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Sri Suktam in Rig Veda
The Sri Suktam is a devotional Sanskrit hymn mentioned in the Rig Vedic Kehelanis. Kehelanis are the appendices to the Rigveda. It contains 16 sacred verses most likely composed during the Brahmana period, and later added during the Upanishadic times. The Brahmana period is the time between 900–700 BCE when the Brahmins gathered sacred hymns into Samhitas, or collections.
Ritual, Vedic Meter and Guru Most important in Vedic Sadhana
This spiritual chant extols Goddess Sri the Consort of Bhagavan Maha Vishnu. Any mantra or Stotra needs a qualified guru to guide them properly through this Sadhana process. In case of Vedic Mantras, one needs proper training in intonation and chanting with the correct Vedic Meters that are predefined for every mantra. Also, there are additional timing rules for reciting specific Vedic mantra, accompanied by proper rituals.
The Sri Suktam has lot of Restrictions, So its not for Universal Chant
Taking up any spiritual practice without consultation of a Spiritual Guru is like wielding a double-bladed sword without the guidance of a master. The result will always lead to a fatal injury. The advice of a Spiritual Master can lead the Sadhaka through the hard path of devotion with ease. The Sri Suktam is the first text that draws the similarities between Devi Laxmi and Goddess Sri.
Highlights of the Great Sri Mantra
Later, it associates the goddesses with the fire god Agni. It briefly describes the goddess in her full glory. It expresses her splendid luster, her royal beauty and radiance that resembles the fire, sun, and moon.
The Sri Suktam addresses Devi as the one who banishes her sister Alaxmi, the personification of misfortune and misery. It further praises her as the bestower of wealth, prosperity, fame, and devotion to those who fervently recite this hymn. The hymn describes the consort of Bhagavan Maha Vishnu as the mother of fertility and harvest.
Description of Goddess Sri
It frequently mentions the motifs of the Padma, lotus and Gaja, Elephants, which are closely related to Devi Laxmi. The Sri Suktam is an ancient hymn, hence it is complex and detailed. It describes Devi in meticulous ways and prays to her for health, abundance, and compassion.
It mentions the names of different Rishis like Ananda, Kardama, Srida, Chikalita, etc who are Sriputras or the sons of Laxmi. There are, in total, 8 forms of Devi Laxmi, which are together called the Ashta Laxmi. The recitation invokes the blessings of all the 8 Laxmi’s in our lives.
You can watch our video Benefits Of Ashtalakshmi Stotram | How to Chant Ashtalakshmi Stotram to know more. People recite these verses mostly during important Laxmi poojas and festivals. But mind you, the Varna, Habits, Qualifications of the Person is very Important. It is best for Vedic Brahmanas, trained under the Authorized Vedic Guru Parampara, to chant the Mantra. Others should not attempt chant this special Mantra which is not for personal Growth but for Universal Welfare.
Fridays are also auspicious for the recitation of the Suktam.
Benefits of Hearing the Sri Suktam
In the Video you shall see me use the word Chanting, but ideally one should not chant the Mantra, but can hear it.We shall now discuss the benefits of hearing (I have used the word chanting in the Video, we should avoid it) the Sri Suktam. Only Mantra Sadhana can redeem the Sadhaka from past Karmic loads. The power of this divine hymn removes many obstacles from life that hinder growth and success.
Business and career shall see immense growth, especially if someone conducts a Paath or spiritual reading of this Vedic Hymn by trained Pundits who have maintained some purity. One will have no dearth of food and clothing, even if one hears the mantra. One’s family becomes supportive and family relations shall improve.
This hymn removes all nuisance and toxic people from one’s life. Family toxicity and problems in relationships occur because of negative energies. The positive energies invoked through the recitation of Sri Suktam by Vedic Brahmanas annihilate all the evil energies.
The reciter, his home, and his family become purified just like a vibrant temple. Being the ideal divine couple Sri Laxmi and Mahavishnu bless the reciter with a compatible partner. The recitation of this Suktam dissolves all marital and financial issues as well. Laxmi Devi is the goddess of childbirth and child health.
Hence, recitation of the Sri Suktam also brings the happiness of begetting healthy children. Laziness and procrastination do not touch the Sadhaka who recites the Sri Suktam.
7/8 Questions from Sanatana Dharma
The scores generated in this Quiz may or may not be absolute. There may be right or wrong answers to each Question. A percentage towards 100 indicates that you are more aligned to the overall subject matter.
The Process of chanting the Sri Suktam(restricted to Vedic Brahmanas) is as follows.
One should wake up early, around 4 in the morning. This period is known as the Brahmuhrat, in which the powers of the gods directly fall upon the earth. The recitation during this period will attract the attention of the mother goddess much faster.
Then one should cleanse his body through a bath and wear the Vaishnava Tilaka on the forehead. Sit on a Sadhana asana in Padmasana, facing the east direction. Keep an image or idol of Sri Laxmi Narayana before you. Before reciting the Sri Suktam, take a Sankalpa of chanting it for 21 days without break. Then start the recitation of the hymn.
One should follow a strict lifestyle with discipline during this period. One has to quit Non-vegetarian food, onion-garlic, Liquor, and smoking. Only then one can be qualified to chant the Stotra, provided one is a Vedic Brahmana who has learnt to chant the Suktam. However anyone can hear the chants.
After the recitation, offer dry fruit or gooseberry Bhoga and finish the Sadhana by paying obeisances to the divine couple.The Benefits of the Sri Suktam multiply when recited through the Rig Vedic style.
The Sri Suktam is Part of the Original Creative Process
This Vedic hymn contains the powers of Rigvedic Devatas and one can recite it only if they bless the Sadhaka. One has to keep in mind that the Sri Suktam is not an ordinary hymn. When one associates with a Vedic hymn one has to follow a Vedic life.
As mentioned earlier, the guidance of an adept Guru is compulsory when taking up any Sadhana. Devi Laxmi is the deity of all auspiciousness and abundance. People usually venerate her for material reasons. She is the consort of the Almighty Lord Vishnu and the mother of all creation.
Hence, one should approach her with devotion and love only. When one child cries for warmth, the mother wastes no time in embracing her infant. Similarly, in this world full of sorrow and coldness, only the doting affection of the divine mother can redeem an individual.
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