LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM 55-58

Sumeru-madhya-srungasta (55) From this nama till 63, the narration of Her residence is discussed. Sumeru means in the midst of mountains called ‘meru’. She lives in the centre of Meru Mountains. Vak devis in the nama 52 said that Lalithai is seated on the left thigh of Shiva, union of static and kinetic energies. Now they are discussing about her palace. Meru mountain range has three peaks and if a line is drawn connecting them, a triangle is formed. In the midst of this triangle there is a taller peak than the rest three where in Lalithai resides. Sage Durvasa in his master piece “Lalithastavaratna” says “I salute the three peaks (the shorter ones) which are abodes of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. In the midst of these peaks, there is another peak much higher than the other three. The golden rays are beautifying this peak and I worship it.” Possibly this could be the description of Sri chakra. In the middle of Sri chakra there is a triangle and in the centre of this triangle there is dot called bindu in which Lalithai lives with her husband Maha Kameshwara. Nama 52 is contemplated in this bindu. Srimannagara-nayika (56) She owns this auspicious and wealthy city called Srinagaram. There are two narrations about this Srinagaram. One is found in Durvasa’s Lalithastavaratna and another in Rudra Yamala (as told to Parvati by Shiva). The former says that Srinagaram was constructed by celestial architect Vishwakarma. Rudra Yamala says that Srinagara is in the midst of ocean of milk as an island called ratnadvipa (island formed out of precious gems). In the midst of Srinagaram there is another city called Srividya that is surrounded by 25 walls, each wall representing a tatwa. We have already discussed about these tatwas in our earlier postings. So, She is the queen of such a place, from where She performs all her three acts of creation etc. Cintamani-gruhantasta (57) She lives in a palace constructed out of cintamani, one of the most valuable gems. This gem is supposed to give whatever is desired. This palace is on the northern side of Srinagaram, the city. All the gods and goddesses go to this place to worship Her. This is supposed to be the place of origin of all the mantras. Worshipping this place removes all the mind related issues. Pancha-brahmasana-stita (58) She is seated on a throne made up of five brahmans. The five brahmans are Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Ishanan and Sadashivan (Some used to say Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Mahadeva and Sadashiva). Shiva, Mahadeva, Sadashiva, Kameshwara are the different forms of Shiva. Each form represents different acts. SL 92 says that “Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Ishwara form the support of your throne and Sadashiva is the seat of your throne”. This nama highlights Her highest authority of the universe. But, Surely Vak devis could not have meant to name Brahma, Vishnu etc as support of her throne and Sadashiva as her seat. There is another interpretation for this Panchabrhmam. This could possibly mean the basic elements. We have five chakras in our body (muladhara to vishudi) and each of these chakras represent one element. Muladhara – earth element, Swadishtan – water element, manipuraka – fire element (some are of the opinion that swadishtan is fire element and manipuraka is water), anahat – air element and vishudi – akash or ether element. Lalithai is sitting on these five elements, each element forming four legs of her throne and one forming the seat. This seems to appropriate as She is the creator and creation is made out of the five basic elements only. After crossing these chakras, we have to proceed to ajna chakra where our mind is controlled and proceed to the crown chakra where the union of Shiva and shakthi takes place. This explanation suits the interpretations of certain other namas in this Sahasranamam. Namas 249 and 947 also speak about this concept.