The most important of course is the Goddess Laxmi who is worshipped not only in India by Hindus but in many other countries in the Indic sphere of influence especially in South East Asia, China and Japan, in different forms and names, of course.Īn instance of a Purana reference is the story of the birth of Shri Laxmi’s son, Kardama, which can be read in the Bhagwat Purana. Consequently, when we read many of the Puranas of later times or examine the worship of different devis and devatas they can be referenced back to these shlokas. This, as noted above, is from one of the earliest portions of the Rigveda. Like the Bhagwad Geeta after it the Suktam acts as a shield against krodh, lobh, matsarya anger, greed, jealousy, bad intentions and helps mortal beings attain equilibrium in their lives on earth.Ī detailed study of the shlokas brings out the fact that there are references in them to all aspects of life food, dress, war, grihasti, desires, fears, enjoyment, they can be understood as a blueprint for a life of earthly aanand. The four purusharthas of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha can be attained with the grace of Sri. Bliss or aanand is hers to give.ĭevi herself has a blazing yet soft lustre and radiance, a lotus herself and living in one with all the resultant symbolism in Indic thought purity, beauty, fertility, life, growth, spirituality the universe in a flower. Success in trade and commerce is hers to gift. She wields the danda of power and is the also the dispenser of justice in the three worlds. The metaphors and words used are those relating to both war, conflict and victory as well as purveyors of domestic riches and prosperity. The first overwhelming impression is of immanent merciless power and transcendent beauty. What understanding can we gain from the Sri Suktam on the subject of Stri and Shakti in Indic/Hindu thought? I would invite the readers to listen to the chanting and understand the literal meaning, of which a synopsis has been given above, for themselves. The purpose here is not a description or translation of the shlokas. In other words she is Brahman, Kshetraj, the divine principle of creation. She herself is praised as the one who manifests as Agni, Vayu, Surya, Vasu, Indra, Brihaspati, Varun and the Ashwins.
The Alaxmis of body and mind, hunger and thirst, wretchedness and degeneration can be banished forever. Riches, prosperity, sons and grandsons, cows, horses, elephants, servants, long lives there is nothing in the three worlds which is not in the power of Devi.Īs Bhudevi, she is the kaarana or cause of the fertility of the earth and creation, vanaspati in all of its forms.Īll that is auspicious, “ Laxmi”, can be received with the blessings of Sri she will come and reside with the supplicant banishing “ Alaxmi” forever. Green and moist like the earth mother, hot and blazing like the sun, harbinger of happiness, giver of all that mortals can wish for. The cadences of this suktam are mesmerising, listening to it makes the image of Devi rise up before one effulgent, glowing, the golden one. Let us take a look at the Sukta itself of which the first two shlokas are placed at the beginning of this article. It can be inferred that this is a source for many of the future compositions, thinking and philosophy around the feminine in later times as the Shakta tradition manifested and established itself. There are also 11 supplementary shlokas (which are not strictly part of the Sri Suktam). The composition of 16 shlokas appears in the khilanis of the Baskala Shakha of the Rigveda. This is, arguably, the first literary manifestation of Indic thinking around the feminine principle. Over thousands of years there have been many, many attempts by rishis and devotees alike to capture the immanence and transcendence of Devi. This has numerous aspects and is the study of many lifetimes. Through a consideration of the divine we can also understand the conception of the feminine principle in Hindu philosophy and theology. It is an appropriate time to reflect on ‘ stri’, on ‘ shakti’ the divine as well as the human feminine.
It is that time of the year again, when we adore Devi in all her manifestations from the benevolent to the terrible she cleanses the world of evil and fills it with her blessings.
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