|| Śrī Sūtra - Part One : Āgamik commentary on Śri Sūkta ||

"Lakṣmī" represents a multifaceted concept encompassing various aspects of beauty, fortune, and power. It symbolizes not only physical attractiveness but also the presence of favorable circumstances and blessings. Furthermore, it signifies authority and magnificence, often associated with royalty and grandeur. As a symbol of luck and prosperity, Lakṣmī embodies the idea of abundance and success, bringing joy and fulfillment to those who embrace its influence. Moreover, it is linked with the grace and happiness, suggesting a state of harmony and contentment. When it is associated with the domain of royalty it indicates a realm of privilege and authority. Together, these attributes encapsulate the rich and diverse symbolism of Lakṣmī in śāstras. She embodies not only the divine energy associated with Viṣṇu/Nārāyaṇa but also assumes the role of consort to various personalities such as Sūrya, Prajāpati, Dharma, Indra, Kubera, and Bali when she manifest partially serving as a partner to them who themselves are manifestations of Viṣṇu. Her eulogy daily recited in worship by Brāhmaṇas since the beginning of creation can be located within the Śrī Sūkta of the Ṛg Veda. Firstly let us explore the Śrī Sūkta as its described in the Śruti itself before dwelling in to what other śāstras such as itihāsa purāṇas have to say about Śrī or Lakṣmī.

The Śrī Sūkta, is a sacred hymn, comprises of fifteen ṛks that extol the glory of Devī Śrī, often regarded as a supplementary hymn or a khila sukta to the Ṛg Veda. In the initial two ṛks, the hymn invokes Jātaveda, traditionally understood as an epithet for Agni, the devatā of fire, but here interpreted as Viṣṇu, Nārāyaṇa, due to His association with Śrī. The upāsaka implores Jātaveda to bring Śrī, the embodiment of prosperity and abundance, into their life.

Subsequently, the hymn directly addresses Śrī herself, praising her divine attributes and beseeching her blessings. The fifth ṛk marks a pivotal moment where the devotee surrenders entirely to the Śrī, acknowledging her supreme power and seeking her grace. Following ṛks implore Śrī to dispel malignancy, inauspiciousness, iniquitousness and nescience from the upāsaka's life and to bestow upon them the gifts of sapience, opulence, plentitude and eminence. These verses reflect the aspirational aspect of the upāsaka's prayer, seeking not only the material abundance but also the spiritual enlightenment. The hymn continues with the requests directed towards Śrī's progenitor and vassal, urging him to ensure Śrī's presence and blessings in the yajamāna's household. This illustrates the belief in Śrī, intimately connected with the well-being and prosperity of those who invoke her and beseech her blessings. In the concluding ṛks, the yajamāna once again appeals to Jātaveda, symbolizing Viṣṇu, to bring Śrī into their life, reinforcing the central theme of the hymn – the earnest invocation of divine grace and abundance. Overall, the Śrī Sūkta encapsulates the profound devotion and the desire for spiritual and material prosperity inherent in the Śrauta literature.

Now let us understand the Śrī Sūkta in detail, verse by verse.

om̐ hiraṇya varṇāṁ hariṇīṁ suvarṇarajatasrajām |

candrāṁ hiraṇmayīṁ lakṣmīṁ jātavedo ma āvaha ||

Summon, O Jātaveda! Nārāyaṇa, endlessly affluent, infinitely prosperous, in His own right !, bring forth to me Lakṣmī, radiant in her aureate, golden complexion,exceptionally benevolent and enchanting, who dispels the sins of her devotees and captivating like a doe, adorned with garlands of silver and golden lotuses, radiant and entrancing as the moon, the joy of the universe, possessing boundless wealth in the form of gold, and more.

tāṁ ma āvaha jātavedo lakṣmīmanapagāminīm |

yasyāṁ hiraṇyaṁ vindeyaṁ gāmaśvaṁ puruṣānaham ||

O Jātaveda! Bring to me that Lakṣmī, adorned with the auspicious signs of prosperity sought by all, who will steadfastly remain by my side, and through whose blessings, I may attain cows, horses, offspring, companions, and attendants.

aśva pūrvāṁ ratha madhyāṁ hastināda probodhinīm |

śriyaṁ devīṁ upahvaye śrīr mā devī juṣatām ||

I invoke the illustrious and playful Goddess Śrī, who delights in the creation and sustenance of the manifested universe. She is adorned with the presence of Viṣṇu, who pervades all existence and resides within every jīva, while also being enshrined in the heart of Śrī. Manifesting in the form of a formidable army, she leads with cavalry at the forefront, followed by chariots in the middle ranks, displaying her divine sovereignty and grace. Each day, she is awakened by the resounding trumpets of elephants heralding her arrival. May her benevolence and favor shine upon me, guiding me along the path of righteousness and prosperity.

kāṁ sosmayāṁ hiraṇyaprākārām ārdrāṁ jvalantīṁ tṛptāṁ tarpayantīm |

padme sthitāṁ padmavarṇāṁ tvāmihopahvaye śriyam ||

I call upon Śrī, the support of all beings, the embodiment of blissful speech Vāṇī and Brahmānanda, radiant like gold, residing in a golden chamber, emerging from the kṣīra samudra drenched in the kṣīra, adorned by elephants who are constantly bathing her with water sprayed through their trunks, whose heart is wet with compassion towards those who invoke her and beseech her blessings , radiant and pleased with her consort's company and her upāsaka's worship. She fulfills all the desires of her worshipers, residing within the lotus, her complexion akin to its hue.

candrāṁ prabhāsāṁ yaśasā jvalantīṁ tṛptāṁ tarpayantīm |

tāṁ padmanemīṁ śaraṇamahaṁ prapadye lakṣmīr naśyatāṁ tvāṁ vṛṇe ||

I seek the sanctuary in Śrī, who brings joy to her devotees, radiates a divine aura, is renowned for safeguarding those who seek her, is adored by the gods for fulfilling their desires, is cherished by Nārāyaṇa, generously bestows blessings, and wields a lotus as her weapon to dispel the hardships and grant blessings. I call upon you, O Lakṣmī, to drive away misfortune.

āditya varṇe tapasodhijāto

vanaspatis tava vṛkṣotha bilvaḥ |

tasya phalāni tapasā nudantu

māyāntarāyāśca bāhyā alakṣmīḥ ||

"Lakṣmī, radiant like the sun, is born from the brilliance of Viṣṇu's energy. Your devoted penance created the sacred Bilva tree. May the fruits of this tree dispel our ignorance, obstacles, and lack of knowledge."

upaitu māṁ desakhaḥ kīrtiśca manunā saha |

prādurbhūtosmi rāṣtresmin kīrtim vṛddhim dadātu me ||

May I be blessed with both the knowledge and the wealth, as I embark on this journey in life. Oh divine being, grant me recognition and abundance.

kṣut pipāsāṁ malāṁ jyeṣṭhām alakṣmīr nāśayāmyaham |

abhūtim asamṛddhiṁ ca sarvān nirnuda me gṛhart ||

Through your blessings, I eliminate the negative forces of poverty and misfortune represented by Alakṣmī, the impure elder sister of Lakṣmī, who incites anger and desire. Please rid my home of scarcity and bring forth abundance and prosperity.

gandha dvārāṁ duradhaṣāṁ nitya puṣṭāṁ karīṣiṇīm |

īśvarīṁ sarva bhūtānāṁ tāmihopahvaye śriyam ||

Summoning Śrī, whose presence is manifested through the fragrant substances like sandalwood paste rose water, kasturi retc. impervious to negativity, eternal in joy, and abundant in wealth represented by the fecundity of cattle, the ultimate empress of all existence.

manasḥ kāmam ākūtiṁ vācassatyamaśīmahī |

paśūnāṁ rūpaṁ annasya mayi śrīḥ śrayatāṁ yaśaḥ ||

May all the desires of our hearts and goals be fulfilled, may our requests become reality, may we have abundance in possessions and food, and may we attain fame with the blessings of Śrī!

kardamena prajābhūtā mayi sambhava kardamā |

śriyaṁ vāsaya me kule mātaraṁ padmamālinīm ||

O Kardama !!!, you have taken Śrī, the goddess of fortune, as your daughter. Please bring her to me and let her reside in my family. She is the universal mother adorned with lotus garlands.

āpaḥ sṛjantu snigdhāni cillīta vasa me gṛhe |

nica devīṁ mātraṁ śriyaṁ vāsaya me kule ||

O Ciklīta (Manmatha) !!!, the son and personal attendant of Lakṣmī, may the waters where Nārāyaṇa resides bring me abundant ghee and other valuable resources. May you reside in my home along with the universal mother Lakṣmī

ardrāṁ puṣkariṇīṁ yaṣṭiṁ piṅgalāṁ padmamālinīm |

candrāṁ hiraṇmayīṁ lakṣmīṁ jātavedo ma āvaha ||

Summon O Jātaveda! Bring forth Lakṣmī, the merciful one dwelling in lotus reservoir, the ultimate aim of all karma kāṇḍa rituals, adorned with a golden hue, bedecked in lotus garlands, bringing joy to all, and overflowing with the wealth in the form of gold.

ārdrāṁ puṣkariṇīṁ puṣṭiṁ suvarṇāṁ hemamālinīm |

sūryāṁ hiraṇmayīṁ lakṣmīṁ jātavedo ma āvaha ||

O Jātaveda! Bring to me Lakṣmī, the compassionate one, who resides and embodies prosperity, adorned in golden garlands, the efficient impeller, with a radiant golden form.

tāṁ ma āvaha jātavedo lakṣmīmanapagāminīm |

yasyāṁ hiraṇyaṁ prabhūtaṁ gavo dāsyośvān vindeyaṁ puruṣānaham ||

O Jātaveda! Bring me Lakṣmī who will bring me, unwavering prosperity and abundance in wealth, livestock, assistance, and companionship.

This was the Āgamik commentary on Śrī Sūkta. In the following parts we will discuss in detail on the nature, characteristics, functions and different forms of Śrī.

🙏 Namo Narasiṁha 🙏