na krodho na cha matsaryam na lobho nashubha matih। bhavanti kritapunyanam bhaktanam shrisuktam japetsada॥22॥
Frequently asked questions about Sri Suktam
What is the Sri Suktam?
A Vedic hymn to Sri Mahalakshmi from the khila appendix to the Rigveda - hiranyavarnam harinim, golden-hued and radiant. It asks Jatavedas, the fire, to bring the goddess near, which is why it is recited into a lamp or a havan.
When is it recited?
Fridays, the Diwali night puja, Sharad Purnima and Varalakshmi Vratam, and daily by those keeping a Lakshmi altar. Morning after a bath, or at the evening lamp.
What is the alakshmi it asks to be removed?
Disorder, want, neglect and the ill fortune that follows them - the hymn asks explicitly for her elder sister to be sent away. That practical half of the prayer is not decoration; the tradition treats a clean, ordered house as part of Lakshmi upasana.
What is offered while reciting it?
Lotus or red flowers, kheer or a white sweet, a ghee lamp, and in a fuller observance a havan with ghee and lotus seeds - the Lakshmi puja samagri page has the household list.
How does it differ from the Lakshmi beej mantra?
The Suktam is a Vedic hymn recited in full; the beej mantra is a short seed formula repeated on a mala. Many keep the Suktam for Fridays and the mantra for daily japa.
About the Sri Suktam
The Sri Suktam - the ancient Vedic hymn invoking Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi for wealth, abundance and auspiciousness.
Meaning
A Vedic hymn invoking the golden-hued Goddess Lakshmi, requesting her presence with gold, cattle, grain and prosperity, and the removal of poverty (Alakshmi).
Benefits
Recited for wealth, abundance, fertility and auspiciousness; one of the most powerful Vedic prayers for prosperity and Lakshmi's lasting grace.
The Sri Suktam above is given in both Devanagari (Sanskrit) and Roman transliteration so you can read it in whichever script you are comfortable with - switch between the two using the buttons above, share the link, or download a PDF.
A stotram is a longer Sanskrit hymn of praise, not a forty-verse chalisa and not the lamp-song of an aarti. Browse every stotra on the Stotram index. For japa of a short formula use a mantra. The steps of worship around the recitation are in Puja Vidhi.