Sri Suktam
Ṛgveda — Śrī Sūkta (Khilāni, appendix to Maṇḍala 5) · 15 ṛks + phalaśruti
About this hymn — source, deity, structure
- Source: Ṛgveda — Śrī Sūkta (Khila / appendix)
- Deity: Goddess Śrī-Lakṣmī (invoked through Agni)
- Structure: 15 ṛks + phalaśruti (the text calls itself "pañcadaśarcam")
- Ṛṣis (traditional): Ānanda, Kardama, Chiklīta, Śrīda
- Best day: Friday; festivals: Diwali, Varalakshmi Vrat, Akshaya Tritiya
- Theme: wealth, abundance, removal of Alakṣmī (poverty)
Sri Suktam is the Rigveda's oldest hymn to Maa Shri (Lakshmi). It prays to Agni — addressed as Jātaveda — to bring the Goddess to the worshipper for wealth, grain, progeny and abundance, and to drive away Alakṣmī (poverty and misfortune).
Sri Suktam Lyrics & Meaning (Verse by Verse)
Sanskrit is shown by default — toggle for Roman (IAST). Tap "Show meaning" under any verse for its meaning.
हिरण्यवर्णां हरिणीं सुवर्णरजतस्रजाम्। चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह॥
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O Jātaveda (Agni), invoke for me Lakṣmī — gold-hued, tender as a doe, wearing garlands of gold and silver, radiant as the moon, golden in form.
तां म आवह जातवेदो लक्ष्मीमनपगामिनीम्। यस्यां हिरण्यं विन्देयं गामश्वं पुरुषानहम्॥
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Bring me, O Jātaveda, that Lakṣmī who never departs — through whose grace I may gain gold, cattle, horses and family.
अश्वपूर्वां रथमध्यां हस्तिनादप्रमोदिनीम्। श्रियं देवीमुपह्वये श्रीर्मा देवी जुषताम्॥
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I invoke Goddess Śrī — heralded by horses, seated amid chariots, delighting in the trumpeting of elephants. May Goddess Śrī be pleased with me.
कांसोऽस्मि तां हिरण्यप्राकारामार्द्रां ज्वलन्तीं तृप्तां तर्पयन्तीम्। पद्मे स्थितां पद्मवर्णां तामिहोपह्वये श्रियम्॥
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I invoke that Śrī — gentle of smile, ringed with gold, moist with compassion, blazing, content and giving contentment — seated on the lotus, lotus-hued.
चन्द्रां प्रभासां यशसा ज्वलन्तीं श्रियं लोके देवजुष्टामुदाराम्। तां पद्मिनीमीं शरणमहं प्रपद्येऽलक्ष्मीर्मे नश्यतां त्वां वृणे॥
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I take refuge in Śrī — moon-bright, glorious, blazing with fame, honoured by the gods, generous, lotus-dwelling. May my Alakṣmī (misfortune) perish; I choose you.
आदित्यवर्णे तपसोऽधिजातो वनस्पतिस्तव वृक्षोऽथ बिल्वः। तस्य फलानि तपसा नुदन्तु मायान्तरायाश्च बाह्या अलक्ष्मीः॥
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O sun-hued Goddess! Born of your tapas are the forest trees and the Bilva. May their fruit drive away my inner illusions and outer misfortune.
उपैतु मां देवसखः कीर्तिश्च मणिना सह। प्रादुर्भूतोऽस्मि राष्ट्रेऽस्मिन् कीर्तिमृद्धिं ददातु मे॥
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May the friend of the gods (identified by tradition as Kubera) come to me with fame and jewels. Born in this realm, may I be granted renown and prosperity.
क्षुत्पिपासामलां ज्येष्ठामलक्ष्मीं नाशयाम्यहम्। अभूतिमसमृद्धिं च सर्वां निर्णुद मे गृहात्॥
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I drive out the elder Alakṣmī, soiled with hunger and thirst. O Goddess, banish from my home all want and lack of prosperity.
गन्धद्वारां दुराधर्षां नित्यपुष्टां करीषिणीम्। ईश्वरीं सर्वभूतानां तामिहोपह्वये श्रियम्॥
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I invoke here that Śrī — known by her fragrance, unassailable, ever-nourishing, abounding in wealth, the sovereign of all beings.
मनसः काममाकूतिं वाचः सत्यमशीमहि। पशूनां रूपमन्नस्य मयि श्रीः श्रयतां यशः॥
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May we attain the heart's desire, fulfilment of resolve, truth of speech, and abundance of cattle and food. May Śrī and fame abide in me.
कर्दमेन प्रजाभूता मयि सम्भव कर्दम। श्रियं वासय मे कुले मातरं पद्ममालिनीम्॥
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O Kardama, through you Śrī became blessed with progeny — dwell in me. Establish in my family the lotus-garlanded Mother Śrī.
आपः स्रजन्तु स्निग्धानि चिक्लीत वस मे गृहे। नि च देवीं मातरं श्रियं वासय मे कुले॥
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May the waters bring forth abundance. O Chiklīta, dwell in my home. Settle in my family the Goddess, Mother Śrī.
आर्द्रां पुष्करिणीं पुष्टिं सुवर्णां हेममालिनीम्। सूर्यां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह॥
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O Jātaveda, invoke for me Lakṣmī — tender, lotus-pond-like, nourishing, golden, gold-garlanded, sun-bright and golden in form.
आर्द्रां यः करिणीं यष्टिं पिङ्गलां पद्ममालिनीम्। चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह॥
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O Jātaveda, invoke for me Lakṣmī — tender, gracious, golden-staffed, tawny-radiant, lotus-garlanded, moon-bright and golden.
तां म आवह जातवेदो लक्ष्मीमनपगामिनीम्। यस्यां हिरण्यं प्रभूतं गावो दास्योऽश्वान् विन्देयं पुरुषानहम्॥
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Bring me, O Jātaveda, that unfailing Lakṣmī through whom I may obtain abundant gold, cattle, servants, horses and family.
Phalaśruti — fruit of recitation
यः शुचिः प्रयतो भूत्वा जुहुयादाज्यमन्वहम्। सूक्तं पञ्चदशर्चं च श्रीकामः सततं जपेत्॥
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Whoever, pure and self-controlled, offers ghee daily and constantly chants this hymn of fifteen ṛks — desiring Śrī — attains her.
पद्मानने पद्म ऊरू पद्माक्षी पद्मसम्भवे। तन्मे भजसि पद्माक्षी येन सौख्यं लभाम्यहम्॥
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O lotus-faced, lotus-thighed, lotus-eyed, lotus-born — favour me, lotus-eyed one, that I may attain well-being.
अश्वदायी गोदायी धनदायी महाधने। धनं मे जुषतां देवि सर्वकामांश्च देहि मे॥
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O great-wealthed giver of horses, cattle and riches — be pleased to grant me wealth, and fulfil all my desires.
पद्मानने पद्मविपद्मपत्रे पद्मप्रिये पद्मदलायताक्षि। विश्वप्रिये विश्वमनोनुकूले त्वत्पादपद्मं मयि संनिधत्स्व॥
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O lotus-faced, lotus-petal-eyed, lotus-loving, dear to all, pleasing to every heart — place your lotus-feet upon me.
पुत्रपौत्रं धनं धान्यं हस्त्यश्वादिगवेरथम्। प्रजानां भवसि माता आयुष्मन्तं करोतु मे॥
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O Mother of all beings — grant me sons and grandsons, wealth, grain, elephants, horses, cattle and chariots, and bestow long life.
धनमग्निर्धनं वायुर्धनं सूर्यो धनं वसुः। धनमिन्द्रो बृहस्पतिर्वरुणं धनमस्तु ते॥
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Wealth is Agni, Vāyu, the Sun and the Vasus; wealth is Indra and Bṛhaspati. May the wealth of Varuṇa be yours to bestow.
वैनतेय सोमं पिब सोमं पिबतु वृत्रहा। सोमं धनस्य सोमिनो मह्यं ददातु सोमिनः॥
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O Vainateya (Garuḍa), drink the Soma; let the slayer of Vṛtra drink too. May the Soma-rich grant me the Soma of wealth.
न क्रोधो न च मात्सर्यं न लोभो नाशुभा मतिः। भवन्ति कृतपुण्यानां भक्तानां श्रीसूक्तं जपेत्॥
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Anger, envy, greed and ill-will do not arise in the meritorious. Let such a devotee chant the Śrī Sūkta.
सरसिजनिलये सरोजहस्ते धवलतरांशुकगन्धमाल्यशोभे। भगवति हरिवल्लभे मनोज्ञे त्रिभुवनभूतिकरि प्रसीद मह्यम्॥
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O dweller in the lotus, lotus in hand, radiant with bright robes, fragrance and garlands; beloved of Hari, charming, source of the three worlds' welfare — be gracious to me.
विष्णुपत्नीं क्षमादेवीं माधवीं माधवप्रियाम्। लक्ष्मीं प्रियसखीं देवीं नमाम्यच्युतवल्लभाम्॥
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I bow to Lakṣmī — consort of Viṣṇu, goddess of forbearance, Mādhavī, dear to Mādhava, close friend of devotees, beloved of Acyuta.
महालक्ष्मी च विद्महे विष्णुपत्नी च धीमहि। तन्नो लक्ष्मीः प्रचोदयात्॥
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We meditate on Mahālakṣmī, the consort of Viṣṇu. May that Lakṣmī inspire us. (The Lakṣmī Gāyatrī.)
श्रीवर्चस्वमायुष्यमारोग्यमाविधाच्छोभमानं महीयते। धान्यं धनं पशुं बहुपुत्रलाभं शतसंवत्सरं दीर्घमायुः॥
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May this hymn grant the splendour of Śrī, long life, health and radiant glory; grain, wealth, cattle, many children and a full hundred years of life.
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
Benefits of Chanting Sri Suktam
- The Rigveda's oldest hymn to Goddess Lakṣmī, invoked through Agni
- Recited for wealth, grain, cattle, progeny and abundance (dhana-dhānya)
- Drives away Alakṣmī / Jyeṣṭhā — poverty, misfortune and stagnation
- Traditionally chanted on Fridays and during Lakṣmī, Diwali and Varalakshmi puja
- Grants longevity, health and inner contentment — not material gain alone
- Paired with a ghee lamp and lotus (padma) offering for full effect
How to Recite Sri Suktam
- 1After bathing, sit facing east or north on a clean seat.
- 2Light a ghee lamp; offer a lotus or an image of Maa Lakshmi.
- 3Take a sankalpa, then recite the 15 ṛks with a calm mind.
- 4Close with the phalaśruti and "Om Shanti Shanti Shanti".
For the full structure, vidhi and muhurat, see Sri Suktam Puja Vidhi.
Sri Suktam — Structure, Puja Vidhi & Best Muhurat
Structure of the Hymn
Invocation
Calling Maa Shri through Agni (Jataveda)
Glory & banishing Alakshmi
Shri's glory, refuge, and removal of Alakshmi / Jyeshtha
Boons & re-invocation
Boons of wealth and progeny; re-invocation in golden and lotus forms
Fruit of recitation
The fruit of japa, the Lakshmi Gayatri and blessing
Puja Vidhi
- 1
Purification (sthāna-śuddhi)
Purify the puja space with cow dung or Gangajal. Place Maa facing North or North-East.
- 2
Sankalpa
"Through Sri Suktam recitation, for Maa Lakshmi's grace and wealth-prosperity" — take the sankalpa.
- 3
Pushpanjali
Offer one lotus with each verse — keep the rhythm steady through the whole recitation.
- 4
Ghṛta-dīpa
Light a 5-wick ghee lamp — do not let it extinguish during the recitation.
- 5
Samarpan ("idaṃ na mama")
After recitation, say "Idam na mama" and offer fruit-naivedya to Maa.
Best Muhurat
Friday 6–8 AM
Venus rising period
Friday Abhijit 12–1 PM
All-siddhi giving
Varalakshmi Vrat (August)
Best day of the year
Diwali / Akshaya Tritiya
Lakshmi-puja festivals
Verwandte Spirituelle Lektüre
What to do next
Sri Suktam — Frequently Asked Questions
How many verses are in the Sri Suktam?
The core hymn has 15 ṛks — the text itself says "pañcadaśarcam" (of fifteen ṛks). These are followed by phalaśruti (fruit-of-recitation) verses, so many printed editions count 16 by adding the first phalaśruti verse.
Who is invoked in the Sri Suktam?
Goddess Śrī (Lakṣmī) is invoked through Agni, who is addressed as Jātaveda and asked to "bring" the Goddess to the worshipper for wealth and abundance.
Is it "prabodhinīm" or "pramodinīm" in verse 3?
The Ṛgveda Khila reads hastināda-pramodinīm ("delighting in the trumpeting of elephants"). Many recited editions use prabodhinīm ("awakened by..."). Both are traditional; this page follows the Khila source.
When should the Sri Suktam be recited?
Friday (Lakṣmī's day) at dawn is ideal, as well as Diwali, Varalakshmi Vrat and Akshaya Tritiya. Daily recitation with a ghee lamp is recommended for steady prosperity.
What does the Sri Suktam ask to be removed?
It prays to drive away Alakṣmī (also called Jyeṣṭhā) — poverty, hunger and misfortune — both outer and inner, so that prosperity and contentment may take their place.
Can I recite it without knowing Sanskrit?
Yes. Recite the transliteration with devotion; understanding the meaning deepens the practice. Pronunciation naturally improves with daily repetition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sri Suktam?
The Sri Suktam is a sacred Hindu devotional hymn (stotram) dedicated to Lakshmi. VedKosh provides its complete text in Hindi and English with transliteration for regional readers.
What are the benefits of reciting the Sri Suktam?
Reciting the Sri Suktam with devotion is traditionally believed to invoke the grace of Lakshmi, calm and focus the mind, and create an auspicious, sattvic atmosphere. It is practised as an act of bhakti (devotion) rather than for any guaranteed material outcome.
When should the Sri Suktam be recited?
The Sri Suktam can be recited during daily morning or evening worship of Lakshmi, and especially on the deity's sacred days and festivals. A clean, quiet space and a steady, devotional mind are the main requirements.
Updated for 2026
