Shri Suktam in Gujarati
શ્રીસૂક્તમ્
Shri Suktam is the oldest hymn to Goddess Lakshmi, a Vedic prayer of fifteen mantras from the khila (appendix) hymns of the Rig Veda. Below is the complete Shri Suktam in Gujarati script, every line also in English letters, with the meaning of each verse in simple English.
- Gujarati script
- 16 verses
- 6 min
- Vedic (Rig Veda Khila); seers named in tradition as Ananda, Kardama, Chiklita and Shrida
- Best on Friday
Recite line by line, listen, count with a mala. The reader opens in Gujarati.
હિરણ્યવર્ણાં હરિણીં સુવર્ણરજતસ્રજામ્। Hiranyavarnam Harinim Suvarna Rajata Srajam
ચન્દ્રાં હિરણ્મયીં લક્ષ્મીં જાતવેદો મ આવહ॥ Chandram Hiranmayim Lakshmim Jatavedo Ma Avaha
Meaning
O Jatavedas, bring to me Lakshmi, golden in colour and shining, who wears garlands of gold and silver, who is lovely as the moon and radiant as gold.
- હિરણ્યવર્ણામ્ Hiranyavarnam
- golden in colour
- હરિણીમ્ Harinim
- the bright one; read by commentators as the remover of sorrow
- સુવર્ણરજતસ્રજામ્ Suvarna Rajata Srajam
- wearing garlands of gold and silver
- ચન્દ્રામ્ Chandram
- lovely as the moon
- હિરણ્મયીમ્ Hiranmayim
- golden, made of light
- લક્ષ્મીમ્ Lakshmim
- Lakshmi
- જાતવેદઃ Jatavedah
- O Jatavedas (Agni, the fire who knows all)
- મે Me
- to me
- આવહ Avaha
- bring
Jatavedas is Agni, the sacred fire, "the one who knows all that is born". The hymn asks Agni to bring Lakshmi, since in Vedic worship the fire carries offerings and prayers to the gods.
તાં મ આવહ જાતવેદો લક્ષ્મીમનપગામિનીમ્। Tam Ma Avaha Jatavedo Lakshmim Anapagaminim
યસ્યાં હિરણ્યં વિન્દેયં ગામશ્વં પુરુષાનહમ્॥ Yasyam Hiranyam Vindeyam Gamashvam Purushanaham
Meaning
O Jatavedas, bring to me that Lakshmi who never goes away, through whose grace I may gain gold, cattle, horses and people around me.
- તામ્ Tam
- that one, her
- મે Me
- to me
- આવહ Avaha
- bring
- જાતવેદઃ Jatavedah
- O Jatavedas (Agni, the fire who knows all)
- લક્ષ્મીમ્ Lakshmim
- Lakshmi
- અનપગામિનીમ્ Anapagaminim
- who never goes away
- યસ્યામ્ Yasyam
- through whom
- હિરણ્યમ્ Hiranyam
- gold
- વિન્દેયમ્ Vindeyam
- may I gain
- ગામ્ અશ્વમ્ Gam Ashvam
- cattle and horses
- પુરુષાન્ અહમ્ Purushan Aham
- I, people (family, helpers)
In Vedic times cattle and horses were the main forms of wealth, and "purusha" here means the people of a household: children, kin and helpers.
અશ્વપૂર્વાં રથમધ્યાં હસ્તિનાદપ્રબોધિનીમ્। Ashvapurvam Rathamadhyam Hastinada Prabodhinim
શ્રિયં દેવીમુપહ્વયે શ્રીર્માદેવીર્જુષતામ્॥ Shriyam Devim Upahvaye Shrirma Devirjushatam
Meaning
I invoke the goddess Shri, who has horses going before her and chariots around her, and whose coming is announced by the trumpeting of elephants. May the goddess Shri be gracious to me.
- અશ્વપૂર્વામ્ Ashvapurvam
- with horses going before her
- રથમધ્યામ્ Rathamadhyam
- seated in the middle of chariots
- હસ્તિનાદપ્રબોધિનીમ્ Hastinada Prabodhinim
- whose coming is announced by the trumpeting of elephants
- શ્રિયમ્ Shriyam
- Shri, the goddess of prosperity
- દેવીમ્ Devim
- the goddess
- ઉપહ્વયે Upahvaye
- I invoke
- શ્રીઃ મા દેવી જુષતામ્ Shrih Ma Devi Jushatam
- may the goddess Shri be pleased with me
This verse is the root of the Gajalakshmi image, Lakshmi with elephants. The second line is printed as "श्रीर्मादेवीर्जुषताम्" in both our sources; it is read as श्रीः मा देवी जुषताम्.
કાં સોસ્મિતાં હિરણ્યપ્રાકારામાર્દ્રાં જ્વલન્તીં તૃપ્તાં તર્પયન્તીમ્। Kam Sosmitam Hiranya Prakaram Ardram Jvalantim Triptam Tarpayantim
પદ્મે સ્થિતાં પદ્મવર્ણાં તામિહોપહ્વયે શ્રિયમ્॥ Padme Sthitam Padmavarnam Tamihopahvaye Shriyam
Meaning
I invoke here that Shri who is joy itself, who smiles gently, who lives within walls of gold, who is tender with compassion and shining, content and making others content, who stands on a lotus and has the colour of a lotus.
- કામ્ Kam
- who is joy itself
- સોસ્મિતામ્ Sosmitam
- with a gentle smile
- હિરણ્યપ્રાકારામ્ Hiranya Prakaram
- surrounded by a wall of gold
- આર્દ્રામ્ Ardram
- tender, moist with compassion
- જ્વલન્તીમ્ Jvalantim
- shining
- તૃપ્તામ્ Triptam
- content
- તર્પયન્તીમ્ Tarpayantim
- who makes others content
- પદ્મે સ્થિતામ્ Padme Sthitam
- standing on a lotus
- પદ્મવર્ણામ્ Padmavarnam
- the colour of a lotus
- તામ્ Tam
- that one, her
- ઇહ ઉપહ્વયે Iha Upahvaye
- I invoke here
- શ્રિયમ્ Shriyam
- Shri, the goddess of prosperity
"Kam" can also be read simply as "her"; traditional commentators explain it as "bliss" (ka = joy). Both sources print "सोस्मितां".
ચન્દ્રાં પ્રભાસાં યશસા જ્વલન્તીં શ્રિયં લોકે દેવજુષ્ટામુદારામ્। Chandram Prabhasam Yashasa Jvalantim Shriyam Loke Devajushtam Udaram
તાં પદ્મિનીમીં શરણમહં પ્રપદ્યેઽલક્ષ્મીર્મે નશ્યતાં ત્વાં વૃણે॥ Tam Padminimim Sharanamaham Prapadye Alakshmirme Nashyatam Tvam Vrine
Meaning
I take refuge in Shri, lovely as the moon and radiant, blazing with fame, cherished by the gods in this world, generous, holding the lotus. May my misfortune perish. I choose you.
- ચન્દ્રામ્ Chandram
- lovely as the moon
- પ્રભાસામ્ Prabhasam
- radiant
- યશસા જ્વલન્તીમ્ Yashasa Jvalantim
- blazing with fame
- શ્રિયમ્ Shriyam
- Shri, the goddess of prosperity
- લોકે દેવજુષ્ટામ્ Loke Devajushtam
- cherished by the gods in the world
- ઉદારામ્ Udaram
- generous
- પદ્મિનીમ્ ઈમ્ Padminim Im
- her who holds the lotus
- શરણમ્ અહં પ્રપદ્યે Sharanam Aham Prapadye
- I take refuge
- અલક્ષ્મીઃ મે નશ્યતામ્ Alakshmih Me Nashyatam
- may my misfortune perish
- ત્વાં વૃણે Tvam Vrine
- I choose you
Alakshmi, "un-Lakshmi", is the opposite of Lakshmi: poverty, misfortune and everything that drives prosperity away.
આદિત્યવર્ણે તપસોઽધિજાતો વનસ્પતિસ્તવ વૃક્ષોઽથ બિલ્વઃ। Adityavarne Tapasodhijato Vanaspatistava Vrikshotha Bilvah
તસ્ય ફલાનિ તપસા નુદન્તુ માયાન્તરાયાશ્ચ બાહ્યા અલક્ષ્મીઃ॥ Tasya Phalani Tapasa Nudantu Mayantarayashcha Bahya Alakshmih
Meaning
O you who shine like the sun, from your tapas the bilva tree was born, lord of the forest and your own tree. May its fruits, by their sacred power, drive away the delusions within me and the misfortunes outside.
- આદિત્યવર્ણે Adityavarne
- O you who shine like the sun
- તપસઃ અધિજાતઃ Tapasah Adhijatah
- born from your tapas
- વનસ્પતિઃ Vanaspatih
- lord of the forest
- તવ વૃક્ષઃ Tava Vrikshah
- your tree
- અથ બિલ્વઃ Atha Bilvah
- the bilva
- તસ્ય ફલાનિ Tasya Phalani
- its fruits
- તપસા નુદન્તુ Tapasa Nudantu
- may they drive away by their power
- માયાઃ અન્તરાઃ Mayah Antarah
- the delusions within
- ચ બાહ્યાઃ અલક્ષ્મીઃ Cha Bahyah Alakshmih
- and misfortunes outside
The bilva (bael) tree is sacred to Lakshmi as well as to Shiva. This is why bilva leaves and fruit are offered in Lakshmi homa.
ઉપૈતુ માં દેવસખઃ કીર્તિશ્ચ મણિના સહ। Upaitu Mam Devasakhah Kirtishcha Manina Saha
પ્રાદુર્ભૂતોઽસ્મિ રાષ્ટ્રેઽસ્મિન્ કીર્તિમૃદ્ધિં દદાતુ મે॥ Pradurbhutosmi Rashtresmin Kirtim Riddhim Dadatu Me
Meaning
May the friend of the gods come to me, together with Kirti and the jewel. I am born in this land; may he grant me fame and prosperity.
- ઉપૈતુ મામ્ Upaitu Mam
- may he come to me
- દેવસખઃ Devasakhah
- the friend of the gods (Kubera, as tradition explains)
- કીર્તિઃ ચ Kirtih Cha
- and Kirti, fame
- મણિના સહ Manina Saha
- with the jewel
- પ્રાદુર્ભૂતઃ અસ્મિ Pradurbhutah Asmi
- I am born
- રાષ્ટ્રે અસ્મિન્ Rashtre Asmin
- in this land
- કીર્તિમ્ ઋદ્ધિમ્ Kirtim Riddhim
- fame and prosperity
- દદાતુ મે Dadatu Me
- may he grant me
Traditional commentators take "the friend of the gods" to be Kubera, the treasurer of the gods and friend of Shiva, and the jewel as the gem of wealth he carries. Kirti, fame, is honoured as a goddess.
ક્ષુત્પિપાસામલાં જ્યેષ્ઠામલક્ષ્મીં નાશયામ્યહમ્। Kshutpipasamalam Jyeshtham Alakshmim Nashayamyaham
અભૂતિમસમૃદ્ધિં ચ સર્વાં નિર્ણુદ મે ગૃહાત્॥ Abhutim Asamriddhim Cha Sarvam Nirnuda Me Grihat
Meaning
I destroy Alakshmi, the elder sister, who is hunger, thirst and impurity. Drive out from my home all want and all poverty.
- ક્ષુત્પિપાસામલામ્ Kshutpipasamalam
- who is hunger, thirst and impurity
- જ્યેષ્ઠામ્ Jyeshtham
- the elder sister
- અલક્ષ્મીમ્ Alakshmim
- Alakshmi, misfortune
- નાશયામિ અહમ્ Nashayami Aham
- I destroy
- અભૂતિમ્ Abhutim
- want, lack of wealth
- અસમૃદ્ધિમ્ Asamriddhim
- poverty, failure to prosper
- ચ સર્વામ્ Cha Sarvam
- and all of it
- નિર્ણુદ મે ગૃહાત્ Nirnuda Me Grihat
- drive out from my home
Tradition says Alakshmi (also called Jyeshtha) rose from the churning of the ocean before Lakshmi, which is why she is called the elder sister.
ગન્ધદ્વારાં દુરાધર્ષાં નિત્યપુષ્ટાં કરીષિણીમ્। Gandhadvaram Duradharsham Nityapushtam Karishinim
ઈશ્વરીં સર્વભૂતાનાં તામિહોપહ્વયે શ્રિયમ્॥ Ishvarim Sarvabhutanam Tamihopahvaye Shriyam
Meaning
I invoke here Shri, who is known by her fragrance, whom none can overpower, who is ever abundant and rich in cattle and harvest, the sovereign of all beings.
- ગન્ધદ્વારામ્ Gandhadvaram
- known by her fragrance
- દુરાધર્ષામ્ Duradharsham
- whom none can overpower
- નિત્યપુષ્ટામ્ Nityapushtam
- ever abundant
- કરીષિણીમ્ Karishinim
- rich in cattle and harvest
- ઈશ્વરીમ્ Ishvarim
- the sovereign
- સર્વભૂતાનામ્ Sarvabhutanam
- of all beings
- તામ્ Tam
- that one, her
- ઇહ ઉપહ્વયે Iha Upahvaye
- I invoke here
- શ્રિયમ્ Shriyam
- Shri, the goddess of prosperity
Karishini comes from karisha, cow dung, which in a farming home was itself a sign of many cattle and fertile fields. In the Taittiriya way of chanting, "ईश्वरीं" before "स" is sounded "ईश्वरीग्ं"; our sources print this with a special sign, and we write the plain anusvara.
મનસઃ કામમાકૂતિં વાચઃ સત્યમશીમહિ। Manasah Kamam Akutim Vachah Satyam Ashimahi
પશૂનાં રૂપમન્નસ્ય મયિ શ્રીઃ શ્રયતાં યશઃ॥ Pashunam Rupamannasya Mayi Shrih Shrayatam Yashah
Meaning
May we gain the wishes of our mind, the intentions of our heart and truth in our speech. May the beauty of cattle and of food, prosperity and fame, come to dwell in me.
- મનસઃ કામમ્ Manasah Kamam
- the wishes of the mind
- આકૂતિમ્ Akutim
- the heart's intention
- વાચઃ સત્યમ્ Vachah Satyam
- truth in speech
- અશીમહિ Ashimahi
- may we attain
- પશૂનાં રૂપમ્ Pashunam Rupam
- the beauty of cattle
- અન્નસ્ય Annasya
- of food
- મયિ શ્રયતામ્ Mayi Shrayatam
- may it dwell in me
- શ્રીઃ યશઃ Shrih Yashah
- prosperity and fame
કર્દમેન પ્રજાભૂતા મયિ સમ્ભવ કર્દમ। Kardamena Prajabhuta Mayi Sambhava Kardama
શ્રિયં વાસય મે કુલે માતરં પદ્મમાલિનીમ્॥ Shriyam Vasaya Me Kule Mataram Padmamalinim
Meaning
O Kardama, through you Lakshmi became a mother of children. Be present in me, Kardama, and make Shri, the mother who wears a lotus garland, dwell in my family.
- કર્દમેન Kardamena
- through Kardama
- પ્રજાભૂતા Prajabhuta
- she became a mother of children
- મયિ સમ્ભવ Mayi Sambhava
- be present in me
- કર્દમ Kardama
- O Kardama
- શ્રિયમ્ Shriyam
- Shri, the goddess of prosperity
- વાસય મે કુલે Vasaya Me Kule
- make her dwell in my family
- માતરમ્ Mataram
- the mother
- પદ્મમાલિનીમ્ Padmamalinim
- who wears a lotus garland
Kardama and Chiklita (next verse) are named in tradition as sons of Shri and as seers of this hymn, along with Ananda and Shrida. Kardama literally means moist earth, Chiklita moisture.
આપઃ સૃજન્તુ સ્નિગ્ધાનિ ચિક્લીત વસ મે ગૃહે। Apah Srijantu Snigdhani Chiklita Vasa Me Grihe
નિ ચ દેવીં માતરં શ્રિયં વાસય મે કુલે॥ Ni Cha Devim Mataram Shriyam Vasaya Me Kule
Meaning
May the waters bring forth soft and nourishing things. O Chiklita, live in my home, and make the divine mother Shri dwell firmly in my family.
- આપઃ સૃજન્તુ Apah Srijantu
- may the waters bring forth
- સ્નિગ્ધાનિ Snigdhani
- soft, nourishing things
- ચિક્લીત Chiklita
- O Chiklita
- વસ મે ગૃહે Vasa Me Grihe
- live in my home
- નિ ચ Ni Cha
- and firmly
- દેવીં માતરં શ્રિયમ્ Devim Mataram Shriyam
- the divine mother Shri
- વાસય મે કુલે Vasaya Me Kule
- make her dwell in my family
આર્દ્રાં પુષ્કરિણીં પુષ્ટિં પિઙ્ગલાં પદ્મમાલિનીમ્। Ardram Pushkarinim Pushtim Pingalam Padmamalinim
ચન્દ્રાં હિરણ્મયીં લક્ષ્મીં જાતવેદો મ આવહ॥ Chandram Hiranmayim Lakshmim Jatavedo Ma Avaha
Meaning
O Jatavedas, bring to me Lakshmi, tender with grace, the lady of the lotus pond, nourishment itself, golden-hued and wearing a lotus garland, lovely as the moon and radiant as gold.
- આર્દ્રામ્ Ardram
- tender, moist with grace
- પુષ્કરિણીમ્ Pushkarinim
- of the lotus pond
- પુષ્ટિમ્ Pushtim
- nourishment itself
- પિઙ્ગલામ્ Pingalam
- golden-hued
- પદ્મમાલિનીમ્ Padmamalinim
- wearing a lotus garland
- ચન્દ્રામ્ Chandram
- lovely as the moon
- હિરણ્મયીમ્ Hiranmayim
- golden, made of light
- લક્ષ્મીમ્ Lakshmim
- Lakshmi
- જાતવેદઃ Jatavedah
- O Jatavedas (Agni, the fire who knows all)
- મે Me
- to me
- આવહ Avaha
- bring
Some recitations swap the second halves of the first lines of mantras 13 and 14 ("suvarnam hemamalinim" / "pingalam padmamalinim"). Both of our sources have the order shown here.
આર્દ્રાં યઃ કરિણીં યષ્ટિં સુવર્ણાં હેમમાલિનીમ્। Ardram Yah Karinim Yashtim Suvarnam Hemamalinim
સૂર્યાં હિરણ્મયીં લક્ષ્મીં જાતવેદો મ આવહ॥ Suryam Hiranmayim Lakshmim Jatavedo Ma Avaha
Meaning
O Jatavedas, bring to me Lakshmi, tender with grace, who holds the staff of rule, beautiful in colour, wearing a garland of gold, radiant like the sun and golden.
- આર્દ્રામ્ Ardram
- tender, moist with grace
- યઃ કરિણીમ્ યષ્ટિમ્ Yah Karinim Yashtim
- who holds the staff of rule in her hand
- સુવર્ણામ્ Suvarnam
- of beautiful colour
- હેમમાલિનીમ્ Hemamalinim
- wearing a garland of gold
- સૂર્યામ્ Suryam
- radiant like the sun
- હિરણ્મયીમ્ Hiranmayim
- golden, made of light
- લક્ષ્મીમ્ Lakshmim
- Lakshmi
- જાતવેદઃ Jatavedah
- O Jatavedas (Agni, the fire who knows all)
- મે Me
- to me
- આવહ Avaha
- bring
"यः करिणीं" is hard to read literally. Commentators explain it as "she who holds (the staff) in her hand", the yashti being a sceptre or staff of authority.
તાં મ આવહ જાતવેદો લક્ષ્મીમનપગામિનીમ્। Tam Ma Avaha Jatavedo Lakshmim Anapagaminim
યસ્યાં હિરણ્યં પ્રભૂતં ગાવો દાસ્યોઽશ્વાન્વિન્દેયં પુરુષાનહમ્॥ Yasyam Hiranyam Prabhutam Gavo Dasyoshvan Vindeyam Purushanaham
Meaning
O Jatavedas, bring to me that Lakshmi who never goes away, through whose grace I may gain gold in plenty, cows, helpers in the house, horses and people around me.
- તામ્ Tam
- that one, her
- મે Me
- to me
- આવહ Avaha
- bring
- જાતવેદઃ Jatavedah
- O Jatavedas (Agni, the fire who knows all)
- લક્ષ્મીમ્ Lakshmim
- Lakshmi
- અનપગામિનીમ્ Anapagaminim
- who never goes away
- યસ્યામ્ Yasyam
- through whom
- હિરણ્યમ્ Hiranyam
- gold
- પ્રભૂતમ્ Prabhutam
- in plenty
- ગાવઃ Gavah
- cows
- દાસ્યઃ Dasyah
- helpers in the house
- અશ્વાન્ Ashvan
- horses
- વિન્દેયમ્ Vindeyam
- may I gain
- પુરુષાન્ અહમ્ Purushan Aham
- I, people (family, helpers)
This is the fifteenth and last mantra of the hymn proper. It repeats mantra 2 with a longer list of blessings, closing the hymn where it began.
યઃ શુચિઃ પ્રયતો ભૂત્વા જુહુયાદાજ્યમન્વહમ્। Yah Shuchih Prayato Bhutva Juhuyad Ajyam Anvaham
શ્રિયઃ પઞ્ચદશર્ચં ચ શ્રીકામઃ સતતં જપેત્॥ Shriyah Panchadasharcham Cha Shrikamah Satatam Japet
Meaning
Whoever longs for Shri should become pure and self-controlled, offer ghee into the fire every day, and always recite these fifteen richas of Shri.
- યઃ Yah
- whoever
- શુચિઃ પ્રયતઃ ભૂત્વા Shuchih Prayatah Bhutva
- being pure and self-controlled
- જુહુયાત્ Juhuyat
- offers into the fire
- આજ્યમ્ Ajyam
- ghee
- અન્વહમ્ Anvaham
- every day
- શ્રિયઃ પઞ્ચદશર્ચમ્ Shriyah Panchadasharcham
- these fifteen richas of Shri
- શ્રીકામઃ Shrikamah
- one who longs for Shri
- સતતં જપેત્ Satatam Japet
- should always recite
This sixteenth verse is a phala (instruction and fruit) verse attached to the fifteen mantras. It itself speaks of "fifteen richas", which is why the hymn proper is counted as fifteen. Many South Indian recitations continue with further appended verses ("Padmanane padma uru", the Lakshmi Gayatri and others); we stop here. Both sources print "जुहुयादाज्य मन्वहम्" with a space; we join it as आज्यम् अन्वहम्.
About Shri Suktam
Shri Suktam belongs to the khilani, a set of hymns added to the Rig Veda and preserved in the Bashkala recension. It is usually placed after hymn 5.87 of the fifth mandala; Scheftelowitz's edition of the Khilani numbers it 2.6. The fifteen mantras call on Agni Jatavedas to bring Lakshmi, describe her as golden, moon-like and seated on a lotus, invite Kubera ("the friend of the gods") with fame and jewels, and ask that Alakshmi, poverty and misfortune, leave the house.
Questions
Is this the same Shri Suktam that is sung in Hindi?
Yes. These are the same Sanskrit words, written in Gujarati letters so you can read them aloud. It is a transliteration, not a translation into Gujarati. The meaning of each verse is given in English.
How was the Gujarati text prepared?
We keep one checked Devanagari edition (Shri Suktam (Rigvediya), sanskritdocuments.org s-sukta.itx and s-sukta-accent.itx (encoded and proofread by Avinash Sathaye, Shree, Anant Upadhyayula, Sunder Hattangadi); cross-checked line by line with "Prabhata Stotranidhi" (stotranidhi.com, Devanagari with svaras)) and write it in Gujarati letters with fixed spelling rules, so every verse matches the original letter for letter. The English-letter line is the common singing spelling.