LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM MEANING 572-574

Parashakthi (572) She is Parashakthi. Consort of Paramashiva is Parashkathi. She is the supreme Shakthi. Reference to nama 366 ‘para’ can be made. In a human body there are ten substances called ‘dhatus’. Skin, blood, flesh, fat and bone originated from Shakthi. Marrow, semen/ova, prana and jiva (soul) originated from Shiva. The tenth dhatu is Parashakthi. Shiva can manifest only if He is conjoined with Shakthi. This is explained in Soundarya Lahari verse 1 which says ‘Shiva united with Shakthi, becomes able to manifest. Otherwise, Shiva cannot even pulsate.’ Shveteshvatara Upanishad VI.8 says ‘He possesses powers of knowledge and powers of action, all of which are natural to Him’. This is not possible for Him without His Shakthi. Para-trishika-vivarana says the following. “The revered goddess and the supreme divine consciousness that at once transcends three divisions of creation, sustenance and destruction is ‘Parashakthi.’. She moves freely in all fields of knowledge. Entire universal existence has two aspects. One is the original universe and another is its reflection. The original universe is ‘Parashakthi’ and the entire manifestation is said to be Her expression. In the womb of Parashakthi lies para vak, from where the speech originates. The reduced consciousness, because of its retention within itself of all objectivity, is like the udder of celestial cow ‘Kamadhenu’. It upholds the multitude of entire objectivity, becomes manifest, wide spreading ‘jnana shakthi’. Without bringing about the limited experience of the knower and known, reside in the pure state of awareness, it is the perfect Parashakthi of 17 kalas. “ Parashakthi is the Supreme Divine kinetic energy and His mirror image which becomes responsible for all the acts of Divine. It is said in Linga purana that powers of all objects of existence in the universe is Shakthi and the objects themselves are Shiva. Para-nishta (573) Nishta means steadfast position. The mind of a self realized person becomes steadfast, perpetually united with the Brahman. For reaching this stage, the highest level of knowledge is required. Krishna explains this in Bhagavad Gita (IV.33). “Sacrifice performed with knowledge is superior to material sacrifices. All actions (cause, effect and karma) consummated in entirety in knowledge.” For changing over from external rituals to internal search, knowledge is important. Without acquiring such supreme knowledge, one continues to be associated with materialistic rituals failing to realize the Brahman within. The latter is capable of giving salvation at a faster pace than the former, which is an extremely slow process. Internal search requires nothing except a steadfast mind whereas for the materialistic rituals time, space and wealth become essential requirements. The kind of knowledge can be obtained only from ancient scriptures. Particularly, Upanishads provide extraordinary inputs to understand the Brahman and the procedures to seek Him within. The acquiring of knowledge leads to experience. When this knowledge and experience turns steadfast, it is called ‘para-nishta’. She is in the form of ‘para-nishta’. Without her help, reaching this stage is not possible. She is the embodiment of power (para-shakthi) and knowledge (para-nishta). Prajnana-ghana-rupini (574) An extension of the previous nama, which said that knowledge and experience are the essential components for self-realisation. This nama goes to explain the kind of knowledge discussed in the previous nama. ‘pra-jnana-ghana’ means superior-knowledge-concentrated. Superior concentrated knowledge means the knowledge that remains unpolluted by ignorance. Knowledge becomes polluted by senses. Brhadaranyaka Upanishad (V.v.15) says ‘the Self without interior or exterior. It is entire and pure intelligence alone.” When everything dissolves into this pure knowledge, self-realisation begins to happen. She is in the form of such pure and concentrated knowledge.