Lakshmi Vandana

लक्ष्मी वन्दना

Invocations to Devi Lakshmi — Shri, goddess of prosperity, beauty and auspiciousness, who arose from the Kshira Sagara at the samudra manthan. Sung on Fridays (Shukravara, the day of Shukra and of the Devi) and on the nakshatras traditionally held dear to her. These are stotras and bhajans, not a single codified raga; the melodic material varies by singer, so no thaat, aaroha or vadi is claimed here. The nakshatra association is Puranic and muhurta tradition rather than a single codified list: Pushya has the firmest footing (Guru-Pushya and Ravi-Pushya are the classical yogas for Lakshmi puja and for buying gold); Dhanishta is named for dhana, wealth itself; Shravana belongs to Vishnu, whose consort she is, and carries Varalakshmi Vratam; Rohini is the Moon exalted, the nakshatra of abundance; Purva Phalguni's deity is Bhaga, the Aditya of fortune; Purva Ashadha's is Apas, the waters she rose from. Swati is included at reduced weight — its link is by way of Diwali Lakshmi Puja and is contested, some traditions assigning it to Saraswati. Bharani is deliberately excluded despite being Shukra-ruled: it is Yama's nakshatra, avoided for auspicious rites.