूति बाभ्रवि तामसि । नियते त्वं प्रसीदेशे नारायणि नमोऽस्तुते ॥
medhe sarasvati vare bhūti bābhravi tāmasi niyate tvaṃ prasīdeśe nārāyaṇi namo'stute
Meaning:O Intellect (Medha), O Sarasvati, O Excellent One, O Prosperity, O Babhravi, O Tamasi (the dark), O constant One — be gracious, O Sovereign; O Narayani, salutation be unto You.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Lakshmi Lajje Mahavidye
Invokes the Goddess in her many forms — Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Chamunda and more
Recited for prosperity (Lakshmi), wisdom (Sarasvati) and protection (Chamunda) together
Part of the beloved Narayani Stuti with the refrain 'Narayani Namostute'
Believed to draw the grace of wealth, learning, faith and steadfastness
Cherished verses for daily Durga worship and Navaratri recitation
Cultivates reverence for the one Mother behind every divine quality
How to Chant Lakshmi Lajje Mahavidye
Recite these verses with devotion, bowing inwardly at each 'Narayani Namostute.' They may be chanted on their own or within the full Narayani Stuti and Durga Saptashati (Chandi Path). Devotees seeking the combined grace of Lakshmi, Sarasvati and the protective Chamunda dwell on each name with feeling, offering a lamp and flowers before the image of the Mother.
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