LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM MEANING 557 - 562.

Katyayani (556) She is the sum total of the effulgence (tejas) of all gods and goddesses. Vama Purana says that brightness which is the best is known by the name Katyayani. Katyayani is the presiding deity of odyana peeta, situated at ajna chakra. Other peetas are Kama giri peeta at muladhara chakra, purna giri at anahat, jalandra peeta at vishudi. There is another interpretation. ‘ka’ means Brahma, the Creator or head or a stone. She rests on this ‘ka’; (with particular reference to stone meaning the universe) therefore She is known as ‘Katyayani’. Kalahantri (557) ‘kala’ means death. She is the destroyer of death. She destroys death for those who are self-realized. Shvetasvatara Upanishad says ‘kalakaraah’, which means that the Brahman is the creator of time. Death occurs only when the soul transcends its prescribed time fixed by the law or karma also known as the law of the Lord. Please refer nama 552 ‘sarva-mrtyu-nivarini’ for additional details. The unique nature of this sahasranamam is no nama has been repeated. But there are instances where the same meaning has been conveyed through more than one nama. This is to emphasize the importance of certain activities that are considered as more important. For example through namas 552 and 557 it is said that She destroys death. The secretive meaning of these namas is self-realisation. Those who have realized Her within transcends death, which means that they are not reborn. Every living being born in this universe has to necessarily undergo the process of death, the dissolution of the respective physical bodies. Self-realization can be attained by removing ‘a-vidya’ or ignorance. Kamalaksha-nishevita (558) She is worshiped by Vishnu, the lotus eyed. Soundarya Lahari verse 5 confirms this by saying ‘Haris-twam-aradhya’ meaning ‘Vishnu worshiped you’. It is said that Vishnu by worshipping Her, got His ‘mohini’ (nama 562) form (form of a woman) to destroy the demons. Possibly sanctity of the woman hood is highlighted by Vak Devis in this nama. Women are always treated as sacred attributes by Indian scriptures. Tambula-purita-muki (559) She is fond of chewing betel leaves with karpura vitika (nama 26). The betel leaves turn the lips into red colour. This nama says that Her face shines with betel leaves In Her mouth. The fragrance of betel leaves with karupura vitika gives a pleasing fragrance. Dadimi-kusuma-prabha (560) She radiates like a pomegranate flower. They are dark red in colour. The flowers of pomegranate are considered as the most auspicious amongst the flowers for worshipping Her. Next is hibiscus flower, which too has deep red petals and is widely used for worshipping Her. The last verse of ‘Abhirami Andhadi’ (A poetize consisting of 100 Tamil verses in praise of Her. This is more or less like Soundarya Lahari) also compares pomegranate flower to Her complexion. Everything associated with Her is red. Her red complexion has been repeatedly emphasized in this sahasranamam. The reason for such repetitions is provided in nama 557. Mrigakshi (561) Her eyes appear like that of a deer. Since the description of the Brahman is not possible, a reference is always made to the best known object. A deer’s eyes look gorgeous and will always be revolving, glancing at all the sides at the same time. Lalithambigai being the administrator of the entire universe looks all-round for two reasons. First, She administers the universe by personally overseeing all the activities. Secondly, while doing so, She liberates Her true devotees by glancing at them. She do not want them to wait even for a second to attain liberation. She grants them liberation by a mere glance. Lalitha trisati nama 103 ‘harinekshana’ conveys the same meaning. Mohini (562) She Bewitches. Unable to find proper words to describe Her beauty, Vak Devis used this word. Bewitchment is not possible without being splendiferous. She is the beauty incarnate, because Her beauty is made up of knowledge, efficiency and compassion. When Vishnu got His Mohini form by worshipping Her, He bewitched the demons (refer nama 558).