Silk altar cloth tie-dyed in honor of Lakshmi (original art).
This is a Solitary Ritual to be done on a Friday, which is an auspicious day for Lakshmi
Adapted from the original ritual found at: http://indopaganproject.tripod.com/id29.html
Before casting the circle, HPS reads:
Namaste! Tonight I am here to perform a ritual and guided meditation for Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of abundance and prosperity.
The word "Lakshmi" is derived from the Sanskrit word Laksme, meaning "goal." Lakshmi, therefore, represents the goal of life, which includes worldly as well as spiritual prosperity.
As I perform the ritual, my goal is to think of what abundance and prosperity means to me, remembering that abundance and prosperity is not about just money and financial gain. Tradition and values, family and friends, and personal character are all wealth. In the Hindu mythology, Lakshmi is the source and provider of the following sixteen types of wealth, as well as many more. (1) Fame (2) Knowledge (3) Courage and Strength (4) Victory (5) Good Children (6) Valor (7) Gold and other gross properties (8) Grains in abundance (9) Happiness (10) Bliss (11) Intelligence (12) Beauty (13) Higher Aim, High Thinking and Higher Meditation (14) Morality and Ethics (15) Good Health (16) Long Life.
The Bindi is a symbol of auspiciousness, good fortune, festivity, and spiritual intelligence. It is believed to prevent the loss of "energy", as well as bringing spiritual protection. May Lakshmi cleanse me and provide me with abundance and prosperity.
HPS places Bindi on her third eye, and then recites:
Consecration of the elements is not done in Hindu ritual, but many of the same elements are used. In Hindu rituals, the incense that is burnt collectively stands for the desires we have for various things in life. The oil lamp that is lit represents the light within us. The red powder, which is vermilion, stands for our emotions. The flowers that are offered to the deity stand for the good that has blossomed in us, and the fruits offered symbolize our detachment, self-sacrifice and surrender.
I weave into being around me, a circle of Radiant Light; guarding me, protecting me, keeping out all harm, allowing in only that which is true and is of service. In the many names of Lakshmi do I create this circle.
I will use some of the names of Lakshmi and her many aspects to call the Quarters and say "Namaste" while pressing my hands together, held near the heart with the head gently bowed. The prayerful hand position is a Mudr(a) called Anjali, from the root Anj, "to adorn, honor, celebrate or anoint." The hands held in union signify the oneness of an apparently dual cosmos, the bringing together of spirit and matter, or the self meeting the Self. It has been said that the right hand represents the higher nature or that which is divine in us, while the left hand represents the lower, worldly nature. In Sanskrit "Namas" means, "bow, obeisance, reverential salutation." It comes from the root Nam, which carries meanings of bending, bowing, humbly submitting and becoming silent. "Te" means "to you." Thus "Namaste" means "I bow to you."
Turning to each direction, HPS calls the quarters:
By the many names of Lakshmi, I call forth the elements to lend their energies and be with me today.
East: Buddhi, Padmagandhina, Punyagandha. Satua. I welcome you in all your ethereal aspects. Namaste!
South: Bhaskari, Deepta, Hiranmayi. Indra. I welcome you in all your fiery aspects. Namaste!
West: Amrutha, Sudha, Samudratanaya, Preeta Pushkarini. I welcome you in all your flowing aspects. Namaste!
North: Dharini, Prakruti, Surbhi, Vasundhara. I welcome you in all your earthly aspects. Namaste!
Salutations to the goddess of wealth, food, property, children, health, happiness, power, beauty, luck and sacredness, who sits bejeweled on a dew-drenched lotus, holding in her hand a golden pot overflowing with grain and gold, who is entertained by the songs of elephants in rut, who is the strength of the cosmic-king Vishnu, the mother of the god of love, whose eyes hold the promise of contentment and fulfillment, who is the restless but generous to all those who adore her, who is the earth-cow offering love and nourishment to all. Goddess Lakshmi, come be with me today and grace this circle with your love.
In Hindu rituals, the invoked deity is an honored guest and they given offerings. I will honor Lakshmi, give offerings to her, and thank her for joining me tonight. The mantra being chanted after each offering means “Oh Goddess Lakshmi! We pray to you in benign solemnity to bestow your blessings and shower your wealth on us.”
HPS recites the mantra, and chimes the temple bell. With the incense, HPS circles the altar statue three times, recites mantra, and then places it in front of the statue. She holds up the fruit bowl, recites mantra, and places it in front of the statue. She holds up the mango juice, recites mantra, and places in front of the statue.
Mantra: OM Shrem Mahalakshmiyei Namaha
HPS showers Lakshmi with rose petals, thanking her for her presence tonight.
Meditation:
HPS settles comfortably with the stack of coins and rose petals at hand, and turns on the CD in the player.
Now it is time to for us to meet with Lakshmi through a guided meditation. You will be receiving some gifts from her tonight. Please sit comfortably, back straight, hands on knees, receiving hand up, other down. When you receive the gifts, do not open your eyes, concentrate on the feel, texture, and meaning of the gift.
It's a warm summer evening. You're sitting outside, relaxing on a fallen log under an ancient willow tree. A beautiful, teal colored lake surrounds you, perfectly serene and peaceful in the moonlight. Lily pads and lotus flowers dot its surface creating the fragrant air around you. You feel perfectly at peace, completely relaxed and at ease. Taking a deep breath, you inhale the flowery fragrance deeply into your being and close your eyes.
Suddenly, you awaken and notice the full moon now hangs high overhead. You're not sure how much time has passed but you feel extremely well rested and happy. Standing up, you see a glowing, golden light in the middle of the lake. Stepping to the edge, you peer out and notice the light is growing and coming closer. Tentatively, you try to step off the edge of the land and are amazed that you can walk on the water. Step by step, you slowly walk toward the growing, golden aura never making a wake in the perfectly tranquil lake. Nearing the light, you now see a huge white lotus flower, completely closed except for the golden light that pours out from its upright petals.
Stopping, you stare in awe as the flower begins to open. Expecting the light to be blinding, you avert your eyes away. "I've been waiting for you, no need to hide," a beautiful voice says. Turning back, you see the lotus is now completely open and standing in the center of the huge flower is the most beautiful woman you've ever seen. She is glowing and vibrant. A golden jewel glimmers from her forehead and she is crowned with gold and jewels. Her beautiful black, silken hair flows down her back. She is bathed in a flowing sari of shimmering, red and gold silk. Intricate golden chains decorate her waist and neck. Beautiful gold bracelets dangle on her four arms. As she extends her hands in blessing, golden coins pour from her palm, falling endlessly into the lotus flower that she stands on. In her upper two hands she holds the most perfect white lotus flowers you have ever seen. They pulsate with a shimmering light that sends exquisitely fragrant warmth into your being. In her lower left hand she holds a beautiful golden pot that shimmers from the embedded jewels that decorate its surface. "You've come here to learn of me and I am here to teach you," she says. "Come, follow me."
Her golden aura pulses, blinding for only a second and you are standing with her, but your surroundings are different. The full moon still hangs high overhead, but you see thousands of tiny glimmering lights. Hearing a 'popping' overhead you look up to see fireworks dotting the night sky. Voices waft toward you, laughing, singing and happy.
Looking up to the Goddess she says, "These are my people. Today is my day, Lakshmi Puja. On this day I am invited into the homes of my people, invited by the handmade, twinkling oil lamps, red powder and flowers that show me the way into their homes to bless them with wealth and prosperity. Today they have cleaned their homes, made sweets to eat, lit lamps of love and go door to door singing for treats. Children run through the streets with glittering sparklers and the fireworks are seen and heard all over the town. Special prayers and offering are made to me with beads and coins so I may visit tonight and bless their homes with Abundance and Prosperity."
"Now it is time for the gifts I can share with you," she begins. Kneeling in front of her, she stands in blessing, her four palms reaching toward you. She first places a golden coin in your hands. "Know you will never hunger, for you are blessed with artha, the gift of prosperity, you will have whatever material means you may require to fulfill your ambitions."
(HPS takes coin from stack)
Next she places one of the white petals into your hands. It is cool and silky to the touch. "Now I give to you dharma, the gift of righteousness, to help balance your life and teach you what true transcendence means in your path."
(HPS takes rose petal)
Another white petal is placed into your hands. It is warm and soft. "This is moska, the gift of beauty, for all that are touched by me are beautiful."
(HPS takes another rose petal)
She places her hand on your chin and raises your face upward opening your mouth slightly. She opens the beautiful golden bottle and pours its liquid into your upturned mouth. As the golden liquid touches your tongue, complete bliss surges through your body. "Lastly, I give you a drink of amrita, the essence of immortality, health and life. It is the gift of kama, pure carnal pleasure, life itself that will completely nourish your physical, mental and spiritual being."
"Go now and do not forget what I have given to you, for these are the keys to life itself." You bow your head and thank the Goddess Lakshmi for what she has given you. Her golden aura pulsates and as you look up, she is gone. You are now kneeling under the ancient willow at the edge of the lake. Looking up to the moon you smile for you have been blessed with many gifts on this night. Rising to your feet you continue back home.
Take a few minutes and think about the gifts you have been given and when you are ready slowly shift your consciousness back to this room and open your eyes.
With pen and paper HPS records any notes about this experience and anything else that comes to mind.
Lakshmi, you are the nectar of life, with your love and blessing we will never thirst.
Holding up the fruit bowl, HPS says:
Lakshmi, you are the fruit of creation, with your love and blessing we will never hunger.
After Cakes & Ale, and any additional unscripted time spent in the presence of Lakshmi, HPS thanks Divinity, saying:
Thank you Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and fortune. As the Hindu scriptures say, the purpose of life is to understand who we really are. We cannot discover this until we experience life. May your many blessings continue to shower down upon us as we live our lives. Namaste!
Releasing the Quarters, HPS says:
By the many names of Lakshmi, we thank the elements for lending their energies and being with us today.
North: Dharini, Prakruti, Surbhi, Vasundhara. We thank you. Namaste!
West: Amrutha, Sudha, Samudratanaya, Preeta Pushkarini. We thank you. Namaste!
South: Bhaskari, Deepta, Hiranmayi. Indra. We thank you. Namaste!
Opening the Circle, HPS walks widdershins and says:
As all good things must sometimes end, Go forth with the love that Lakshmi sends. For if your heart is always true, This circle will come back to you.
The circle is open but unbroken. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again. Namaste!
The remainder of the Cakes and Ales are taken outside and given back to the earth in thanks.
Return to information about the Goddess Lakshmi