The Festival of Renewal
Diwali marks the victory of light over darkness – a time to rekindle clarity, joy and auspiciousness.
For me, it is also a moment to turn inward, to engage in sādhana – a daily practice that aligns sound, thought and intention.
This Diwali, I invite our community to journey through the Śrī Sūktam, the hymn to the Goddess Lakṣmī, whose presence sanctifies both our homes and hearts.
The Hymn of Śrī
The Śrī Sūktam from the Ṛg Veda celebrates Śrī – all that is beautiful, gracious and enriching.
Wherever the Goddess dwells, she illumines and transforms all that she touches into radiance and abundance.
Through sustained recitation and contemplation, we invite the radiance she embodies: beauty, harmony, nourishment and inner contentment.
Lakṣmī is not merely wealth or material prosperity; she is the principle of ṛta, the order and balance that sustains all life.
She is śrī — wealth in its many forms: the flow of resources, the prosperity of health, the richness of relationships and children, the generosity of time, and above all, the supreme wealth of knowledge that leads us to truth.
Each verse reveals a facet of this fullness – light (hiraṇyavarṇā), vitality (aśvapūrvā), generosity (udārā), and nourishment (puṣṭi).
Anapagāminī – The One Who Never Departs
Among the most powerful invocations is the prayer:
tāṃ mā āvaha jātavedo lakṣmīm anapagāminīm
“Bring to me the Goddess Lakṣmī who never departs.”
For Śrī to remain with us, we must create a space – both outer and inner – that welcomes her presence.
During Diwali, we clean and illuminate our homes; equally important is the cleansing of the mind, removing the dust of restlessness and clutter that keeps abundance away.
Lakṣmī’s absence is described in the hymn as Alakṣmī – misfortune, dryness, inertia – the opposite of her flowing grace.
To invite Śrī is therefore to make room for light, order and serenity.
The Blessings of the Goddess
The Śrī Sūktam assures us of the gifts that arise from this inner harmony:
“May I obtain the rays of knowledge and the steeds of life-energy.” (2)
“May misfortune and failure be driven away from my home.” (8)
“May the glory and abundance of Śrī dwell in me.” (10)
These are not external rewards alone, but signs of an awakened life – where clarity of speech, steadiness of mind and fullness of heart coexist.
A Practice for Diwali
From 20 October, the day of Diwali, we will observe a 10-day sādhana dedicated to Śrī Lakṣmī.
Each day’s practice will include the recitation of the Śrī Sūktam followed by the mantra
oṃ śrī lakṣmyai namaḥ, cultivating stillness, gratitude and radiance.
This sādhana is open to all who have studied the hymn – either through our live sessions or the self-paced course Developing Spiritual Abundance – Śrī Sūktam, where the joining link is provided.
Invoking the Light Within
To invoke Śrī is to recognise abundance as a state of being.
When we chant with awareness, each sound becomes an offering and the effort of practice becomes the space in which Śrī may dwell.
Through this sādhana, may the light of Diwali extend beyond the lamps we kindle – as the quiet, steady flame of awareness that illumines our daily lives.
May Śrī, the radiant and benevolent one, dwell ever in our homes and hearts.
This is a most welcoming invitation, Shantala! Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we often experience sadness that the light is dwindling. The Festival of Lights, celebrated with devotional attendance and invitation to Śrī Lakṣmī to enter into our hearts and home is so timely. Thank you for all that you do, Dear Shantala ji .
So glad you will join us! This will be a beautiful offering collectively from all of us.