What is Sri Suktam?

 ‘While its most common use is simply as a devotional Vedic chant, in reality, Sri Suktam is capable of turning one’s fortunes around. In fact, all other things being equal, if someone asked me to give them just one sadhana for their material progress, without a moment’s hesitation, I would hand them the Sri Suktam.’ 

(The Legend of the Goddess: Invoking Sri Suktam by Om Swami.)

The Sanskrit word 'Sri' means spiritual and material abundance. It is associated with the Goddess Sri of the Rig Veda, referred to as Ma Lakshmi in later texts. She embodies auspiciousness, material progress, good health, peace, and prosperity. She also grants the wisdom to appreciate and share these blessings with others.

'Sri' represents the feminine principle in Sanatan Dharm. It consists of two beej mantras or seed syllables: 'Sh' denoting Purush and 'Hri' denoting Prakriti. A combination of Purush and Prakriti, Sri is the creation itself.

The Sanskrit word ‘Suktam’ means an ode of praise. Sri Suktam, found in the 5th mandala of Rig Veda, is the most ancient and powerful hymn devoted to the Mother Goddess. It is an invocation that seeks Her grace for bringing opulence, joy, prosperity, and meaning to one’s life.

The Sri Suktam has sixteen verses with a rich spiritual lineage and history. Sages gifted these verses to humanity after long periods of intense penance (tapas). It took thousands of years for the entire Sri Suktam to shape up as we know it today. The first fifteen verses invoke the sacred fire (Jataved), requesting to bring health, wealth, peace, and prosperity to the devotee. The sixteenth mantra is a Phalashruti (a meritorious verse), which assures the benefits of reciting the 15 verses of the Suktam.

Sri Suktam is not just a hymn for a specific sect, but the only Vedic hymn used as-is to invoke Mother Divine across the five different branches of Sanatan Dharm: Shaivites (Lord Shiva worshippers), Vaishnavs (Sri Vishnu worshippers), Ganpatya (Followers of Sri Ganapati), Saura (worshippers of Lord Surya), and Shakta (worshippers of Mother Goddess). It unites all these branches in their devotion to the Mother Divine.

Recite the beautiful Sri Suktam to align yourself with the universal energy as you pursue the four goals (Purusharthas) of life: Dharm (spiritual wealth), Arth (material wealth), Kaam (pleasures from the fulfillment of desires), and Moksh (liberation).

Chanting Sri Suktam is like calling out to Mother Divine with many endearments. Offer devotion to Ma Lakshmi by performing abhishekam with the Sri Suktam chant on the Sadhana App.