Mookambika Ashtakam
श्री मूकाम्बिकाष्टकम्
Also known as: mookambika ashtakam · mukambika ashtakam · sri mookambika ashtakam · namaste jagaddhatri sadbrahmarupe · mahalakshmi kolapureshi · kollur mookambika ashtakam
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✦ Meaning
The Mookambika Ashtakam is a beloved eight-verse hymn to Goddess Mookambika of Kollur, Karnataka — the unique deity in whom Mahalakshmi, Saraswati and Durga are united. Each verse hails her as 'Mahalakshmi, Goddess of Kolapura', explaining her names: she is Lakshmi by her grace, Mookambika because the mute pray to her for speech, and Gauri-Kumari as she springs from the non-dual Brahman. The phalashruti promises prosperity, knowledge and truth to those who recite it daily.
Origin & Story
Traditional Sanskrit hymn to Mookambika of Kollur · Traditional (the hymn's colophon ascribes it to all the gods) · Traditional
The Mookambika temple at Kollur, nestled in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, is one of the seven sacred Mukti-Sthalas of the region and is associated with Adi Shankaracharya, who is said to have established the Goddess there. The deity is unique: a swayambhu Jyotirlinga divided by a golden line, the right side representing Shiva-Vishnu-Brahma and the left the united powers of Saraswati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali — so she grants both knowledge and prosperity. This ashtakam praises her under all these aspects, explaining each of her names verse by verse.
✦ As told in scripture
Pilgrims hold that students who pray to Mookambika before beginning their studies are blessed with learning and clear speech, and many accounts tell of mute or struggling children who gained the power of speech and scholarship after their families offered this hymn at Kollur; the swayambhu Jyotirlinga is itself revered as a self-manifested sign of the Mother's living presence.
Complete Text with Meaning
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नमस्ते जगद्धात्रि सद्ब्रह्मरूपे नमस्ते हरोपेन्द्रधात्रादिवन्द्ये। नमस्ते प्रपन्नेष्टदानैकदक्षे नमस्ते महालक्ष्मि कोलापुरेशि॥१॥
namaste jagad-dhatri sad-brahma-rupe namaste haropendra-dhatradi-vandye | namaste prapanneshta-danaika-dakshe namaste mahalakshmi kolapureshi ||1||
Meaning:Salutations to you, sustainer of the world, whose form is the true Brahman; salutations to you, worshipped by Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma and all the gods; salutations to you, the one adept at granting the wishes of those who take refuge — salutations to you, Mahalakshmi, Goddess of Kolapura!
विधिः कृत्तिवासा हरिर्विश्वमेतत् सृजत्यत्ति पातीति यत्तत्प्रसिद्धम्। कृपालोकनादेव ते शक्तिरूपे नमस्ते महालक्ष्मि कोलापुरेशि॥२॥
vidhih krittivasa harir vishvam etat srijaty atti patiti yat tat prasiddham | kripa-lokanad eva te shakti-rupe namaste mahalakshmi kolapureshi ||2||
Meaning:That Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu create, dissolve and protect this universe is well known; yet it is only by your compassionate glance, O Power-embodied one, that they do so — salutations to you, Mahalakshmi, Goddess of Kolapura!
त्वया मायया व्याप्तमेतत्समस्तं धृतं लीयसे देवि कुक्षौ हि विश्वम्। स्थितां बुद्धिरूपेण सर्वत्र जन्तौ नमस्ते महालक्ष्मि कोलापुरेशि॥३॥
tvaya mayaya vyaptam etat samastam dhritam liyase devi kukshau hi vishvam | sthitam buddhi-rupena sarvatra jantau namaste mahalakshmi kolapureshi ||3||
Meaning:By you, as Maya, is all this pervaded; you bear and then dissolve the whole universe within your womb, O Goddess, and you abide in every creature as its intelligence — salutations to you, Mahalakshmi, Goddess of Kolapura!
यया भक्तवर्गा हि लक्ष्यन्त एते त्वयाऽत्र प्रकामं कृपापूर्णदृष्ट्या। अतो गीयसे देवि लक्ष्मीरिति त्वं नमस्ते महालक्ष्मि कोलापुरेशि॥४॥
yaya bhakta-varga hi lakshyanta ete tvaya'tra prakamam kripa-purna-drishtya | ato giyase devi lakshmir iti tvam namaste mahalakshmi kolapureshi ||4||
Meaning:By your glance, brimming with grace here at will, these throngs of devotees are watched over; therefore, O Goddess, you are sung as 'Lakshmi' — salutations to you, Mahalakshmi, Goddess of Kolapura!
पुनर्वाक्पटुत्वादिहीना हि मूका नरास्तैर्निकामं खलु प्रार्थ्यसे यत्। निजेष्टाप्तये तेन मूकाम्बिका त्वं नमस्ते महालक्ष्मि कोलापुरेशि॥५॥
punar vak-patutvadi-hina hi muka naras tair nikamam khalu prarthyase yat | nijeshtaptaye tena mukambika tvam namaste mahalakshmi kolapureshi ||5||
Meaning:Further, men who are mute, lacking eloquence and the like, earnestly pray to you for the gaining of their desires; because of that you are 'Mookambika' (Mother of the mute) — salutations to you, Mahalakshmi, Goddess of Kolapura!
यदद्वैतरूपात्परब्रह्मणस्त्वं समुत्था पुनर्विश्वलीलोद्यमस्था। तदाहुर्जनास्त्वां च गौरीं कुमारीं नमस्ते महालक्ष्मि कोलापुरेशि॥६॥
yad advaita-rupat para-brahmanas tvam samuttha punar vishva-lilodyamastha | tad ahur janas tvam cha gaurim kumarim namaste mahalakshmi kolapureshi ||6||
Meaning:Since you arise from the non-dual Supreme Brahman and then stand poised in the play of the universe, people call you Gauri and Kumari — salutations to you, Mahalakshmi, Goddess of Kolapura!
हरेशादिदेहोत्थतेजोमयप्र- स्फुरच्चक्रराजाख्यलिङ्गस्वरूपे। महायोगिकोलर्षिहृत्पद्मगेहे नमस्ते महालक्ष्मि कोलापुरेशि॥७॥
haresadi-dehottha-tejomaya-pra- sphurach-chakra-rajakhya-linga-svarupe | maha-yogi-kolarshi-hrit-padma-gehe namaste mahalakshmi kolapureshi ||7||
Meaning:O one whose form is the luminous Linga, the radiant Sri Chakra-raja arising from the splendour of the bodies of Shiva, Vishnu and the gods, dwelling in the heart-lotus of the great yogi sage Kola — salutations to you, Mahalakshmi, Goddess of Kolapura!
नमः शङ्खचक्राभयाभीष्टहस्ते नमः त्र्यम्बके गौरि पद्मासनस्थे। नमः स्वर्णवर्णे प्रसन्ने शरण्ये नमस्ते महालक्ष्मि कोलापुरेशि॥८॥
namah shankha-chakrabhaya-bhishta-haste namah tryambake gauri padmasana-sthe | namah svarna-varne prasanne sharanye namaste mahalakshmi kolapureshi ||8||
Meaning:Salutations to you who bear the conch, the discus, the gesture of fearlessness and the boon-giving gesture in your hands; salutations, O three-eyed Gauri seated on the lotus; salutations, O golden-hued, gracious refuge of all — salutations to you, Mahalakshmi, Goddess of Kolapura!
इदं स्तोत्ररत्नं कृतं सर्वदेवै- र्हृदि त्वां समाधाय लक्ष्म्यष्टकं यः। पठेन्नित्यमेष व्रजत्याशु लक्ष्मीं स विद्यां च सत्यं भवेत्तत्प्रसादात्॥
idam stotra-ratnam kritam sarva-devair hridi tvam samadhaya lakshmy-ashtakam yah | pathen nityam esha vrajaty ashu lakshmim sa vidyam cha satyam bhavet tat-prasadat ||
Meaning:This jewel of a hymn, the Lakshmi-ashtakam, was composed by all the gods; whoever, fixing you in his heart, recites it daily swiftly attains prosperity (Lakshmi), and by your grace gains true knowledge and truth.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Mookambika Ashtakam
Invokes Mookambika of Kollur, in whom Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga are united
Especially revered for the gift of speech, learning (vidya) and wisdom
The phalashruti promises swift prosperity (Lakshmi) and the gaining of true knowledge
Traditionally chanted for children's education and for the removal of speech difficulties
Worships the Goddess as the Sri Chakra-raja Linga — uniting Shakti and Shiva
Bestows the grace-filled glance (kripa-purna-drishti) of the Divine Mother
Brings devotion, fulfilment of righteous wishes and protection
How to Chant Mookambika Ashtakam
Bathe and sit before an image of Mookambika or Mahalakshmi; light a lamp and offer flowers and kumkum. Recite the eight verses with devotion, dwelling on the refrain 'Namaste Mahalakshmi Kolapureshi', and conclude with the phalashruti. Because the Goddess presides over learning, the hymn is favoured by students and is often begun on Vijayadashami (the day of Vidyarambham). Daily recitation, as the phalashruti urges, is held to bring prosperity and wisdom.