Discover the profound meaning of Shree Suktam hymn and Rudraksha beads. Learn about Lakshmi worship, spiritual benefits, and ancient wisdom.
Every time I light a diya at dawn, there’s a moment — just a flicker — when I feel the centuries of Hindu tradition humming beneath my skin. The smell of incense, the slightly uneven melody of a mantra, the rough coolness of Rudraksha beads in my hand: these aren’t museum pieces. They’re living blessings, part of a dance between the ancient and the everyday.
Today, I want to talk about two spiritual “treasures” that, honestly, have followed me through messy mornings, festival joy, and moments of doubt: the radiant hymn of Shree Suktam and the mysterious, knobby magic of Rudraksha beads.
Shree Suktam is a sacred hymn from the Rigveda, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. It’s a powerful invocation of her divine qualities and blessings, but its significance runs much deeper than most people realize.
One of the most fascinating mythological stories behind the Shree Suktam connects with the Samudra Manthan (the Churning of the Ocean), during which fourteen divine treasures emerged from the cosmic depths.
When the Samudra Manthan took place, this wasn’t just a mythological event — it was the universe’s way of bringing forth divine gifts for humanity. During this cosmic churning, Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison (Halahal) to protect the universe, which turned his throat blue, earning him the name Neelkanth.
Among the 14 treasures that emerged, the eighth to emerge was Goddess Lakshmi, representing wealth, prosperity, and divine grace. Her appearance marked the arrival of abundance in the world — not just material abundance, but spiritual richness as well.
While Lakshmi is widely known as the goddess of wealth, her true essence goes much deeper. She embodies Shree — a Sanskrit term that encompasses prosperity, beauty, elegance, harmony, joy, success, and divine grace. Shree isn’t just about money; it’s about abundance in all forms — inner and outer.
The Shree Suktam mantra beautifully captures this essence:
हिरण्यवर्णां हरिणीं सुवर्णरजतस्रजाम्।चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह॥
Let me break down this sacred verse:
Hiranyavarnam
— Golden in color, radiant like sunlight
Harinim — Graceful, swift like a deer, or one who removes misfortune
Suvarna-rajata-srajam — Wearing garlands of gold and silver