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श्री सूक्तम्
Devi · Lakshmi · sukta · 15 verses
Rig Veda Khila (appendix to Mandala 5)
The Sri Suktam — from the Khila portion (appendix) of the Rig Veda — is the oldest and most authoritative hymn to Lakshmi (Sri). Unlike the later Puranic descriptions of Lakshmi, the Sri Suktam presents her in Vedic imagery: gold-complexioned, deer-natured, raining gold like a monsoon cloud, riding Agni (fire). The refrain invokes Agni (Jatavedas) to bring Sri to the devotee. The hymn was the primary Lakshmi invocation across India long before the Puranas, and remains the foundation of all formal Lakshmi worship.
Key verses shown (5 of 15 total). Full verse text to be added.
हिरण्यवर्णां हरिणीं सुवर्णरजतस्रजाम्।
चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह॥
hiraṇya-varṇāṃ hariṇīṃ suvarṇa-rajata-srajām।
candrāṃ hiraṇmayīṃ lakṣmīṃ jātavedo ma āvaha॥
O Agni (Jatavedas), bring to me Lakshmi — gold-complexioned, deer-natured, garlanded with gold and silver, moon-like, the golden one.
तां म आवह जातवेदो लक्ष्मीमनपगामिनीम्।
यस्यां हिरण्यं विन्देयं गामश्वं पुरुषानहम्॥
tāṃ ma āvaha jātavedo lakṣmīm-anapagāminīm।
yasyāṃ hiraṇyaṃ vindeyaṃ gām-aśvaṃ puruṣān-aham॥
Bring to me, O Agni, that Lakshmi who does not depart — through whom I obtain gold, cattle, horses, and people (family and servants).
अश्वपूर्वां रथमध्यां हस्तिनादप्रबोधिनीम्।
श्रियं देवीमुपह्वये श्रीर्मा देवीर्जुषताम्॥
aśva-pūrvāṃ ratha-madhyāṃ hastināda-prabodhinīm।
śriyaṃ devīm-upahvaye śrīr-mā devīr-juṣatām॥
Awakened by the trumpeting of elephants, Lakshmi seated in the middle of a chariot drawn by horses — I invoke that Sri-Devi. May Sri come and be pleased with me.
कांसोस्मितां हिरण्यप्राकारामार्द्रां ज्वलन्तीं तृप्तां तर्पयन्तीम्।
पद्मे स्थितां पद्मवर्णां तामिहोपह्वये श्रियम्॥
kāṃsosmitāṃ hiraṇya-prākārām-ārdrāṃ jvalantīṃ tṛptāṃ tarpayantīm।
padme sthitāṃ padma-varṇāṃ tām-ihopahvaye śriyam॥
Smiling like a kamsa flower, surrounded by gold, moist with grace, blazing, fulfilled and fulfilling — seated on a lotus, of lotus-colour, that Sri I invoke here.
चन्द्रां प्रभासां यशसा ज्वलन्तीं श्रियं लोके देवजुष्टामुदाराम्।
तां पद्मिनीमीं शरणमहं प्रपद्ये अलक्ष्मीर्मे नश्यतां त्वां वृणे॥
candrāṃ prabhāsāṃ yaśasā jvalantīṃ śriyaṃ loke deva-juṣṭām-udārām।
tāṃ padminīm-īṃ śaraṇam-ahaṃ prapadye alakṣmīr-me naśyatāṃ tvāṃ vṛṇe॥
Moon-bright, blazing with fame, Sri — worshipped by gods in the world, generous — I take refuge in that lotus-dwelling Devi. May my alakshmi (poverty) perish; you I choose.
Sources: Rig Veda Khila (appendix to Mandala 5). Awaiting scholar verification.