Lalita Sahasranama meanings per name
601. Darāndolita-dīrghākṣi
Her eyes are so long that they almost touch her ears.
602. Darahāsojjvalan-mukhī
Meaning – Seated in Guru’s position, the Supreme Mother is eternally joyful.
603. Gurumūrtiḥ
Meaning – She assumes the form of a Guru.
A Guru is eternally reposed and joyful. He distributes this everlasting bliss onto his devotees. A devotee should under all circumstances have this belief and faith. Sadhana undertaken with such faith yields quick results. Such a sadhaka will achieve guru-paaduka siddhi quickly.
604. Guṇanidhiḥ
Meaning – She is a treasure house of all good traits (guna).
605. Gomātā
606. Guhajanma-bhūḥ
Meaning –
a) As the mother of Lord Subrahmanya (who also takes on the name Guha), She is Guhajanma bhūh.
b) Guha means cave. Since She has seated herself in the cave known as our heart (hrdaya guha), She is Guhajanma bhūh.
The divine light (light of the Parabrahma) sprouts from the heart of the person.
607. Deveśī
Meaning – As a ruler (Eshwari) for all the Devatas (deities) She is Deveshi.
Devatas are those who grant boons and shower blessings upon the beings. They also ensure that the beings get the true results of their actions (karmas). They thus rule and look after the welfare of others. To such Devatas, She is the ruler.
608. Daṇḍa-nītisthā
Meaning –
a) Sadhana conducted by the yogis is also known as danda. Yogis hold the stick known as danda in their hands. She resides as the ethics (neeti) within that Sadhana (danda).
b) The Supreme Mother resorts to imposing punishments (Danda neeti) at times when necessary and hence is Daṇḍa-nītisthā.
Artha shastra (an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy) contains many ethics (neetis). They include the different levels of persuasion tactics to accomplish the task on hand. The kshatriyas (rulers) could use different political methodologies that primarily included ‘Sāma’ (gentle persuasion), ‘dāna’ (offering of wealth, money), ‘bheda’ (usage of threats) and ‘danda’ (punishment or violence) to accomplish the task. Among the four, Danda assumes importance as it highlights their power and might.
Our prayer to Lord Vishnu in the Shatpadi Stotram is –
Avinaya mapanaya vishno damaya manas samaya vishaya mrga trshnām
Bhūta dayām vistāraya tārāya samsāra sāgaratah.
Meaning – Drive away from within me all traits of immodesty and arrogance O Lord Vishnu. Teach me to be humble at all times especially towards my Guru and all my elders. Subdue and tame my mind (damana) and prevent it from running away in all directions. Controlled by my senses, my mind is running after all the sensual desires that are nothing but a mirage. Help me control my senses. Let compassion towards all beings (bhootadaya, universal compassion) engulf me. Please help me cross the ocean of this samsara (bondages).
‘Damana’ is to tame and subdue (punishment). The mind needs this taming and hence in the above-mentioned shloka there is a prayer to the Lord Vishnu to this effect.
In the 10th chapter of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna states –
Dando damayatam asmi nitir asmi jigishatam
Here Krishna states that He is the danda (stick) that metes out punishment when the need to subdue arises. He is the neeti (wisdom, proper ethics, right behaviour) in those desirous of victory. He is both Danda and Neeti.
Thus the Supreme Mother is both Dandaneeti and Danda and Neeti separately. All ethics (neeti) arise out of Her. Yet, at the same time, She is the stick (danda) that imposes punishments and She is the dandaneeti.
609. Daharākāśa-rūpiṇī
Meaning – She resides in the space within our heart, which is known as daharākāsha.
The all-pervading external space that is visible to our eyes is ‘Chidākāsha’. The space within us is ‘Daharākāsha’.
Dahram vipāpam parameshma bhootam yat punḍareekaM puramadhya samstham
tatrāpi dahram gaganam vishookam tasmin yadantas-tad-upāsitavyam
Meaning – At the centre of the city called the body there is a subtle lotus known as the heart (Daharākāsha). This pure and sinless (untainted) lotus is the abode of the Absolute (Divine Mother). This Supreme being who is located in this inner space and who is pure and sinless should be meditated upon continuously.
610. Pratipan-mukhya-rākānta-tithi-maṇḍala-pujitā
(This is one single nama and should be read without a break.)
Meaning – In the month of Ashwayuja, She is worshipped for the entire lunar fortnight beginning with pratipat (the first day) up to full moon (Purnima).
Mukhya rākānta means ‘the most important full moon’. A given year has 12 full moons. On what basis can anyone among them be said to be the most important? How is that full moon to be identified?
The months in the Indian calendar have been named based on the location of the full moon in that month. The month in which the full moon is located in Star Jyeshta has been named Jyeshta. In the month of Vaishaka, the full moon will be located in the Star Vishaka. Likewise on Ashwayuja Pournima, the moon will be at Star Ashwini on.
As ‘Ashwini’ is the first among the 27 stars, it is said to be ‘the most important star’. Correspondingly the full moon of this month assumes great significance and is called mukhya rākānta (most important full moon). Ashwayuja month comes around September-October. It is in this month that Devi Navaratri worship (for 9 nights) takes place. In other words, the full moon that comes immediately after the Navaratri celebrations is the most important full moon of the year.
As per astronomy, the moon is bigger and brighter on this full moon and it is known as harvest moon. Some traditions celebrate this full moon as the beginning of new-year. Worshipping the Supreme Mother for 9 nights (navaratri) is a well known tradition, but lesser known is the fact that some traditions continue this worship for 15 nights (up to full moon).
She bestows special blessings on those who worship Her during this period.