How to Perform the Shodashopachara Puja of Goddess Mahalaxmi on Diwali

In 2024, Diwali will be celebrated on November 1. In Hinduism, worship of Goddess Mahalaxmi on Kartik Amavasya is an established practice. Many wish to worship Mahalaxmi during Diwali. If you know how to recite the Shri Suktam, you can easily perform the Shodashopachara Puja of Mahalaxmi. Here is a guide to the Shodashopachara Puja based on the Shri Suktam:

Aavahanam (Invocation)

Sanskrit Shloka:

ॐ हिरण्यवर्णां हरिणीं सुवर्णरजतस्रजाम् ।
चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आ वह ।। (1)
English Translation: “Om, O Agnidev, the Knower of Beings, invite to me Goddess Lakshmi who is golden-hued like the sun, with a hint of green, adorned with a garland of gold and silver, having a moon-like radiance, and who is as pleasing as the moon. Let such a divine Lakshmi with a golden body be brought to me.”
Asanam (Offering of Seat)

Sanskrit Shloka:

ॐ तां म आ व ह जातवेदो लक्ष्मीमनपगामिनीम् ।
यस्यां हिरण्यं विन्देयं गामश्वं पुरुषानहम् ।। (2)
English Translation: “Om, O Agnidev, bring to me the renowned Goddess Lakshmi, whose invitation grants me wealth, cattle, horses, and progeny.”
Padyam (Washing of Feet)

Sanskrit Shloka:

ॐ अश्वपूर्वां रथमध्यां हस्तिनाद्प्रमोदिनीम् ।
श्रियम् देवीमुप ह्वये श्रीर्मा देवी जुषताम् ।। (3)
English Translation: “Om, I invite the goddess who is seated in a chariot, whose front and middle are adorned with horses, and who brings joy through the sounds of elephants. May this radiant Lakshmi, who is the abode of prosperity and protector of all beings, reside in my home.”

Arghyam (Offering of Water)

ॐ कां सोस्मितां हिरण्यप्राकारामार्द्रां ज्वलन्तीं तृप्तां तर्पयन्तीम् ।
पद्मेस्थितां पदमवर्णां तामिहोप ह्वये श्रियम् ।। (4)
English Translation: “Om, I invite Goddess Lakshmi who has an indescribable form, who smiles gently, who is surrounded by gold, who is compassionate, and who fulfills the desires of her devotees. May she who resides on a lotus and has a form like a lotus, come to my abode.”

Achamanam (Purification by Sipping Water)

Sanskrit Shloka:

ॐ चन्द्रां प्रभासां यशसा ज्वलन्ती श्रियं लोके देवजुष्टामुदाराम् ।
तां पद्मिनीमीं शरणं प्र पद्ये अलक्ष्मीर्मे नश्यतां त्वां वृणे ।। (5)
English Translation: “Om, I seek refuge in Goddess Lakshmi who is radiant like the moon, glorious in her splendor, worshipped by deities, and resplendent. I ask her to remove all poverty and ensure her presence in my home.”
Snanam (Bathing)

Sanskrit Shloka:

ॐ आदित्यवर्णे तपसोऽधि जातो वनस्पतिस्तव वृक्षोऽथ बिल्वः ।
तस्य फलानि तपसा नुदन्तु या अन्तरा याश्च बाह्य अलक्ष्मीः ।। (6)
English Translation: “Om, O Goddess with the radiance of the sun, whose brilliance led to the creation of the Bilva tree, may the fruit of this tree remove my internal and external poverty.”

Vastram (Offering of Clothes)

Sanskrit Shloka:

उपैतु मां देवसखः किर्तिश्च मणिना सह ।
प्रदुभुर्तॉऽस्मि रास्ट्रेऽस्मिन् कीर्तिंमृद्धिम ददातु मे ।। (7)
English Translation: “Om, O Lakshmi, may I receive glory and prosperity with the blessings of the divine friends such as Indra and Kubera. Bestow me with wealth and fame in this world.”

Upavastram (Offering of Additional Clothes)

Sanskrit Shloka:
क्षुत्पिपासामलां ज्येष्ठमलक्ष्मीं नाशयाम्यहम् ।
अभूतिमसमृद्धि च सर्वां निर्गुद में गृहात् ।। (8)
English Translation: “Om, I pray to remove the blemish of hunger and thirst and to eliminate poverty, the elder sister of Lakshmi. May all impediments to prosperity in my home be removed.”
Gandham (Offering of Fragrance)

Sanskrit Shloka:

गन्धद्वारां दुराधर्षां नित्यपुष्टां करीषिणीम् ।
ईश्वरीं सर्वभूतानां तामिहोप हवये श्रियम् ।। (9)
English Translation: “Om, I invite Lakshmi who is always surrounded by fragrance, who cannot be overcome, who is ever-full of wealth, and who is the goddess of all beings. May she reside in my home.”
Sobha-Dravya (Offering of Auspicious Items)

Sanskrit Shloka:

मनसः काममाकूतिं वाचः सत्यमशीमहि ।
पशुनां रूपमन्नस्य मयि श्रीः श्रयतां यशः ।। (10)
English Translation: “Om, O Lakshmi, I pray for the fulfillment of mental desires and the truthfulness of speech, and to attain the form of wealth in cattle and food. May you, O Lakshmi, bring wealth and fame to me.”
Pushpam (Offering of Flowers)

Sanskrit Shloka:

कर्दमेन प्रजा भूता मयि संभव कर्दम ।
श्रियम वासय मे कुले मातरं पद्ममालिनीम् ।। (11)
English Translation: “Om, O Kardama, pray to your mother Lakshmi for the well-being of my family and all our progeny. May Goddess Lakshmi, adorned with a lotus garland, reside in our home.”
Dhoopam (Offering of Incense)

Sanskrit Shloka:

आपः सृजन्तु स्निग्धानि चिक्लीत वस् मे गृहे ।
नि च देवीं मातरं श्रियं वासय मे कुले ।। (12)
English Translation: “Om, may Varuna, the god of water, create fragrant substances in my home. May the divine Lakshmi with her qualities, reside in my home.”
Deepam (Offering of Light)

Sanskrit Shloka:

आर्द्रां पुष्करिणीं पुष्टिं पिंडगलां पदमालिनीम् ।
चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मी जातवेदो म आ वह ।। (13)
English Translation: “Om, O Agnidev, bring the shining Lakshmi who is nourished by the tusks of elephants, who is radiant and golden, and who holds a lotus. Let her illuminate my home.”
Naivedyam (Offering of Food)

Sanskrit Shloka:

आर्द्रां यः करिणीं यष्टिं सुवर्णां हेममालिनीम् ।
सूर्यां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मी जातवेदो म आ वह ।। (14)
English Translation: “Om, O Agnidev, bring the goddess Lakshmi who is always compassionate to her devotees, who punishes the wicked, who has a beautiful golden form, and who is like the sun. Let her be present in my home.”
Dakshina (Offering of Gifts, Aarti, and Flowers)

Sanskrit Shloka:

तां म आवह जातवेदो लक्ष्मी मन पगामिनीम् ।
यस्यां हिरण्यं प्रभूतं गावो दास्योऽश्वान् विन्देयं पुरुषानहम् ।। (15)
English Translation: “Om, O Agnidev, bring to my home the steadfast Goddess Lakshmi, who does not leave her devotees, and who grants wealth, cows, servants, horses, and descendants.”
Namaskaram (Offering of Salutations)

Sanskrit Shloka:

यः शुचिः प्रयतो भूत्वा जुहुयादाज्यमन्वहम् ।
सूक्तं पञ्चदशर्चं च श्रीकामः सततं जपेत् ।। (16)
English Translation: “Om, one who desires Lakshmi should perform daily offerings with pure intentions, regularly recite the fifteen verses of the Shri Suktam, and offer clarified butter in the fire.”

Performing Mahalaxmi’s puja in this manner during Diwali can bring prosperity and blessings into your life.