Sri Lalitha Sahasranama (With Interpretations)

By ShakthiPrabha

Lalitha Sahasranamas are referred as "Rahasya Naamas" of Divine Mother, which, when meditated upon and contemplated with true devotion, will be the answer for many unanswered questions. This book has attempted to analyse the meaning of every word and then proceeded to gather the meaning of a single Naama(name) of the Divine Mother.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ShakthiPrabha
• Release date: Jan 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463536155

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Sri LalithaSahasranama (With Interpretations)

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ShakthiPrabha

Copyright 2020 ShakthiPrabha

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OM

Lalitha Sahasranama Sthothram

Prologue

Dhyana Shlokas

Mathur Avatara

Beauty of Lalithambika

Sri Nagara description

Slaying of Bandasura

Mantra Roopa

Bhaktha Anugraha

NirguNa upaasana

SaguNa upaasana

Pancha-Brahma Swaroopa

Kshetra Kshetrajna Roopa

Peetams and Anga-Devathas

Yogini Nyasa

Vibhoothi Visthaara

Shiva-Shakthyaika Roopa

Prologue

Lord Sri.Hayagreeva has taken immense grace upon devotees and revealed ‘Thousand sacred names’ of Sri.LalithaParameswari. In Brahmanda puraaNa, Sahasranama appears in the form of interaction between Sage Agasthya and Sri.Hayagreeva.

When Lord Shiva regenerated Manmatha, a demon called Bhandasura also rose from the ashes. Bhandasura did austere penance and in turn was rewarded with several boons. He ruled the three worlds with his oppressive power and brutality. Fearing his growth, devas did intense penance and worshipped Goddess Aadhi-Parashakthi. From the yagna emerged the most beautiful and vibrant feminine form, Sri.Lalithadevi.

When Sri.Lalitha ordained Vaag-devis to reveal her glory, they praised her beauty, eminence, benevolence and essence which came to be idolized as One thousand names i.e. Sahasranama of Divine Mother. This Sahasranama was taught to Sage Agasthya by Lord Hayagreeva.

First 84 Shlokas of Sahasranama reveals her breathtaking beauty and talks about her victory over Bhandasura. Sahasranamas are referred as Rahasya Naamas of Divine Mother, which will be the answer for many unanswered questions.

This book has attempted to analyse the meaning of every word and then proceeded to gather the meaning of a single Naama(name) of the Divine Mother.

I profusely thank the following websites which was of immense help for dictionary and reference.

https://www.sanskritdictionary.com/

http://spokensanskrit.org/

https://www.manblunder.com/

While adding an anecdote or interpretation, in few instances I have referred some websites for further read and reference of the readers. My earnest and sincere thanks to all referred websites.

Pandits and Scholars please excuse errors of perception and omission. If this book is of little help to anyone who seeks interpretation, I shall consider my objective accomplished.

Ever grateful to my family for the untiring encouragement and support rendered. I thank all those who endorsed me when I shared these as small write-ups in my personal pages.

Images with due credit are copyright of the owners and used here for illustrative purpose only. Thank you.

ShakthiPrabha

Dhyana Shlokas

We start with dhyana shlokas which lets us concentrate and meditate upon the divine form of Goddess Lalitha. When this divine form sits deeply rooted in our mind, it further paves way to develop devotion and listen to her glories. There are four dhyana shlokas which help us meditate upon her. 

First dhyana shloka has vaag-devis glorifying the goddess.

Sinduraaruna vigrahaam; trinayanaam; manikya mauli sphurath

Tara nayaka shekharam; smitamukheem; aapina vakshoruhaam|

Panibhyaam-alipoorna rathna chashakam; raktothpalam bibhratheem

Saumyam rathna ghatastha raktacharanam; dhyayeth paraam ambikaam|

***

Sindhura = red / vermillion

Aruna = to rise, rising sun 

Vigraham = her form or physique.

Tri nayan = Three eyed (one on forehead)

Manikya mouli spurath = adorning red ruby on her crown 

Tara nayaka = Tara-nayak (chief of stars) i.e. moon 

Sekaraam = on the crest

Smitha mukheem = Smiling face

Apeena vakshOruhaam = vaksham is breast. 

Apeena vakshOruhaam = firm breasted

PaaNibyaam = in her hand

ALi-poorna = Honey filled 

Rathna chasakam = cup made of exquisite gemstones. 

Rakthoth palam bibhrathim = Holding Red flowers in her hands

Sowmyam = Pleasant, charming, beautiful

Raktha charanam = her red feet

Ratna gatastha = pot filled with precious jewels

Dhyayeth paraam ambikaam = I Meditate on Devi Ambika

***

I meditate on devi, Ambika, whose shines bright vermillion-red, like the rising sun. I meditate on Devi, Ambika, who has three eyes, who wears bright ruby and moon on her crown, who is firm breasted and beams with enchanting smile, whose one hand holds honey brimming in a rich cup made of precious stones and whose other hand has red flowers. (I meditate on) the beautiful mother who places her red-feet in the pot filled with jewels.

Note: (i.e. the inner vision or Gyaana is considered as third eye)

Dhyana shloka 2

This shloka has Lord Dattatreya worshipping Goddess Bhavani

Arunaam; Karuna thrangita-akshim; 

dhrutha pasa-angusa pushpabaana chapaam; 

Animadhibhiraavrutham;

mayukair-ahamityeva vibhavaye Bhavaneem.

***

Aruna = shines like rising sun

Karuna = is merciful

Tharanga = wave

Karunaa tharangitha = waves of mercy

Akshi = eyes

Dhrutha = held

Pasa = we can understand this as invisible ‘noose’ which binds every soul to the truth (parabrahman)

Angusa = Symbolic representation divine having control or power over the souls

Pushpa baana = arrows made of flowers

BaaNa chapam = bow (BaNa means arrow. BaNa can also mean sugarcane)

ANimadhibhi = eight sidhis which includes anima, mahima, lahima etc

ANimaadhibhiravruthaam = surrounded by either sidhis...

Mayukai = beam of light

Aham = me

Ithyeva= accordingly (thereby)

Vibhavaye = magnificence

Bhavaneem = Devi Bhavani

I meditate on Devi Bhavani, who shines red like rising sun, whose eyes emit eternal waves of mercy, who holds pasa and angusa in her hands to bind and control souls(every living non-living entity), who holds bows of sugarcane and arrows of flowers, who is Radiant, who is surrounded by ashta-sidhis, I meditate upon that transcendental Devi Bhavani .

Dhyana verse 3

(Origin of dhyana verse 3 is unknown)

Dyayeth padmasanasthaam; vikasitha vadhanaam;

padma pathrayathaaksheem;

Hema-abham; peethavasthraam;

karakalitha-lasad hema padmaam; varangeem;

Sarva-alankara yuktham; sathatham abhayadam;

bhaktha namram; bhavaneem;

Srividyam; shanthamurthim;

sakala suranuthaam; sarva sampat pradhatreem

***

Dyayeth = Meditate

Padmasanastham = One who sits on lotus

Vikasitha vathanaam = face beaming with smile

Padma-pathraaya = lotus petals

Akshim = eyes

Hema-abam = shines like gold

Peetha vasthraam = clothed in yellow sheen

Karakalitha = in her hand (holding)

Lasad = bright beaming

Hema padmaam = golden lotus

Varaangim = embodiment i.e. bestower of boons

Sarva-alankara-yuktham = dressed exquisitely/skillfully

Sathatham = always – eternal

Abhayatham = protector

Bhaktha namraam = attentive to the devotees

Bhavaneem = Devi Bhavani

Sri vidhyam = essence / symbol of Knowledge

Shantha murthim = personification of peace

Sakala sura nutham = worshipped by all gods(evolved beings)

Sarva sampath pradhatrim = bestower of every wealth (including wisdom)

***

(Meditating on her form)

I meditate on Bhavani, who is seated on lotus with a beaming smile. Whose eyes are like lotus petals. Bhavani who is clothed in silky golden sheen, who herself radiates like gold, who is so exquisitely dressed, holding a glittering golden lotus in her hand.

(Meditating on her attributes)

I meditate on bhavani, who eternally plays the role of 'protector', who inclines to be attentive/listen to the needs of devotees

(Meditating on her aspects )

I Mediate on her who is worshipped by all suras (gods), who is the essence of all 'knowledge', who is the embodiment of boons, personification of peace and she who grants every kind of wealth.

***

Note: Wealth as referred here, should not be understood only to mean materialistic riches. Peace, knowledge, wisdom, experience and other such innumerable intangible wealth are inclusive. Her shine should not be understood to mean only the shine of riches as we know. She is personified as truth or Para Brahman, hence she is glowing with purity.

Dhyana Shloka 4:

(This verse is gifted by Adhi-shankaracharya. The verses stay close to our heart for poetic intricacy)

Sa-kumkuma vilEpanaam; Alikachumbi kasthoorikaam;

Sa-mandha hasithEskhaNaam; 

Sa-shara chaapa paasa angushaam;

AshEsha jana mohineem; 

AruNa maalya bhushaambaraam;

Japa kusuma bhasuraam;

Japavidhou smareth ambikaam;

**

Kumkuma = kumkum(vermilion)

Vilepanaam =smearing

Alika chumbi = foreheard kissed (wearing)

Kasthurikaam =with musk

Mantha hasithEkshanam = looks soft and smiling

Sa-shara chapa = holding(with) arrows and bows

Pasa angushaam = paasa a noose to bind souls

Angusha = representation of control over souls

Ashesha =entire - whole – every

Jana mohini =attracts people

Aruna malya = red garland

Bhoosha = decorated

Ambara = clothed i.e. wearing

Japa kusuma = red hibiscus

Basuram = radiating

Japa vidhou = accordingly while doing japa

Smareth = I concentrate and meditate

Ambikaam = (upon) Devi Ambika

**

During Japa, I meditate on Devi Ambika, who smears holy kumkum, who marks her forehead with scented-musk, who graces with soft smiling face, whose hands hold bow and arrow, pasha and angusha. Decorating herself with Red garland, hibiscus flowers and ornaments to enhance her radiance, she attracts the entire universe (with no exception).

Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Sthothra

(Sri Mathur-avathara)

OM

(1-12)

Sri Matha; 

Sri Maharaajni; 

Srimath SimhaasanEshwari;

Chitagni kunda sambootha; 

Devakaarya samudhyatha;

Udyadh bhanu sahasraabhaa;

Chathur baahu samanvitha;

Raaga swaroopa bhashatya;

Krodhakarangu sojwala

ManO roopEkshu kodhanda;

Pancha than-maathra saayaka;

Nijaaruna prabha poora majjath brahmaanda mandala ;

***

Sri = Title of Respect

Matha = Mother

1 Sri Maatha = First name addresses her as 'THE MOTHER' . She is the mother of entire universe. Universal Mother. Creator of all  sentient and in-sentient things. Primary source of all that is, was and will be.

Maha = Vast / unlimited

Raajni = Queen

2 Sri Mahaaraajni = Ruler of the kingdom (universe). Her role here is to Maintain or sustain the creation. Maha Raajni, ie Greatest ruler. Primary in hierarchy.

Srimath= Title of respect

Simha = Lion

Aasana = throne

Ishwari = Goddess

3 Srimath SimhaasanEshwari = One who rides the lion, Sits on the throne of lion. Seated on ferocious lion to mean she has control over entire creation.  She 'tames' every aspect of creation.

Chith = Pure – Consciousness – ‘soul’

Agni-kunda = fire-pit 

Sambhootha = she arose (not created...she was swayambu or self-manifested)

4 Chithagni kunda sambhootha = Self-manifested from the fire of consciousness (pure consciousness - soul)

Deva = Devas(Gods)

Karya = work, task

Samudyatha = offer - engaged in

5 Deva kaarya samudhyatha = One who helps devas i.e. Gods. We can also interpret the naama as ‘one who helps jeeva(mortal soul(s)) to do virtuous tasks.’

Udhyadh