Lalita Sahasranama meanings per name
561. Mṛgākṣī
Meaning – Her eyes are beautiful, gentle and wide like that of a deer.
Wide-eyed and ever alert, the mother deer manages its entire flock (children) with its eyes. Its eyes eternally scan the surroundings. Comparing the Supreme Mother’s eye to that of a deer brings out this efficiency of Hers in sustaining this entire creation. Her eyes are wide, ever alert and sharp. They eternally scan the surroundings. She is vigilant and watchful of her flock.
562. Mohinī
Meaning – She is bewitching and creates illusion (moha). Even great Jnanis (highly knowledgeable persons) get trapped in this illusion at times.
Lord Vishnu emerged as Mohini Devi at the time of the churning of the ocean. In this form He created illusion in the demons, who although undeserving, were trying to get the nectar of immortality (amruta). Charmed by Mohini’s beauty the demons fell into her trap.
Durga saptashati states –
Jnani nam api chetansi Devi Bhagavati Hi Sa
Balat Akrishya mohay mahamaya Prychchati.
Meaning – Goddess Durga deludes the mind of even the wise with her powerful personality.
This is a lesson that all those who cannot control their desires and allow their mind to wander wastefully get trapped under her web of illusion.
The 5th stanza of Soundarya Lahari states –
Haris tvam aradhya pranata-jana-saubhagya-jananim
Pura nari bhutva Pura-ripum api ksobham anayat;
Smaro’pi tvam natva rati-nayana-lehyena vapusha
Muninam apyantah prabhavati hi mohaya mahatam.
Meaning – O Mother! By your grace Hari (Lord Vishnu) was once able to become the charming female Mohini and stir waves of passion in the mind of the most impassioned Lord Shiva itself. He who had burnt the three cities and who is the enemy of Kaama (the Lord of desire) could fall into the trap of moha. Manmatha (Kaama, the Lord of desire) is able to stir waves of passion in the minds of the greatest of saints.
563. Mukhyā
Meaning –
a) She is the primordial or the first being. The Lord declares in the Vedas- Ahamasmi Prathamajarthasya – I am the first in this creation.
b) She is the most important one.
Those who consider Her as the most important and who are eternally engrossed in Her thoughts cannot be trapped by the moha (illusion). Thus in this name the path to escape from the web of illusion (moha) is also being taught.
564. Mṛḍānī
Meaning –
a) She is the wife of Mrda (Shiva) and hence is Mrdaani.
b) She bestows comforts (mrda) on those who understand the Supreme Essence. Such people are untouched by moha.
565. Mitra-rūpiṇī
Meaning – She is the friend (mitra) of one and all in this universe.
There is no orphan in this world; likewise there is no being who is friendless. People in distress connect more to the Lord and hence they find that he is their true friend.
Who is a friend? The one who showers false praises in our presence but criticizes behind the back should not be befriended under any circumstances. The following sookti acts as a guideline for selecting of friends.
Pratyakshe priya vaadinam paroksham kaarya hantaaram
Varjayet taadrusham mitram maaya mayavarim yatha
Paapaan nivaarayati yojayate hitaayaa
Guhancha guhati gunaan prakati karoti
Aapadgatam na jahaati dadaati kale
Sanmitra rakshana midam prapadanti dheeraa.
Meaning – He who showers false praises in our presence but who spoils our tasks behind our back should not be befriended. Persons who resort to unethical and magical practices should never be befriended. He who guides and advices against bad deeds, he who shows the good path, he who can keep the secrets, he who only propagates the truth and who brings out the good traits in us, He who rushes to the aid when in distress is a true friend.
Sadguru is our true friend. Traits of a true friend can be found in Supreme Mother and in the Sadguru.
566. Nitya-tṛptā
Meaning – She is ever contended (tushti) and seeks nothing more. She grants this contentment to the true spiritual aspirant.
Nitya-tṛptā (total contentment) reveals the true state of the inner atma. She is the form of the self (atma swaroopa). There is nothing that the true-self seeks from others.
This human body has been given to us so that we can achieve such a state of contentment. A true aspirant does not even yearn for the comforts of heaven and seeks to abandon all his attachments on this plane itself.
567. Bhakta-nidhiḥ
Meaning – She is the reservoir (treasure house) for all devotees (bhaktas).
One should dip into the reservoir only during dire emergency and not otherwise. This is the sacred reservoir that comes to the aid at times of extreme distress.
A king was once very fortunate to get the services of a very able and knowledgeable minister. The minister handed him a ring that had a sacred mantra inscribed within it. The king was advised to open the ring and read the mantra only at times of extreme distress. Long after this incident, enemies lay siege on the kingdom. The king lost the battle and was fleeing. The enemy soldiers continued to chase him. After a long journey, deep in the forest, the king’s horse tripped and the king was thrown into a dark dingy cave. He realized that the enemy soldiers had seen him fall into the cave. It was now only a matter of time before he would be beheaded. Just as he was trying to stabilize himself in the cave, the floor gave way and he was hurdled further deep into the cave. The large stone that had given way again re-positioned itself blocking all light from coming in. The king was now really doubtful of surviving. He had reached a near-death situation.
He could hear the enemy soldiers enter the cave. Now very sure of his impending death, he opened the ring. What does he see? Instead of a mantra (sacred chant), he finds a message- this too shall pass. Needless to say, he was annoyed with his minister. Meanwhile the enemy soldiers failed to locate him in the cave and shortly thereafter he could hear them leave. He waited for a long time and then with some effort pushed the stone that had covered the hole. He came out and found that his horse was waiting for him there. Joyfully he got on it and rode to the city. Enemies were camped everywhere. He carefully gathered his loyalists and with their help pulled up his army and waged a war. Taken by surprise the enemy king lost the battle and fled the city.
After the things had settled down, the king asked the minister the reason for placing a message instead of the mantra in the ring. The minister replied- O king, this is the mantra. Having faith that even difficulties will tide away and having faith in God is the mantra. Every bad situation is sure to pass.
One should have such confidence in facing the hurdles of life. Only when situations go far beyond this, the reservoir should be dipped into.
Kuchela was Krishna’s childhood friend. His original name was Sudama, but due to the dire poverty that he faced in life he was addressed as Kuchela. Kuchela means ‘he is dressed in dirty or tattered garments’. This name itself describes the extent of poverty faced by him in life. After living thus for many years, unable to bear the constant nagging of his wife, he finally set out to meet and seek help from Krishna. He was so poor that he could not even buy decent gifts for his dearest friend Krishna. All he could take was a few handfuls of puffed rice for the Lord. The Lord with great love received his childhood friend even though the latter was in tattered clothes. He showed Kuchela all his riches, his personal belongings, cows etc. He then took him to his personal quarters, seated him on his bed and washed his feet. He recollected all the events of childhood. With great hesitance Kuchela handed over to him the packet of puffed rice that he had carried. The Lord was overjoyed with this gift. He took two fistfuls of the puffed rice and put them in his mouth. When he was about to eat the third handful, His consort Rukmini, who was none other than Goddess Lakshmi, stopped him. She said, ‘O Lord, by eating 2 handfuls you have showered on your friend all your wealth. By taking the third handful, even I (Lakshmi, entire prosperity) will have to follow him’.
Kuchela took leave of his friend and began to walk back home. The Lord did not even ask Kuchela even once about his financial status. Slightly disappointed, yet happy with his visit, Kuchela slowly walked back to his hometown singing praises of Krishna all along. When he reached his hometown, in the place of his hut stood a large mansion filled with gold and riches. His wife and children were all decked in silks and gold. This story is a proof that Krishna is a bhakta nidhih.
Guru too is a reservoir, a very large bank that rushes to our aid at times of intense emergency.
568. Niyantrī
Meaning – She governs this Universe and ensures that all beings follow the right path. She causes all beings to adhere to dharma.
569. Nikhileśvarī
Meaning – She is the empress (eshwari) of the entire creation (nikhila) that consists of movable and immovable objects.
570. Maitryadi-vāsanā-labhyā
She can be reached only through good traits/ qualities (sadgunas) such as maintaining friendship with the devout, having pure devotion, a pure mind, feelings of equanimity, compassion towards the needy and so on.
Maitre refers to friendship. It shows the inclination or friendliness towards good deeds, good people and saints and entertaining good thoughts. Friendship with God is the best friendship.
Maître (good friendship), karuna (compassion and help towards the needy), mudita (complacency and joy in good deeds) and upeksha (disregard for evil) are described as the 4 highest qualities to possess.
Upeksha means to disregard and abandon bad people and bad thoughts. Even thinking about bad people is harmful. We become like the people we think about. The persons who possess the following 9 traits are referred to as mahatmas. They are-
Vaancha sajjana sangame- these are people who eternally desire to spend time in holy company, who seek only good and healthy friendships. They recapitulate the good words that they have heard and are eager to undertake Sadhana.
Para gune preeti- they have true love towards good traits seen in others. Even the slightest good change (trait) seen in others should be seen with feelings of love and be adored. Do not see the faults in others. It is the responsibility of God to find the faults in people and correct them.
Gurur namrata- they are humble and modest in front of the Guru.
Vidyayam vyasanam- they have profound interest towards good knowledge and simultaneously give up bad habits and tendencies that cause sorrow to the body. It is transferring the interest that exists in bad habits towards acquisition of good knowledge.
Svayoshiti ratih – maintaining feelings of love only towards the legally married spouse. Every other woman should be looked upon only as a mother. There should be good understanding between the couple.
Lokaapavaada bhayam – the fear of society and of ill fame should exist. Even where the mind is wavering, such fear should act as a tool to prevent the person from person from evil deeds.
Bhakti shoolini – devotion towards Lord Shiva should be manifold. This will lead towards detachment.
Shaktir atmadamane- controlling the senses is essential.
Samsarga mukti khale- giving up all thoughts about the people with bad tendencies. Association with evil will cause evil thoughts to enter our mind.
These 9 are pure traits. The one who possesses these traits is a true saint. Obeisance should be offered to such a saint.