Sri Suktam Explained - Part 17

Sri Suktam Explained - Part 17

The Next Mantra
मनसः काममाकूतिं वाचस्सत्यमशीमहि।
पशूनां रूपमन्नस्य मयि श्रीः श्रयतां यशः।

Meaning and Explanation:

• मनसः काममाकूतिं वाचः: This means not only what I have verbally asked for but also the desires present in my mind, even those I may have forgotten to express. These unspoken desires, मनसः कामम्, should also be fulfilled.
• आकूति: This means इच्छा (desire) or अभिप्राय (intention).
• These desires should become सत्य (permanent and unbroken).
• अशीमहि: This means अभिलभेमहि—may we obtain all these without any break.
• पशूनां रूपं अन्नस्य रूपम्: This refers to wealth in all its forms, including cattle and grains.
• मयि श्रीः यशः श्रयतां: Along with wealth, may she also grant me यशः (fame).

The Eleventh Mantra
कर्दमेन प्रजाभूता मयि संभव कर्दम।
श्रियं वासय मे कुले मातरं पद्ममालिनीम्।

Meaning and Background:

• Kardama is a Prajapati and the son of Brahma. When Lakshmi Devi emerged from the Kshira Sagara (Ocean of Milk), she became known as the daughter of Sagara. Kardama Prajapati adopted her as his own daughter, thus becoming her foster father.

• A related verse states:
  क्षीरोदार्णवसंभूतां श्रियं चोवाह कर्दमः।
  प्रज्वात्वेन तदा विप्रः।

• The prayer is directed to Kardama:
  'हे कर्दम, श्रीयं मातरं पद्ममालिनीं मयि कुले वासय।'
  This means: 'O Kardama, she is your daughter. Please make Shri Devi, the Mother Goddess adorned with a lotus garland, reside in my household.'

The Twelfth Mantra
आपः सृजन्तु स्निग्धानि चिक्लीत वस मे गृहे।
नि च देवी मातरं श्रियं वासय मे कुले।

Meaning and Explanation:

• आपः: Refers to the primordial waters upon which Shri Hari reclines on Adi Shesha. These waters are prayed to.
• सृजन्तु स्निग्धानि: This means 'may they generate all things moist and nourishing,' such as ghee, oil, grains, cattle, and gems. Items like ghee, oil, milk, and curd must also be abundant.
• The prayer is directed to these waters that support Shri Hari.

Chikleeta:

• Chikleeta is the guard at the door of Bhagavan's Antahpura (inner chamber), which is the dwelling place of Lakshmi Devi.
• The mantra prays to Chikleeta:
  'वस मे गृहे'—'Stay in my house.'
  However, Chikleeta will only stay if Lakshmi Devi resides there, as he guards her.
• Therefore, the prayer continues:
  'देवीं मातरं श्रियं च नि वासय मे कुले।'
  This means: 'O Chikleeta, please ensure that Shri Devi, the Mother Goddess, resides in my home and lineage.'

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi