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Śrī Sūktam – verse by verse
The Śrī Sūktam is a Vedic hymn praising Goddess Lakshmi (Śrī) as the source of prosperity, grace and auspiciousness. Each verse here has the Sanskrit text, a word-by-word meaning, deeper insights and a short practice.
Verses are published one at a time, so that each can be read and absorbed slowly before the next appears.
A note on the count: the hymn proper has 15 verses. Here the closing verse on the fruit of reciting it (the phalaśruti) is numbered Verse 16, so the series is complete at sixteen. Editions differ: some print more phalaśruti verses, and some do not number this one at all.
Verse 1
Hiraṇyavarṇāṁ Hariṇīṁ – the invitation to Goddess Lakshmi
Verse 2
Tāṁ Ma Āvaha – the Goddess who never leaves
Verse 3
Aśvapūrvāṁ Rathamadhyāṁ – the grand arrival of Lakshmi
Verse 4
Kāṁ Sosmitāṁ – Lakshmi, golden-walled, compassionate and radiant
Verse 5
Chandrāṁ Prabhāsāṁ – surrender, and the choice of Lakshmi
Verse 6
Ādityavarṇe – the sun-like Goddess, tapas and the bilva tree
Verse 7
Upaitu Māṁ Devasakhaḥ – honour and prosperity in society
Verse 8
Kṣut-pipāsā-malāṁ – clearing scarcity and negativity from home and heart
Verse 9
Gandha-dvārāṁ – the fragrant, invincible, ever-nourishing Goddess
Verse 10
Manasaḥ Kāmam – pure desires, truthful speech, enduring honour
Verse 11
Kardamena Prajābhūtā – Lakshmi as the nurturing mother
Verse 12
Āpaḥ Sṛjantu – softness, sacred waters and a settled presence
Verse 13
Ārdrāṁ Puṣkariṇīṁ – tender, nourishing, golden
Verse 14
Ārdrāṁ Yaḥ Kariṇīṁ – tender, active and sun-bright
Verse 15
Tāṁ Ma Āvaha – the closing invocation of lasting prosperity
Verse 16
Yaḥ Śuciḥ Prayato Bhūtvā – the phalaśruti, the fruit of reciting the hymn