Dhyana shlokas Lalitha Sahasranama
Dhyanam means to focus on the deity and to fix the mind there. Without such focus, all the prayers offered are a waste.
There are 3 main Dhyana shlokas in Lalita Sahasranama. Let us understand the meaning behind them.
Dhyana Shloka 1
Aruṇāṃkaruṇā-taraṃgitākṣīṃ dhṛta-pāśāṅkuśa-puṣpa-bāṇa-cāpām|
Aṇimādibirāvṛtām mayūkhai-rahamityeva vibhāvaye bhavānīm||
Aruṇāṃ –
The Supreme Mother is of the Aruna complexion i.e. the colour of the sky as it appears in the early morning just before the actual sunrise, when the rays are just coming up.
It is a very serene, calm and beautiful time. This is an indescribable colour; the beauty of which should be only seen and enjoyed. The darkness of the night will give way to the rays of the Sun; the brightness will be enveloping the sky. This form reflects her love and affection for us; it teaches that like the rising Sun, She will dispel all our problems.
karuṇā-taraṃgitākṣīṃ –
Based on the individual needs she lets out her compassion (karuna), little at a time, like waves (taranga). Her gentle and calm eyes (akshi) reflect the deep love and compassion that exists within Her heart.
We need to increase our capacity to receive the compassion that is being showered through Her eyes.
dhṛta-pāśāṅkuśa-puṣpa-bāṇa-cāpām –
She holds in Her hands all Her important weapons- pasha (noose), ankusha (goad), pushpabana chapa (the bow made of sugarcane and arrows that consist of flowers).
aṇimādibirāvṛtām mayūkhair –
The 8 supernatural powers (ashta siddhis) of Anima, Laghima etc. surround Her like rays.
Just as the Sun retains rays around him for the benefit of this creation, the Divine Mother retains these supernatural powers for the benefit of Her devotees.
ahamityeva vibhāvaye bhavānīm –
O Mother, I offer this prayer to you with a strong belief that You and me are inseparable. There is no difference between the two of us.
Dhyana shloka 2
dhyāyet padmāsanasthāṃ vikasita-vadanāṃ padma-patrāyatākṣīṃ
hemābhāṃ pītavastrāṃ kara-kalita-lasaddhema padmām varāngīm|
sarvālaṃkāra-yuktāṃsatatamabhayadāṃbhakta-namrām bhavānīṃ
śrividyāṃ śāntamūrtiṃ sakala-sura-nutāṃ sarva saṃpat pradātrīm||
dhyāyet padmāsanasthāṃ-
I meditate on that Divine Mother who is seated in the padmasana (lotus pose). It also means that She is seated within a padma (lotus).
vikasita-vadanāṃ-
She possesses a charming face which also is the cause for our upliftment/ growth (vikasa).
padma-patrāyatākṣīṃ-
Her eyes are elongated like the lotus petals (lotus-eyed) which symbolizes that She watches over every being.
hemābhāṃ pītavastrāṃ-
She wears yellow colour clothes (peeta vastram), is of golden complexion and is glowing like a golden light (Hema means gold; bha means light).
kara-kalita-lasaddhema padmām varāngīm-
With a beautiful body that is of medium gait, neither too fat nor too thin and with a golden lotus held in Her hand, She attracts everyone. This golden lotus which cannot wither away causes the lotus within us to glow.
sarvālaṃkāra-yuktāṃ-
She has adorned herself with all types of decorations (sarva alamkara) such as jewels, flowers etc.
satatamabhayadāṃ-
She displays Abhaya mudra (fear not) of protection towards all beings.
bhakta-namrām bhavānīṃ-
I am bowing down to the Divine Mother Bhavani (wife of Bhava or Shiva) in complete reverence.
śrividyāṃ-
She is an embodiment of the entire knowledge of Srividya.
śāntamūrtiṃ-
She is of a peaceful form.
sakala-sura-nutāṃ-
She is worshipped with great reverence by all the Suras (Devatas).
sarva saṃpat pradātrīm-
She bestows every form of prosperity (sarva sampad). Here prosperity means knowledge (vidya/ jnana) and yoga .
Dhyana shloka 3
Sakuṃkuma-vilepanāṃ alika-cumbi-kastūrikāṃ
samanda-hasitekṣaṇām saśara-cāpa-pāśāṅkuśa
aśeṣa-jana-mohinīṃ aruṇa-mālya-bhūṣāṃbarāṃ
japā-kusuma-bhāsurāṃ japavidhau smaredaṃbikām
Sakuṃkuma-vilepanāṃ-
She is anointed with kumkum.
Kumkuma is very auspicious and has many medicinal properties. She is pleased with even a drop of Kumkuma offered to her.
alika-cumbi-kastūrikāṃ-
She wears a kasturi (sandal) bottu (bindi) which in fact is her true beauty. The bramara bees, drawn by the fragrance of this sandal paste, encircle Her.
samanda-hasitekṣaṇām-
Her laugh is gentle, lovable, wholehearted and beautiful. She looks upon Her devotees with such a benevolent smile. Her laugh is visible in Her smiling eyes.
saśara-cāpa-pāśāṅkuśa-
She holds all her weapons- the bow and arrows, the goad and the noose.
aśeṣa-jana-mohinīṃ-
She has the power of universal attraction. Irrespective of whether a person believes in Her or not, he/she will find it impossible to avoid Her and instead will be attracted towards Her.
aruṇa-mālya-bhūṣāṃbarāṃ-
The red (aruna) garland (mala) She wears, is exquisite.
japā-kusuma-bhāsurāṃ-
She is glowing like the red hibiscus flower and wears it (japakusuma).
japavidhau smaredaṃbikām-
One has to meditate on this form of Divine Mother Ambika during japa (i.e. during recitation of this Sahasranama).