Month: September 2015

GOD AS MOTHER : NAMES 81 TO 90

LALITHA SAHASRANAMA ललिता सहस्रनाम    MAI SAHASRANAMA माई सहस्रनाम 

81) Mahaa-paashupata-astra-agni-nirdagdha-asura-sainikaa

महापाशुपतास्त्राग्निनिर्दग्धासुरसैनिका – She burnt up the army with the fire of the astra (weapon ) called Mahaapaashupata(महापाशुपत) . ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 81

After that the grace has been fruitful to this extent She burns away the army, which means the long lingering undetectable Vaasanaas the fundamental rootlets of different desires.

Please differentiate “vanquishing” and “burning” as the latter means total annihilation and not mere control. The army of Daityaas ( demons)means mental modifications due to ignorance. The fire of Mahaapaashupataastra महापाशुपतास्त्र means the burning power created as a result of belief and practice of the non-duality arising from and increasing with devotion.

82) Kaameshvaraatra-agni-nirdagdha-sa-Bhandaasura-shunyakaa

कामेश्वरास्त्रनिर्दग्धसभण्डासुरशून्यका – Bhandaasura with his army was burnt up by the (Love) fire of the (weapon of) Kaameshvara. 

ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 82

It is after so many efforts that the superior devotee becomes finally able to kill Bhandaasura by the Fire of Love which he bears to Mother. The subtle point to be noted here is that, although Mother has helped the devotee all throughout, the demon is finally killed by the Kaameshvar. This means that the liberation work of oneself is to be done by oneself alone.

83) Brahmopendra-Mahendraadideva-samstuta-vaibhavaa 

ब्रह्मोपेन्द्रमहेन्द्रादिदेवसंस्तुतवैभवा – Her supreme power is praised by Brahmaa, Vishnu, Mahendra and others ( deities). ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 83

Her wonderful royal sportivity is praised by all the three big deities for these reasons.Firstly, She Herself gradually brings about the evolution and salvation of Her devotee, secondly, She takes no credit to Herself and shows to the world that the success is achieved by Her devotee himself as the Asura (demon) was finally burnt by the devotee and not Herself and thirdly, She Herself again would restore Bhanda to life as will be seen from the next name.
84) Hara-netraagni-sandagdha-kaama-sanjivana-aushadhih 

हरनेत्राग्निसंदग्धकामसंजीवनौषधिः – She was the life-giving medicine to Manmatha मन्मथ (God of Love)who was burnt up from the fire from the eye of Shiva.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 84

The question may arise. Is this evil a powerful enemy of Mother ? No, even the evil is of Her own making and indispensable to supply the material to Her devotee for practicing and experiencing the needful to realise Mother, and therefore, She sees that evil does remain in the world and is not entirely extinguished. Good and evil

both belong to Mother and are of Her making. One is needed for the other.She sees that none is powerful enough to wipe out the  existence of the other.

Under Mai conception, in reality, there is nothing like absolute good or absolute evil. Good and evil are simply relative terms. One helps the soul directly, the other indirectly. If one is the achievable , the other is the indirect means of achieving. Evil is seemingly dirty manure to which the sweetest fruit of “good” often owes its exsistance. In Mother’s Lodge philosophy , there is no hatred for evil and no possibility of  destroying evil, once for all and ever . By sublimation, the worst vices may be transmuted to be the best virtues.  What is required is the Energy and the success on sublimation, both of which depend on Mother’s and guru’s Grace alone.

In another view, there is nothing bad. Everything is good, though of different grades. Where the judge enters, there the barrier line is formed; and what is below the bar receives a relative name of “evil”.

The good and bad are, therefore, mere making of its maker.

The Mai-ist outlook is different from that of an average follower of any individual religion.  This goal is not to do something secretly for himself to save himself from miseries in his seclusion. The Mai-istic fabric is raised on ” being oneself and harmless and useful member of a large family of the Mother “.

The true foundations of Mai creed are different in their very initial forms.Thus the Mai-ist has the greater disposition towards what may be called ” Sahajaavasthaa ” सहजावस्था, Causal State. as-it-may-please-Mother living”. The evil should not be permitted to harass the good, and the good shall not be permitted to humiliate evil beyond certain limits. No downright denouncing of evil, no sky-reaching resounding of good. Be extremely alert, understand the working and act best to achieve your goal. If you cannot withstand the temptation after having done your best, do not deprecate yourself, do not despond. Suffer cheerfully, be wiser through your folly; if a thorn has pricked you, well run to Mother. She will slap you but will remove the thorn. There is no great superiority of the thorn unpricked or inferiority of the thorn-pricked. Gradually and cheerfully go towards the goal with faith in Mother’s protection and Guru’s guidance.

 

85) Srimat-vaagbhava-kutaika-svarupa-mukha-pankajaa

श्रीमद्वाग्भवकूटैकस्वरूपमुखपंकजा – Her Lotus Face represents the divine Vaagbhava group ( a group of syllables in the pancha-dashi mantra).ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 85

The Panchadashi Mantra पंचदशी मंत्र has three portions, the first of which corresponds to the topmost portion of the Mother’s  physical body,viz., the face . Shrimat (divine) श्रीमत means having power of conferring wisdom and other exalted powers. Vaagabhava means that by which a person attains the power of speech.The Vaagbhava-kuta वाग्भवकूट is the group of five syllables,viz., ka, e, i, la, hrim.( क, ए, ई, ल, ह्रीं )
86) Kanthaadha-kati-paryanta-madhya-kuta-svarupini

कण्ठाधःकटिपर्यन्तमध्यकूटस्वरूपिणी – The central portion from the throat to the waist represents the Madhyakuta. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 86

Madhyakuta, is called Kaamaraaja-kuta कामराजकूट also as (Kaama) the desire to liberate Her devotees resides in Mother’s heart. This kuta has a group of six syllables,viz., ha, sa, ka, ha, la, hrim.( ह, स, क, ह, ल, ह्रीं )
87) Shakti-kutaika-taapanaa-katyadho-bhaaga-dhaarini 

शक्तिकूटैकतापन्नकट्यधोभागधारिणी – The lower portion from the waist downwards represents Shaktikuta.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 87

This is a group of four syllables, viz., sa, ka, la, hrim.( स, क, ल, ह्रीं )

Thus the first group of Mantras represents – Mother’s portion from head to chin, the face and knowledge, and is called Vaag-Bhava-Kuta and contains five letters, viz. ka, e, i, la, hrim.

The second group represents Mother’s portion from throat to waist and heart and desire, and is called Kaam-Raaja-Kuta or Madhya-Kuta and consists six letters, viz., ha,sa, ka, ha, la, hrim. 

The third group represents Mother’s portion from waist to toe, Lotus Feet and action, and is called Shakti-Kuta. The group contains four letters, viz., sa, ka, la, hrim.

Please note that, Vaagabhava Kuta is connected with Mantra repetition, Kaam-Raaja-Kuta with devotion and Shakti-Kuta with service,love and self-surrender to the Lotus Feet.

The first is connected with knowledge, the second with devotion and the third with Yoga ( Supernatural powers- Shakti) and complete self-surrender or love. The first with head, the second with heart and the third with Mulaadhaar Chakra and Lotus Feet.

Thus Mother’s Grace flows prominently along the paths of Knowledge, Devotion, Yoga and Love.No aspirant is purely of one type. Generally there is simultaneous progress, more or less on all allied planes of spiritual evolution, though sometimes knowledge and devotion are alternately in preponderance and though some are natural achievements and some acquired ones.

So often there have been strong disputes as to the superiority of one to another, and I have been so often questioned that I would record my views here, though  this is not the right place.In the first place although some are called Devotees भक्त , some Jnaanis ज्ञानी some Yogis योगी and some God-lovers प्रेमी , it is seldom that any one is the only achievement. We fancifully give exclusive names after the most prominent achievement.

The simplest view is to have very clear definitions, and very appropriate diagnosis. To explain by an illustration, in the case of a father fondling a child and the mother neglecting the child, one should not commit the blunder of arriving at a universal conclusion that every father loves a child more than the mother. It should however be clearly seen that a particular father is rather a mother and a particular mother is rather a father. The error should be located correctly.

Going by essence and not by conclusions wrongly made from wrong premises about the lives, names and achievements of certain personalities, these distinctions should be viewed thus. A Jnaani ज्ञानी is one who knows the smallest detail everything including how to attain God and salvation. A devotee is extremely desirous of being in accompaniment with God. A yogi is practitioner of visualising

God with Glory and Power. Finally the lover is the enjoyer and desirous of being one with God.

In a word jnanin tells you how to get, an inferior devotee (Guana Bhakta -गौण भक्त ) desires to get, a yogi gets a stealthy glimpse by effort,  a superior devotee or a God-lover

(Paraa-Bhakta परा भक्त) is happy extremely with believing God to be as it were in his possession. The God-lover first swallows up God and then gets himself swallowed up by God. The Founder often prays ” Oh, Mother, I have first imprisoned thee in my heart and then handed over myself to Thee  as Thy prisoner to be done with as Thou desirest.”
88) Mula-mantraat-mikaa मूलमंत्रात्मिका – She is the root Mantra itself. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 88 

Mula means root. This is the fifteen-syllabled mantra known as Panchadashi पंचदशी मन्त्र. This Panchadashi Mantra is  ka,e,i,la,hrim,|| ha,sa,ka,ha,la,hrim || sa,ka,la, hrim || 

 [ क ए ई ल ह्रीं । ह स क ह ल ह्रीं । स क ल ह्रीं । ] The three portions are called Kutas.

She is the soul of all mantras. This means that mere repetition without love and faith does not give the desired result just as a lifeless body can help in no way.A further meaning sought to be conveyed by some Mai-ists , who have tried so many other Mantras, is that Her sacred name Jay Mai Jay Markand Mai जय माई जय मार्कण्ड माई has by repetition given more efficacious and quicker result than so many other mantras.

Mai-ist should not however jump to this  Mantra. But first practice Mai(माई), next Jai Mai (जय माई), next Aum Shrim Jay Mai (ॐ श्रीं जय माई), next Aim Shreem Jay mai ( एें श्रीं जय माई), then Aim Klim Sauhoo (एें क्लीं सौः). When he begins to see in dreams a beautiful park with beautifully carved out roads, and feels the joys of spring with peacocks, cuckoos, etc. therein, and when Mother in the form of a young girl within teens is seen playing with Her maids  with a flower ball or in company with some devotees of Mother or any other enjoying position, it should be understood that the achievement of the Mantra has been fully perfected ( siddha सिध्द).

Some Mai-ists even without a preliminary idea see in a dream Mother in the relieving posture over a couch supported by four legs which show movement. Some see a big hall with hundreds of most beautiful maids, surrounding a throne on which Mother is seen seated. Each dream has its own significance and is generally indicative of the stage of the devotee who dreams. 

I do not mind being called Blined-faithed but I give these details because I wish a religion to be spoken of with a scientific and precise accuracy. I am sick of over-exaggeration and falsehood in matter of religion and religious experiences. The conclusions can be bombarded with any new theories or beliefs to the contrary, but experiences themselves would not leave any room for discredited.

“Aim”एें increases mutual love between devotee and Mother,as that between Mother and son.Repetition of Aim, Aim, Aim will become Mai, Mai, Mai, Mother, Mother, Mother”. Shreem श्रीं will give prosperity, Hrim ह्रीं  will make the devotee feel ashamed of what he is and will confer knowledge, on realising that he is unworthy, wicked and ignorant. Klim क्लीं will give him attractive power. Aim एें will perfect his love to Mother, Klim क्लीं will perfect his love to the universe and Sauhoo will establish identity between him and all and Mother.

Considered from the point of evolution, AIM एें means fattered soul or JIVA. Hrim ह्रीं is knowledge or Vidya or Mother’s Grace and Klim क्लीं means liberated soul, full of love for all.

Thus, between the fattered soul and liberated soul there is only one thing, viz. the bashful young mother’s Grace.The idea is very clear from (1) Jivah, Shivah, Shivo, Jeevah; (2) Sah, Jeevah, Sah, Sadaashivah; (3) Paasha, Baddah, Sadaajivah; (4)Paasha, Mukta Sadaashivah.  Fettered soul is (will be) liberated soul. Liberated soul is (was)fettered soul. The soul that has been bound up by Mother by Her noose is ever fettered (in spite of any efforts of himself and others). The soul which is delivered from the noose is forever a liberated soul in the end, even if there are ups and downs.

A Jeeva जीव or a soul means a person possessed with the idea of egoism, who believes himself to be the sole director of the eight groups, viz.,(Puryashtaka), (1) five organs of action; (2) five organs of knowledge;(3)five vital airs; (4) Manas, Buddhi, Chitta,and Ahankaar ( explained before); (5) five elements, (6) assets and  liabilities of actions and reactions  Karma; (7) desires and emotions, Karma and (8) on the top of everything ignorance, imperfection and controllessness, i.e., Avidyaa (अविद्या).

By extinction of attachment, the idea of his embodiment is destroyed, and by relinquishing the idea that he is the director of the eight groups above described, he gets over egotism.

When the Jeeva is released from egotism and even embodiment, and is beyond any influence of the cause for embodiment and of the elements embodying him, he becomes Shiva or self realised or Mukta or freed.

It is on the strength of this absolute truth that Mai-ists advocate no hate, no envy, no superiority complex. A Mai-ist must have been the most sensitive balance for judging his own actions thoughts and desires, but when he views others , he must have this view,” The highest saint of today might have been the greatest devil of yesterday. The difference of the highest and lowest man is nothing compared to what Mother’s Grace can do.”

 Mantra is derived from man (मन) repetition and tra (त्र)protection and means that it protects those who repeat it.

89) Mula-kuta-traya-kale-varaa मूलकूटत्रयकलेवरा – Possessing the body consisting of the three divisions of the root (Mantra).ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 89

90) Kula-amritaika-rasikaa कुलामृतैकरसिका – She has special fondness for the nectar of Kula. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 90

“It is not that She is fond of drinking nectar, but She is fond of giving a nectar shower or a nectar bath,” to Her truest devotees children.

” The Shakti called Kundalini in the form of a serpent, beautiful, fine as a lotus fiber, resides in the Mulaadhaara , biting the pericarp of the Mulaadhaara ,which is like the pericarp of a lotus, with its tail in its mouth.”

Seated comfortably, the aspirant should force the breath upwards. By the compression of the breath, or by devotion and meditation, the fire within blazes up.By the force of this blaze, Kundalini wakes up and breaks through the knots as well as the six lotuses. This energy reaches the Sahasraar-chakra and the ecstatic condition then experienced is known as the supreme state (para परा), and is the cause of the final beatitude.

EXTRACT FROM THE BOOK : MOTHER AND MOTHER’S THOUSAND NAMES

AUTHOR : MAI SWARUP MAI MARKAND 

MAI NIWAS, SARASWATI ROAD END, SANTA CRUZ WEST MUMBAI 400054 INDIA

 

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GOD AS MOTHER : NAMES 71 TO 80

LALITHA SAHASRANAM ललिता सहस्रनाम   MAI SAHASRANAM माई सहस्रनाम 

71) Jwaalaamaali-nikaakshiptaa-vahni-praakaara-madhyagaa

 ज्वालामालिनिकाक्षिप्तवह्निप्राकारमध्यगा – She is in the centre of the blaze of fire throwing out sparks. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 71

All this seeming protection from outside against enemies and the army paraphernalia is more for dignity. The real thing is that whatever appears as a spheroidal fire-blazing protective stronghold enveloping Herself, radiates from Herself.

There is a reference that while Mother was fighting accompanied by the army of Her Shaktis against demon, the demon said, “Why do you get proud of defeating me ? It is the power of thy shaktis and not Thyself “. The Mother answered him saying “These are only my splendors and my own aspects. There is none except myself “, and on Her replying so, all the Shaktis entered Her.

This name can also be taken to mean “She that most miraculously creates sparks of devotion in the midst of blazes of fire of calamities, in the case of the devotees.”

 

72) Bhanda-sainya-vadhodyuktaa-shakti-vikrama-harshitaa भण्डसैन्यवधोद्युक्तशक्तिविक्रमहर्षिता She is delighted at the activity of the Shaktis that are prepared to destroy the army of Bhanda. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 72

Bhanda, the fettered soul, has his army of the ideas of duality, ignorance, evil, illegitimate, immoral, and unrighteous desires, vices, etc. 

Mother is delighted at the gradual betterment of Her devotees in their plane of worldly ideas, aims, intentions, and actions. When a man enjoys even but  a small portion of true  Bliss, the veil of ignorance is destroyed and the machinery of increasing causes and effects by mutual action and reaction is set to work speedily.

” When a person does not recognise Mother and Mother’s Grace , he gets bewildered by his own  energies and is involved in full worldwormness.”

When a person does not recognise the exsistance of his own powers , some energies take advantage of his weakness.

The latent energies within have two aspects viz. subjective ( Pashubhumikaaa पशुभूमिका ) and objective ( Patibhumikaa पतिभूमिका  ), i.e. leading to brutality or to sovereignty. Just as there are red and white corpuscles of opposite nature in a human body, so are there a lower and higher mind as well. There is a constant struggle for superiority and victory between these two minds and their energies.The degenerating energies can be killed out by ameliorating energies only. Once developed, the germ of knowledge or devotion or wisdom or self-control continues to increase.All material things perish by too great use, but these faculties, powers and tendencies, once they take root in the heart, continue to grow.

 

73) Nityaa-paraakramaa-topa-nirikshana-samutsukaa

नित्यपराक्रमाटोपनिरीक्षणसमुत्सुका – She rejoices at beholding the rising valor of the Nityaas.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 73

Nityaa means those powers who constantly reside near Her.

Nityaas are similarly the eternal ameliorating energies of the soul. Nityaas are similarly the presiding powers over each of the fifteen days in the bright and black fortnights.And if the latter are gracious, every day that passes makes the Mother’s devotee better and better in some field or other and makes him evolve and progress most speedily.

 

74) Bhanda-putra-vadhodyukta-baalaa-vikrama-nanditaa

भण्डपुत्रवधोद्युक्तबालाविक्रमनन्दिता – She rejoices in the valour of Baalaa, (who is) ready to slay the sons of Bhanda.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 74

Baalaa means innocence, selflessness purity, etc. as an aspect of Mother, of a nine years young girl who destroys small impurities and evil tendencies of the daily routine life , such as little falsehoods , little cheatings, little selfishness ,little pleasure, little indulgence and other little things , so often unnoticed and not minded. Mother begins the progress of her devotees by making him practise great cautiousness in matter of smallest things, the so-called trivialities.

 

75) Mantrinyambaa-virachita-vishanga-vadha-toshitaa 

मन्त्रिण्यम्बाविरचितविषंगवधतोषिता She is delighted at the destruction of Vishanga made by mother Mantrini.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 75

Vishanga and Vishukra are the two brothers of Bhanda. Vishanga is perversion of life-conduct, poisoned judgment and craving for worldly objects. Vishukra is wasteful thinking and action. The perversion is removed by correct thinking and wasteful-ness  by right action.

76) Vishukra-praana-harana-vaaraahi-virya-nanditaa 

विशुक्रप्राणहरणवाराहीवीर्यनन्दिता – Rejoicing in he strength of Vaaraahi the sucker of the life of Vishukra. Vaaraahi  वाराही is Danda Naatha दण्डनाथ or Dandini दण्डिनी.  ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 76

77) Kaameshvara-mukhaaloka-kalpita-shri-ganeshvaraa

कामेशवरमुखालोककल्पितश्रीगणेश्वरा – Shri Ganeshvara was formed by Her glances at Kaameshvara.ललितासहस्रनामस्तोत्र,नामक्रमांक 77

Just as Kaamesha कामेश  and Kaameshvaraa कामेश्वर are different, so are Ganesh गणेश and Ganeshvara  गणेश्वर different. Ganesh is determination and discrimination and Ganeshvara is destroyer of doubt.

If, after that wasteful action is eliminated and evil company is shunned by judicious action and right thinking, the devotee has mastered his desires, i.e., has become Kaameshvar, Mother smiles at him with approbation for his struggles and success. What arises from this smile is the destruction of all doubts ( the destroyer being Ganeshvara) about Mother’s existence, Her readiness to help Her devotees, the final law of action and reaction and the conviction that each experience takes him along way Mother-ward.

78) Mahaa-ganesha-nirbhinna-vighnayantrapraharshitaa

महागणेशनिर्भिन्नविघ्नयन्त्रप्रहर्षिता – She is delighted at the great Ganesha’s breaking the obstacle formed of the magic figure.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 78

Impurities, wasteful action and evil company being eliminated, if one devotes oneself to Mother, Mother showers the Grace of destruction of all doubts.The magic figure which mean insoluble problems as creation of universe, life after death, re-incarnation.etc. cease to frighten or confuse the devotee and to form barriers, in relation with or progress towards Mother.

Magic figure which forms the main obstacle is the delusion and limitedness, which confines the soul to a certain restricted field of thought, imagination, emotion and action, etc. Beyond this little square like the four sides of a well in which the frog lives, he cannot peep.Everything else that surpasses those limits is not believed as existing or even possible. It is this magic square which is responsible for so much misunderstanding,alienship, hatred, differences, atheism, quarreling and all the evils. That pitiable little worldworm finds his heaven and salvation in that little magic square. This square and infatuation of the square is broken by (1) destruction of doubt about Mother’s existence (2) the conviction about the infallibility of Karma Law (3) the conviction that there is a method and a remedy (4) practice with faith, viz., that he is capable of achieving final success through that remedy.

79) Bhandaasurendra-nirmukta-shastra-pratyastra-varshini

भण्डासुरेन्द्रनिर्मुक्तशस्त्रप्रत्यस्त्रवर्षिणी – She is showering missiles in response to the weapons thrown by Bhandaasura. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 79

After this stage is reached,viz., that doubts have disappeared and the aberration about the said great truths has ceased, the lower mind makes very strong efforts to throw the man overboard. these are the missiles of Bhandaasura, and these missiles mean the last temptations. But when the devotee is thus tried, being pushed into the eternal abyss of delusion by Bhandaasura, Mother is equally alert and She is showering Her Grace in so many ways and of so many varied efficiencies and through so many sources. 

80) Karaanguli-nakhotpanna-naaraayana-dashaakritih

करांगुलिनखोत्पन्ननारायणदशाकृतिः  From the nails of Her ten Lotus Feet and fingers the ten qualities of Naaraayana-ship ( supreme Godhood of a single universe ) spring.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 80

The Grace is showered from the nails, i.e., on meditation of and on prostration to Her Lotus Feet, as a result of which there arises the fully perfected condition. In the usual proverb from ” Nara to Naaraayan “[ नर से नारायण ], (from manhood to godhood), the meaning Naaraayan as “perfect”, is clear. Also, Dashaa दशा means condition and Kriti कृति means act. From Her Nails proceeds Her act of raising the devotee to the “perfect” condition. And there should be absolutely no doubtfulness or wonderfulness about it, because the ten incarnations  of Vishnu have sprung from Mother’s finger nails . It is stated that the ten Avataars दशावतार (incarnations) having sprung from Her finger ends, and having done their godly miraculous work, stood before her with folded hands, for any further orders , to be carried out.

And this perfection takes place, through the instrumentality of higher and higher, and still higher energies following one after another from the rays , causing greater and greater evolution. this is shown by the avataars themselves of Vishnu, the protecting deity of the Trinity. These are the fish, the tortoise, the boar, the man-lionनृसिंह, the dwarf वामन, the primitive axe carrying Parashuram, Rama, Balaram, Krishna and Kalki, which generally represents the higher and higher forms of evolution of life inhabiting our Earth.From the meditation of the Lotus Feet the devotee begins to know Mother as the origin of the different wonderful energies which have maintained the equilibrium of the universe. He further gets control over the five states of a jiva or a soul, viz., the wakeful जागृति, dreaming स्वप्न, sleepingसुषुप्ति, ecstatic तुर्या and ultra-ecstatic परा and also over the powers of creationउत्पत्ति, preservationस्थिति and destructionलय, disappearance and re-appearance which fully belong to Mother, and within certain limitations are gifted to the souls as well, in their small little-soul-creations.

EXTRACT FROM: MOTHER AND MOTHER’S THOUSAND NAMES
AUTHOR: MAI SWARUP MAI MARKAND 

MAI NIWAS, SARASWATI ROAD END, SANTA CRUZ WEST MUMBAI 400054 INDIA

GOD AS MOTHER : NAMES 61 TO 70

LALITHA SAHASRANAM   ललिता सहस्रनाम      MAI SAHASRANAM माई सहस्रनाम 

61) Sudhaasaagara-madhyasthaa सुधासागरमध्यस्था – Residing in the centre of the ocean of nectar, with which the city is surrounded.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 61

Some of the principal places of Her residence are enumerated as:-

(1) Mountain, (2) City, (3) Happy home, (4) Lotus forest (5)Kadamba groves and (6) Ocean.

Mountain is golden and miraculously herbed. City is full of civilization. Home is seat of sacrificing, fraternal and parental love and sheltering place for guests, hungry, distressed, etc. Forests represent renunciation. Groves represent sportivity. Ocean represents immortality.

Thus She is prominently present wherever there is an over poweringness of Royalty, Civility, Hospitality, Sportivity and immortality, affording a happy and wonderful combination of even contrasts.

62) Kaamaakshi कामाक्षी –Lovely eyed. She to whom Her devotees are as dear as Her own eyes.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 62 

63) Kaamadaayini कामदायिनी –The fulfiller of desires. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 63

64) Devarshigana sanghaata stuyamaanaatma vaibhavaa 

देवर्षिगणसंघातस्तूयमानात्मवैभवा – Her power is praised by the assemblies of multitudes of Devaas and Rishis.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 64

Mother is “lovely-eyed” and “fulfiller of all desires.” Mother is a wonderful player in both fields of opposites, so that She is equally praised by Devaas full of desires and greatness and abundance of all enjoyments, as also by Rishis the masters of Siddhis, divine knowledge, meditation and renunciation, etc.

65) Bhandaasura-vadhodyukta-shakti-senaa-samanvitaa  

भण्डासुरवधोद्युक्तशक्तिसेनासमन्विता – She is endowed with an army of Shaktis (powers) for the sake of slaying the sinful-suggesting and life-sucking in-dweller.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक  65 

There is a belief in many religions that there is a Satan or a devil,who drives away one towards sinfulness. Here the idea is that there is an in-dweller within every being, something like the personification of the lower mind, who is an unavoidable being, being co-existent with the embodied and imprisoned soul, afflicted with ignorance, impermanency, limitedness, pain, sorrow, fear, etc.

The best way of breaking this In-dweller’s power is prostration to Mother’s Lotus Feet, as by falling flat before Mother’s Lotus Feet, the in-dweller is within our grip, being pressed between the ground and our heavy body. He can be emaciated and annihilated in course of time by the all-evil-consuming rays rushing from the Lotus Feet, the fingers and the nails which while coursing through our head and heart up to the toe and returning to Mother’s Feet, take away a large portion of our worldly attachment and consciousness.

Asura असुर is made of Asu असु, meaning life and ra र meaning to take away. Asura असुर therefore means he who takes away life. Mythologically Bhandaasura was a demon born from the ashes of the God of love after he was burnt by Shiva. Philosophically the outlook about good and evil should be widened on knowing that evil is only offspring of love itself, but when misplaced.“Bhanda” भण्ड means beautiful to look and hellish to deal with, wrathful and shameless, apologising and repeating the same sins and harassments again & again.”Bhandaasura”  

भण्डासुर may also mean a fettered soul and to destroy him means to transmute a bound soul to be a free soul.

As there are many further descriptive names, it is better to go side by side , with different meanings comprising concrete and abstract conceptions , and literal and philosophical interpretations. The reader of the book like this is expected to do much of the gap-filling, sorting and similar work, himself. There must be an ample field for him to exercise  his own faculties, to serve himself and Mother. 

The Mother’s army consists of Ganesha and Bhairava and Shaktis. Ganesha means determination after discrimination, and Bhairava means strong and perseverant, whole-hearted, nothing-sparring effort. Shaktis means powers which are best gained and awakened by Mother’s meditation, as Meditation has creative power.

66) Sampatkari-samaarudha-sindhura-vraja-sevitaa 

संपत्करीसमारूढसिंधूरव्रजसेविता – Attended by herds of elephants conducted by Sampatkari.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 66

To these elements of discrimination, determination, and efforts, is added the cheerfulness which is the fulness of the joyous state of mind, with patience.

Elephants are known for wisdom and their quite and cheerful disposition. In one word they are of Saatvik, i.e., equipoised and discriminative nature.Elephant-goad is previously stated to represent control or knowledge. So Sampatkari is the knowledge-energy of the three energies.

67) Ashvaarudha-adhishtita-ashva-koti-koti-bhiraavritaa

 अश्वारूढाधिष्ठिताश्वकोटिकोटिभिरावृता –Surrounded by many crores of horses conducted by Ashvaarudha.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 67

The power of Ashvaarudha sprang from the noose of Lalitaa and ran in front of Mother with a great speed, riding a horse called Aparaajitaa अपराजिता ( The invincible ), and crores of swift horses followed Her.The senses are called horses. Arudhaa अरूढा means rider (of horses), the controller of the senses, i.e., mind.

What is meant by Ashvaarudha riding, followed by crores of horses, is that She directs and drives endless sense-impressions in millions of minds simultaneously. Thus Ashvaarudhaa is full of Raajasik,राजसिक i.e., active nature. The noose represents desire, and Ashvaarudhaa may be taken to mean energy of desire.

Viewing Mother as in battle field She has in Her army:- first, elephants with Sampatkari संपतकरी , then horses with Ashvaarudhaa अश्वारूढा, next Dandini दण्डिनी, then Mantrini मन्त्रिणी and then She Herself. Dandini दण्डिनी, Mantrini मन्त्रिणी and Herself are seated each in a chariot.

Dandini rides forth with a rod in her hand and is a power of action. She proclaims the advent of Mother striking fear and establishes the consciousness about the final supremacy of the powers of Mother that follows. Mantrini who next follows is the intimate minister of Mother for discussion, decision and propagation of the simplest welfare remedy of repeating Her names with sacred Mantras Praise Hymns, etc.

Viewed from the point of view of the inner life, while conquering the inner foes , it becomes apparent that the first thing is that the knowledge of our imperfection & bondage.(Sampatkari). The second thing is the strong desire to do everything to be, be liberated. (Ashvaarudhaa).The third thing is breaking all obstructions with the rod. Say, by making chitta-shuddhi or attaining purity of mind by hard struggle, by penance, by becoming enemy of oneself, and by undergoing rigid observances, etc.(Dandini). The fourth thing is Grace which is the result of Mantra repetition, devotion, praising Mother,etc. (Mantrini). The fifth and last thing is the acceptance by mother Herself, on perfecting what still remains as imperfection.

To understand and appreciate Mother’s names one great truth should be constantly borne in mind, viz., the underlying idea of the intense spirit during the repetition of all descriptions is that Mother makes Her devotee to be what She is described as, and that Her devotee becomes Mother like by either Her special making or by natural psychic law of ” We become what we meditate upon,” or by the combination of both Grace and unifying meditation.

Thus when we describe Mother as victorious over worst enemies, apparently, there is no propriety of saying so when Mother is all in all, but the spirit behind the idea of repeating the name, and of praising Her with these words is that the devotee becomes victorious over his worst enemies.“ 

68) Chakraraaja-rathaarudha-sarvaayudha-parishkritaa 

 चक्रराजरथारूढसर्वायुधपरिष्कृता –  Seated in the chariot named Chakraraaja, She is armed with all the weapons. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 68

The king of chariots, Chakraraaja, belongs to the great Queen Mother and it carries Ananda flag, the flag of Bliss.

It should be noted Mother alone has weapons and she has all weapons. The other two can help, but not finally and fully.

“She has all weapons.” This means that however wicked or weak you may be, that can be set right in no time by Mother’s Grace. Bliss which represents the flag is secured for them that are under Her banner.

For a very mediocre devotee who prays for immediate relief or gain, Chakra means all different vicissitudes of life, the various ups and downs. She is the Raaj राज (Master) of them. TheDisposer of them. She is always ready for earliest flight to the devotee being Rathaarudha i.e., mounted in chariot, with all weapons, i.e., remedies to secure relief to the devotee against all kinds of enemies or obstructions , as of personal imperfections or worldly in-congenialities, etc.

69) Geyachakra-rathaarudha-mantrini-pari-sevitaa 

गेयचक्ररथारूमन्त्रिणीपरिसेविता – She is attended by Mantrini who rides the chariot Geyachakra. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 69

By Geya the simplest meaning may be taken to be “praiseworthy”. Geya means worthy of singing or carrying singing as in modern radio-furnished motors. Geya chariot may be taken to be chariot ” connected with praise ,” i.e., sympathetic with the pedestrians on the spiritual path of praising, singing psalms, etc., i.e., devotion to Mother.

70) Kirichakrarathaarudha-dandanaathaa-puraskritaa 

किरिचक्ररथारूढदण्डनाथापुरस्कृता – She is preceded by Danadanaatha, who rides Her chariot Kirichakra. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 70

Kiri means boar.The chariot is drawn by boars. Kirichakra-mounting is riding rough-shod.

Taking the case of very mediocre devotee, to start with, Dandanaatha दण्डनाथ same as Dandini दण्डिनी, helps him by giving him strength to override rough conditions and sometimes also by saving him from consequences of others riding rough-shod over him. Next, Mantrini मन्त्रिणी saves him from the evils of worldliness and of temporary happy living, by constantly reminding him of the Mother’s lotus Feet, and of the supreme truth, that whatever good has fallen to his lot is due to Her Grace. 

 

 

GOD AS MOTHER : NAMES 51 TO 60

LALITHA SAHASRANAM  ललिता सहस्रनाम           MAI SAHASRANAMA माई सहस्रनाम

51) Sarvaabharanbhaasuraa सर्वाभरणभासुरा – Adorned with every ornament. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 51

52) Shiva-kaameshvaraankasthaa शिवकामेश्वरांकास्था – ललितासहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 52  

Mother says to the devotee,” I have been the worshipped and Mother for innumerable lives to thee. Now let me be the worshipper and the daughter to serve thee after so many endless and indescribable miseries that you have suffered for me.”

She as daughter is the sitter in the lap of Her devotee at this stage.

This idea I got at the worshipping place of my most revered old friend Kaushikarambhai V Mehta.
When I went to him, he offered me with great love the best dish of almonds, sugar-candy etc.I would not eat though he repeatedly asked me to eat. The fact was that I do not eat or drink anything without dedication to Mother and I was too shy. My throat was chocked. In a piteous voice I sang two lines by way of an answer. ” Mother, tell me whether you are  Mother and I am son, or I am an old Father and you are my darling lovely daughter! ” Generally, whenever parents gets best dainties to eat, children’s remembrance stops the morsel going down the throat. It was this experience which made joyful and dancing and I said to myself, I have found the meaning of Shiva-kaameshvaraankasthaa.
That Mother takes a fancy and delight to be the devotee’s daughter is not an inappropriate idea. It is only fools who always prefer to be the worshipped and never the worshippers. 

There was a living instance in Bengal, the Blessed home of Mother Worship and the birth province of  Her Blessed son,Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

A devotee extremely poor once desired to celebrate Durga Pooja festival and went to fetch his daughter for the purpose from her husband’s house. The husband’s family was extremely rich and the members of the family drove out the devotee stating that he was a fool to expect that his daughter who was the queen of the family, which would be celebrating the festival gloriously with grand dinners, would be rolling half-starving at her father’s house.
The devotee returned and on the road journey wept under a tree at the first half of the journey. At the second half he found his daughter shouting out to him to stop. The daughter stated weeping that after his departure there was an exchange of harsh words and she was turned out to her father. The daughter said,” Father, do not worry. You have been old. My husband has given me immeasurable wealth. We shall live together and I will serve you for your life.” The father was still more miserable. Not only he was spurned but his daughter was turned out. The daughter served him shampooing and with most delicate love actually fondling old father- Durga Poojaa was celebrated with devotion gloriousness and lavish spending, in a manner which surprised the whole province. On the ninth night she sat in the devote’s lap in full ecstasy and asked him,” father , tell me honestly, don’t you repent, having taken this idiosyncrasy of devotion to Mother.” The devotee said,” My darling, you are yet too young to have any idea of my love for Mother.”  Next morning the daughter was missing. 


On inquiry it was learnt that his real daughter had not left her husband’s house.
Mother often desires the fanciful pleasure of being the devotee’s daughter. She feels joy of sitting in his lap.
Reader, I am free with thee as we are soon to part, after a few pages. Weep and weep out of love for Mother, if you are a devotee. If you are a heartless learned one , laugh at my folly of wasting my breath in wilderness. Mother has been given Her right status by few devotees. Most of the devotees have understood Her to be stern and awful. Some have exploited Her Grace and Mercy. Very few have loved Mother as Mother.But here the love has been of such an immeasurable intensity that unlike the most universal truth that the Mother fondles the child , the devotee fondles the old Mother, who has been neglected and discarded  by the ungrateful universe.

In love when there is monotony due to the climax of loving in a particular relationship, there is still greater pleasure in inverting the relationship, just as when you have read a book for times without number, you like to read it from last chapter to the first. It is this idea which gives clue to the inversion of the letters of a Mantra.
It is higher than the highest stage of natural love. The natural relationship is one of the schools of the devotees is for woman devotee to consider herself as beloved of Lord Krishna, and some male devotees too as in the Raadhaa-Vallabha school , consider themselves to be Gopis i.e., the beloved of Lord Krishna. On the above lines there is higher than the highest, and it is when the devotee considers God as his beloved.

53) Shivaa शिवा – The beneficial.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 53

The energy underlying what becomes beneficial through perception, right understanding, true knowledge, practical wisdom, impartial seeing, long fore-sighted thinking, charitable considering, concentrated remembering,healthy conceiving, determined wiling,disinterested loving, legitimate desiring.etc., is a gift and grace of Mother.
The Daanavas and the Devas are on equal relations to Mother; She does good (Shivaa) to all beings.Hence Mother is known as  Shivaa. She is Shivaa because She confers on Her worshippers natural purity, stainless qualities, superiority, supporting power,supremacy and immortality.

She who has assumed the energising aspect connected with one and varied consciousness, who is intellect, without attributes, self-shining, unchangeable, supreme bliss, and the cause of destruction of worldly bondage, is Shivaa.

54) Svaddhina Vallabhaa स्वाधीनवल्लभा – She by whose devotion a lady becomes the master of her husband. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 54

This is so because she fills his heart with love for her and for her Mother. Such a devotee is full of love for her husband. She regains her husband though lost.

The Mantra ” Jaya Maarkand Maai Jay Maarkand Maai Svaadhina Vallabhe Jaya Maarkand Maai Jaya Maarkand Maai ” [ जय मार्कण्डमाई जय मार्कण्डमाई स्वाधीनवल्लभे जय मार्कण्ड माई जय मार्कण्डमाई ।। ] has wonderfully achieved the desired result. Maai devotees must however, be very careful, not to abuse powers nor to hope any success in illegitimate desires.The Mantra would be successful if the repeaters are faithful and obedient to their husbands. Maai will relieve you speedily of your honest grievance, provided you are humble and righteous.

Another meaning is She by whose devotion a wife regains her husband from overwhelming clouds of misery and distress or from the clutches of some higher powers.

( Saavitri सावित्री, Sachi शची and Sukanyaa सुकन्या are instances in Hindu Mythology.)

55) Sumeru-madhya-shringasthaa सुमेरूमध्यश्रृंगस्था –Dwelling on the middle peak on golden Mount Sumeru. ललितासहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नामक्रमांक 55

56) Shriman-nagara-naayikaa श्रीमन्नगरनायिका – Resident and Ruler of the beautiful city. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 56

57) Chintaamanigrihaantasthaa चिंतामणिगृहान्तस्था – Residing in a house built of Chintaamani. ललिता  सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 57

Chintaamani is that jewel which yields all the objects desired to the possessor, as soon as he meditates on Mother and makes the demand about the thing desired.

58) Pancha-brahma-asana-sthitaa पंचब्रह्मासनस्थिता – Sitting upon a seat, formed of five Brahmas. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 58

The terms state,” There is the Supreme Mother, in the supreme house built of Chintaamani gems , which on meditation, gives the desired objects. There is a great pleasant couch, whereupon Maheshvar serves as the pillow, Sadaashiva as the mat and whereof Brahmaa, Vishnu, Mahesh and Ishvar are the four supports.”

On this great couch the great Tripurasundari reclines.

59) Mahaapadmaatavisamsthaa महापद्माटवीसंस्था – Residing in the great forest of lotuses.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 59

60) Kadambavanavaasini कदम्बवनवासिनी – Living in a grove of Kadamba trees.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 60

The place of Chintaamani is surrounded by a gallery formed of gems (Manimandapa), and around this is the grove of Kadamba trees.

EXTRACT FROM : MOTHER AND MOTHER’S THOUSAND NAMES

AUTHOR : MAI SWARUP MAI MARKAND

MAI NIWAS, SARASWATI ROAD END, SANTA CRUZ WEST MUMBAI 400054 INDIA

 

 

GOD AS MOTHER : NAMES 41 TO 50

LALITHA SAHASRANAMA  ललिता सहस्रनाम      MAI SAHASRANAMA  माई सहस्रनाम

41) Indragopa parikshipta smaratunaabhajanghikaa

इन्द्रगोपपरिक्षिप्तस्मरतूणाभजंघिका – Her calves are like the sapphire-studded quivers of the God of love. ललिता सहस्र स्तोत्र,  नाम क्रमांक 41

Those that meditate upon her with themselves as shampooing Her calves , soon become Her Love-stricken slaves. By this sort of meditation, shampooing the calves, which represent five arrows of Mother previously referred to, the devotees get mastery overs the powers of agitation, attraction, liquefication, and subjugation. 
42) Gudhagulphaa गूढगुल्फा – With rounded ankles. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 42

Those are strong and round to hold the anklets, which by their tinkling sound and the dazzling light of the gems therein madden the ears and eyes of Her devotees.

The Founder’s most favourite part for meditation of Mother is an anklet. For devotional readers the devotional flight is suggested here.
43) Kurmaprishtha jayishnuprapadaanvitaa

कूर्मपृष्ठजयिष्णुप्रपदान्विता – Possessed with the convex side of her feet arched like the back of the tortoise.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 43
44) Nakhadidhiti sanchhannanamajjanatamogunaa

नखदीधितिसंछन्ननमज्जनतमोगुणा The bright rays from Her nails dispel the darkness of Her worshippers.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 44

As regard Mother’s Lotus Feet and Lotus Hands, there have been most sublime thoughts and emotions. Her one hand is described by Her best devotees (Naarada being one), as “ever uplifted, raised hand.”

Mother has always Her hand raised. Because, She is great giver Herself, and Her hand must therefore necessarily be above that of the one who receives. She is never the receiver, i.e., She will never be failing to be the highest donor in return of love and in fulfillment of devotees’ desires.

Regarding Her Lotus Feet, the best devotees have in full devotion love and sportivity said “Mother’s Lotus feet erred by their own shadow.” The interpretation of this most mysterious sentence, as explained to me, by Merciful Mother is this. As soon as devotee prostrates to Her, Mother is such an ocean in Her every atom that the bright ray from one of the nails of her Lotus Feet rushes into the heart of the devotee and transmutes all darkness and blackness in the heart to be light and whiteness, and every ray even after having done its work as a result of the climax of compassion to the devotees  does not return, lest after departure, the darkness and blackness should return and trouble the devotee and again make him miserable.

If this is the mercifulness of a single ray out of the most significant body portion as nail, who could imagine the quality and intensity and concentratedness of the mercifulness her heart?

Think of me anyway! I am blessed, although the wicked child, most graciously and mercifully blessed. These tears on getting this thought in torrent have washed out all my blackness and darkness. To-morrow I may be again full of blackness, but at this moment I am not. Mother be blessed. Mother bless all.

To continue, the Lotus Feet of Mother on seeing that the ray emanating from itself rush to the devotee’s heart and do not return, get a bit annoyed on not finding any of the rays returning and the Feet speak to themselves ‘Should these rays not have the discretion of apportioning out their beneficial blessing to the deservedness and worth of such devotee? Should they not return?

But while these Lotus Feet thus try to think and judge on the lines of requirements of strict justice, they see that millions of Devas and Asuras have been prostrating to them. On seeing their own shadow in the various-coloured jeweled crowns during the humblest prostration by the greatest of souls, their true nature of immeasurable compassion soon gets uppermost and these Lotus Feet all along go on committing the greatest error (?) Of liberating any soul whatsoever, without any consideration whatsoever of worth, deservedness or any other qualification.

Further, these Merciful Mother’s Lotus Feet, on finding that rays emanating from them do not return, and again finding their shadow in the crowns of Devas and Asuras, abruptly begin to think “To whom do we belong ? Which is our place ? Is it the Mother’s person or the crown of the greatest Devas and Asuras ? Or is it the heart of the humble devotees ?” “Do we belong to Mother? Devas or Asuras?” And they err(?), err most amiss(?), because out of their most compassionate nature very wrongly (?) they conclude that “Their real place of residence is in the heart of humblest devotees and they belong to the devotees.” Thus they err (?).

It need not be stated, to understand the above idea that the word “err” has been sarcastically used out of love to Mother.

Who shall describe the greatness of Mother’s Lotus Feet ? It is no poetry, no poetic extravagance or exaggeration. Maai method of meditation is to begin with meditation of Mother’s face. That is just for worldworm full of pride, wrath, greed, lust and desires, with only the face of a devotee, and with the face-value of the devotee. By the time you reach the meditation of Mother’s breasts, you must have been a mere suckling babe. By the time you reach the lap, you must have mind full of desire to relieve the sufferings of mankind. By the time you reach the meditation of the Lotus Feet, you must be prepared to lose anything and everything for the Mother and to lose yourself, prepared to merge in Her Lotus Feet.

No mysticism, no complexity, no external dependence, no scriptural requirement, no knowledge burden. Pure, simple and unadulterated thinking and feeling  the most sublime thoughts and emotions is enough to make one merge in divine ecstasy by the time one reaches the Lotus Feet.

Practise it. Find it. Preach it. The Simplified and Purified meditation of Mother’s Lotus Feet.

No other meditation is possible for an average Kali-creature of the Iron age.

Practise feeling, when you prostrate before Mother, that the most merciful rays from Her Lotus Feet are running to you, are washing out  all blackness in your heart and returning to the Mother with a potion of your consciousness which they drown ion the Mother’s Lotus Feet. Prostrating twice as above, practice feeling that after the third round, the blackness of your heart has disappeared.

As regards Mother’s Lotus Feet and Lotus Hands, there have been most sublime thoughts and emotions.Her one hand is described by Her best devotees ( Naarada being one ), as “ever uplifted, raised hand.”

Mother has always Her hand raised.Because, She is a great giver Herself, and Her Hand must therefore necessarily be above that of the one who receives. She is never the receiver,i.e., She will never be failing to be the highest donor in return of love and in fulfilment of the devotees desires.

Regarding Her Lotus Feet, the best devotees have in full devotional love and sportivity said,” Mother’s Lotus Feet err by their own shadow.”
45) Padadvaya prabhaajaala paraakrita saroruhaa

पदद्वयप्रभाजालपराकृतसरोरूहा –  Her feet by their beauty put the Lotus to shame.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र , नाम क्रमांक 45

46) Shinjaana mani manjira mandita shree padaambujaa सिंजानमणिमंजीरमण्डितश्रीपदाम्बुजा – Her Lotus Feet are adorned with jeweled anklets that tinkle.ललिता सहस्र नाम, नाम क्रमांक 46

She wears Anklets mainly for two reasons. Firstly, She, being very sportive, so often likes to dance to the tune of her devotees, and secondly because She is anxious to relieve the anxiety of Her devotees in distress by giving them news of Her arrival from long distance when She is running down to help Her devotees. Her ankles are purposely strong as they prevent these anklets slipping off during speedy flights.

47) Maraali Mandagamanaa  मरालीमन्दगमना – Her gait is that of the swan. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 47

There are two gaits, one the elephant-gait and other the swan-gait for a damsel. The former results in the oscillations of the central body rightward and leftward.

In swan-gait there is an up and down movement of the feet and the neck, with face. The swan-gait is referred to because Mother’s devotee’s full attention is rivetted on the Lotus Feet.Besides a swan is beautiful not only in its gait but even by itself.There is an idea of tenderness associated with “swan”, that has no comparison.

Swan is further gifted with the natural capacity of separating  and sipping away milk though immensely adulterated with water.

48) Mahaalaavanyashevadhih महालावण्यशेवधिः The

treasurehouse of beauty. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र नाम क्रमांक 48

49) Sarvaarunaa सर्वारूणा – All rosy-hued. ललिता सहस्र नाम, नाम क्रमांक 49

Mother’s garments, ornaments, flowers, colours are all rosy and love-creating.

50) Anavadyaangi अनवद्यांगी – With faultless limbs. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 50

EXTRACT FROM : MOTHER AND MOTHER’S THOUSAND NAMES

AUTHOR : MAI SWARUP MAI MARKAND

MAI NIWAS, SARASWATI ROAD END, SANTA CRUZ WEST MUMBAI 400054 INDIA

 

GOD AS MOTHER : NAMES 31 TO 40

 

LALITHA SAHASRANAMA  ललिता सहस्रनाम      MAI SAHASRANAMA  माई सहस्रनाम

31) Kanakaangada keyura kamaniyabhujaanvitaa  कनकांगदकेयूरकमनीयभुजान्विता  – Having lovely arms encircled with golden ornaments.ललिता  सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 31

32) Ratnagraiveya chintaaka lolamukhaa phalaanvitaa रत्नग्रैवेयचितांकलोलमुक्ता॑फलान्विता – Having a pearl danging from a necklace of gems and gold. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 32

Adorned with the liberation – promise – representing celestial necklace with the most attractive gems and gold, put on by Her for the just-initiated devotees, as if the neck were pressed down by Her just initiated devotees, with their two hands, to crave mercy.

The pearl in the necklace is dangling and is just near her heart. It is to give assurance to Her devotees, although they are dangling and fickle-minded about their having a place and play in Her heart. This suggests to them the sublime truth, viz., that to the Mother the weakest child is dearest in Her heart.

Those who meditate (Chintaaka) on Her from the crown up to the neck (Grivaa)alone and cannot meditate further on Mother up to Her heart in the cavity of their heart,, i.e., those who worship Her only externally have their love to Her, which is ever changing in intensity. But even the devotion of such wavering devotees Graiveyachintaaka  becomes fruitful, although they are bound by various earthly desires. They are like the dangling pearl, swinging like pendulum between happiness arising from earthly pleasures and that from devotion to Mother.

There should be no confusion between the Mangal Sutra and the Necklace regarding their being different things with different missions. The Mangal Sutra is for them that are Her beloved children who love Her and would sacrifice themselves for Her out of love for Her. The necklace is for the welfare of the devotees of various grades. If subtlety is appreciated, a distinction should be made from the view of direct approach to Mother as Her child and approach to Her through the usual religiously prescribed channel, although it may be remembered that the beloved children are those souls who have already been in the religious routine in previous lives, as per Hindu conception.

It should be clearly known that those that are connected with the Mangal Sutra, have doubtlessly their place in the heart. Devotees are connected with heart, necklace and liberation, where as the children have, in addition to those the claim to neck, Mangal Sutra and general welfare in the running life as well. Children have a double share, and naturally so, because they are in the most cases, the cream of the devotees.

33) Kaameshvara-premaratnamani-pratipanastani

कामेश्वरप्रेमरत्नमणिप्रतिपणस्तनी – Her two breasts are the rewards offered in exchange for the priceless gem of the love and light of the Kaameshvara.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 33

It need not be repeated that Mother is not the Father’s wife as per Mother’s Ideal, and even then in the Founder’s opinion there can nothing more revolting than for children to even think of the husband and wife relation between Father and Mother, or for parents to think of the sexual relations of the daughter and son in law.

There can be no greater bluntness of heart than those devotees may indulge in the sexual relationship of the worshippables. The philosophy of lover and beloved, or husband and wife, however relishing, is, in Founder’s opinion and experience, much inferior to that of Mother and child.

From personal experience the Founder states that the pangs of separation and ecstasy of joy is many times much greater.

There are four principal parts of Mother’s physical person and four kinds of devotees. The face, the breasts, the lap and the Lotus Feet. Sweet smiles of Mother are for the newly initiated devotees desirous of controlling their desires. They look into Her face, forget their misery and get wonderfully encouraged to push on forward on their path of spiritual progress. They know only face and meditate thereon. Next, Mother gives the suckling of Her breasts full of knowledge, devotion and Love-nectar to the advanced devotees who have mastered their desires especially the sexual desire. Further, Mother offers Her lap to the volunteering devotees who share Her work and worries in Her great work of conducting the universe and protecting righteousness, and finally Mother offers Her Lotus Feet, which are invisible and unattainable for all others , to only fully self dedicated devotees of the best and most supreme devotion.

This is a meditation and interpretation in just the reverse order of the usual meditation method. Mother’s meditation is not from toe to top but from top to toe and the highest devotee is he who proceeding from up, from the meditation of the most charming merciful face finally merges in the devotional meditation of Mother’s Lotus Feet.

34)Naabhyaa-la-vaala-romaali-lataa-phala-kucha-dvayi   नाभ्यालवालरोमालिलताफलकुचद्वयी – Her two breasts are the fruits growing on the creeper-like hair which sprang from Her deep navel. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 34
35) Lakshya-roma-lataa-dhaarataa-samunneya-madhyamaa   लक्ष्यरोमलताधारतासमुन्नेयमध्यमा –  Her waist in inferable only from the group of the creeper-like hair. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 35

36) Stanabhaaradalanmadhya pattabandhavalitrayaa 

 स्तनभारदलनमध्यपट्टबन्धवलित्रया – Her golden belts supports Her waist which bends under the burden of Her breasts and makes visible the three separate folds of the side ribs below the bosom. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 36

37) Arunaaruna kausumbhavastra bhaasvat katitati

अरूणारूणकौसुम्भवस्त्रभास्वतकटीतटी Her waist is bright with a rosy tinted garment.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 37

38) Ratnakinkinikaaramyarashanaadaama bhushitaa

रत्नकिंकिणिकारम्यरशनादामभूषिता –Decked in a belt beautified with jeweled bells.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र,नाम क्रमांक 38

39) Kaamesha jnaata saubhaagya maardavoru dvayaanvitaa कामेशज्ञातसौभाग्यमार्दवोरूद्वयान्विता – The blessingfulness and smoothness of Her thighs are only to the devotees who know what is highest fortune, viz., to be sharers with Her in the responsibility of managing the universe.ललितासहस्रनामस्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 39

The idea is that an infant is suckled, but when the child grows up and becomes a boy, Mother makes him sit in the lap, and while patting his head and playing Her fingers in his curls, tells him by sweetest words of advice about what should and should not be done, how facts are, how different conditions should be faced and initiates him very gradually and imperceptibly in to the act of sharing with her, her responsibilities. So also of the Mother.

40) Maanikyamukutaakaara jaanudvayaviraajitaa

माणिक्यमुकुटाकारजानुद्वयविराजिता – Her knees shine like jeweled disks. These are like the pair of the frontal globes of the divine elephant.ललिता सहसनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 40

EXTRACT FROM : MOTHER AND MOTHER’S THOUSAND NAMES

AUTHOR : MAI SWARUP MAI MARKAND

MAI NIWAS, SARASWATI ROAD END, SANTA CRUZ WEST MUMBAI 400054 INDIA

 

GOD AS MOTHER : NAMES 21 TO 30

LALITHA SAHASRANAMA  ललिता सहस्रनाम      MAI SAHASRANAMA  माई सहस्रनाम

21) Kadambamanjiriklripta karnapura manoharaa  कदंबमंजरीक्लृप्तकर्णपूरमनोहरा – Decked with clusters of the Kadamba flowers worn above Her ears. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 21

22) Taatankayugalibhuta tapanodupamandalaa ताटंकयुगलीभुततपनोडुपमंडला – The two jewels in her ears are the sun and the moon.

The sun and the moon are the breasts,eyes and ear-rings of Mother. ललिता सहसनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 22

23) Padmaraaga shilaadarsha paribhaavi kapolabhuh पद्मरागशिलादर्शपरिभाविकपोलभूः Her cheeks eclipse the brightness of the ruby Padmaraaga. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 23

If the sky with beautiful red colour was like our earth and the sky had corals, how beautiful they would be!

But they would be feeling shy and be put to shame by Mother’s cheeks.

24) Navaviduma bimbashri nyakkaari radanchchhadaa नवविद्रुमबिम्बश्रीन्यक्कारिरदनच्छदा – Her lips put to shame the colour of fresh corals and Bimba fruit.  ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र,नाम क्रमांक 24 

25) Shuddha vidyaankuraa kaaradvijapankti dvayojwalaa शुध्दविद्यांकुराकारद्विजपंक्तिद्वयोज्ज्वला –

She shines with Her two rows of teeth in the form of buds of pure knowledge. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 25

Shuddha Vidyaa is pure or final knowledge, when a yogi discarding limited supernatural powers is prompted to embrace all in himself.

On whom She smiles, he has passed through all Dikshaas, i.e., stages of initiation and knowledge. This Shuddha Vidyaa dawns on him and makes him forget the difference of “I” and “Thee”. The upper teeth row represents theory and knowledge, the lower one initiation and realisation.

26) Karpura vitikaa moda samaakarshat digantaraa कर्पूरवीटिकामोदसमाकर्षतद्दिगंतरा – The fragrance from the betel leaves She chews attracts the deities of different directions.  ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 26

The tiny musk mark in the forehead and the fragrant betel leaf in the mouth are considered very auspicious and recommended for Mother’s devotees.

Both confer attractive power. In the case of female devotees the tiny mark is a great protection against sexual hypnotism from the evil minded and is a centre of radiations of her own sexual hypnotism foe them whom she loves.  The centre between the two eyebrows is a very important centre along the spinal cord way.

27) Nijasallaapa maadhurya vinirbhartsita kachchhapi निजसंलापमाधुर्यविनिर्भर्त्सितकच्छपी – The sweet melody of Her words brought the Kachchhapi to a stop. Kachchhapi is the Vinaa, i.e., the musical instrument of Saraswati or the Goddess Minerva of music. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 27

Sings one devotee :- When Saraswati with Her Vina was singing Thy various triumphs in charmful tunes ” O , Thou of  beautiful speech!She immediately closed the melody of of the string of her instrument with her fingertips, as soon as Thou started Thy vocal speech as it was sweeter than the sweetest music, ever sung or played.”

28) Mandasmita prabhaapura majjata kaamesha maanasaa मन्दस्मितप्रभापुरमज्जतकामेशमानसा – The mind of Kaamesha is drowned in the fullness of the glory of Her sweet smile.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 28

Kaamesh कामेश is Mother’s primary beginner in devotion. Kaameshvar कामेश्वर is Mother’s superior devotee. Kaamesh is the devotee who is desirous of conquering all desires. Kaameshvar is he who has conquered and has become master. Kaamesh is able to be above all the Kaama, desires and worries by reason of drowning his mind in the remembrance of Mother’s sweet smile. The original popular meaning of Kaamesh and Kaameshvar is Shiva. The order has been changed here as the smile should precede the speech.

29) Anaakalita saadrdrishyachibuka shriviraajitaa अनाकलितसादृश्यचिबुकश्रीविराजिता

Illuminated by the beauty of Her chin, the equal of which is not to be found. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 29

Chin reminds one of children’s often catching Mother’s chin and forcefully turning Her face to themselves to hear and grant the demand made by them Chin-holding is the most affectionate assertion of the child’d right to the Mother, turning Her mirror face to itself to join eyes to eyes and protruded lips to protrude lips. Reader just sublimates thy love to thy Mother. Has thy mother never thrust her betel juice, quite unexpectedly in thy mouth! Imagine the same oneness with the divine Mother, and tears will flow from thy eyes in devotion, if thou art a true Maai-ist.

30) Kaameshabaddha maangalyasutrashobhit kandharaa कामेशबध्दमांगल्यसूत्रशोभितकंधरा – Having the neck adorned with the liberation promising thread tied for the satisfaction and assurance of Kaameshas  ( devotees desirous of conquering desires ) around it.   ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 30 

It need not be re-stated that Kaamesh in the original means Shiva as husband of Shakti, but here it means as in bracket above. Mangala Sutra in popular meaning means the marriage thread which a wedded wife wears and prizes more than anything else as contributing to the life and happiness of her husband.

It is worn as sign of her faithfulness, chastity and the livingness of her husband. The interpretation of Mangala Sutra may be taken as ” tied-for-devotees “, and ” their welfare securing thread “.

EXTRACT FROM THE BOOK : MOTHER AND MOTHER’S THOUSAND NAMES

AUTHOR : MAI SWARUP MAI MARKAND 

MAI NIWAS, SARASWATI ROAD END, SANTA CRUZ WEST, MUMBAI 400054 INDIA

 

 

 

GOD AS MOTHER : NAMES 11 TO 20

Lalitha Sahasranama ललिता सहस्रनाम  Mai Sahasranama माई सहस्रनाम

11)  Panchatanmaatrasaayakaa पंचतन्मात्रसायका – Having the arrows of the five subtle elements. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 11 

The five subtle elements viz, sound, touch, sight, taste and smell, are arrows; these are in Her upper right hand. “The arrows are of three kinds; gross, subtle and supreme; the gross are flowers, the subtle are mantras, and the supreme are the vaasanaas. Of the gross arrows two important flowers are the lotus, and the mango-flower. The other three are Raktakairav रक्तभैरव , Kalhaar कल्हार  and Indivar इन्दीवर . In the Vaasanaa वासना  forms, joy, attraction, confusion, maddening and dying are the five arrows. Some say they are  Sankshobhan संक्षोभण  (agitation), Dravan द्रवण  (wetting), Aakarshan आकर्षण  (being attracted), Vashya वश्य (surrendering) and Unmaad  उन्माद (being mad).

The plainest thing is that this Mother, the Active Mother, utilizes the very same weapons of noose, elephant-hook, mind and the arrows and Her energies of desire, knowledge and action, to protect, guide, lift and liberate the souls or do otherwise, according as Her Grace goes. One thing is however certain, on the top of everything, that She is for evolutionising and finally liberating one and all.

This is exactly what happens with every energy. How to utilize it is ours. Floods may ruin villages, and may as well create a gigantic hydro-electric power. With the very weapon, one may kill his enemy or commit suicide. The very noose may bind us or our enemies. It wholly depends generally on our desires, thoughts, actions, and natural tendencies, but principally on our devotion and Her Grace.

12) Nijaaruna-prabhaapura-majjat-brahmaanda-mandalaa निजारूणप्रभापुरमज्जतब्रह्माण्डमण्डला Bathing the whole universe with Her own rosy effulgence.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 12

Rosy effulgence is indicative of being happy and cheerful in all respects. The order has been changed here to be in rhyme with the order of importance.

The idea conveyed by these eight names :-

She is Mother (Shree Maataa श्रीमाता ). She helps Her devotees by fighting out the battle for Her devotees against six enemies and all other kinds of enemies (Shri Mahaa Raajni श्रीमहाराज्ञी ). She gives you all that you demand with the liberality of the highest supreme Queen ( Shrimat Sinhaasaneshvari श्रीमत्सिंहासनेश्वरी ).  Although the supreme Queen, She loves Her devotees as Her children and is always at the beck and call when the heart burns with the desire of meeting Her and She bursts forth (Chidagni-Kunda-Sambhootaa चिदग्नीकुण्डसंभूता ). Her constant work and occupation is about battering and deifying Her devotees (Bhakta-Kaarya-Samuddyataa भक्तकार्यसमुद्यता ). She is as bright as millions of suns in matter of illuminating Her devotees ( उद्यत्भानुसहसहस्राभा ). She has four hands (as explained in Preface) indicative of the very simple process of Her liberating the devotees ( चर्तुबाहुसमन्विता ). Finally She constantly keeps the whole universe and, much more Her devotees, bathed in happiness and cheerfulness. Wherever you find joy, happiness and cheerfulness, it is simply proof of a greater pervading of Mother’s Grace.

13) Champakaashoka Punnaaga Saugandhika Lasat Kachaa चंपकाशोकपुन्नागसौगन्धिकलसतकचा – Her hair is adorned with the flowers of Champaka चंपक , Ashoka अशोक , Punnaga पुन्नाग  and Saugandhika सौगन्धिक ; Her hair gives scent to flowers. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 13

14) Kuruvinda manishreni kanat kotirmanditaa कुरूविन्दमणिश्रेणीकनत्कोटीरमन्डिता – Her crown is resplendent with rows of Kuruvinda कुरूविन्द  gems. [ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 14 ]

Kuruvinda is supposed to confer love, prosperity and devotion.

15)  Ashtamichandravibhraajadalika Sthalashobhitaa अष्टमीचन्द्रविभ्राजदलिकस्थलशोभिता – Her forehead is as bright and crescent shaped as the moon on the eighth day. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र नाम क्रमांक 15 

16) Mukhachandra kalankaabha mriganaabhivisheshakaa मुखचन्द्रकलंकाभमृगनाभिविशेषका – The tiny mark of Kasturi कस्तुरी  (musk) on it is like the spot in the moon. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 16

17) Vadanasmara maangalyagrihatoranachillikaa  वदनस्मरमांगल्यगृहतोरणचिल्लिका – Her eyebrows are like green auspicious buntings over the entrance arches of the palace of Kaamaraaj कामराज (God of Love).ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 17 

18) Vaktralakshmiparivaahachalanminaabhalochanaa वक्त्रलक्ष्मीपरीवाहचलन्मीनाभलोचना – Her eyes are like fishes rapidly moving and playing in the shining water of the tank, viz., the bewitching beauty of Her face. As Fishes nourish their progeny though eyes alone, so also Mother give all nourishment to Her devotees through Her merciful eyes shedding Grace. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 18

19) Navachampaka pushpaabhanaasaadanda viraajitaa

नवचम्पकपुष्पाभनासादण्डविराजिता – Her nose is beautiful like the newly blown champaka flower. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 19 

Champak चंपक  is the most beautiful flower, with best shape,best colour, and best smell. It is however said that it does not attract bee (who is not faithful to one flower). So also those alone are attracted towards Mother who has a single pointed devotion “of one without second “.

Mother devotees know no God except Mother, if they are true devotees.

20) Taaraakaanti tiraskaari naasaabharanabhaasuraa ताराकांतितिरस्कारिनासाभ॓रणभासुरा – Shining with the jewel on Her nose, which excels the star of Mars in splendour. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 20

EXTRACT FROM THE BOOK : MOTHER AND MOTHER’S THOUSAND NAMES

AUTHOR : MAI SWARUP MAI MARKAND 

MAI NIWAS, SARASWATI ROAD END, SANTA CRUZ WEST, MUMBAI 400054 INDIA

 

GOD AS MOTHER : NAMES 1 TO 10

LALITHA SAHASRANAM ललिता सहस्रनाम  MAI SAHASRANAM माई सहस्रनाम

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1) Shree Maataa श्रीमाता – “The Holy ” Mother.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 1

The birth-giving physical mother is usually remembered and called upon in times of sorrow; but our natural mothers are not able to remove the different kinds of pains. Great men believing in reincarnation have therefore said: “Millions of physical mothers I had, O Treasure-house of compassion! Thou art the only one Mother of Eternity. Save me from the vast and disastrous ocean of world-wormness.” The Mother is only one who is capable of removing the endless misery.

Shree means prosperity, success, beauty and wisdom

Shri is ambrosia. The title Shree is prefixed to eminent personages and is an honorific word.

2) Shree Mahaaraajni श्रीमहाराज्ञी – “The great” Queen. The controller of the created Universe. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 2

She by whose Grace the creation goes on. She who is the fighting Heroine Queen, and who fights out and dispels and controls all that is obstructive for Her devotees.

3) Shrimat Sinhaasaneshvari श्रीमत्सिंहासनेश्वरी –“The Ruler” on the lion-throne.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 3

One rendering is Sinha सिंह meaning pain and asana असन  means expelling.

She is the destroyer of universe or that into whom the created beings enter on their dissolution. She is the Queen of Queens, Mother who is the most supreme merciful Donor, holds Her Darbar and grants whatever is demanded by Her devotees, and by all in good relations with them.

4) Chidagnikunda-Sambhootaa चिदग्निकुण्डसंभूता – Who is born from the altar of the fire of consciousness. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 4

If Mother is such a heroic and Majestic Queen, is She also unapproachable like such queens? No, just the reverse, She is at your beck and call. From the fire of devotion of a devotee that burns within his heart uninterruptedly, without fuel, and dispels the darkness of desire and attachment to other things and other persons , She at times bursts forth. Devoted heart is a fire because it consumes the sins and evils of the Universe and Mother abides in that fire, though not born from it.

Mother has often appeared from the physical altar of religious sacrifices as well. Thus run some of descriptions – “Out of the sacrificial fire, slowly arose a woman divinely beautiful, adorned with divine ornaments and bright as the moon. She was Mother, the only one, the supporter of the Universe, equal to whom there is none “. Again we have ” Then the devotees constructed a very beautiful sacrificial altar and the devotees offered their body, mind and soul as oblations. When they were about to offer up the whole of their bodies, there appeared a great blaze of light, bright as millions of suns and cool as millions of moons put together; in midst of this light was seen an indescribable wheel-form ( Shree Chakra ); and from its centre the Great Mother shining like the morning sun dawned forth. On beholding the great Mother, the souls of all were filled with ecstasy and they bowed to Her again and again.”

5) Bhakta-Kaarya Samudyataa भक्तकार्यसमुद्यता – “Manifested Herself ” for fulfilling the objects of the Devotees.ललिता सहस्रनामस्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 5

In the original it is “Devakaarya “referring to Devaas. The same word can be retained and be interpreted to mean that Mother is constantly engaged in transforming Her devotees to be the most shining deified beings. But as the Universal Mother has no partiality to gods and demons, I make the change least that same may be perpetuate the long carried misunderstanding. Her eternal occupation is fulfillment of devotees’ desires and their transformation.

6) Uddyat-Bhaanu-Sahasraabhaa उद्यतभानुसहस्राभा – This indicates She is very red. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 6

Rosy complexion is indicative of freshness, Love and mercy. There are three forms of Mother, the physical (sthula स्थुल ), the subtle (sukshma सुक्ष्म )  and the supreme (para पर ).The physical form has hands,feet, etc. and is elemental, the subtle consists of Mantra and ethereal, while the supreme is made of the Vaasanaas वासना and is ideal.

7) Chaturbaahu-samanvitaa चतुर्बाहुसमन्विता – Endowed with four arms. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र,नाम क्रमांक 7

8) Raagasvarupapaashaadhyaa  रागस्वरूपपाशाढ्या – Holding the noose of desire.  ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र,नाम क्रमांक 8 

Desire is the Supreme, the third, i.e., the Vaasanaa form of Mother, the noose being the corresponding gross form. This weapon She has in Her lower left hand. The subtle form of noose is Hreem.

9) Krodhaakaaraankushojwalaa क्रोधाकारांकुशोज्ज्वला –Shining with the elephant-hook of both “wrath and worldly knowledge “.  ललिता सहस्रनाम, नाम क्रमांक 9 

Aakaara आकार may be taken to mean self-created universe of souls based on ignorance, world-attachment and world-wormness.

She shines, holding in Her lower right hand, the elephant-hook which increases or removes world-wormness, wrathfulness, hatred, etc. The noose and the elephant-hook of Her are spoken as desire and anger. The noose is Ichchhaashakti, the goad, JnaanaShakti ज्ञानशक्ती , and the bow and arrows referred to next, represents Kriyaashakti क्रीयाशक्ती .

10) Manorupekshukodandaa मनोरूपेक्षुकोदण्डा – Armed with the sugar-cane bow of mind.  ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र,नाम क्रमांक 10 

Mind characterised with both Sankalpa संकल्प and Vikalpa विकल्प  (healthy and unhealthy, rational and irrational thinkings)is the bow. This is in Her upper left hand. Mind has mainly four functions. {1} Covering the whole vision with thoughts of ” I, my, mine, not I, not my, not mine,” {2} Oscillating between several aspects of a question, {3} Discriminating and determining and {4} Unifying oneself with. These are, in one word, egoism, thinking, discriminating and being one with.

EXTRACT FROM : MOTHER AND MOTHER’S THOUSAND NAMES

AUTHOR : MAI SWARUP MAI MARKAND

MAI NIWAS, SARASWATI ROAD END, SANTACRUZ WEST MUMBAI 400054 INDIA