Lalitha Sahasranamam consists of one thousand names of Lalithambigai. Lalithambigai is the maya part of the Brahman. She is the vimarsha form and is the cause for illusion or duality. The prakasha form of the Brahman is called Shiva and the vimarsha form of the Brahman is called Shakthi. Shiva is nirguna (without qualities) Brahman and Shakthi is saguna (with qualities) Brahman. The universe cannot function without the combination of the two. Shiva is not created by anybody and there is nothing above him in hierarchy. Therefore he is called athi or the first. Since he does not have a parentage, he is called anathi (orphan). Shiva created Shakthi to create, sustain and dissolve this universe. Therefore all the activities of this universe are under her control only.
Why Shiva has chosen Shakthi? Shiva wanted to create somebody who can nurture this universe with motherly love and affection. Shiva also knows (Brahman is the knower of all) that only a woman can take care of this universe, like her own child. That is how Shakthi came into existence. That is why we call the earth as mother earth; we call the nature as Mother Nature. Every mother has their own role to play in nurturing her children. In the same way the Supreme Mother has her own role in sustaining us, in protecting us. Her administration is based on the law of the Lord which is called karma. She is called by various names such as Lalithambigai, Rajarajeshwari, Shakthi, Mother, etc.
We have already discussed about her prakasha vimarsha maha maya swarupini form. Please go through the earlier postings to know more about her prakasha vimarsha maha maya swarupini. You can use the google search engine at the end of this site. This Lalitha Sahasranamam is said to have been recited by eight vak devis (vak devis – considered as authorities of sound and verses, Knowledgeable) in the presence of Lalithambigai at Her own request. This thousand namas or names were recited in the form of verses. These verses are also called mantras and compared to the verses of the Vedas. Every single nama has powerful meaning. If you look at these meanings, you will certainly understand the concept of vimarsha or shakthi form of the Brahman, which is also called as saguna Brahman. Her kundalini form has been beautifully described. It will be interesting to observe how the kinetic energy of the Brahman functions, as every aspect of the administration of this universe has been discussed in detail in this sahasranamam.
We will shortly take up for discussion each nama or name and understand the meaning. As there are 1000 names, our discussions will continue through several postings. Our discussions on the Brahman will also continue. Kindly go through the Dhyan slokas and also about prakasha and vimarsha forms of the Brahman. This is an effort to understand the saguna Brahman that is easy for manifestation.
thota
May 14, 2010 03:20 PM
The information is very good and useful. Good work.
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Unknown
September 18, 2015 04:51 PM
But they say Shiva was created by Lalitha... I mean all the 3 brahma, vishnu and shiva were created by shakthi de say... Isn't dat true?
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MANBLUNDER
September 18, 2015 06:03 PM
No, this is not true. Shiva's Power is known Shakti and this Shakti is named as Lalita. In such poetic parlance, such exaggerations are permitted.
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D Murugan Acharya
January 05, 2019 11:43 PM
The Lalitha sahasranama itself calls her as one who exist in the form of Siva himself. It also calls her to be both Siva and Sakthi, Prakasa and Vimarsa. You have stated that Siva created Sakthi. How can Sakthi be created? If Sakthi is created, then Siva is created too because matter and energy exist simultaneously. Shankaracharya himself in his Soundarya Lahari wonders whether she has taken the other half of Siva too. So, don't find difference between both.
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arun
May 20, 2019 10:03 PM
Its not Siva. Its Sivaa, which means the female form of the siva. Both Siva and Shakti are same. The form or energy which doesn't move and always meditate is Siva. The form or energy which always moves is Shakti. When "ANYONE" sits in meditation and tries to realize oneself is called "SIVA". The very same person, when walks or performs any kriya for universal good is called "SHAKTI". You understand more clearly by "observing a glacier". The glacier is made up of water and when it is hard, its in the form of ice. When it moves, it is in the form of water.
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D Murugan Acharya
January 01, 2020 09:19 PM
Lalitha is both Siva and SIvaa...both names are referred to Laithambika in her Sahasranama. That's why She is Siva Sakthyaikya Rupini.
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Krishna Reddy
December 28, 2015 04:18 PM
Hello sir... i want to chant lalitha trishati 24/7 entire day.. I can chant without seeing the book.. I want to do like manasic japa in my mind... or I have to chant only in pooja room.... will my kundalini awaken if I chant trishati 24/7...I have been initiated into bala mantra.. plz advice
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MANBLUNDER
December 28, 2015 06:35 PM
It is always good to chant mentally. It is not necessary to chant this in Puja room. It can be chanted in place and at anytime. Kundalini awakening is a different issue. If Love for HER is powerful, due to Her Grace, kundalini will ascend in some persons.
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Krishna
April 26, 2017 12:44 PM
If I chant Lalitha Sahasranamam 16 times a day,. Will my kundalini awakened???.I have completed 6 times at one stretch....Mata comes and gives me sakshat darshan atleast 10 times in a month...If Mata comes once or twice..Okay...Why Mata coming into my dreams atleast 10 times a month.. Please advice
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MANBLUNDER
April 26, 2017 12:54 PM
You should be happy for this.
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JP
April 26, 2017 03:25 PM
Pranam Sir ji... I am from Maharashtra... I humbly request you that would you please bestow us with the esoteric meanings of Batuk Bhairav Ashtottara Shatanam And 10 Mahavidya Ashtottara Shatanam... It would really be very helpful to all those who are aspirant in Shakti Sadhana.
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MANBLUNDER
January 06, 2019 11:13 AM
Shiva is Prakasha, the Light, the principle by which everything is known. Shakti is Vimarsha, which brings about the worldly process with the help of that Light. They are ONE and at the same time two sources of power. Saundaryalahari verse 1 says, "Śiva becomes inert without Śaktī. When Śiva is not united with Śaktī, He cannot manifest the universe. Because of Her functional nature, Divine Mother becomes supremely important. Even gods and goddesses find it difficult to bow before Her and sing Her praise."
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D Murugan Acharya
May 11, 2019 12:00 AM
If Prakasa and Vimarsa are one and the same, the position of Prakasa and vimarsa is equal right? if Sakthi brings about the worldly process with Siva, and Lalitha is the union of Siva and Sakthi, then why do you consider Lalitha as only Vimarsa? how can it be possible if both are actually the same?
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Bal Gopal
August 18, 2020 11:01 PM
Namaste Guruji: I guess, you meant "Even gods and goddesses find it difficult 'not to bow' before Her and sing Her praise"? With Pranaam.
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MANBLUNDER
May 11, 2019 11:17 AM
Lalita is the name attributed to Shakti and is not a separate entity. Shiva is Prakasha, the Self emanating Light, by which everything else is made known. Shakti or Vimarsha is the one through which the Light of Shiva is made known. In other words, Shakti brings about the wordily process. Though both Prakasha and Vimarsha are different, yet they are One, wherein the Light of Shiva instantaneously diffused and the world is made known.by Vimarsha, the Shakti.
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D Murugan Acharya
January 01, 2020 11:30 PM
Lalitha does not refer only to Sakthi. In the Devi Atharvashisham, Devi herself says She is what the universe knows as Brahman and its Sakthi. She also says that She operates the universe through her Purusha and Prakriti aspects. By tatvas, she is seated one the throne over all the 36 tatvas including the Siva and Sakti, the Nada and Vindu tatvas. Thirumoolar in his Thirumanthiram mentions that Sakthi is the great darkness while Siva is the light in the middle. Sakthi is the eternal space where Siva reflects itself into the universe.. That's why She is known as Paraakasa rupini. The same Lalitha Sahasranama which praises Laithambika to be Vimarsha rupini (one who exist in the form of the reflection of the Prakasa), it also praises her to be Sva Prakasa (one who is the self illuminating light itself). She as Nirguna Brahman brings front her Prakasa aspect in which she herself becomes the mirror to become vimarsha. She is both Prakasa and Vimarsa united together, says the Yogini Hridaya Tantra (Prakasa-Vimarsa Samarasyarupini.) The same thing is repeated by Lalitha Sahasranama concluding the entire topic stating that SivaSakthyaikya Rupini Lalithambika. Nowadays people recognise her as only Sakthi, forgetting that She is both Siva and Sakthi. That's why Devi sat as Ekarupa without an external consort at Kanchi to show that both Siva and Sakthi are her own aspects.
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MANBLUNDER
August 19, 2020 02:18 PM
Yes, you are right. Thank you.
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Sowmya
October 22, 2022 01:10 PM
Im still a beginner ,i really want to learn and recite Lalitha Sahasranama,can i chant /read it by seeing book.
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Krishna
October 24, 2022 10:10 AM
Getting initiated into Śrīvidyā would be the ideal platform for learning and reciting this sacred Stotram. If that is not something you are keen on doing so, then I would suggest studying the meanings of each of the attributes and getting a better understanding of the hymn, the purpose of life etc, which would then prepare you for the recitation of the Stotram. There are an overwhelming majority who blindly recite the Stotram without bothering about the meanings or other suggested pre-requisites and they do so with devotion. You may choose what works best for you.
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Pruthvi
August 22, 2023 01:08 PM
very very thanks for information,very very thanks
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