Shri Suktam in Odia

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.

ହିରଣ୍ୟବର୍ଣାମ୍ Hiranyavarnam

golden in colour

ହରିଣୀମ୍ Harinim

the bright one; read by commentators as the remover of sorrow

ସୁବର୍ଣରଜତସ୍ରଜାମ୍ Suvarna Rajata Srajam

wearing garlands of gold and silver

ଚନ୍ଦ୍ରାମ୍ Chandram

lovely as the moon

ହିରଣ୍ମୟୀମ୍ Hiranmayim

golden, made of light

ଲକ୍ଷ୍ମୀମ୍ Lakshmim

Lakshmi

ଜାତବେଦଃ Jatavedah

O Jatavedas (Agni, the fire who knows all)

ମେ Me

to me

ଆବହ 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.

O Jatavedas, bring to me that Lakshmi who never goes away, through whose grace I may gain gold, cattle, horses and people around me.

ତାମ୍ Tam

that one, her

ମେ Me

to me

ଆବହ Avaha

bring

ଜାତବେଦଃ Jatavedah

O Jatavedas (Agni, the fire who knows all)

ଲକ୍ଷ୍ମୀମ୍ Lakshmim

Lakshmi

ଅନପଗାମିନୀମ୍ Anapagaminim

who never goes away

ଯସ୍ୟାମ୍ Yasyam

through whom

ହିରଣ୍ୟମ୍ Hiranyam

gold

ବିନ୍ଦେୟମ୍ Vindeyam

may I gain

ଗାମ୍ ଅଶ୍ୱମ୍ Gam Ashvam

cattle and horses

ପୁରୁଷାନ୍ ଅହମ୍ 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.

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.

ଅଶ୍ୱପୂର୍ବାମ୍ Ashvapurvam

with horses going before her

ରଥମଧ୍ୟାମ୍ Rathamadhyam

seated in the middle of chariots

ହସ୍ତିନାଦପ୍ରବୋଧିନୀମ୍ Hastinada Prabodhinim

whose coming is announced by the trumpeting of elephants

ଶ୍ରିୟମ୍ Shriyam

Shri, the goddess of prosperity

ଦେବୀମ୍ Devim

the goddess

ଉପହ୍ୱୟେ Upahvaye

I invoke

ଶ୍ରୀଃ ମା ଦେବୀ ଜୁଷତାମ୍ 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.

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.

କାମ୍ Kam

who is joy itself

ସୋସ୍ମିତାମ୍ Sosmitam

with a gentle smile

ହିରଣ୍ୟପ୍ରାକାରାମ୍ Hiranya Prakaram

surrounded by a wall of gold

ଆର୍ଦ୍ରାମ୍ Ardram

tender, moist with compassion

ଜ୍ୱଲନ୍ତୀମ୍ Jvalantim

shining

ତୃପ୍ତାମ୍ Triptam

content

ତର୍ପୟନ୍ତୀମ୍ Tarpayantim

who makes others content

ପଦ୍ମେ ସ୍ଥିତାମ୍ Padme Sthitam

standing on a lotus

ପଦ୍ମବର୍ଣାମ୍ Padmavarnam

the colour of a lotus

ତାମ୍ Tam

that one, her

ଇହ ଉପହ୍ୱୟେ Iha Upahvaye

I invoke here

ଶ୍ରିୟମ୍ 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".

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.

ଚନ୍ଦ୍ରାମ୍ Chandram

lovely as the moon

ପ୍ରଭାସାମ୍ Prabhasam

radiant

ଯଶସା ଜ୍ୱଲନ୍ତୀମ୍ Yashasa Jvalantim

blazing with fame

ଶ୍ରିୟମ୍ Shriyam

Shri, the goddess of prosperity

ଲୋକେ ଦେବଜୁଷ୍ଟାମ୍ Loke Devajushtam

cherished by the gods in the world

ଉଦାରାମ୍ Udaram

generous

ପଦ୍ମିନୀମ୍ ଈମ୍ Padminim Im

her who holds the lotus

ଶରଣମ୍ ଅହଂ ପ୍ରପଦ୍ୟେ Sharanam Aham Prapadye

I take refuge

ଅଲକ୍ଷ୍ମୀଃ ମେ ନଶ୍ୟତାମ୍ Alakshmih Me Nashyatam

may my misfortune perish

ତ୍ୱାଂ ବୃଣେ Tvam Vrine

I choose you

Alakshmi, "un-Lakshmi", is the opposite of Lakshmi: poverty, misfortune and everything that drives prosperity away.

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.

ଆଦିତ୍ୟବର୍ଣେ Adityavarne

O you who shine like the sun

ତପସଃ ଅଧିଜାତଃ Tapasah Adhijatah

born from your tapas

ବନସ୍ପତିଃ Vanaspatih

lord of the forest

ତବ ବୃକ୍ଷଃ Tava Vrikshah

your tree

ଅଥ ବିଲ୍ୱଃ Atha Bilvah

the bilva

ତସ୍ୟ ଫଲାନି Tasya Phalani

its fruits

ତପସା ନୁଦନ୍ତୁ Tapasa Nudantu

may they drive away by their power

ମାୟାଃ ଅନ୍ତରାଃ Mayah Antarah

the delusions within

ଚ ବାହ୍ୟାଃ ଅଲକ୍ଷ୍ମୀଃ 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.

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.

ଉପୈତୁ ମାମ୍ Upaitu Mam

may he come to me

ଦେବସଖଃ Devasakhah

the friend of the gods (Kubera, as tradition explains)

କୀର୍ତିଃ ଚ Kirtih Cha

and Kirti, fame

ମଣିନା ସହ Manina Saha

with the jewel

ପ୍ରାଦୁର୍ଭୂତଃ ଅସ୍ମି Pradurbhutah Asmi

I am born

ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରେ ଅସ୍ମିନ୍ Rashtre Asmin

in this land

କୀର୍ତିମ୍ ଋଦ୍ଧିମ୍ Kirtim Riddhim

fame and prosperity

ଦଦାତୁ ମେ 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.

I destroy Alakshmi, the elder sister, who is hunger, thirst and impurity. Drive out from my home all want and all poverty.

କ୍ଷୁତ୍ପିପାସାମଲାମ୍ Kshutpipasamalam

who is hunger, thirst and impurity

ଜ୍ୟେଷ୍ଠାମ୍ Jyeshtham

the elder sister

ଅଲକ୍ଷ୍ମୀମ୍ Alakshmim

Alakshmi, misfortune

ନାଶୟାମି ଅହମ୍ Nashayami Aham

I destroy

ଅଭୂତିମ୍ Abhutim

want, lack of wealth

ଅସମୃଦ୍ଧିମ୍ Asamriddhim

poverty, failure to prosper

ଚ ସର୍ବାମ୍ Cha Sarvam

and all of it

ନିର୍ଣୁଦ ମେ ଗୃହାତ୍ 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.

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.

ଗନ୍ଧଦ୍ୱାରାମ୍ Gandhadvaram

known by her fragrance

ଦୁରାଧର୍ଷାମ୍ Duradharsham

whom none can overpower

ନିତ୍ୟପୁଷ୍ଟାମ୍ Nityapushtam

ever abundant

କରୀଷିଣୀମ୍ Karishinim

rich in cattle and harvest

ଈଶ୍ୱରୀମ୍ Ishvarim

the sovereign

ସର୍ବଭୂତାନାମ୍ Sarvabhutanam

of all beings

ତାମ୍ Tam

that one, her

ଇହ ଉପହ୍ୱୟେ Iha Upahvaye

I invoke here

ଶ୍ରିୟମ୍ 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.

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.

ମନସଃ କାମମ୍ Manasah Kamam

the wishes of the mind

ଆକୂତିମ୍ Akutim

the heart's intention

ବାଚଃ ସତ୍ୟମ୍ Vachah Satyam

truth in speech

ଅଶୀମହି Ashimahi

may we attain

ପଶୂନାଂ ରୂପମ୍ Pashunam Rupam

the beauty of cattle

ଅନ୍ନସ୍ୟ Annasya

of food

ମୟି ଶ୍ରୟତାମ୍ Mayi Shrayatam

may it dwell in me

ଶ୍ରୀଃ ଯଶଃ Shrih Yashah

prosperity and fame

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.

କର୍ଦମେନ Kardamena

through Kardama

ପ୍ରଜାଭୂତା Prajabhuta

she became a mother of children

ମୟି ସମ୍ଭବ Mayi Sambhava

be present in me

କର୍ଦମ Kardama

O Kardama

ଶ୍ରିୟମ୍ Shriyam

Shri, the goddess of prosperity

ବାସୟ ମେ କୁଲେ Vasaya Me Kule

make her dwell in my family

ମାତରମ୍ Mataram

the mother

ପଦ୍ମମାଲିନୀମ୍ 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.

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.

ଆପଃ ସୃଜନ୍ତୁ Apah Srijantu

may the waters bring forth

ସ୍ନିଗ୍ଧାନି Snigdhani

soft, nourishing things

ଚିକ୍ଲୀତ Chiklita

O Chiklita

ବସ ମେ ଗୃହେ Vasa Me Grihe

live in my home

ନି ଚ Ni Cha

and firmly

ଦେବୀଂ ମାତରଂ ଶ୍ରିୟମ୍ Devim Mataram Shriyam

the divine mother Shri

ବାସୟ ମେ କୁଲେ Vasaya Me Kule

make her dwell in my family

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.

ଆର୍ଦ୍ରାମ୍ Ardram

tender, moist with grace

ପୁଷ୍କରିଣୀମ୍ Pushkarinim

of the lotus pond

ପୁଷ୍ଟିମ୍ Pushtim

nourishment itself

ପିଙ୍ଗଲାମ୍ Pingalam

golden-hued

ପଦ୍ମମାଲିନୀମ୍ Padmamalinim

wearing a lotus garland

ଚନ୍ଦ୍ରାମ୍ Chandram

lovely as the moon

ହିରଣ୍ମୟୀମ୍ Hiranmayim

golden, made of light

ଲକ୍ଷ୍ମୀମ୍ Lakshmim

Lakshmi

ଜାତବେଦଃ Jatavedah

O Jatavedas (Agni, the fire who knows all)

ମେ Me

to me

ଆବହ 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.

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.

ଆର୍ଦ୍ରାମ୍ Ardram

tender, moist with grace

ଯଃ କରିଣୀମ୍ ଯଷ୍ଟିମ୍ Yah Karinim Yashtim

who holds the staff of rule in her hand

ସୁବର୍ଣାମ୍ Suvarnam

of beautiful colour

ହେମମାଲିନୀମ୍ Hemamalinim

wearing a garland of gold

ସୂର୍ୟାମ୍ Suryam

radiant like the sun

ହିରଣ୍ମୟୀମ୍ Hiranmayim

golden, made of light

ଲକ୍ଷ୍ମୀମ୍ Lakshmim

Lakshmi

ଜାତବେଦଃ Jatavedah

O Jatavedas (Agni, the fire who knows all)

ମେ Me

to me

ଆବହ 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.

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.

ତାମ୍ Tam

that one, her

ମେ Me

to me

ଆବହ Avaha

bring

ଜାତବେଦଃ Jatavedah

O Jatavedas (Agni, the fire who knows all)

ଲକ୍ଷ୍ମୀମ୍ Lakshmim

Lakshmi

ଅନପଗାମିନୀମ୍ Anapagaminim

who never goes away

ଯସ୍ୟାମ୍ Yasyam

through whom

ହିରଣ୍ୟମ୍ Hiranyam

gold

ପ୍ରଭୂତମ୍ Prabhutam

in plenty

ଗାବଃ Gavah

cows

ଦାସ୍ୟଃ Dasyah

helpers in the house

ଅଶ୍ୱାନ୍ Ashvan

horses

ବିନ୍ଦେୟମ୍ Vindeyam

may I gain

ପୁରୁଷାନ୍ ଅହମ୍ 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.