Guru Ashtakam

Meaning:

Śarīram surūpaṁ tathā vā kalatraṁ

Yaśaścāru citraṁ dhanaṁ merutulyam .

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..1..

Let one have handsome body, a beautiful wife, fame spread far and wide, and heaps of wealth the size of Mount Meru;  if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Kalatraṁ dhanaṁ putrapautradi sarvaṁ
Gṛhaṁ bāndhavāḥ sarvametaddhijātam

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..2..

Let one have a wife, sons, grandsons, house, relatives, and everything at hand; if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Ṣaḍaṅgādi vedo mukhe śāstravidyā

Kavitvādi gadyaṁ supadyaṁ karoti .

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..3..

Let one have the vedas along with the six vedangas and the shastras in one's mouth, let one create good poetry and  prose; if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Videśeṣu mānyaḥ svadeśeṣu dhanyaḥ
Sadācāra vṛtteṣu matto na cānyaḥ .

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..4..

Let one be respected in other lands, and happy in one's homeland, let one be humble and engaged in good conduct; if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Kṣamāmaṇḍale bhūpabhūpālavṛndaiḥ
Sadā sevitaṁ yasya pādāravindam .

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..5..

Let one's feet be worshiped constantly by kings and emperors all over the Earth; if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Yaśo me gataṁ dikṣu dānapratāpāt
Jagadvastu sarvaṁ kare yatprasādāt .

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..6..

Let one think: "My fame has spread in all directions due to my charity. Everything in the world is in my hand due to my kindness"; if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Na bhoge na yoge na vā vājirājaṁ
Na kāntāmukhe naiva vitteṣu cittam .

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..7..

Let one's mind be turned away from enjoyment, attainment of yogic powers, possessions like horses, his wife's face, and wealth; if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Araṇye na vā svasya gehe na kārye
Na dehe mano vartate me tvanarghye .

Manaścenna lagnaṁ guroraṅghripadme 

Tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kiṁ tataḥ kim ..8..

Let one think: "My mind has lost its charm in forests, in my house, in action, in my body, and even in invaluable treasures."; if the mind is not devoted to the lotus feet of the Guru, of what use, of what use?

Phalasruti:

Guroraṣṭakaṁ yaḥ paṭhetpuṇyadehī

Yatirbhūpatirbrahmacharī ca gehī .

Labhedvāñcitārthaṁ padaṁ brahmasañjñam

Guroruktavakye mano yasya lagnam ..

Whoever reads this Guru Ashtakam and is devoted to the word of the Guru,whether he is a holy person, an ascetic, a king, a brahmin, or householder; attains his desired wealth, namely the supreme abode of Brahman.

 This hymn was composed by Adi Shankara

Notes:

This hymn explains the importance of the Guru by saying that whatever one gains; if one does not have devotion to his Guru, it is useless.

Suryashtakam

Meaning:

Ādideva namastubhyaṁ prasīda mama bhāskara .

Divākara namastubhyaṁ prabhākara namo'stute ..1..

Salutations to you, O primal being. Bless me, O creator of light. Salutation to you, O creator of the day. Salutations to  you, O creator of light.

Saptāśvarathamārūḍhaṁ pracaṇḍaṁ kaśyapātmajam .

Śvetapadmadharaṁ devaṁ taṁ sūryaṁ praṇamāmyaham ..2..

I salute that Sun who rides on a chariot with seven horses, Who is terrible, Who is the son of sage Kashyapa, and who holds a white lotus in his hand.

Lohitaṁ rathamārūḍhaṁ sarvalokapitāmaham .

Mahāpāpaharaṁ devaṁ taṁ sūryaṁ praṇamāmyaham ..3..

I salute that Sun who rides in a copper chariot, who has created all the worlds, and who removes even the most heinous of sins.

Traiguṇyam ca māhāśūram brahmaviṣṇumaheśvaram .

Mahāpāpaharaṁ devaṁ taṁ sūryaṁ praṇamāmyaham ..4..

I salute that Sun who is the master of the three gunas, who is very brave, who is Brahma Vishnu and Shiva, and who removes even the most heinous of sins.

Bṛṁhitaṁ tejapuñjaṁ ca vāyumākāśameva ca .

Prabhuṁ ca sarvalokānāṁ taṁ sūryaṁ praṇamāmyaham ..5..

I salute that Sun who is strong, who is a ball of light, who is the air and the space, and who is the lord of all the worlds.

Bandhūkapuṣpasankāśaṁ hārakuṇḍalabhūṣitam .

Ekacakradharaṁ devaṁ taṁ sūryaṁ praṇamāmyaham ..6..

I salute that Sun who has a complexion like that of the scarlet mallow , who wears necklaces and earrings, and whose chariot has one wheel.

Taṁ sūryaṁ jagatkartāraṁ mahātejapradīpanam .

Mahāpāpaharaṁ devaṁ taṁ sūryaṁ praṇamāmyaham ..7..

I salute that Sun who created the universe, who shines with great brilliance, and who removes even the most heinous of sins.

Taṁ sūryaṁ jagatāmnāthaṁ jñānavijñānamokṣadam .

Mahāpāpaharaṁ devaṁ taṁ sūryaṁ praṇamāmyaham ..8..

I salute that Sun who is the lord of all the worlds, who gives knowledge, wisdom and salvation, and who removes even the most heinous of sins.

This hymn was composed by Samba and is found in the Samba purana.

Notes:

  This hymn is composed in praise of the sun god Surya by Samba the son of Krishna after he got inflicted by leprosy. After he composed this hymn, he was cured of all his ailments. hence this hymn is also called "Rogapanayana" Suryashtakam or the Suryashtakam which removes all diseases.

  Samba was known for his unruliness and his vanity. One day he insulted Narada. Narada, wanting to teach Samba a lesson, lured him into the bathing chamber of Krishna's wives. They went and complained about this to Krishna. An irritated Krishna cursed his son to become a leper. Samba was shocked. He pleaded forgiveness and told Krishna what actually happened. Krishna realized that Samba was not at fault.

   Krishna however could not take back his curse, so he asked Samba to worship Surya on the seashore at Konarka. Samba worshipped the sun for 12 years and was cured of his leprosy. The famous Konark temple, built by Narasimhadeva I is said to be built over the same spot where Samba performed his penance.

Madhurashtakam

Meaning:

Adharaṁ madhuraṁ vadanaṁ madhuram 

Nayanaṁ madhuraṁ hasitaṁ madhuram .

Hṛdayaṁ madhuraṁ gamanaṁ madhuram 

Madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram ..1..

His lips are sweet, his face is sweet, his eyes are sweet, his smile is sweet, his heart is sweet, his gait is sweet; everything about the lord of bliss is sweet.

Vacanaṁ madhuraṁ caritaṁ madhuram
Vasanaṁ madhuraṁ valitaṁ madhuram .
Calitaṁ madhuraṁ bhramitaṁ madhuram
Madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram ..2..

His speech is sweet, his doings are sweet, his clothes are sweet, his bent posture is sweet, his movement is sweet and his roaming is sweet; everything about the lord of bliss is sweet.

Veṇurmadhuro reṇurmadhuraḥ
Pāṇirmadhuraḥ pādau madhurau .
Nṛtyaṁ madhuraṁ sakhyaṁ madhuram
Madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram  ..3..

His flute is sweet, the dust of his sweet, his hands are sweet, his feet are sweet, his dance is sweet and his friendship is sweet; everything about the lord of bliss is sweet.

Gītaṁ madhuraṁ pītaṁ madhuram
Bhuktaṁ madhuraṁ suptaṁ madhuram .
Rūpaṁ madhuraṁ tilakaṁ madhuram
Madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram ..4..

His song is sweet, that which he drinks is sweet, that which he eats is sweet, his sleep is sweet, his form is sweet and the mark on his forehead is sweet; everything about the lord of bliss is sweet.

Karaṇaṁ madhuraṁ taraṇaṁ madhuram
Haraṇaṁ madhuraṁ ramaṇaṁ madhuram .
Vamitaṁ madhuraṁ śamitaṁ madhuram
Madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram ..5..

His deeds are sweet, his carrying over is sweet, his stealing is sweet, his enjoyment is sweet, his exuberance is sweet and his relaxation is sweet; everything about the lord of bliss is sweet.

Guñjā madhurā mālā madhurā
Yamunā madhurā vīcī madhurā .
Salilaṁ madhuraṁ kamalaṁ madhuram
Madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram ..6..

His humming is sweet, his garland is sweet, the Yamuna is sweet, its waves is sweet, its water is sweet and its lotuses are sweet; everything about the lord of bliss is sweet.

Gopī madhurā līlā madhurā
Yuktaṁ madhuraṁ muktaṁ madhuram .
Dṛṣṭaṁ madhuraṁ śiṣṭaṁ madhuram
Madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram ..7..

The cowherd girls are sweet, his sporting with them is sweet, his union is sweet, his release is sweet, that which he sees is sweet and that which he orders is sweet; everything about the lord of bliss is sweet.

Gopā madhurā gāvo madhurā
Yaṣṭirmadhurā sṛṣṭirmadhurā .
Dalitaṁ madhuraṁ phalitaṁ madhuram
Madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram ..8..

The cowherd boys are sweet, his cows are sweet, the stick in his hand is sweet, his creation is sweet, what he breaks is sweet and what he makes is sweet; everything about the lord of bliss is sweet.

This hymn was composed by Vallabhacharya

Notes:

Vallabhacharya was a famous saint who founded the Pushti-Marg philosophy. His favourite deity was Krishna on whom he has composed this hymn. He addresses Krishna as "the Lord of bliss" and extols Krishna by saying that everything in his life-his eyes, his enjoyment, the lotuses in the Yamuna-is sweet.

Ganesha Stavam

Meaning:

Sloka:

Gajānanaṁ bhūtagaṇādi sevitam

Kapitthajambūphalasāra bhakṣitam .

Umāsutaṁ śokavināśakāraṇam

Namāmi vighneśvara pādapaṅkajam ..

I salute the lotus feet of that Ganesha, who destroys obstacles, who has the face of an elephant, who is served by the ghosts and ganas, who eats the fruits of the wood apple and rose apple trees, who is the son of Parvati, and who destroys all sorrows.

Ganesha Stava:

Ajaṁ nirvikalpaṁ nirākāramekam

Nirānandamānandam advaitapūrṇam .

Paraṁ nirguṇaṁ nirviśeṣaṁ nirīham

Parabrahma rūpaṁ gaṇeśaṁ bhajema ..1..

Let us worship that Ganesha, who has no beginning and no change, who is formless, and who is the only god, beyond happiness, yet happiness, who is complete with the knowledge of advaita, who is supreme, who has no material qualities, who does not discriminate, and who has no desires.

Guṇātītamānaṁ cidānandarūpam

Cidābhāsakaṁ sarvagaṁ jñānagamyam .

Munirdhyeyaṁ ākāśarūpaṁ pareśam

Parabrahma rūpaṁ gaṇeśaṁ bhajema ..2..

Let us worship that Ganesha, who is beyond the three guṇas, who is the bliss of consciousness, who illuminates the mind, who is all pervading, who can be approached through knowledge, who is meditated by sages, whose form is vast like the sky, and who is the supreme lord.

Jagatkāranaṁ kāraṇajñānarūpam

Surādiṁ sukhādiṁ gaṇeśaṁ bhajema .

Jagadvyāpinaṁ viśvavandyaṁ sureśam

Parabrahma rūpaṁ gaṇeśaṁ bhajema ..3..

Let us worship that Ganesha who created the universe, whose form is the knowledge that created the world; who is the source of the gods, and the source of all happiness. Let us worship that Ganesha who is omnipresent, who is worshipped by the whole world, and who is the God of all gods.

Rajoyogato brahmarūpaṁ śrutijñam

Sadā kāryasaktaṁ hrdācintyarūpam .

Jagatkāranaṁ sarvavidyānidhānam

Parabrahma rūpaṁ gaṇeśaṁ natāḥ sma ..4..

We worship that Ganesha, who is the supreme soul, who is absorbed in Rajoguna, who is Brahma, who knows the Vedas, who is always engaged in action, whose form cannot be conceived by the mind,  who is the source of the universe, and who is the repository of all knowledge.

Sadā satyayogaṁ mudā krīḍamānam

Surārīn harantaṁ jagatpālayantam .

Anekāvatāraṁ nijajñānahāram

Sadā viśvarūpaṁ gaṇeśaṁ namāma ..5..

We always worship that Ganesha, who is always absorbed in truth, who is always sporting, who destroys demons, who protects the world, who has many forms, who carriers the true knowledge, and who has taken the form of this universe.

Tamoyoginaṁ rudrarūpaṁ trinetram

Jagaddhārakaṁ tārakaṁ jñānahetum .

Anekāgamaiḥ svaṁ janaṁ bodhayantam

Sadā sarvarūpaṁ gaṇeśaṁ namāma ..6..

We always worship that Ganesha, who is absorbed in Tamoguna, whose form is terrible, who has three eyes, who destroys the world, who helps to cross the ocean of existence, who is the cause of knowledge, who preaches to his people with the help of countless scriptures, and who has assumed the form of everything.

This hymn was composed by Rishi Garga, in the Upasanakhanda of the Ganesha Purana.

Notes:

The sloka rendered before this hymn is popular, but of unknown origin. This hymn is composed in praise of Lord Ganesha.

Shiva Manasa Puja

Meaning:

Ratnaiḥ kalpitamāsanaṁ himajalaiḥ snānaṁ ca divyāmbaraṁ

Nānāratnavibhūṣitaṁ mṛgamadāmodāṅkitaṁ candanam .

Jātīcampakabilvapatraracitaṁ puṣpaṁ ca dhūpaṁ tathā 

Dīpaṁ deva dayānidhe paśupate hṛtkalpitaṁ gṛhyatām ..1..

O ocean of divine mercy! O lord of all beings! I have mentally prepared a throne inlaid with gems, a bath with Himalayan water; divine garments adorned with various jewels; sandal paste mixed with fragrant musk; floral offerings prepared with jasmine, champa and bilva leaves; incense, and an oil lamp. Please accept these offerings and bless me.

Sauvarṇe navaratnakhaṇḍaracite pātre ghṛtaṁ pāyasaṁ 

Bhakṣyaṁ pañcavidhaṁ payodadhiyutaṁ rambhāphalaṁ pānakam .

Śākānāmayutaṁ jalaṁ rucikaraṁ karpūrakhaṇḍojjvalaṁ

Tāmbūlaṁ manasā mayā viracitaṁ bhaktyā prabho svīkuru ..2..

O Lord! I have mentally prepared in a golden bowl, made with fragments of the nine jewels; ghee and kheer along with five kinds of food prepared with milk and curd, beverages, bananas, a variety of vegetables, sweet water, a piece of burning camphor, and betel leaves. Please accept my offering which have been made with devotion.

Chatraṁ cāmarayoryugaṁ vyajanakaṁ cādarśakaṁ nirmalaṁ 

Vīṇābherimṛdaṅgakāhalakalā gītaṁ ca nṛtyaṁ tathā .

Sāṣṭāṅgaṁ praṇatiḥ stutirbahuvidhā hyetatsamastaṁ mayā 

Saṅkalpena samarpitaṁ tava vibho pūjāṁ gṛhāṇa prabho ..3..

I mentally offer you a parasol, a pair of whisks, a fan, and a spotless mirror; the fine arts of song and dance, accompanied by veena, mridangam, and kettle drums; full prostration and many hymns. O Lord! Please accept these offerings.

Ātmā tvaṁ girijā matiḥ sahacarāḥ prāṇāḥ śarīraṁ gṛhaṁ 

Pūjā te viṣayopabhogaracanā nidrā samādhisthitiḥ .

Sañcāraḥ padayoḥ pradakṣiṇavidhiḥ stotrāṇi sarvā giro 

Yadyatkarma karomi tattadakhilaṁ śambho tavārādhanam ..4..

You are my Soul. Parvati is my intellect. My vital energies are your companions. My body is your house . My Enjoying of the sensual pleasures is your worship. My sleep is your state of samadhi. My travel on foot is your pradakshina. All my words are your hymns. Whatever action I do, O Lord; is an offering to you.

Karacaraṇakṛtaṁ vā kāyajaṁ karmajaṁ vā 

Śravaṇanayanajaṁ vā mānasaṁ vāparādham .

Vihitamavihitaṁ vā sarvametatkṣamasva 

Jaya jaya karuṇābdhe śrīmahādeva śambho ..5..

Whether committed by hands or legs; whether by body or by actions; whether by ears, eyes, or mind; whether intentionally, or unintentionally; please forgive all my sins, O Mahadeva. O Auspicious one! O Ocean of mercy! May you be victorious.

This hymn was composed by Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada.

Notes:

This is a mental offering to Lord Shiva. The poet mentally offers the Lord a seat, a bath, clothes, perfumes, ornaments, puja offerings, food and drinks, music and dance, and his salutations in the first three verses. He tells the Lord with what mindset he lives his life and also requests him to forgive all his mistakes in the last two verses. Chanting this hymn once with devotion is equivalent to performing a puja ceremony of the Lord.

Sri Suktam

Meaning:

Hiraṇyavarṇāṁ hariṇīṁ su̲varṇarajata̲srajām .

Candrāṁ hiraṇmayīṁ lakṣmīṁ jātavedo ma āvaha ..1..

O Agni! Invoke that Lakshmi, who shines like gold, who destroys all sins, who wears silver and gold ornaments, who is like the moon, and who is golden-hued. 

Tām ma āvaha jātavedo lakṣmīm anapagāminīm .

Yasyāṁ hiraṇyaṁ vindeyaṁ gāmaśvaṁ puruṣānaham ..2.. 

O Agni! Invoke that Lakshmi who never leaves, by whose grace I have obtained gold, cows, horses, and friends.

Aśvapūrvāṁ rathamadhyāṁ hastinādaprabodhinīm .

Śriyaṁ devīmupahvaye śrīrmā devīrjuṣatām ..3..

I invoke Lakshmi who is seated in a chariot driven by horses and whose appearance is heralded by the sound of elephants. May she be pleased with me.

Kāṁ sosmitāṁ hiraṇyaprākārām ārdrāṁ jvalantīṁ tṛptāṁ tarpayantīm .

Padme sthitāṁ padmavarṇāṁ tāmihopahvaye śriyam ..4..

I invoke Lakshmi who is ever smiling, who is surrounded by a golden fort, who is full of mercy, who is ever shining, who makes her devotees happy, who sits on the lotus, and who has the colour of the lotus. 

Candrāṁ prabhāsāṁ yaśasā jvalantīṁ śriyaṁ loke devajuṣṭāmudārām .

Tāṁ padminīmīṁ śaraṇamahaṁ prapadye'lakṣmīrme naśyatāṁ tvāṁ vṛṇe ..5..

I seek refuge in that lotus-born Lakshmi who shines like the moon due to her glory, who is noble and who is worshipped by the Devas. May Alakshmi be destroyed by your grace.

Ādityavarṇe tapaso’dhijāto vanaspatistava vṛkṣo’tha bilvaḥ .

Tasya phalāni tapasā nudantu māyāntarāyāśca bāhyā alakṣmīḥ ..6..

O Goddess who shines like sun! By your great penance the Bilva tree was created. Let its fruits full of knowledge remove the ignorance within, and all ill-fortune without.

Upaitu māṁ devasakhaḥ kīrtiśca maṇinā saha .

Prādurbhūto'smi rāṣṭre'smin kīrtimṛddhiṁ dadātu me ..7..

May the god of wealth Kubera, the friend of the Devas; come to me with jewels-for I am born in this country, showered with your grace-and give me fame and fulfillment.

Kṣutpipāsāmalāṁ jyeṣṭhāmalakṣmīṁ nāśayāmyaham .

Abhūtimasamṛddhiṁ ca sarvāṁ nirṇuda me gṛhāt ..8..

I will destroy hunger, thirst and impurity associated with your elder sister Alakshmi by your grace; please drive away wretchedness and ill-fortune from my house.

Gandhadvārāṁ durādharṣāṁ nityapuṣṭāṁ karīṣiṇīm .

Īśvarīm̐̐ sarvabhūtānāṁ tāmihopahvaye śriyam ..9..

I invoke that Lakshmi who is the source of all fragrance, who is difficult to approach, who is always full, who gives prosperity wherever she goes, and who is the goddess of all beings.

Manasaḥ kāmamākūtiṁ vācaḥ satyamaśīmahi .

Paśūnāṁ rūpamannasya mayi śrīḥ śrayatāṁ yaśaḥ ..10..

May goddess Lakshmi forever bless me with fulfillment of my wishes and desires, truth in speech, and plenty of cattle, beauty and food.

Kardamena prajā bhūtā mayi sambhava kardama .

Śriyaṁ vāsaya me kule mātaraṁ padmamālinīm ..11..

As earth creates mankind; similarly, O Kardama! Stay with me, and bring your mother; who wears a lotus garland to live with my family.

Āpaḥ sṛjantu snigdhāni ciklīta vasa me gṛhe .

Ni ca devīṁ mātaraṁ śriyaṁ vāsaya me kule ..12..

As water creates beauty in all things by its presence; similarly, O Chiklita! Stay with me, and bring your mother to live with my family.

Ārdrāṁ puṣkariṇīṁ puṣṭiṁ piṅgalāṁ padmamālinīm .

Candrāṁ hiraṇmayīṁ lakṣmīṁ jātavedo ma āvaha ..13..

O Agni! Invoke that Lakshmi who is like the moisture of a lotus pond that nourishes, who has a golden hue, who wears lotus garlands, and who has the golden radiance of the moon.

Ārdrāṁ yaḥ kariṇīṁ yaṣṭiṁ suvarṇāṁ hemamālinīm .

Sūryāṁ hiraṇmayīṁ lakṣmīṁ jātavedo ma āvaha ..14..

O Agni! Invoke that Lakshmi who is like the moisture (figuratively representing Energy) which supports all activity, who wears golden necklaces, and who has the golden brilliance of the sun.

Tāṁ ma āvaha jātavedo lakṣmīm anapagāminīm .

Yasyāṁ hiraṇyaṁ prabhūtaṁ gāvo dāsyo'śvānvindeyaṁ puruṣānaham ..15..

O Agni! Invoke that Lakshmi who never leaves, by whose grace I will obtain plenty of gold, cows, servants, horses, and friends.

Sarva maṅgala māṅgalye śive sarvārtha sādhike .

Śaraṇye tryambake devi nārāyaṇi namo'stute ..16..

Salutations you, O Goddess Narayani, who is the most auspicious among the auspicious, who is forever peaceful, who grants all boons, who gives refuge to all and who has three eyes.

Ōm mahādevyai ca vidmahe viṣṇupatnī ca dhīmahi .

Tanno lakṣmīḥ pracodayāt ..17..

We perceive the great goddess; we meditate on the consort of Vishnu.

May that Lakshmi inspire us (to reach that goal).

Ōm dhanurdharāyai vidmahe sarvasiddhyai ca dhīmahi .

Tanno dharā pracodayāt ..17a..

We perceive the one who holds a bow; we meditate on the one who has accomplished everything. May that Lakshmi who sustains all inspire us (to reach that goal).

Ōṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ..

Om peace, peace, peace.

This hymn is found in the Rigveda Khilani (appendices to the Rigveda) Chapter 3. The hymn is composed of verses 1-15, verse 30, and verse 26 from chapter 6 of Adhyaya 2. The Gayatri 17a is from the Bhu Suktam. This is an extra.

Notes:

This is the short version of the Sri Suktam, the full one being the whole of the chapter 6. The first few verses are addressed to the God of fire, Agni, asking him to invoke Lakshmi; the hymns in the middle are addressed to Goddess Lakshmi herself and the hymns toward the end are again addressed to Agni. Chanting the Sri Suktam-especially on Fridays-brings peace, wealth and prosperity.