Shloka 144
दुर्वासाशापः, क्षीरसागरमन्थनम्, श्रीः (लक्ष्मी) उद्भवः तथा श्रीस्तुतिः
पठ्यते येषु चैवेयं गृहेषु श्रीस्तुतिर् मुने अलक्ष्मीः कलहाधारा न तेष्व् आस्ते कदाचन
paṭhyate yeṣu caiveyaṃ gṛheṣu śrīstutir mune alakṣmīḥ kalahādhārā na teṣv āste kadācana
O sage, in those homes where this hymn of praise to Śrī (Lakṣmī) is truly recited, Alakṣmī—whose nature is the abode of quarrel and misfortune—never dwells there, at any time.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya; verse framed as instruction addressed to a sage/disciple)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Efficacy of Śrī-stuti in averting Alakṣmī (misfortune/quarrel) from the household
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: compassionate
Concept: Regular praise of Śrī safeguards the household from Alakṣmī—misfortune expressed as quarrel—linking devotion with social harmony.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Use daily devotional reading/chanting to cultivate gratitude, generosity, and non-contention in family life—reducing the ‘kalahā’ that invites loss.
Vishishtadvaita: Śrī as mediatrix of grace: devotion to her aligns inner dispositions and outer circumstances toward auspicious order under the Lord.
Vishnu Form: Narayana
Bhakti Type: shanta
Lakshmi Presence: Sri
FAQs
This verse presents Śrī-stuti as a protective devotional act: where Lakṣmī is praised, misfortune and conflict (Alakṣmī) are said not to remain.
By linking Alakṣmī with quarrel and inauspiciousness, Parāśara teaches that sustained praise of Śrī establishes an opposite spiritual atmosphere—harmony and prosperity—so Alakṣmī finds no place to dwell.
Though Lakṣmī is named directly, the verse reflects Vaishnava theology where Śrī is inseparable from Vishnu’s sovereign order; praising Śrī implies alignment with Vishnu’s sustaining power (dharma, prosperity, and peace).