Invoking Lakshmi

Constantina Rhodes teaches in the Program in Religion at the City University of New York's Hunter College. Her books include Shaiva Devotional Songs of Kashmir: A Translation and Study of Utpaladeva's Shivastotravali and Meditations on Shiva: The Shivastotravali of Utpaladeva, both also published by SUNY Press.

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 Laksmī

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

The Primordial Lotus Goddess
The Goddess of Auspiciousness: Śrī's Essence, Laksmī's Form
Alaksmī the Inauspicious

2. Living the Good Life: Laksmī of the Purānic Traditions

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

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

The World According to Tantra
Laksmī as Kundalinī
Laksmī, Śiva, and the "Ten Great Wisdom Goddesses" (Daśamahāvidyās)
The Grace-Bestowing Mother
Laksmī 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 (Sūtkas)
Ritual Application of the Vedic Hymns

5. The Power of Purānic 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 Laksmī
The Potency of a Woman's Recitations
Literary Genres of the Tantric Songs
Structure of Tantric Songs

Part Three: Ceremony

Introduction: Invoking Laksmī In Ceremony: Laksmī Pūjā

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

Laksmī Pūjā Text

Preparation and Purification
Heart of the Ceremony: Receiving the Goddess
Outline of the Laksmī Pūjā

Part Four: Song

Vedic Hymns to Laksmī

Hymn to Śri (Śrī Sūktam)
Hymn to Laksmī (Laksmī Sūtkam)

Purānic Songs of Laksmī

Song for Laksmī, Gracious Bestower of Blessings (Prasannavaradā Śrī Laksmī Stotram)
Song for the Glorious Lotus Goddess (Śrī Kamalā Stotram)
Lord Indra's Song for Laksmī (Devarāja Indrakrta Laksmī Stotram)
The Heavenly Gods' Praise Song for Laksmī (Śrī Daivakrta Laksmī Stotram)
Eight Verses Praising Mahālaksmī (Mahālaksmyastakam Stotram)

Tantric Songs to Laksmī

The Secret Heart of Laksmī (Śrī Mahālaksmī Hrdayam)
Praise-Song for the Bestower of Wealth (Dhanadā Stotram)
Song-Amulet of the Bestower of Wealth (Dhanadā Kavacam)
Praise-Song for the Lotus Goddess (Kamalā Stotram)
108 Names of the Glorious Lotus Goddess (Śrī Kamalā Astottaraśatanāma Stotram)
Song-Amulet of the Lotus Goddess (Kamalātmikā Kavacam)
Song for the Laksmī of Spiritual Power (Śrī Siddhalaksmī Stotram)
Song for the Glorious "Eyes of Indra" (Śrī Indrāksī Stotram)
Song-Formulary of the Glorious Mahālaksmī (Śrī Mahālaksmī Pañjara Stotram)
Secret Laksmī Incantation That Yields Immediate Results (Sadyah Phaladā Laksmīstava Hrdayam)

Epilogue: The Goddess Returns Home

Transliterated Sanskrit Texts

Laksmī Pūjā Text
Verdic Texts
Purānic Texts
Tantric Texts

Notes
Bibliography
Index