if jains do not worship goddess laxmi why is the name mentioned in the last stotra of bhaktamar?
Short answer: in some Jain stotras, including parts of Bhaktamar, you may see a reference to a goddess like Laxmi because the text was composed in a cultural milieu where such names were familiar. Jainism itself, however, does not promote the worship of Laxmi as a divine goddess in the way it does for Tirthankaras and Jain yakshinis; the core path is withdrawal of karmic bondage and devotion to the योग ( dharma ), not idol worship.
What this means in practice:
- The line about Laxmi can be understood as a symbolic or conventional reference to prosperity, auspiciousness, or worldly well-being, not as an instruction to perform a ritual worship of a goddess.
- In some Jain traditions, the same text is read with a focus on the ethical and spiritual meaning rather than devotional propitiation of a deity. The emphasis remains on purity of conduct, self-discipline, and reverence toward the Tirthankaras.
- There are variations between Digambar and Śvetambar interpretations. Some Śvetambar readers may see such mentions as reflective of historical syncretism with broader Indian religious culture, while Digambar readers may emphasize the non-theistic, ethical core and view such references as literary or symbolic rather than doctrinal worship.
If you’d like, I can outline how the last stotra is interpreted in Digambar and Śvetambar traditions, with exact verses and traditional meanings as stated in Jain scriptures.