LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM 823 - 827

Janani (823)

The Mother or Sri Mata (nama 1). It also means the Creator of the universe. Nama 264 is ‘srṣṭi-kartri’. Namas 295, 337, 457, 826 and 934 talk about Her universal Motherhood.

This nama in conjunction with the previous nama is recited as ‘brahma-janani’.

Bahu-rūpā (824)

She has multi fold forms. This aspect has been dealt with in various namas. All that exist in the universe is Brahman. Due to the effect of maya, Brahman is recognised in various shapes and forms through senses. When the thought process becomes devoid of experience of multiform existence, it is known as Self-realisation.

Bahu-rūpā because, She not only exists in living beings, but also prevails as sound (Shabda Brahman). Devi Mahatmiyam refers to Her various forms while slaying demon Bhandasura.

In Suta Samhita it said, ‘She is the super most of the Supreme, who is one and two and sixteen and thirty two.’ One means the Brahman. Two means vowels and consonants. Sixteen means the sixteen vowels. Thirty two means 32 consonants. Consonants are 35. In terms of nama 804 ra and la are the same. Now it becomes 34. Generally the last alphabet ‘ksha’ (as it is a compound alphabet made up of ka + sha) is not reckoned with. Therefore it becomes 33. The letter ‘ha’ is also not considered as it is the origin of letters. Now the consonants become 32. The numeric 32 has relevance to this Sahasranamam as only 32 alphabets are used at the beginning of each of the 1000 namas.

Sri Rudram (11.1) says ‘sahsrāni sahasraśaḥ’ which means thousands of Rudras in thousands of forms. Their wives are known as Rudranis. She is in the form all these Rudranis and Shiva is in the form of all the Rudras.

{For further reading: The vowels are considered as bija (Shiva) and consonants are considered as yoni (Shakthi). All the vowels and consonants are classified into eight divisions and each of the divisions give rise to one of eight mātās (aśta mātās). These eight mātās along with Her original form make nine, which represent nine ‘nava rasa’ (nine types of expressions: love, heroism, disgust, fury, mirth, terror, pity, wonder and tranquillity). If all the alphabets (50) are taken into account, then each letter shines as one Rudra, making the number of Rudras to 50. Number of Rudras vary in different texts.}

Vishnu Sahasranamam nama 721 is ‘aneka murti’.

She is worshipped in different forms and each form has certain specific qualities. For example, Sarasvati is worshipped for knowledge, Lakshmi worshipped for wealth, etc. She becomes many (creation) and many become One (annihilation).

Budhārcitā (825)

She is worshipped by the knowledgeable. Knowledgeable are Self-realised persons. Still they perform actions to nullify their karmas.

Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita (VII.16) “Four types of devotees worship me, the seeker of worldly possessions, the afflicted, the seeker for knowledge and man of wisdom.”

Prasavitri (826)

She gives birth to universe. Literally it means that She has delivered the universe. The universe is born out of the conjugal bliss of Shiva and Shakthi.

This nama can be attributed to Her ‘para-devi’ form. It is said “One should concentrate on the delightful mind, whether by itself or permeated by pranic breath leading to blissful state. It is the association of blessedness which is the worship of the heart, the essential nature of Para-Devi.” The creation takes place when kriya Shakthi of Lalithai unites with jnana shakthi of Shiva. Netra Tantra (VII.40) says “Para Shakthi is the source of all the gods and all the shakthis (energies). Everything proceeds from Her.”

Pracaṇḍā (827)

She is wrathful. Brahman is also wrathful to enforce discipline.

Taittiriya Upanishad (II.viii.1) and Katha Upanishad (II.iii.3) both say, “The wind blows out of fear of Him (Brahman). The sun also shines out of fear. Out of fear of Him Fire, Indra and Death, all rush to do their respective duties.”

Brahma Sutra (I.iii.39) says ‘universe emerges and vibrates because there is prana that is a great terror, like an uplifted thunder.”

Vishnu Sahasranamam 315 is ‘krodakrit’ convey the same meaning.

Arjuna addresses Krishna in Bhagavad Gita (XI.20) “Seeing this transcendent, dreadful form of Yours, O Soul of the universe, all the three worlds feel greatly alarmed.”

Chandi (the combined form of Durga, Lakshmi and Sarasvati) is originated from the root word ‘chandik’ which means to charge, make angry or violent.

Sri Rudram begins by offering obeisance to Rudra’s anger (namaste Rudra-manyava udhota iśvae namaḥ)

This nama discusses one of the qualities of the Brahman with attributes. Anger is a quality of the nirguna Brahman to enforce discipline for sustaining the universe.