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श्री
Śrī Sūktam – Verse 3
Aśvapūrvāṁ Rathamadhyāṁ – the grand arrival of Lakshmi
By Amit N. Lakhtariya
Devanāgarī
अश्वपूर्वां रथमध्यां हस्तिनादप्रबोधिनीम्।
श्रियं देवीमुपह्वये श्रीर्मा देवी जुषताम्॥
Aśva-pūrvāṁ ratha-madhyāṁ hastināda-prabodhinīm,
Śriyaṁ devīm upahvaye śrīr mā devī juṣatām.
Word-by-word meaning
One who is preceded by horses
Horses symbolise speed, energy, progress and power, the dynamic force that moves life forward. In ancient Vedic times, a grand chariot led by horses signified royalty and divine strength.
One who is seated at the center of a chariot
Represents Lakshmi’s royal, majestic presence, signifying that prosperity moves with strength and direction.
One awakened by the trumpeting of elephants
Elephants symbolise power, royalty, dignity and wisdom. Their majestic call is seen as a herald of prosperity and abundance. This line portrays Goddess Lakshmi arriving in grandeur, with horses leading the way and elephants trumpeting her arrival, symbolising immense, unstoppable prosperity.
I invoke the divine Goddess Lakshmi
A heartfelt invocation, calling upon Lakshmi’s presence with reverence and devotion.
May the divine Goddess Śrī bless me and reside with me
Not just visit, but stay permanently, bringing lasting prosperity and well-being.
Full meaning
I invoke the divine Goddess Lakshmi, who arrives in majesty, preceded by swift horses, seated in a grand chariot, and awakened by the mighty trumpet of elephants. May this supreme Goddess of prosperity bless me and reside in my life forever.
Deeper spiritual insights
The grand arrival of Lakshmi: dynamic, unstoppable prosperity
This verse paints a majestic picture of Goddess Lakshmi’s arrival, not as a mere deity but as a powerful force of abundance. True prosperity comes with energy, movement and direction, just like a chariot powered by strong horses. Question to reflect on: is my life moving with direction and energy toward prosperity, or am I stagnant?
The symbolism of horses, chariot and elephants
Horses (Aśva-pūrvāṁ) stand for speed, enthusiasm and energy: progress requires effort. The chariot (Ratha-madhyāṁ) stands for the structured path of life: prosperity follows discipline. Elephants (Hastināda-prabodhinīm) stand for strength, stability and wisdom: true prosperity is not temporary, and must be grounded in wisdom and righteousness. Reflection: do I balance energy (horses) with wisdom (elephants) in my pursuit of prosperity?
Requesting not just wealth but a permanent divine presence
The last line, Śrīr mā devī juṣatām, is very special. It means “May the divine Goddess not just visit, but reside with me.” We are asking for lasting prosperity: not fleeting gains, but wealth rooted in virtue, gratitude and wisdom. Reflection: am I cultivating a mindset and actions that invite lasting prosperity into my life?
A note on the Sanskrit
Two small points for readers who like the text close up. First, juṣatām literally means “may she be pleased with me” or “may she favour me”. The sense of her staying with us is a devotional extension of that favour, and it is how this commentary reads the line. Second, ratha-madhyāṁ is also read as the order of a royal procession: horses in front, chariots in the middle and elephants behind. Either way, the picture is one of a queen arriving with her full retinue.
Practical meditation
- After chanting, visualise Goddess Lakshmi’s grand arrival.
- A golden chariot, led by white horses, approaches with grace.
- Mighty elephants trumpet, signalling unstoppable abundance.
- Lakshmi, glowing with divine radiance, blesses you with prosperity that is powerful, stable and enduring.
- Whisper gently in your heart: “May my prosperity be powerful yet wise, fast yet steady, and may it stay with me forever.”
Reflection for today
Where in your life do you need speed and energy (horses)? Where do you need wisdom and stability (elephants)? How can you ensure prosperity stays permanently, not just visits briefly? For example, by cultivating gratitude, ethical wealth practices, giving back and continuous learning.
This verse teaches that prosperity isn’t just about financial gain. It is about momentum, stability, wisdom and divine grace. True abundance is a balance of enthusiasm (horses), structure (chariot) and wisdom (elephants). When these forces are aligned, Lakshmi doesn’t just visit; she stays.
Terms used here are explained in the glossary. This commentary was prepared with AI assistance; read more.