Lalitha in Sanskrit means playing, sporting, beauty, grace, charm. In general Lalitha also means a woman. We can define Lalitha as a gracious, charming, and beautiful playful woman. Sahasranamam consists of two Sanskrit words sahasram + namam. Sahasram means thousand. Namam means names. Sahasranamam means thousand names. Lalitha sahasranamam means thousand names of Lalitha, the gracious, charming and beautiful woman. She is the Vimarsha form of Shiva. Shiva’s form is called Prakasha. If you have missed my postings on prakasha and vimarsha please vist Finding God 7 (For Prakasha) and Finding god 8 (for Vimarsha).
Lalithambigai as she is often called controls the activities of this entire universe. That is why she is called prakasha vimarsha maha maya swarupini. This form of Lalitha has been discussed in ‘finding god-viii’ in this blog. The one thousand names mentioned in this ancient text called “Lalitha Sahasranamam” are rich treatise for our eyes and ears. The phonetic sounds of the namas are soothing to our ears. When we are able to manifest the form of Lalitha with the help of these namas, that will be a rich treatise to our third eye. Let us understand more about Her and Lalitha Sahasranamam. Lalitha Sahasranamam finds a place in Brahmandapuranam, one of the 18 puranas composed by ancient and well known rishi Vyasar. Lord Hayagriva, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu first imparted this Sahasranamam to Agastya rishi. This Sahasranamam was composed by eight vaak devis (vashinyathi vaak devis) at the instance of Lalitha Devi Herself in Her very presence.. In other Sahasranamams, a nama is usually used more than once to make up 1000 or 1008 namas. None of the namas here are used more than once. She was born out of fire. She lives in the middle Sri Chakram. Sri Chakram is in Sripuram. She is with Lord Shiva. Shiva has various manifested forms and His ultimate form is called Maha Kameshwarar.
Lalithambigai in Her ultimate form is called Maha Kameshwari. She is sitting in the left thigh of Maha Kameshwarar, in the central place of Srichakra which is called Bindu. The Sahasranamam begins by addressing Her as Sri Mata, which means the mother of all. This indicates that She is the one who creates this universe. 999th nama says shivashakthi ikya rupini, which means Her form is the combination of Shiva and Shakthi. 1000th nama addresses her as Lalithambiga, the meaning of which has been discussed above. Even though the combined form of Shiva and Shakthi is said to be the Absolute form, the last nama Lalithambiga is used after Shivashakthi ikya rupini emphasizes her importance of her Absolute form. That is why she is also called Pancha brahma swarupini. Most of the namas have very deep and secret meanings. The secretive nature of the meaning is not revealed to all, as they are meant to be learnt from a Guru. Self-realization, kundalini, meditation are widely explained in this Sahasranamam. She has been beautifully described, her feet, her walking, her eyes, her fore head, her qualities, her nature. Every nama is to be enjoyed. At the end of this Sahasranamam, you can visualize her total form and by deep meditation you can see Her through your third eye. For details on third eye please read my posting "The third eye". Detailed interpreation of each of the 1000 namas along with Introudction, Purva Bhag, Dhyana Verses and Phala Stuti is provided at the following link.
http://www.manblunder.com/articles/lalitha-sahasranama
Further readings:
September 20, 2014 04:27 PM
The phala sruthi of the LS are so many. I have understood the entire text and each nama meaning from your /blog. IS there any mandalas or specific number of days to follow to fulfill any p
October 11, 2023 09:10 AM
Dear Krishna Ji. In phalasruti said in the morning we must worship sri cakra first, and chant Sri Vidya mantra, then chant this Lalita Sahasranama, so we will get the benefits as wroted in phalasruti. But many peoples recomend it even without worshiping Sri Cakra and chant Sri Vidya mantra first. Is this not against the instruction ? Rsi said we must worship Sri Cakra and chant Sri Vidya Mantra first to get the benefits, but if we not do it, can we still get the benefits? Why now days we chant so many stotram and ignore some instruction from the stotram? I really dont understand this, and always have big quoestion about it
October 12, 2023 12:10 AM
It is important to follow the routine given by your guru who has initiated you into Śrī Vidyā. Normally, it is very difficult to perform the Śrī Cakra pūja daily and many opt to recite the Khaḍgamālā instead. Start the practice of Śrī Vidyā in earnest and proceed to lead a fruitful life. Do not be in search of the benefits, they will seek you out when the practice is sincere and you have earned it!
November 10, 2023 09:11 PM
Why are Khadgamālā often so effective? They seem uncommonly efficient. Does it depend on karmas or something? Śrī Pratyangirā Devī khadgamālā seems wildly effective in achieving engagement with higher beings, relative to time & energy commitment. Perhaps it is in part that this specific mantras are able to effectively capture the attention in a way many other practices do not, due to riveting and striking contents?
November 13, 2023 01:11 AM
Khadgamālā is a string of deities associated with the yantra of the deity. The yantra Āvaraṇa deities are the powers surrounding the main deity and are to be invoked and worshipped to be able to realize the full potential of the initiated mantra.