AstroVed’s Astrology Podcast

Ratri Suktam – A Salutation to Mother Kali and a Prayer for Protection

Ratri Suktam is a hymn from the Rig Veda. This Sukta describes two kinds of nights. One that mortal beings experience, when all ephemeral activity stops, and another, when the activity of divinity comes to a standstill. The word Kala denotes time, and this absolute night is the power of Kala, the night of destruction. Goddess Kali’s name comes from this word. Ratri Sukta is also the 5th chapter in Purva Bhaga of Devi Mahatmyam, and is also known as Vanadurga Suktam. It is an invocation to Goddess Kali or Durga, both the primordial darkness and the protectress of all beings. The Suktam praises the Goddess and invokes her protection. It calls on her to dispel the darkness of ignorance through spiritual realization, and remove delusion, confusion, and egotism from the devotee’s mind, and liberate them from the birth-death cycle.

Bhoo Suktam – A Salutation to Mother Earth and A Prayer for Her Blessings

Bhoo Suktha is a hymn to Mother Earth. It is from Taithreeya Samhitha and Rig Veda. It is one of the Pancha Suktams that is recited during Tirumanjanams for Lord Narayana and on other auspicious occasions. This Suktam praises the infinite and auspicious qualities and names of Bhumi Devi or mother earth. Bhoo Devi represents the Kshama or forbearing aspect of Sri Devi. Lord Vishnu took the Varaha Avataram to rescue her when she was submerged in the ocean and held captive by an asuran. All creatures on earth are dependent on her mercy and compassion for their survival and are nourished by her blessings. Chanting the Suktam brings abundant blessings from Vishnu and Bhoo Devi.

Rudra Gayatri Mantra – Invoke Lord Rudra for Protection from Fears and Dangers

Lord Rudra is a fierce form of Lord Shiva, and a cleansing and destructive force. Gayatri mantras are chanted for protection. They work like a shield and protect us from all kinds of fears and dangers. Gayatri Rudra mantra can remove fears and mental confusion. Chanting it regularly can bring relief from stress. It has the power to heal diseases and infuse energy, thereby recharging the body, mind, and spirit. It can also diminish adverse planetary influences and enhance the positive effects. It gives peace and stability.

Chamaka Prashnam – A Hymn Invoking Lord Shiva for Wish-Fulfillment

Sri Rudram is a Vedic mantra chanted in praise of Rudra (a form of Shiva). It is from the KrishnaYajur Veda’s Taittiriya Samhita, and has two parts – Namakam and Chamakam. While Namakam (chapter five) describes the names of Rudra, a fearsome aspect of Shiva, the Chamakam (chapter seven) asks for the fulfillment of the devotee’s wishes. Chanting the Chamakam regularly is believed to make one’s wishes come true. Chanting Sri Rudram and Chamakam was presumably a form of prayer to Lord Shiva, practiced by the ancient Vedic people.

Hiranyagarbha Sukta – A Hymn Invoking Prajapati for Protection and Wish-Fulfillment

The Hiraṇyagarbha Sūkta, a hymn in the Rigveda, says that God is the Creator of the Universe, and encompasses all things, and animates it as the Supreme Intelligence. The word means ‘golden womb’ or ‘golden egg’, which can be poetically translated as ‘universal womb’. It is the source from which the Universe was created and also an avatar of Vishnu in the Bhagavata Purana. The hymn is a prayer to the Creator of all things, or Prajapati, singing his praises, and seeking his protection and blessings for wish-fulfillment. Chanting it regularly can protect you from harm and fulfill your desires.

Mantra Pushpam – A Vedic Hymn for Self-Realization

Mantra Pushpam is a Vedic hymn that is sung when offering flowers to Hindu gods and goddesses at the end of a Pooja. The mantra is regarded as the flower of Vedic chants. Mantra Pushpam is from the Taittiriya Aranyakam of the Yajurveda. It is usually sung in a chorus by all the priests after performing a pooja or Yajna. It is also chanted in Hindu homes daily or on occasions when special poojas are performed. The Manthra Pushpam comprises the essence of all the 700 slokas in the Bhagavad Gita. Thus, Manthra Pushpam can be said to distil the essence of Vedic wisdom. It means that all that happens within us is the work of beings like Air, Vayu, Water, Fire Sun, Moon, Stars, who operate through us. It is God who creates these beings and makes them work through us. Everything that happens in the Universe is the divine work of the Supreme One. When we realize this, we attain self-realization.

Medha Suktam – A Prayer Invoking Goddess Saraswati for Learning and Wisdom

Medha Suktam is a hymn or a set of Vedic mantras. It is an ode to the ability to understand things clearly. The word Medha can be translated as ‘genius’. The hymn is.addressed to Medha (intelligence, memory, wisdom), which is visualized as a goddess. Goddess Medha is regarded as a form of Saraswati, the goddess of learning and the arts, Medha Suktam is chanted to get the blessings of Goddess Saraswati, especially intelligence, concentration, retentive power, and the ability to learn. This Sukta can be found in the Mahanarayana Upanishad. Even the Rig Veda and Atharva Veda seem to have Medha Suktas. Chanting this Suktam regularly can enhance one’s intelligence and grasping powers.

Agni Suktam – A Hymn that Invokes Lord Agni for Brilliance

The Rigveda, the oldest of the Vedas, begins with the Agni Suktam. It is addressed to Agni, the fire-god, who protects and enables human beings to attain perfection. In Vedic literature, Agni is a major god, often invoked along with gods like Indra and Soma. Agni is believed to be the mouth of the gods and goddesses. It is the medium that conveys offerings to them during the fire lab or Homa. A sage of the Rig Veda says that only when Agni was born, the Sun became visible. The Agni Suktam praises Agni and the material and spiritual benefits that it gives us. Agni is also a manifestations of the Supreme God, and by worshipping Agni, we can achieve brilliance.

Purusha Suktam – A Beneficial and Most Powerful Vedic Hymn

The Purusha Suktam is one of the most commonly used Vedic hymns and features in most Vedic ceremonies and rituals. It is one of the Pancha Suktam (5 Suktams) – Purusha Suktam, Vishnu Suktam, Sri Suktam, Bhu Suktam, and Nila Suktam It comes from the Rig Veda and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu or Narayana, who is the great Purusha described in the hymn. The mantras in this hymn are written in a meter that has the power to generate a tremendous spiritual force. It is also recited during Homas or installation rituals, and when meditating. The hymn is believed to be very useful for diabetes and has been found to produce miraculous results, when recited daily. Those who lack progeny and have marital problems too are said to benefit from this suktam.

Bhagya Suktam – A Vedic Hymn for Wealth, Success, and Victory

The Bhagya Suktam is dedicated to the goddess of fortune, Parvati. Bhagya means good fortune. Without good fortune, one is bound to lead a difficult life. Even when one is virtuous, God-fearing, and hard-working, one may face many problems and difficulties due to various factors, including planetary influences in our birth chart. Such people can chant the Bhagya Suktam. It is said to bless one with success, wealth, and happiness. It has many benefits when chanted regularly. They include victory in competitions, and against enemies. Reciting the suktam can boost your luck and help you to generate more wealth. It also brings many job opportunities.