BhaktiLoopGaja Lakshmi Puja
Gaja Lakshmi is one of the eight manifestations of Goddess Lakshmi (Ashta Lakshmi). She is depicted seated on a lotus, holding two lotuses in her upper hands, with her lower hands in Abhaya Mudra (granting fearlessness) and Varada Mudra (bestowing boons). She is typically flanked by two elephants (Gaja) showering her with water from their trunks, symbolizing royalty, abundance, fertility, and the showering of wealth. This puja is particularly potent for those seeking to enhance their financial stability, leadership qualities, agricultural prosperity, and overall success by overcoming obstacles.
Purpose
To invoke blessings for immense wealth, prosperity, abundance, power, strength, stability, good fortune, and success. Gaja Lakshmi is associated with elephants, symbolizing royalty, strength, fertility, and good harvest. The puja is performed for material and spiritual well-being.
Key Rituals
- Achamanam & Sankalpa:** Purification and declaring the intention and purpose of the puja.
- Deepa Prajwalana:** Lighting the lamp as a symbol of divine light and knowledge.
- Guru Vandana & Ganesh Puja:** Invoking blessings from Guru and Lord Ganesha for removal of obstacles.
- Punyahavachanam:** Sanctifying the puja area and materials with holy water.
- Kalasha Sthapana:** Invoking deities into a pot filled with water, symbolizing the universe.
- Navagraha Puja:** Worship of the nine planets to pacify any malefic influences.
- Gaja Lakshmi Avahanam & Dhyanam:** Invoking Goddess Gaja Lakshmi and meditating upon her form.
- Shodashopachara Puja:** Offering 16 steps of devotional service, including:
- Asanam (offering a seat)
- Padya (washing feet), Arghya (offering water for hands), Achamaniya (offering water for sipping)
- Snanam (bathing with water, milk, honey, ghee, yogurt, sugar - Panchamrita Snanam)
- Vastram (offering clothes) & Abharanam (ornaments)
- Gandham (sandalwood paste), Kumkum (vermilion), Turmeric
- Pushpam (flowers, especially red lotus) & Pushpanjali (offering handful of flowers)
- Dhupam (incense) & Deepam (lamp)
- Naivedyam (food offerings) & Tambulam (betel leaves and nuts)
- Dakshina (monetary offering)
- Mantra Japa:** Chanting specific Gaja Lakshmi mantras, Lakshmi Moola Mantra, or Beej Mantras a prescribed number of times (e.g., 108, 1008).
- Gaja Lakshmi Ashtottarashatanama Archana:** Chanting the 108 names of Goddess Lakshmi while offering flowers/kumkum.
- Ashta Lakshmi Stotram Recitation:** Chanting the hymn praising all eight forms of Lakshmi.
- Lakshmi Sahasranama Archana (optional):** Chanting the 1000 names of Goddess Lakshmi for extended benefits.
- Aarti:** Waving a lamp in front of the deity while singing devotional hymns.
- Pradakshina:** Circumambulating the altar/deity.
- Namaskaram:** Prostrations and offering salutations.
- Kshama Prarthana:** Seeking forgiveness for any mistakes committed during the puja.
- Teertha Prasada Vitarana:** Distribution of holy water and consecrated food.
Common Offerings
Flowers: Especially red lotuses, roses, marigolds, jasmine.
Fruits: Bananas, pomegranates, coconuts, apples, mangoes, grapes.
Sweets: Kheer (rice pudding), Laddoos, Modak, any homemade sweets, jaggery.
Dry Fruits: Almonds, cashews, raisins.
Other: Rice grains, turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood paste, betel leaves, betel nuts, coins, milk, ghee (clarified butter), honey, yogurt, sugarcane, puffed rice, sugarcane juice.
Specific to Gaja Lakshmi: Figurines or pictures of elephants, particularly with raised trunks.
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Hreem Shreem Kleem Gaja Lakshmyai Namah.
Meaning
Salutations to Gaja Lakshmi, invoked with the powerful seed sounds of Hreem (illusion/maya), Shreem (prosperity), and Kleem (attraction/desire fulfillment).
Benefits
Attracts immense wealth, power, stability, and good fortune. Helps in overcoming financial obstacles and bestows kingly prosperity.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed Shreem Hreem Shreem Om Mahalaxmyai Namah.
Meaning
O Goddess Lakshmi, who resides in the lotus and is seated on a lotus, please be pleased. Salutations to the great Goddess Lakshmi.
Benefits
A powerful general Lakshmi mantra for overall prosperity, financial growth, well-being, and fulfillment of desires. Reinforces the connection to Gaja Lakshmi as a form of Mahalakshmi.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Jaya Jaya Durgati Naashini Kamini, Sarva Phala Pradayini Shastramaye. Ratha Gaja Turaga Padadi Samavruta, Sankula Vara Varshini Shantiyute.
Meaning
Victory, victory to the destroyer of misfortunes, the pleasing one, the bestower of all fruits, embodied in scriptures. Surrounded by chariots, elephants, horses, and infantry, showering boons, filled with peace.
Benefits
This is a verse from the Ashta Lakshmi Stotram specifically for Gaja Lakshmi, highlighting her power to remove adversity, grant boons, and bestow abundance, surrounded by symbols of royal prosperity and might.
Auspicious Days
Fridays (especially Shubha Shukravar): Dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.
Sharad Purnima (Kojagiri Purnima): Particularly auspicious for Lakshmi worship, believed to be the night Lakshmi descends to Earth.
Diwali (Deepavali): The main festival for Lakshmi worship, particularly the third day (Lakshmi Puja).
Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi): Marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations, auspicious for wealth acquisition.
Akshaya Tritiya: Considered eternally auspicious for new beginnings and investments.
Shravan Maas (Hindu month): Fridays during this month are highly revered.
Any Poornima (Full Moon) day, especially when falling on a Friday.
Regional Variations
While the core rituals and offerings remain consistent, regional variations may exist in the specific hymns chanted, the order of certain rituals, and the emphasis on particular aspects of Gaja Lakshmi (e.g., fertility and agriculture in agrarian societies, or royal power in regions with historical monarchies). Some traditions might incorporate more elaborate elephant-related symbolism or offerings. The pronunciation of mantras and specific 'naivedyam' items can also vary based on regional culinary practices and linguistic styles (e.g., South Indian vs. North Indian Brahminical traditions).
Related Pujas
Ashta Lakshmi Puja (Gaja Lakshmi is one of the eight forms worshipped collectively)
Mahalakshmi Puja (General worship of Goddess Lakshmi)
Dhanteras Puja (Focus on wealth and prosperity at the start of Diwali)
Diwali Lakshmi Puja (The primary Lakshmi worship during Diwali)
Kubera Puja (Worship of the treasurer of the gods for wealth)
Go Puja (Cow worship, as cows are also symbols of prosperity and the earth's bounty)