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श्री
Śrī Sūktam – Verse 1
Hiraṇyavarṇāṁ Hariṇīṁ – the invitation to Goddess Lakshmi
By Amit N. Lakhtariya
Devanāgarī
हिरण्यवर्णां हरिणीं सुवर्णरजतस्रजाम्।
चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह॥
Hiraṇyavarṇāṁ hariṇīṁ suvarṇa-rajata-srajām,
Chandrāṁ hiraṇmayīṁ Lakṣmīṁ jāta-vedo ma āvaha.
Word-by-word meaning
Golden-colored one
The golden glow stands for spiritual illumination, purity and auspiciousness.
Resembling a deer (doe)
Gentle and graceful: it points to gentleness, beauty, purity and swiftness. This commentary follows the deer reading. Other commentators read hariṇī as “golden-yellow” (from hari, tawny gold), or as “she who takes away” sorrow and poverty. The three readings sit comfortably together.
Wearing garlands of gold and silver
Suvarṇa = gold, rajata = silver, sraj = a garland or wreath. It speaks of richness, prosperity, brilliance, divine radiance and cosmic abundance. Gold is the colour of the sun and silver of the moon, which prepares the way for Chandrāṁ in the next word.
Shining and gladdening, moon-like
The root of candra means both “to shine” and “to delight”, and the moon is called candra because it gladdens the heart. So the word carries coolness, soothing grace, serenity, beauty and balanced emotions, together with the joy she brings.
The golden form of Goddess Lakshmi
Divine abundance, prosperity and spiritual richness. Note the difference from the first word: hiraṇya-varṇā is golden in colour, in appearance, while hiraṇmayī is golden in substance, made of gold. She is golden both in how she appears and in what she is.
O Jātaveda (Fire, Agni), please invite or bring her to me
Jātaveda means “one who knows all births”. Agni is the mediator who carries our prayers to the Divine.
Full meaning
O Jātaveda (sacred fire, knower of all births), I humbly request you to invite into my life the golden-hued, graceful, gentle Goddess Lakshmi, who is adorned with garlands of gold and silver, who radiates serenity like the soft glow of the moon. May she gracefully enter my life, bestowing purity, peace, prosperity and spiritual harmony.
Deeper spiritual insights
Gentleness (Hariṇīṁ)
True abundance and fulfilment are drawn not through harsh pursuit but through gentleness, grace and purity of heart.
The gold and silver garland
Balanced material and spiritual prosperity: gold stands for worldly success, silver for emotional and spiritual wisdom.
Moon-like radiance (Chandrāṁ)
Real prosperity is serene, calm and balanced. It cools the mind, relieves stress and brings peace.
The role of Agni (Jātaveda)
You are not alone on the journey. You ask the divine forces, with Agni as messenger, to guide you and connect you with universal abundance.
Where this hymn comes from
The Śrī Sūktam is a khila, a supplement to the Ṛgveda. In the Vedic tradition Agni is the one who carries offerings from the sacrificial fire to the gods, which is why the hymn begins by addressing him as Jātavedas. In the traditional worship of Lakshmi this first verse is commonly used as the invocation, the moment of inviting the Goddess to be present. Reading it that way, the verse is not a request for a distant favour but a formal welcome.
Practical meditation
- After chanting, visualise Goddess Lakshmi vividly.
- Imagine her radiant form, golden like sunrise, her eyes full of compassionate gentleness, like those of a deer.
- Feel the serenity of moonlight radiating from her presence into your heart.
- Allow the image to settle gently, gradually replacing anxieties or fears with calmness and confidence.
Reflection for today
Through the day, quietly remind yourself of gentleness, grace, clarity and balance, the qualities symbolised by Lakshmi. Notice how these qualities subtly influence your interactions, choices and responses.
This first verse isn’t merely a chant. It is an invitation to the Divine, an invitation to nurture a gentle yet radiant heart that attracts true prosperity effortlessly. May your journey today become profoundly meaningful, peaceful, and enriching!
Terms used here are explained in the glossary. This commentary was prepared with AI assistance; read more.