Śrī Sūkta

Sri Sukta, also called Sri Suktam is a Sanskrit devotional hymn (slokas) revering Sri or Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity and fertility. The hymns for part of the Rig Vedic khilas, which are later appendixes to the Rigveda that probably date to pre-Buddhist times.

Sri sukta is recited, with a strict adherence to the vedic meter, to invoke the goddess' blessings.

Significance

To those who recite it regularly with devout intent and discipline, the Sri Suktam can manifest the spiritual qualities that are inherent within the individual. It is widely believed that recitation of this powerful slokam bestows spiritual strength and purity unto those who recite it.

The Sri Suktam assumes specific significance because of Sri Mahalakshmi's presence on Lord Sri Venkateswara (at Tirumala) or Vishnu's chest, at the Heart. Lakshmi is the embodiment of Love, from which devotion to God or Bhakti flows from. It is through Love/Bhakti or Lakshmi that the atma or soul is able to reach God or Vishnu.

Sri or Lakshmi is also the personification of the Spiritual energy within us and universe called Kundalini. Also, She embodies the Spiritual World or Vaikunta; the abode of Lakshmi-Narayana or Vishnu, or what would be considered Heaven in Hinduism. She is also the Divine qualities of God and the soul. Lakshmi is God's superior spiritual feminine energy or the Param Prakriti, which purifies, empowers and uplifts the individual. Hence, She is called the Goddess of Fortune.

Recital in Tirumala

Sri Suktam is one of the 5 (Pancha) Suktams recited during the 3-hour long Abhishekam (Sacred Bath) of Lord Sri Venkateswara, at the famed ancient Hill Shrine of Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh, India. The Sacred bath to the main deity is performed every Friday.

Sri Suktam is also recited during the daily Arjitha Vasanthotsavam seva.

References

• Kinsley, David R. (1999), Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious, Motilal Banarsidass Publ., ISBN 8120803949
• Coburn, Thomas B. (1988), Devi Mahatmya: The Crystallization of the Goddess Tradition, Motilal Banarsidass Publ., ISBN 8120805577
• Scheftelowitz, Isidor (1906), Die Apokryphen des Rgveda, Breslau
• Scheftelowitz, Isidor (1921), "Sri Sukta", Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenländischen Gesellschaft, 75, Deutsche Morgenländische Gesellschaft: 37–50

External links

• Sri Suktam, an English translation of the abridged version (Wikisource)

Sri suktham

• Hiraņya varnám hariņīm suvarna-rajata-srajám,

Chandrám hiranmayīm lakshmīm jatavedo ma avaha|(1)

Tám ma ávaha játavedo lakśhmīm anapa gáminīm, Yasyám hiraņyam vindeyam gám aśvam puruśhán aham|| (2)

(1-2) "Invoke for you O Agni, the Goddess Lakshmi, who shines like gold, yellow in hue, wearing gold and silver garlands, blooming like the moon, the embodiment of wealth. O Agni! Invoke for me that unfailing Lakshmi, blessed by whom, I shall win wealth, cattle, horses and men.:

• Aśhwa-pūrvám ratha-madhyám hasti náda prabódhiním,

Śhriyam devím upahvaye śhrír ma devír jushatám| (3)

Kám sósmitám hiranya prákárám árdrám jvalantím triptám tarpayantím, Padme sthitám padma-varnám támihópahvaye śhriyam|| (4)

(3-4)"I invoke Shri (Lakshmi, who has a line of horses in her front, a series of chariots in the middle, who is being awakened by the trumpeting of elephants, who is divinely resplendent. May that divine Lakshmi grace me. I hereby invoke that Shri (Lakshmi) who is the embodiment of absolute bliss; who is of pleasant smile on her face; whose lustre is that of burnished gold; who is wet as it were, (just from the milky ocean) who is blazing with splendour, and is the embodiment of the fulfillment of all wishes; who satisfies the desire of her votaries; who is seated on the lotus and is beautiful like the lotus."

• Chandrám prabhásám yaśhasá jvalantím śhriyam lóke deva justám udárám,

Tám padminim-ím saranam aham prapadye' alakshmír me naśyatám tvám vrne| (5)

Ǎditya varne tapasó dhijátó vanaspatis tava vrikshó' tha bilvah Tasya phalani tapsá nudantu mayántaráyás cha báhya alakshmíh|| (6)

(5-6) "I resort to that Lakshmi for shelter in this world, who is beautiful like the moon, who shines bright, who is blazing with renown, which is adored (even) by the gods, which is highly magnanimous, and grand like the lotus. May my misfortunes perish. I surrender myself to You, O resplendent like the Sun! By your power and glory, plants like the bael tree have grown up. may the fruits thereof destroy through the grace of all inauspiciousness rising from the inner organs and ignorance as well from the outer senses."

• Upaitu mám deva-sakah kírtis cha maniná saha,

Prádūr bhūtó' smi rashtre' smin kírtim riddhim dadátu me| (7)

Kshut pipásá-amalám jyesthám alakshmím náshayámy aham Abhūtim asamriddhim cha sarván nirnuda me grihat|| (8)

(7-8) "O Lakshmi! I am born in this country with the heritage of wealth. May the friends of Lord Siva (Kubera, Lord of wealth and Fame), come to me. May these (having take their abode with me), bestow on me fame and prosperity. I shall destroy the elder sister to Lakshmi, the embodiment of inauspiciousness and such evil as hunger, thirst and the like. O Lakshmi! Drive out from my abode all misfortunes and poverty."

• Gandha dvárám durá dharşhám nitya-pushtám karíshiním

Iśhvarígm sarva bhūtánám tám ihó pahvaye śhriyam| (9)

Manasah kámam ákūtím vácah satyam ashímahi Paśhūnágm rūpam annasya mayi śríh shrayatám yaśhah|| (10)

(9-10) "I hereby invoke Lakshmi (Shri), whose (main) avenue of perception is the odoriferous sense (i.e., one who abides mainly in cows); who is incapable of defeat or threat from anyone; who is ever healthy (with such virtuous qualities as truth); whose grace is seen abundantly in the refuse of cows (the cows being sacred); and who is supreme over all created beings. O Lakshmi! May we obtain and enjoy the fulfillment of our desires and our volitions, the veracity of our speech, the wealth of cattle, the abundance of varieties of food to eat! May prosperity and fame reside in me."

• Kardamená praja-bhūtá mayi sambhava kardama

Śriyam vásaya me kule mátaram padma-máliním| (11)

Ǎpah srijantu snigdháni chiklíta vasa me grihe Nicha devím mátaram śhriyam vásaya me kule|| (12)

"(11-12) Lakshmi! You have progeny in Kardama. (Hence) O Kardama, may you reside in me. Make Mother Shri with garlands of lotuses to have Her abode in my (ancestral) line. may the (holy) waters create friendship (they being of adhesive nature). O Chiklita (progeny of Shri)! Reside at my home; and arrange to make Divine Mother Shri stay in my lineage!"

• Ardám pushkariním pushtim pingalám padma máliním

Chandrám hiran-mayím lakshmím játavedó ma ávaha| (13)

Ǎrdhám yah kariním yashtim suvarnám hema-máliním Sūryám hiran-mayím lakshmím játavedó ma ávaha|| (14)

(13-14) "Invoke for me, O Agni, Lakshmi who shines like gold, is brilliant like the sun, who is powerfully fragrant, who wields the rod of suzerainty, who is the form of supreme rulership, who is radiant with ornaments and is the goddess of wealth. Invoke for me O Agni, the Goddess Lakshmi who shines like gold, blooms like the moon, who is fresh with anointment (of fragrant scent), who is adorned with the lotuses (lifted up by celestial elephants in the act of worship), who is the presiding deity of nourishment, who is yellow in colour, and who wears garlands of lotuses."

• Tám ma ávaha játevedó lakshmím anapa gáminím yasyám

Hiranyam prabhūtam gávó dásyó aśván vindeyam purushan aham|| (15)

"Invoke for me O Agni, that Goddess Lakshmi, who is ever unfailing, being blesses by whom I shall win wealth in plenty, cattle, servants, horses and men."

• Ǒm mahá-devyai cha vidmahe, vishnu-patnaiya cha dhímahi,Tanno Lakshmíh prachódayát || (16)

"We commune ourselves with the Great Goddess, and meditate on the consort of Vishnu; may that Lakshmi direct us (to the Great Goal)."

Ǒm Shántih, Shántih, Shántih.

"Om May there be Peace, Peace, Peace."

Links

• Youtube.com - Audio rendition of the Sri sukta
• Prapatti.com - English translation of Sri sukta in pdf