Lakshmi Yagna Sri Suktam has its origin in the Rig Veda and is conducted to invite prosperity and fame. One has to be careful while reciting the suktas as a slight difference in pronunciation will bring ‘Alakshmi’, i.e., bad luck and poverty. Read this article to learn more about this Yagna.
The word ‘SRI’ refers to Mahalakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu and ‘SUKTAM’ means ‘well said’. In contradiction, Mahalakshmi has a sister who is known as ‘ALAKSHMI’, that is the one who brings bad luck and poverty. Lakshmi Yagna Sri Suktam has its origin in the Rig Veda and there are many variations to how it can be recited. As per Veda Patha (recitation of specific mantras as per the prescribed pitch, intonation, matras, etc.), it differs because of differences in the letters or syllables, differences in words or padas, different placement in sentences or verses or mantras in various places. Hence, it is difficult to say which recitation is more potent and authentic. Research by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts suggests that the ones published by Sri Damodar Satavalekar, Kashmiri Khilam, and Asvalayana Samhita are authentic.
The Lakshmi Yagna Sri Suktam is a prayer to Jataveda, i.e., Agni to invite prosperity or Sri (Mahalakshmi) to one’s life; and to destroy ‘Alakshmi’, i.e., bad luck, poverty and evil powers. Its aim is to make one achieve fame and wealth. Those who wish for prosperity and wealth should recite this sukta repeatedly.
It is the sound form of attracting Mahalakshmi to draw delight, glory, progeny, grains, long life, mental peace, and to remove debts, ill-health, poverty, sins, hunger, and sorrow. Those who recite it are blessed with harmony, fame, longevity, and ever-lasting victory. When you imbibe the vibrations of Lakshmi Yagna Sri Suktam, you invite Lakshmi to flow into and fill your space tremendously. Hence, this portion of the Lakshmi Yagna Sri Suktam is recited at all happy occasions like weddings, devi poojas, housewarming, homams or yagnas, etc. This will bring abundance of radiance, wealth, prosperity, and knowledge into your life.
Lakshmi is the provider of wealth and happiness. There are varied expressions of wealth: Fame, knowledge, courage, victory, good children, valour, gold and other material properties, grains in abundance, happiness, bliss, intelligence, beauty, inspiration, good character, and long life, to name a few. All these come under wealth, which is provided to us by Lakshmi Yagna Sri Suktam. This is one of the secrets and specialties of Lakshmi Yagna Sri Suktam.
Lakshmi Yagna Sri Suktam is primarily a portion from the Vedas and to grasp its significance we must know the essence of the Vedas. This is what the ancient Rishis used to do. In their deep penance and meditation, they used to activate the non-mechanical parts of their brain which enabled them to download any form of knowledge which they wanted from the cosmos. They did this by receiving all the knowledge in the form of sounds and through clairvoyance. They recited and taught their disciples these sounds and structures as the Mantras of the Vedas.
Hence, in order to tune in to the frequency in which you can download and experience the truths of Vedas, you have to take the help of these Mantras. Veda Vyasa was the compiler and editor of the Vedas. To organize them better, he classified the entire gamut of knowledge, gave them a structure and made many branches or ‘shakas’. Vedas are always learnt by recitation and meditation. Lakshmi Yagna Sri Suktam is part of the Vedas which became extinct over the years.
Lakshmi Yagna Sri Suktam is based on rhythm, pronunciation and sound.
For Yagna (Optional)
After you have invoked Mahalakshmi, you can prepare the havan kund. Recite Mahalakshmi’s name and offer wooden pieces by applying ghee to the fire. Offer rice pudding as prasad.
First, take a bath. Observe fast until the completion of yagna. This has to be done with a pure mind and body. Make a pledge to perform this yagna with a pure heart by reciting, ‘O Mahalakshmi! To receive your blessings, I am performing this ritual with full devotion and concentration.’
Clean the puja place, decorate it with a colourful rangoli. You can place the idol or photograph of Mahalakshmi in your temple or you can make a separate altar and place it there. Offer panchamrit - the five nectars (milk, curd, ghee, sugar, and honey).
The first 5 verses of ‘Sri’ is invoked on a lotus or a piece of gold, and it is used for bilva homam, which is equivalent to the coronation of a king. With these mantras, the priest sprinkles Teertha on the devotee. The basic idea here is that the devotee is requesting Agni to bring ‘Sri’ to their place and to destroy ‘Alakshmi’. This sukta is addressed to Sri (Lakshmi) and Agni by the Rishis Ananda, Kardama, Srida, and Chiklita as Sriputras. Please note that these suktas or mantras are to be recited only as per Rig Veda style since Lakshmi Yagna Sri Suktam has its origin in the Rig Veda.
It is a common practice to combine the 15 mantras of Purusha Suktam and the 15 mantras of Lakshmi Yagna Sri Suktam alternatively while performing the yagna.
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