Invoking Lakshmi

Acknowledgements

Introduction: The Goddess Arrives in Delhi

What Does It Mean to Invoke a Goddess?
On the Format of This Book
Sources: Sanskrit Texts and Popular Worship Manuals

Part One: The Divine Personalities of Laksmi

1. The Awseome Power of Auspiciousness: Laksmi of the Vedic Traditions

The Primordial Lotus Goddess
The Goddess of Auspiciousness: Sri's Essence, Laksmi's Form
Alaksmi the Inauspicious

2. Living the Good Life: Laksmi of the Puranic Traditions

The Burgeoning World of the Puranas
Laksmi and the Lords of the Three Realms: Indra, Visnu, and Bali
All Women are Embodiments of Laksmi
Laksmi, Embodiment of the "Four Wealths" (Caturartha)
The Absence of Laksmi: Is Lady Luck a Fickle Goddess?

3. Living the Powerful Life: Laksmi of the Tantric Traditions

The World According to Tantra
Laksmi as Kundalini
Laksmi, Siva, and the "Ten Great Wisdom Goddesses" (Dasamahavidyas)
The Grace-Bestowing Mother
Laksmi as Siddhi: Magical Attainment, Spiritual Power

Part Two: The Power of Poetry to Summon the Goddess

4. The Power of the Vedic Hymns: Generating Auspiciousness

Reciting the Hymns (Sutkas)
Ritual Application of the Vedic Hymns

5. The Power of Puranic Songs: Drawing Down the Goddess

Reciting the Songs of Praise (Stotras)
The Propitious Glance of the Goddess
Fruits of the Recitations (Phala)

6. The Power of Tantric Songs: Waking Up the Goddess

Alchemy of the Goddess: The Magic of Transformation
Vibratory Essence: Engaging the Sound Forms of Laksmi
The Potency of a Woman's Recitations
Literary Genres of the Tantric Songs
Structure of Tantric Songs

Part Three: Ceremony

Introduction: Invoking Laksmi In Ceremony: Laksmi Puja

Creating Space to Receive the Goddess
The Ancient Art of Hospitality
Structure of the Ceremony

Laksmi Puja Text

Preparation and Purification
Heart of the Ceremony: Receiving the Goddess
Outline of the Laksmi Puja

Part Four: Song

Vedic Hymns to Laksmi

Hymn to Sri (Sri Suktam)
Hymn to Laksmi (Laksmi Sutkam)

Puranic Songs of Laksmi

Song for Laksmi, Gracious Bestower of Blessings (Prasannavarada Sri Laksmi Stotram)
Song for the Glorious Lotus Goddess (Sri Kamala Stotram)
Lord Indra's Song for Laksmi (Devaraja Indrakrta Laksmi Stotram)
The Heavenly Gods' Praise Song for Laksmi (Sri Daivakrta Laksmi Stotram)
Eight Verses Praising Mahalaksmi (Mahalaksmyastakam Stotram)

Tantric Songs to Laksmi

The Secret Heart of Laksmi (Sri Mahalaksmi Hrdayam)
Praise-Song for the Bestower of Wealth (Dhanada Stotram)
Song-Amulet of the Bestower of Wealth (Dhanada Kavacam)
Praise-Song for the Lotus Goddess (Kamala Stotram)
108 Names of the Glorious Lotus Goddess (Sri Kamala Astottarasatanama Stotram)
Song-Amulet of the Lotus Goddess (Kamalatmika Kavacam)
Song for the Laksmi of Spiritual Power (Sri Siddhalaksmi Stotram)
Song for the Glorious "Eyes of Indra" (Sri Indraksi Stotram)
Song-Formulary of the Glorious Mahalaksmi (Sri Mahalaksmi Pañjara Stotram)
Secret Laksmi Incantation That Yields Immediate Results (Sadyah Phalada Laksmistava Hrdayam)

Epilogue: The Goddess Returns Home

Transliterated Sanskrit Texts

Laksmi Puja Text
Verdic Texts
Puranic Texts
Tantric Texts

Notes
Bibliography
Index