Sri Suktam
श्री सूक्तम्
Origin & Story
Rigveda Khilani (Appendix to Rigveda) · Vedic Rishis · 1500-1000 BCE
The Sri Suktam is among the most ancient hymns in human civilization, attached to the Rigveda as a Khila (supplement). It invokes Goddess Sri (Lakshmi) through Agni (fire), following the Vedic tradition of offering through fire. The hymn describes Lakshmi in her most resplendent form — golden, seated on a lotus, garlanded with precious metals — and asks her to come and never leave. It is the scriptural foundation of all Lakshmi worship.
✦ As told in scripture
The Sri Suktam is central to the Lakshmi Homam (fire ritual), which temples across India perform regularly. The Tirumala Tirupati temple, the richest temple in the world receiving billions in donations, conducts Sri Suktam chanting daily. The final verse — 'Alakshmeerme nashyatam tvam vrune' (May all misfortune depart, I choose You) — is considered so powerful that it is said to reverse even the worst financial karmas when chanted with devotion during Diwali.
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Complete Text with Meaning
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हिरण्यवर्णां हरिणीं सुवर्णरजतस्रजाम् । चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह ॥
Hiranyavarnam harinim suvarnarajatasrajam Chandram hiranmayim lakshmim jatavedo ma avaha
Meaning:O Jatavedas (Agni), bring to me Lakshmi — golden-hued, fawn-like, wearing garlands of gold and silver, moon-bright and made of gold.
तां म आवह जातवेदो लक्ष्मीमनपगामिनीम् । यस्यां हिरण्यं विन्देयं गामश्वं पुरुषानहम् ॥
Tam ma avaha jatavedo lakshmimanapagaminim Yasyam hiranyam vindeyam gamashvam purushanaham
Meaning:Bring to me, O Jatavedas, that Lakshmi who never forsakes me, by whose grace I shall obtain gold, cattle, horses and offspring.
अश्वपूर्वां रथमध्यां हस्तिनादप्रबोधिनीम् । श्रियं देवीमुपह्वये श्रीर्मादेवीर्जुषताम् ॥
Ashvapurvam rathamadhyam hastinadaprabodhinim Shriyam devimupahvaye shrirmadevirjushatam
Meaning:Preceded by horses, in the midst of chariots, awakened by the trumpeting of elephants — I invoke the goddess Shri; may Shri be gracious to me.
कां सोस्मितां हिरण्यप्राकारामार्द्रां ज्वलन्तीं तृप्तां तर्पयन्तीम् । पद्मे स्थितां पद्मवर्णां तामिहोपह्वये श्रियम् ॥
Kam sosmitam hiranyaprakaramardram jvalantim triptam tarpayantim Padme sthitam padmavarnam tamihopahvaye shriyam
Meaning:Her of gentle smile, enclosed in gold, tender (with compassion), blazing, contented and contenting, seated on a lotus, of lotus hue — that Shri I invoke here.
चन्द्रां प्रभासां यशसा ज्वलन्तीं श्रियं लोके देवजुष्टामुदाराम् । तां पद्मिनीमीं शरणमहं प्रपद्येऽलक्ष्मीर्मे नश्यतां त्वां वृणे ॥
Chandram prabhasam yashasa jvalantim shriyam loke devajushtamudaram Tam padminimim sharanamaham prapadyelakshmirme nashyatam tvam vrine
Meaning:The moon-like, radiant, blazing with renown, worshipped by the gods in the world, noble and lotus-handed Shri I take refuge in — may misfortune (Alakshmi) perish for me.
आदित्यवर्णे तपसोऽधिजातो वनस्पतिस्तव वृक्षोऽथ बिल्वः । तस्य फलानि तपसा नुदन्तु मायान्तरायाश्च बाह्या अलक्ष्मीः ॥
Adityavarne tapasodhijato vanaspatistava vrikshotha bilvah Tasya phalani tapasa nudantu mayantarayashcha bahya alakshmih
Meaning:O Sun-hued one, by your austerity the lord of the forest, the bilva tree, was born; may the fruits of that tree by their power drive away the inner and outer misfortune.
उपैतु मां देवसखः कीर्तिश्च मणिना सह । प्रादुर्भूतोऽस्मि राष्ट्रेऽस्मिन् कीर्तिमृद्धिं ददातु मे ॥
Upaitu mam devasakhah kirtishcha manina saha Pradurbhutosmi rashtresmin kirtimriddhim dadatu me
Meaning:May the friend of the gods (Kubera) and Kirti (fame) come to me together with the jewel (Mani); born in this realm, may I be granted fame and prosperity.
क्षुत्पिपासामलां ज्येष्ठामलक्ष्मीं नाशयाम्यहम् । अभूतिमसमृद्धिं च सर्वां निर्णुद मे गृहात् ॥
Kshutpipasamalam jyeshthamalakshmim nashayamyaham Abhutimasamriddhim cha sarvam nirnuda me grihat
Meaning:I drive away the eldest Alakshmi — the goddess of hunger, thirst and impurity; O Lakshmi, banish from my home all want and ill-fortune.
गन्धद्वारां दुराधर्षां नित्यपुष्टां करीषिणीम् । ईश्वरीग्ं सर्वभूतानां तामिहोपह्वये श्रियम् ॥
Gandhadvaram duradharsham nityapushtam karishinim Ishvarigm sarvabhutanam tamihopahvaye shriyam
Meaning:Fragrant, unassailable, ever-nourishing, abounding in plenty, the mistress of all beings — that Shri I invoke here for myself.
मनस: काममाकूतिं वाचः सत्यमशीमहि । पशूनां रूपमन्नस्य मयि श्रीः श्रयतां यश: ॥
Manasa: kamamakutim vachah satyamashimahi Pashunam rupamannasya mayi shrih shrayatam yasha:
Meaning:May we obtain the desire and resolve of the mind, the truth of speech, the wealth of cattle and the abundance of food; may Shri and fame dwell in me.
कर्दमेन प्रजाभूता मयि सम्भव कर्दम । श्रियं वासय मे कुले मातरं पद्ममालिनीम् ॥
Kardamena prajabhuta mayi sambhava kardama Shriyam vasaya me kule mataram padmamalinim
Meaning:O Kardama (son of Lakshmi), come to dwell in me through progeny; make Lakshmi, the lotus-garlanded Mother, abide in my family.
आप: सृजन्तु स्निग्धानि चिक्लीत वस मे गृहे । नि च देवीं मातरं श्रियं वासय मे कुले ॥
Apa: srijantu snigdhani chiklita vasa me grihe Ni cha devim mataram shriyam vasaya me kule
Meaning:May the waters bring forth friendship; O Chiklita (son of Lakshmi), dwell in my home, and make the divine Mother Shri abide there.
आर्द्रां पुष्करिणीं पुष्टिं पिङ्गलां पद्ममालिनीम्। चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह ॥
Ardram pushkarinim pushtim pingalam padmamalinim Chandram hiranmayim lakshmim jatavedo ma avaha
Meaning:The tender, pond-dwelling, nourishing, tawny, lotus-garlanded, moon-like and golden Lakshmi — O Jatavedas, bring her to me.
आर्द्रां य: करिणीं यष्टिं सुवर्णां हेममालिनीम् । सूर्यां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह ॥
Ardram ya: karinim yashtim suvarnam hemamalinim Suryam hiranmayim lakshmim jatavedo ma avaha
Meaning:The compassionate, elephant-attended, golden, gold-garlanded, sun-like and golden Lakshmi — O Jatavedas, bring her to me.
तां म आवह जातवेदो लक्ष्मीमनपगामिनीम् । यस्यां हिरण्यं प्रभूतं गावो दास्योऽश्वान्विन्देयं पुरुषानहम् ॥
Tam ma avaha jatavedo lakshmimanapagaminim Yasyam hiranyam prabhutam gavo dasyoshvanvindeyam purushanaham
Meaning:Bring to me, O Jatavedas, that Lakshmi who never forsakes me, by whose grace I shall obtain abundant gold, cattle, servants, horses and offspring.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Sri Suktam
The most powerful Vedic hymn for invoking wealth and prosperity
Chanted during Lakshmi Puja, Diwali, and Dhanteras for maximum effect
Destroys 'Alakshmee' (misfortune/poverty) as stated in the final verse
Brings not just material wealth but also inner abundance and contentment
Traditionally chanted during fire rituals (homam) for business success
One of the oldest and most authoritative prosperity prayers in existence
How to Chant Sri Suktam
Ideally chanted during a fire offering (homam) but can be recited independently. Sit facing east. Light a ghee lamp. Offer lotus flowers or yellow flowers if available. Chant 11 times on Fridays for regular practice. During Diwali week, chanting 108 times is considered extremely powerful for inviting Lakshmi's permanent presence into the home.
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