LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM MEANING 578-585

Maha-kailasa-nilaya (578) Maha-Kailasa is the abode of Shiva. This is far away from the existing Kailasa Mountains. In fact, Maha-Kailasa is beyond human comprehension. Shiva has various forms and Maha-Kailasa is the abode of Paramashiva. Since Lalithambigai is always present with Shiva, Maha-Kailasa is referred to as the abode of Lalithai as well. This interpretation is given in epics. The orifice in sahasrara (bindu) is known as maha-kailasa. Sahasrara is beyond the shad-chakras (muladhara to sahasrara) in the human body. Shiva is visualised here in the form of bindu (dot). Since She conjoins Shiva here in Her subtlest form, it is also referred as Her abode. In the previous nama three prastaras were discussed and one among them was kailasa prastara, which is beyond the reach of Vak Devis, the authors of this sahasranamam. They have used prefix ‘maha’ to mean Her best qualities and there are 37 such namas. Mrunala-mrdu-dorlata (579) Her arms are tender like lotus stalks. Her subtlest form is kundalini. This form is compared to that of a lotus stem in nama 111. Mahaniya (580) She is adorable. Whatever praise one showers on Her, She becomes worthy of it. Possibly this could be the reason for using prefix ‘maha’ (great) in a number of namas. Dayamurti (581) She is the embodiment of compassion, which is one of Her predominant qualities. This is the reason for commencing this Sahasranamam with ‘Sri Mata’, the compassionate mother of the universe. To emphasize Her compassion, this quality has been repeated in namas 197, 326 and 992. Compassion becomes Her predominant quality because She sustains all those who do not think about Her even for a moment. Maha-samrajya-salini (582) She magnificently controls all the planets forming part of this universe. Normally ‘samrajya’ refers to cluster of kingdoms. For Her, kingdoms mean planets and earth forming only a tiny part of the universe controlled by Her. Even the ‘maha-kailasa’ is ruled by Her in Her capacity as the consort of Shiva. Atma-vidya (583) This nama and the next two namas talk about three types of vidyas (knowledge). Atma vidya means the knowledge about the Brahman, Brahma vidya. Brahman is also known as Atman. Nama 727 is ‘shiva-jnana-pradyini’, which means that She imparts knowledge on Shiva who is known as the Brahman without attributes. Since She imparts knowledge of the Supreme Ataman, she is addressed as ‘atma-vidya’. Turiya gayatri is also said be atma vidya. Turiya gayatri is ‘Ka-e-la-hrim-vakbaveshvari-vidmahae; ha-sa-ka-ha-la-hrim-kameshwari-cha-dhimahi; sa-ha-la-hrim-thanaaha-shakthihi-prachothayat. There is a mantra called ‘atma-ashtakshara mantra’. This mantra is ‘om-hrim-hamsaha-soham-svaha’ (this mantra is a part of Sri Vidya cult). She is said to be in the forms of turiya gayatri and ‘atma-ashtakshara-vidya’. Maha-vidya (584) Knowing Atman within is the process of self-realization and such knowledge is known as maha-vidya as per the previous nama. This nama says that atma vidya is the best of all vidyas (knowledge). Knowing the Atman within makes a person not to distinguish between pleasures and pains. Such a person always stays connected with Her and enjoys perpetual bliss, leading to no more births. Pleasure and pain are felt only if one is born. There is another interpretation which says that Vanadurga vidya is maha-vidya. Another scripture by name ‘Vanadurga saptasathi’ consists of a number of mantras. This is extremely powerful and its recitation drives away all evil forces. . Moola mantra of Vanadurga consists of 37 bijas. Sri-vidya (585) Sri vidya is panchadasi mantra. Vishnu purana refers to four types of vidyas. They are yajna vidya (deals with karmas), maha-vidya (rituals), guhya vidya (secretive worship), atma vidya (knowledge of self-realisation). Panchadasi and shodasi mantras are considered as most secretive. These mantras, if properly initiated and recited as per the prescribed rules, one is bound to attain liberation.