Shri Suktam — Lyrics with Meaning

Verse 1

Om hiranya-varnam harinim suvarna-rajata-srajam | chandram hiranmayim lakshmim jatavedo ma avaha ||1||

O Agni, bring to me Lakshmi — golden in colour, graceful as a doe, wearing garlands of gold and silver, cool as the moon and shining like gold.

Verse 2

Tam ma avaha jatavedo lakshmim anapagaminim | yasyam hiranyam vindeyam gam ashvam purushan aham ||2||

O Agni, bring me that Lakshmi who never leaves, through whose grace I may gain gold, cows, horses and people of my own.

Verse 3

Ashva-purvam ratha-madhyam hasti-nada-prabodhinim | shriyam devim upahvaye shrir ma devi jushatam ||3||

She whose procession is led by horses, who sits in the middle of the chariot, whose coming is announced by the trumpeting of elephants — I invite that Goddess Shri; may she be pleased with me.

Verse 4

Kam sosmitam hiranya-prakaram ardram jvalantim triptam tarpayantim | padme-sthitam padma-varnam tam ihopahvaye shriyam ||4||

She who is bliss, gently smiling, surrounded by gold, moist with kindness and blazing with light, content herself and contenting others, seated on a lotus and lotus-hued — I invite that Shri here.

Verse 5

Chandram prabhasam yashasa jvalantim shriyam loke deva-jushtam udaram | tam padminim im sharanam aham prapadye'lakshmir me nashyatam tvam vrine ||5||

Moon-like and radiant, glowing with fame, honoured by the gods and generous — I take refuge in that lotus-bearing Shri. May my misfortune vanish; I choose you.

Verse 6

Aditya-varne tapaso'dhijato vanaspatis tava vriksho'tha bilvah | tasya phalani tapasa nudantu mayantarayashcha bahya alakshmih ||6||

O Goddess bright as the sun, the bilva tree was born of your spiritual power. May its fruits drive away both the inner delusion and the outer misfortune.

Verse 7

Upaitu mam deva-sakhah kirtishcha manina saha | pradurbhuto'smi rashtre'smin kirtim riddhim dadatu me ||7||

May the friend of the gods (Kuber) and Fame come to me with jewels. I am born in this land; may I be granted good name and prosperity.

Verse 8

Kshut-pipasa-malam jyeshtham alakshmim nashayamyaham | abhutim asamriddhim cha sarvam nirnuda me grihat ||8||

I drive away Alakshmi, Lakshmi's elder sister, who is hunger, thirst and impurity. O Goddess, remove all want and lack from my home.

Verse 9

Gandha-dvaram duradharsham nitya-pushtam karishinim | ishvarim sarva-bhutanam tam ihopahvaye shriyam ||9||

She who is known by her fragrance, who cannot be overcome, ever-nourished, rich like fertile land, queen of all beings — I invite that Shri here.

Verse 10

Manasah kamam akutim vachah satyam ashimahi | pashunam rupam annasya mayi shrih shrayatam yashah ||10||

May the wishes and intentions of our mind be fulfilled and our speech be truthful. May Shri dwell in me as cattle, food and good name.

Verse 11

Kardamena praja bhuta mayi sambhava kardama | shriyam vasaya me kule mataram padma-malinim ||11||

O Sage Kardam, through you Lakshmi came as offspring; come and stay with me. Settle Mother Shri, who wears a lotus garland, in my family.

Verse 12

Apah srijantu snigdhani chiklita vasa me grihe | ni cha devim mataram shriyam vasaya me kule ||12||

May the waters bring forth gentleness and plenty. O Chiklita, son of Lakshmi, live in my home, and settle the divine Mother Shri in my family.

Verse 13

Ardram pushkarinim pushtim pingalam padma-malinim | chandram hiranmayim lakshmim jatavedo ma avaha ||13||

O Agni, bring me Lakshmi — moist with kindness, like a lotus pond, nourishing, golden-hued, wearing a lotus garland, moon-like and golden.

Verse 14

Ardram yah karinim yashtim suvarnam hema-malinim | suryam hiranmayim lakshmim jatavedo ma avaha ||14||

O Agni, bring me Lakshmi — full of kindness, active, a staff of support, golden in colour, wearing a golden garland, radiant like the sun and golden.

Verse 15

Tam ma avaha jatavedo lakshmim anapagaminim | yasyam hiranyam prabhutam gavo dasyo'shvan vindeyam purushan aham ||15||

O Agni, bring me that Lakshmi who never leaves, through whose grace I may gain plenty of gold, cows, helpers, horses and people of my own.

Verse 16

Yah shuchih prayato bhutva juhuyad ajyam anvaham | suktam panchadasharcham cha shrikamah satatam japet ||16||

One who seeks Shri should, being pure and disciplined, offer ghee into the fire every day and keep chanting this hymn of fifteen verses.