LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM 391-395

Nitya-shodashika-rupa (391) This is a reference to the sixteen deities representing 16 lunar days and they are worshipped in Sri Chakra. The 16th deity is Lalithai Herself. These fifteen deities are said to represent 15 bijas of Panchadasi mantra and Lalithai as the 16th deity representing Shodasi mantra. Shoadasi mantra has 16 bijas, the additional bija being ‘shreem’ (it is also mentioned as ‘srim’ in phonetic pronunciation (Lakshmi bija). Shodasi mantra is considered as the most powerful mantra of all. This is the mantra meant for the final liberation. This Shodasi mantra refers to a type of fire ritual called ‘agnishtoma’ . She is pleased with those who performs this fire ritual or with those who recite Shodasi mantra. Such form is called ‘nitya shodashika rupa’. During the dark fortnight (waning) of the moon, Lalithambigai is said to be in the sun (surya mandala) and during bight fortnight (waxing) She is said to be in the moon (Chandra mandala). It has also been said that those who got initiated in Panchadasi mantra should use bright fortnight for perfecting this mantra and those who got initiated in Shodasi mantra should use dark fortnight for perfecting this mantra (attaining mantra siddhi). Those who recite Panchadasi mantra should practice it in day corresponding to the sun and those who practice Shodasi mantra should recite it in the night, corresponding to the moon. Srikanthardha-sharirini (392) She has half the body of Shiva. Srikantha is another name of Shiva. Sri means poison and kantha means throat. There is another interpretation for this nama. The first alphabet of Sanskrit is ‘a’ which is also known Srikantha. The first alphabet is said to be in the form of ‘para’ form of sound which gets modified into vaikari at the time of delivery of speech. Since the first alphabet is considered as half of other alphabets put together, She is known as Srikanthardha sharirini. The first letter is also known as ‘Srikathardham’. Brhadaryanyaka Upanishad I.iv.3 describes this condition thus: ‘He (purusha or soul) desired a mate. He became as big as, man and wife embracing each other. He parted this very body into two. From that came husband and wife. This is one- half of oneself, like one of the two halves of split pea. Therefore this pea is indeed filled by the wife. He was united with her. From that men were born’. Prabhavati (393) She is endowed with the power of effulgence. She is surrounded by eight devis each representing one ashtama siddhi. Since these eight goddesses are very powerful, they are illuminant. These eight devis are called prabha. Prabhavati is the one who is surrounded by prabhas. Prabharupa (394) The luminous light that was referred to in the last nama is said to be powerful in this nama. These devis derived their illumination from this brightness. She is said to be in the form of Supreme light. Chandogya Upanishad III.14.2 describes this light ‘He is controlled by the mind. He has a subtle body and he is luminous’. Prasiddha (395) She is well known to everybody. She is said to be in the form of inner self of all living beings. When somebody says ‘I’, it actually means Her, as She is the Self.