The ‘Ashtalakshmis’ that help take ‘Ashtanga Sadhana’ to completion as prescribed by Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale through Gurukrupayoga

On the occasion of Lakshmi Pujan (Diwali) – 21 ^st October 2025

On Diwali (on the evening of Ashwin Amavasya), Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped not merely for obtaining wealth, but for attaining Moksha or one’s spiritual welfare. To attain these, Goddess Lakshmi has manifested Herself in eight forms and given us the opportunity to worship them.

These eight forms are : Adi Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santan Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Vijay Lakshmi, and Vidya Lakshmi (as shown above Image with eight type of Lakshmi) ! Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale has guided seekers to perform Ashtanga Sadhana (as shown in Guru Desciple Image  depicted with  eight types of sadhana) through Gurukrupayoga. Let us understand how we can experience the grace of these Ashtalakshmi hrough Ashtanga Sadhana.

1. Adi Lakshmi

Adi Lakshmi creates the Universe.  She is the source of our existence. Knowledge of this Adishakti (Primal energy) brings freedom from all types of fear, and grants prosperity, contentment, and Bliss. The  Adi  Lakshmi  Principle guides the jiva to move from the subtle body to the Universe, meaning, towards jiva’s original form (The Supreme Being). Adi Lakshmi grants peace and joy, and plays a major role in leading the seeker  towards spiritual wealth.  She  is  the  life giver, the Divine Energy that has existed in the Universe since time immemorial, has been praised in the Vedas and revered by Deities, Sages, and devotees alike.

A. Adi Lakshmi evokes devotion within the seeker : She bestows knowledge about the Supreme Being, which helps the seeker develop deep bhav (Spiritual emotion) for God. Only when such bhav arises can the yearning to attain God awaken. Hence, Her grace is essential for every seeker striving for God-realisation. In this way, Adi Lakshmi guides one’s spiritual practice through Bhavjagruti (Awakening of spiritual emotion) within Ashtanga Sadhana.

b. Prayer at Adi Lakshmi’s feet : ‘O’ Adi Lakshmi, through the bhav aspect of Ashtanga Sadhana, help us perform spiritual practice. O’ beloved of Vishnu, let the bhav in us for our Guru, who is the very form of Vishnu, keep growing ever more deeply. This is our humble prayer at Your Holy feet’.

2. Dhana Lakshmi

Lakshmi Pujan – Ashwin Amavasya ( New Moon Day of the Month of Ashwin)

Dhana Lakshmi is the Goddess of material wealth. She not only grants money, gold, and resources but also will-power, courage, determination, and enthusiasm. She represents material as well as intellectual wealth.

A. Dhana Lakshmi inspires sacrifice : She grants wealth while teaching how to use it for noble purposes. Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale has taught seekers to renounce the body, mind, and wealth. The Goddess who inspires this renunciation is Dhana Lakshmi.

Material wealth is not a seeker’s true treasure; the real wealth are the spiritual experiences, realisations, and virtues attained through spiritual practice. Virtues are an inexhaustible wealth for seekers. Worldly riches cannot accompany us after death, but virtues and spiritual progress remain with us lifetime after lifetime, till the soul merges with the Supreme. Dhana Lakshmi blesses seekers with this inexhaustible treasure.

B. Prayer at Dhana Lakshmi’s feet : ‘O’ Dhana Lakshmi, let us be aware that the wealth we receive is but Your grace. All wealth belongs to the Guru. Guide us to use it frugally. While earning for our livelihood, do not let our minds get entangled in wealth. Bless us with inexhaustible spiritual wealth in the form of virtues. This is our prayer at Your Divine feet’.

3. Dhanya Lakshmi

Dhanya Lakshmi is the form of Lakshmi representing food and nourishment. She sustains all beings through food grains, ensuring abundance at home. She symbolises the marvels of nature and teaches equality, for no one can survive without food. Thus, Dhanya Lakshmi holds an inseparable place in everyone’s life, blessing us with the gifts of Earth and Nature.

A. Dhanya Lakshmi sows the seed of ‘Chanting’ in the heart : Just as sowing a single grain yields countless grains, chanting the Name of God given by the Guru with deep faith yields countless spiritual benefits. In this way, Dhanya Lakshmi plants the seed of the Divine Name within us through the chanting aspect of Ashtanga Sadhana.

B. Prayer at Dhanya Lakshmi’s feet : ‘O’ Dhanya Lakshmi, keep awakening the emotion of gratitude in us for Your constant nourishment of all beings on Earth. Let the seed of the Divine Name, given by our Guru, take deep root within us, so that continuous chanting flows through us and its fruits multiply infinitely. This is our devoted prayer at Your feet’.

4. Gaja Lakshmi

This Goddess is worshipped using elephants; hence, She is called Gaja Lakshmi. Elephants are depicted pouring water over Her with their trunks as if Abhishek (Consecration) is being done on Her, which symbolises abundance of water. Her worship brings prosperity, good fortune, and domestic happiness, and She is especially venerated during Diwali.

A. Gaja Lakshmi grants the joy of ‘Satsang’ : A wealth of noble thoughts is essential in life, and satsang provides this wealth. Through satsang, the exchange of spiritual thoughts takes place, enriching us with wisdom. Gaja Lakshmi embodies energy in action and knowledge, making Her blessings vital for attaining wealth of noble thoughts.

Just as the elephants by Her side remain in Her presence and enjoy Her satsang, so too we should always remain in satsang. Only then will our minds stay absorbed in Divine thoughts, preventing distractions of worldly illusion. Thus, we fulfill the ‘Satsang’ aspect of Ashtanga Sadhana. To keep the mind immersed in God’s thoughts without being trapped by worldly ones is itself satsang. Let us surrender at the feet of Gaja Lakshmi for Her to grant us this Bliss of satsang.

B. Prayer at Gaja Lakshmi’s feet : ‘O’ Gaja Lakshmi, keep us ever in satsang. Let us benefit from the satsangs we receive constantly through the grace of our Guru Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale for our liberation. Grant us the awareness that satsang is none other than the Guru’s own subtle, radiant company. May our minds not get trapped in worldly illusions but be absorbed in God’s thoughts, letting us experience uninterrupted satsang. This is our prayer at Your feet’.

Shrisatshakti (Mrs) Binda Singbal

Dear Seekers ! Let us pray to the Ashtalakshmis this Diwali, to help us take Ashtanga Sadhana to completion, and obtain their blessings !

Let us light the lamp of spiritual practice within, with the wick of Divine virtues placed inside. With the oil of contemplation on the Ashtalakshmis, let us ignite the flame of the Soul.

May our Diwali be illuminated not just with external lamps, but also with the inner lamps of virtues shining in our hearts. May we behold the Divine form of God enshrined within our inner sanctum in that Divine light. May this Diwali bring the grace of Moksha Lakshmi and Lakshmi, so that seekers may celebrate a spiritual Diwali – this is the prayer at the Holy feet of Goddess Lakshmi. – Shrisatshakti (Mrs) Binda Nilesh Singbal

5. Santan Lakshmi

Santan Lakshmi is the Goddess who blesses us with virtuous and healthy children. Deities, Sages, humans, and even demons surrender at Her feet. She is the embodiment of affection, compassion, motherly love, and unconditional care.

Santan Lakshmi bestows motherly grace not only on humankind but on all beings across different life forms.

A. Santan Lakshmi teaches Preeti (Love without expectations) : No one can have more affection than a mother does for her child. Hence, Adi Shankaracharya wrote in Devyaparadhakshamapana Stotra :  ‘A bad son may be born, but never a bad mother’ (Stotra 2). This conveys the boundless grace and compassion of a mother.

Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale, in Gurukrupayoga’s Ashtanga Sadhana, emphasized Preeti as a vital aspect. To cultivate this quality, who other than Santan Lakshmi can grant us grace ? Therefore, everyone should surrender to Her and pray to be filled with love.

B. Prayer at the feet of Santan Lakshmi : O’ Santan Lakshmi ! We are Your children. You protect us from every crisis in life. May Your grace always be upon us. Instill in us the same boundless compassion and love You embody. May we also, like You, be able to love all without expectations.

6. Dhairya Lakshmi

Dhairya Lakshmi is the Goddess who grants courage, strength, and power to overcome difficulties in life. Scriptures consistently praise Her. She removes obstacles in material as well as spiritual fulfillment. The courage, confidence, and warrior spirit that arise in a person’s actions are imbued with Her grace.

A. Dhairya Lakshmi gives courage for ego removal : In Gurukrupayoga’s Ashtanga Sadhana as told by Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale, ego removal is an important aspect. Ego causes immense harm, binding one so tightly that it does not dissolve easily. Even minor events cause sorrow. Eradicating ego requires courage. Dhairya Lakshmi blesses us with valour and strength to destroy the inner demon of ego. She empowers seekers to strike down each ego-filled thought and builds their confidence.

B. Prayer at the feet of Dhairya Lakshmi : O’ Dhairya Lakshmi, abode of courage and confidence ! While performing individual as well as collective spiritual practice, grant us valour and the warrior spirit to fight our ego. May Your presence dwell in every cell of our body. Provide us the confidence and courage to face every obstacle in life. This is the prayer at Your mighty feet.

7. Vijay Lakshmi

Vijay Lakshmi is the form of the Goddess who grants victory, not only in battles but in overcoming obstacles in any endeavour. She is also known as Jay Lakshmi. Her worship helps one become free of worry and attain victory.

A. Vijay Lakshmi blesses seekers for ‘Satseva’ (Service unto the God Principle) : Through Gurukrupayoga’s Ashtanga Sadhana, Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale gave satsevas such as spreading Spirituality and working towards establishing the ‘Hindu Rashtra’, as a means for rapid spiritual progress. Vijay Lakshmi constantly stands behind us, strengthening us in the mission of establishing the ‘Hindu Rashtra’. By Her grace, obstacles will be removed, and the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ will certainly manifest. The form of the Divine Mother as Vijay Lakshmi is working specifically to empower us in this mission. Let us all pray at Her feet with gratitude for the establishment of the ‘Hindu Rashtra’.

B. Prayer at the feet of Vijay Lakshmi : O’ Vijay Lakshmi, giver of victory ! Empower us in the mission entrusted by Gurudev to establish the ‘Hindu Rashtra’. May every act of ours be performed as satseva. Shower Your grace upon us always, so that we may experience the joy of the Victory festival, that is, the establishment of the ‘Hindu Rashtra’. We pray with an attitude of surrender at Your Holy feet’.

8. Vidya Lakshmi

Vidya Lakshmi is the Goddess of learning, knowledge, and wisdom. She grants intellect, wisdom, and confidence, while illuminating one’s talent and capacity. Students especially meditate on this form. Vidya Lakshmi not only bestows knowledge, but also guides one to live a spiritual life.

A. Vidya Lakshmi who grants seekers the knowledge for removal of personality defects : Unless the inner being is pure, one cannot perceive or experience the Divine within. Hence, purification of the mind and intellect is essential. This requires the knowledge on how to remove inner defects. This very knowledge has been imparted by Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale through the process of ‘Personality Defect Removal’ as part of Gurukrupayoga’s Ashtanga Sadhana. Seekers who sincerely attempt this process, with deep yearning to transform themselves, receive Her grace. To awaken this yearning, one should surrender to Vidya Lakshmi.

B. Prayer at the feet of Vidya Lakshmi : O’ Vidya Lakshmi ! Grant true knowledge to all beings groping in darkness and entangled in personality defects and ego. May that knowledge illuminate their lives. Inspire seekers to sincerely implement the process of personality defect removal as part of Ashtanga Sadhana, and thus, get everyone’s spiritual practice performed. This is the prayer at Your supremely radiant Holy feet.

– Shrisatshakti (Mrs) Binda Nilesh Singbal (One of the two Spiritual Heirs of Sachchidananda Parabrahman [Dr] Athavale)

Knowledge of Adishakti (Primal energy) brings freedom from all types of fear, and grants prosperity, contentment, and Bliss !