विप्राणां सेवनं यत्र तेषां वै भोजनं शुभम्
Wherever there is service to Brahmins, or their auspicious meal.
इत्युक्त्वा च सुरान्सर्वान्रमामाह रमापतिः
Having spoken thus to all the gods, the Lord of Lakshmi addressed Rama.
इत्युक्त्वा तां जगन्नाथो ब्रह्माणं पुनराह च
Having spoken thus to her, the Lord of the universe again addressed Brahma.
इत्युक्त्वा कमलाकान्तो देवश्चान्तरधान्मुने
Having spoken thus, the Lord, beloved of Lakshmi, disappeared, O sage.
मन्थानं मन्दरं कृत्वा कूर्मं कृत्वा च भाजनम्
Using Mandara as the churning rod and the tortoise as the vessel.
धन्वन्तरिं च पीयूषमुच्चैःश्रवसमीप्सितम्
Dhanvantari and nectar, and the desired horse Ucchaishravas.
वनमालां ददौ सा च क्षीरोदशायिने मुने 2.38.
She gave the garland of forest flowers to the one who lies upon the ocean of milk, O sage.
देवैः स्तुता पूजिता च ब्रह्मणा शङ्करेण च
She was praised and honored by the gods, by Brahma, and by Shankara as well.
प्रापुर्देवाः स्वविषयं दैत्यैर्ग्रस्तं भयङ्करैः
The gods regained their own realms, which had been seized by terrifying demons.
इत्येवं कथितं सर्वं लक्ष्म्युपाख्यानमुत्तमम्
Thus, the entire excellent story of Lakshmi has been narrated.
नारद उवाच ईप्सितं लक्ष्म्युपाख्यानं ध्यानं स्तोत्रादिकं वद
Narada said: Tell me the desired account of Lakshmi, including meditation and hymns.
हरिणा पूजिता पूर्वं ततो ब्रह्मादिभिस्तथा ध्यानेन पूजिता केन विधिना केन वा पुरा
She was worshipped first by Hari, then likewise by Brahma and others; by whom and by what method was she worshipped through meditation in ancient times?
श्रीनारायण उवाच क्षीरोदे संस्थाप्य घटं देवषट्कमपूजयत्
Shrinarayana said: On the milk ocean, he established a pot and worshipped the six gods.
गणेशं च दिनेशं च वह्निं विष्णुं शिवं शिवाम्
Ganesha, the sun, fire, Vishnu, Shiva, and the goddess Shiva were worshipped.
तत्रावाह्य महालक्ष्मीं परमैश्वर्य्यरूपिणीम्
There, he invoked Mahalakshmi, who embodies supreme sovereignty.
पुरः स्थितेषु मुनिषु ब्राह्मणेषु गुरौ तथा
With sages, Brahmins, and the guru present before him,
पारिजातस्य पुष्पं च गृहीत्वा चन्दनोक्षितम्
He took a flower of the parijata tree, anointed with sandalwood.
ध्यानं च सामवेदोक्तं यदुक्तं ब्रह्मणे पुरा
He meditated as prescribed in the Sama Veda, as formerly taught to Brahma.
सहस्रदलपद्मस्य कर्णिकावासिनीं पराम् 2.39.
He contemplated the supreme one dwelling in the pericarp of the thousand-petaled lotus.
स्वतेजसा प्रज्वलन्तीं सुखदृश्यां मनोहराम्
Radiant with her own brilliance, pleasing to behold, and captivating.
रत्नभूषणभूषाढ्यां शोभितां पीतवाससा
Adorned with precious jewels, resplendent in yellow garments.
सर्वसम्पत्प्रदात्रीं च महालक्ष्मीं भजे शुभाम्
I worship Mahalakshmi, the auspicious giver of all prosperity.
सम्पूज्य ब्रह्मवाक्येन चोपहाराणि षोडश
After worshipping with the words of Brahma and offering sixteen gifts,
प्रशंस्यानि प्रहृष्टानि दुर्लभानि वराणि च आसनं च विचित्रं च महालक्ष्मि प्रगृह्यताम्
Let Mahalakshmi receive the seat, which is praised, delightful, rare, and splendid.
शुद्धं गङ्गोदकमिदं सर्ववन्दितमीप्सितम्
This pure water of the Ganges, revered and desired by all,
पुष्पचन्दनदूर्वादिसंयुतं जाह्नवीजलम्
The water of Jahnavi, adorned with flowers, sandalwood, durva grass, and other offerings,
सुगन्धियुक्ततैलं च सुगन्धामलकीजलम्
Fragrant oil and the scented water of amalaki,
मलयाचलसंभूतं वृक्षसारं मनोहरम् 2.39.
The delightful essence of trees born from Mount Malaya,
जगच्चक्षुस्स्वरूपं च ध्वान्तप्रध्वंसकारणम्
That which is the form of the world's eye and the cause of dispelling darkness,
नानोपहाररूपं च नानारससमन्वितम्
Of various forms of offerings, endowed with many flavors,