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,
अन्नं ब्रह्मस्वरूपं च प्राणरक्षणकारणम्
Food, which is the very form of Brahman and the cause of sustaining life,
शाल्यक्षतसुपक्वं च शर्करागव्यसंयुतम्
Well-cooked rice and grains, combined with sugar and ghee,
शर्करागव्यपक्वं च सुस्वादु सुमनोहरम्
Prepared with sugar and ghee, delicious and exceedingly pleasing,
नानाविधानि रम्याणि पक्वानि च फलानि तु
Various delightful and cooked fruits,
सुरभिस्तनसम्भूतं सुस्वादु सुमनोहरम्
Milk produced from fragrant breasts, delicious and exceedingly pleasing,
सुस्वादुरससंयुक्तमिक्षुवृक्षरसोद्भवम्
Sweet and flavorful, arising from the sap of the sugarcane tree,
यवगोधूमसस्यानां चूर्णरेणुसमुद्भवम्
Originating from the flour and powder of barley and wheat crops,
सस्यचूर्णोद्भवं पक्वं स्वस्तिकादिसमन्वितम् 2.39.
Cooked preparations made from grain flour, accompanied by svastika and other items,
पार्थिवं वृक्षभेदं च विविधैर्द्रव्यकारकम्
Earthly varieties of trees, producing diverse substances,
शीतवायुप्रदं चैव दाहे च सुखदं परम्
That which bestows cool air and supreme comfort in heat,