Sri Sukta
The Sri Sukta is one of the most widely chanted hymns for invoking prosperity, wealth, and the blessings of goddess Lakshmi. It describes her radiant beauty, her qualities of compassion and generosity, and prays for permanent abundance that benefits the entire family lineage.
Used in: Diwali puja, Lakshmi puja, Homas and havans, Friday worship, Prosperity rituals, New business beginnings, Housewarmings
hiraṇyavarṇāṃ hariṇīṃ suvarṇarajatasrajām | candrāṃ hiraṇmayīṃ lakṣmīṃ jātavedo ma āvaha ||
“Of golden hue, beautiful as a deer, adorned with gold and silver garlands, radiant as the moon, golden Lakshmi, O Jataveda (Fire), bring her to me.”
What This Means:
The hymn opens by describing Lakshmi's radiant beauty, she is golden-colored, graceful like a deer, adorned with precious metals, and luminous like the moon. Agni (fire, called Jataveda) is asked to bring her to the worshipper.
Going Deeper:
Gold symbolizes purity, permanence, and spiritual wealth. The deer represents grace and gentleness. The moon (candra) represents cooling, nourishing presence. Jataveda means "knower of all creatures", fire that carries offerings to the gods and brings blessings back.
How To Apply This:
Visualize abundance as radiant, golden light. When seeking prosperity, invoke it with beauty and grace, not desperation. The divine responds to reverent invitation.
Key Sanskrit Terms:
All 15 verses of the Sri Sukta
- 1Of golden hue, beautiful as a deer, adorned with gold and silver garlands, radiant as the moon, golden...
- 2Bring to me, O Jataveda, that Lakshmi who never departs, through whom I may obtain gold, cattle, horses...
- 3Preceded by horses, seated in a chariot, awakened by the trumpeting of elephants, I invoke the goddess...
- 4She who is smiling, surrounded by golden ramparts, moist (with compassion), radiant, content and...
- 5Radiant as the moon, luminous, blazing with glory, Sri who is honored by the gods, generous, to her, the...
- 6O sun-colored one, from your tapas was born the lord of the forest, the bilva tree. May its fruits...
- 7May the friend of the gods (Kubera) come to me, along with fame and jewels. I have manifested in this...
- 8I destroy the elder sister Alakshmi, who is stained by hunger and thirst. Drive out from my home all...
- 9She whose doorway is fragrance, who is invincible, ever-nourished, rich in fertile soil, the sovereign of...
- 10May we attain the desire and intention of the mind, the truth of speech, the form of cattle, and of food...
- 11O Kardama, through whom progeny is born, be present in me. Make Sri, the mother wearing lotus garlands...
- 12May the waters create pleasant things. O Chiklita, dwell in my home. And make the divine mother Sri dwell...
- 13Moist, abounding in lotuses, nourishing, golden-brown, wearing lotus garlands, radiant as the moon, golden...
- 14Moist, resplendent, commanding, golden, wearing gold garlands, radiant as the sun, golden Lakshmi, O...
- 15Bring to me, O Jataveda, that Lakshmi who never departs, through whom I may obtain abundant gold, cattle...