LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM 355-361

Samhrtasesha-pashanda (355) She is referred in this nama as the destroyer of heretics. Heretics are those who do not follow the principles laid down by Vedas. 14 places (which include the four Vedas and their extensions) are referred to as the principle domains of dharma. Those men who cross the boundaries of the principles of dharma are called ‘pashanda’ or heresy. She destroys all those who act against the principles of Vedas. Sadachara-pravartika (356) She removes the innate ignorance of the soul to realize the Brahman. In this nama She is said to induce the ignorant men to perform noble acts. ‘Sat’ refers those who perform noble deeds and ‘achara’ means the righteous acts performed by them. She makes the ignorant people (ignorant means lack of knowledge of the Brahman. It could also mean the concept of duality) to pursue the righteous path to realize the Brahman. The principles of righteousness are expounded in the epics. These principles form the basis of dharma sastra (refer previous nama). Tapatrayagni-santapta-samahladana-chandrika (357) Ancient scriptures talk about three types of afflictions, pertaining to body, elements and deities. These three are compared to three types of fires. These three types of fires cause serious damage to the one who undergoes the sufferings of bondage called ‘samsara’. She is like the moon light (grace) that gives happiness to those affected by the said three afflictions. The meaning of the nama is that by Her sheer grace She destroys the miseries caused by these three afflictions and showers happiness to Her devotees. The three types of miseries are: 1. Adhyatmika – this comprises of the four components of anthakkaranam, five karmendriyas and five jnanaendriyas. 2. Adhibhautika – comprises of five basic elements and sense organs. 3. Adhidaivika – influence of super human powers. All the three are called afflictions because they function on the basis of data provided by the sense organs. Taruni (358) She is eternally youthful. Eternal youth is possible only in the absence of modifications, a quality of the Brahman. The Brahman is non-decaying and immortal says Brhadarnayaka Upanishad. We have already discussed about the eternal Brahman in namas 136, 292, 286 and 344. Tapasaradhya (359) She is worshipped by ascetics. The ascetics are highly respectable as they abstain from all pleasurable objects in order to seek the Supreme Brahman. They do not worship demigods or goddesses as their only aim is to realize the Supreme Brahman. Such ascetics worship Her which goes to confirm that She is the Brahman. There is yet another interpretation. Tapa means bondage which is the root of all miseries. Saradhya is split into ‘sara’ (essence) + ‘a’ (deep) + ‘dhya’ (dhyan or meditation). The bondage arising out of samsara can only be removed by meditating on Her. Tanumadhya (360) She has slender waist. There is meter by name ‘tanumadhya’. Meter refers to the number alphabets or words in a verse as per Sanskrit literature. She is said to be in the form of this meter. Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita that He is in the form Gayatri meter. Tamopaha (361) Tamas means ignorance. Tamo guna is one the three gunas. An ignorant person is said to have tamo guna. There is a beautiful explanation for ignorance or darkness in Isha Upanishad. ‘Those who mechanically perform rituals go into darkness which is like being blind. But, those who merely worship God go into deeper darkness’. Mundane worship never gives result. Any worship for material prosperity or personal uplift will never be rewarded. Such men are called ignorant. She is said to remove this darkness.