Sri Suktam Explained - Part 18

The Next Mantra
आर्द्रां पुष्करिणीं यष्टिं पिंगलां पद्ममालिनीम्।
चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो ममाऽवह।

Meaning and Explanation:

• आर्द्रां: This refers to the compassionate and tender-hearted nature of the Goddess, करुणार्द्रहृदयाम्.
• पुष्करिणीम्: This means स्थलपद्मिनीम्, or the Goddess associated with the lotus. The rose is also one of Goddess Lakshmi's favorite flowers after the lotus.
  • पोषयति भूतानि इति पुष्करम्: She nourishes all beings as the Mother of the Universe.
  • पुष्करिणी: Refers to her residing in श्रीनिलय, the abode of the lotus. Her seat is a lotus, hence she is called Pushkarini.
• यष्टिं: Symbolizing the form of sacrifice (यजिक्रियास्वरूपाम्) and yajna (यज्ञो वै विष्णुः). As yajna is Vishnu, she is considered non-different from him.
  • यष्टव्या: Worthy of being worshipped through yajna.
• पिंगलाम्: Refers to her golden color (पिंगल वर्ण).
• पद्ममालिनीम्: Describes her adorned with a garland of lotuses.
• चन्द्रां and हिरण्मयीम्: These terms have already been explained earlier.
• जातवेदः मम आवह: A prayer to Sri Hari to bring her to the devotee.

The Fourteenth Mantra
आर्द्रां पुष्करिणीं पुष्टिं सुवर्णां हेममालिनीम्।
सूर्यां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो ममाऽवह।

There are several पाठभेदाः (variations in text), such as "आर्द्रां यः कर्णिनीं यष्टिं." The sequence of these mantras also changes in different recensions. Here, we will explore one version.

• आर्द्रां, पुष्करिणीं, हिरण्मयीं, and लक्ष्मीम्: These terms have been explained earlier.

• पुष्टिं: Refers to the form of अखिल समृद्धि—complete prosperity.

• सुवर्णाम्: Represents her अनुकूल प्रतिकूलभीषण रमणीय अप्राकृत दिव्यरूपाम्, i.e., her divine form that is favorable to devotees, fearsome to evildoers, beautiful, and transcendent.

• सूर्याम्: Like the sun, she energizes, pervades, and controls all beings, both living and non-living.

  • सुष्ठु ईरयन्ती इति सूर्या: She drives and prompts everything into action, hence she is called Surya.

• जातवेदो मम आवह: A prayer to bring her to the devotee.

The Fifteenth Mantra
तां म आवह जातवेदो लक्ष्मीमनपगामिनीम्।
यस्यां हिरण्यं प्रभूतं गावोऽदाय्योऽश्वान् विन्देयं पुरुषानहम्।

Meaning and Explanation:

• तां म आवह जातवेदः: Bring her to me, O Jataveda (Agni or the fire deity).
• लक्ष्मीम् अनपगामिनीम्: Refers to Lakshmi, who never departs from her devotees.
• Through her grace, the devotee prays to obtain:
  • हिरण्यम्: Gold.
  • गावः: Cattle.
  • दास्यः: Servants or maids.
  • अश्वान्: Horses, symbolizing vehicles.
  • पुरुषान्: Helpers or attendants.
  • प्रभूतम्: All these in abundance.

Thus, this explanation of the famous Sri Suktam provides a deeper understanding of Goddess Lakshmi and, through her, a greater appreciation of Sri Hari.

Knowledge Bank

Parthasarathy temple nearby Railway stations

Light House - 1.08 km. Mundaka Kanni Amman Koil - 1.11 km. Tiruvallikeni - 1.55 km. Chepauk - 1.55 km. Chintadripet - 2.22 km. Thirumayilai - 2.22 km. Mandaveli - 2.47 km.

What were Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar's early influences and training in Carnatic music?

Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, born on September 1, 1896, in Chembai near Palghat, Kerala, was deeply influenced by his family's rich musical heritage. Trained under his father, Ananta Bhagavatar, and later Kaliakuti Natesa Sastrigal, his early immersion in Carnatic music included vocal training, violin, and flute. His musical journey began at the tender age of three.