Mahalakshmi Karunarasa Lahari
Lakshmi’s compassion flows through a song filled with lotus imagery and welcoming hearts.
| Music | Detail |
|---|---|
| Composer | Muttuswami Dikshitar |
| Raga | Madhava Manohari |
| Tala | Adi |
| Type | Kriti |
| Language | Sanskrit |
Lyrics
Pallavi
mahā lakṣmi karuṇā rasa lahari
māmava mādhava manōhari śrī
Anupallavi
mahā viṣṇu vakṣa sthala vāsini
mahā dēva guru guha viśvāsini
mahā pāpa praśamani manōnmani
māra janani maṅgaḷa pradāyini
Charanam
kṣīra sāgara sutē vēda nutē
kṣitīśādi mahitē śiva sahitē
bhāratī rati śacī pūjitē
bhakti yuta mānasa virājitē
vārijāsanādyamara vanditē
nāradādi muni bṛnda nanditē
nīrajāsanasthē sumanasthē
sārasa hastē sadā namastē
Meaning
The opening asks Lakshmi, imagined as a wave of compassion, to protect the singer. Her place beside Vishnu expands into a wider portrait: she is praised by deities and sages, seated on a lotus and present in devoted minds. The final salutation returns the richly ornamented praise to a simple personal gesture.
Musical context
The phrase mādhava manōhari both addresses Lakshmi as the one who delights Madhava and gives the raga’s name. Lotus imagery recurs through different Sanskrit words, linking the goddess’s seat, attributes and divine company.