Lalita Sahasranama meanings per name
611. Kalātmikā
Meaning –
a) She is the atma (soul, inner being) for all the 16 phases of moon (kalās) and is the support for all of them. Alternatively, it can be understood that these phases (kalās) are the soul (atma) of the Divine Mother.
b) She is the atma (inner being) of the individual as he passes through all his 16 phases (kala).
Each being goes through 4 stages of existence (phases) Viz., waking (jaagrat), dream (swapna), deep sleep (shushupti) and tureeya (the fourth or the transdantal stage). Within each of these 4 phases, the being has to pass through 4 sub-phases totaling 16 phases. Let us briefly understand the sub-phases that occur in each of these 4 phases.
Jaagrat avastha (waking state)- The 4 sub-phases that the being passes through during this waking state are Utpatti (awakening state), Jāgrati (fully awake, alert state), bodhā (learning state) and manovyā (anguish state). Awakening of the mind after a deep sleep and the commencement of thoughts and feelings in the mind is ‘utpatti’. When the mind is fully awake and is able to perceive the world and draw impressions, it is said to be in ‘jāgrati’ state. During this state of Jāgrati, the mind is able to learn and it passes through the ‘bodhā’ (learning) state. In addition, at this awakened state, the mind experiences varied feelings and emotions and goes through anguish. This is the ‘manovyā’ phase.
Swapnaa avastha (dream state)- The four sub phases of this dream state are abhilāsha (desire), bhrama (hallucination), chinta (worry, anxiety) and vishaya smriti. The being goes to bed with a desire (abhilāsha) to fall asleep. During sleep he passes through the phase of bhrama (hallucination) when he is unsure whether the dream he is witnessing is real or not. The impressions taken in by the senses during the waking state now come back to him as his dreams. A certain degree of anxiety and thoughts (chinta) continue to exist. Vishaya smriti means recollection/reminiscence of the objects seen during the wakeful state.
Shushupti avastha (deep sleep state)- In this the four sub phases are marana, vismriti, moorcha and tamoguna pradhana nidra. ‘Marana’ refers to forgetfulness. Even the dreams fade and the person drifts into a deep sleep wherein he forgets his existence of the self (I) and this is ‘vismriti’. He merges into the infinite and this phase is ‘moorcha’. Now the being gets absorbed into a total deep sleep where there is no separate existence. This is called ‘tamoguna pradhana nidra’.
While the above-mentioned 12 phases are automatically experienced by every being, this 4th stage of tureeya is can be experienced only by the accomplished yogis.
Tureeya – Its sub phases are- ‘Vairagya’ (detachment), ‘mumukhutvam’ (intense longing for liberation), ‘Samadhi’ (deep intense contemplation), ‘nirmala manas’ (pure mind) and sadasad vivekam (discrimination between real and unreal).
Vedas state that 360 phases (kalas) emerge from the Devi’s feet. Thus each day of the year consists primarily of one phase.
The Divine Mother as a composite form that resides in all the phases is truly Kalātmika.
612. Kalānāthā
Meaning – She is the master (naatha) of all the kalas (phases). Hence She monitors and regulates them.
613. Kāvyālāpa-vinodinī
Meaning – She takes great delight when kāvya is sung or recited.
(Kāvya refers to the Sanskrit literary style that is characterized by abundant usage of figures of speech, metaphors and similes to create its emotional effects. The result is a short lyrical work, epic, narrative or dramatic work. Kavya can refer to the style or the completed body of literature). – from Internet
Kāvya teaches good traits, that which helps in improving our talents and skills, improves our understanding of the world, gives insight into the rights and wrongs in this world, and it is that which instantly leads towards liberation. Vedas are also known as kāvya. Omkāra is the primary adi kāvya. This is the first kāvya that was heard by Brahma. Later on Maharishi Valmiki composed the Ramayana and this came to be known as the Adi Kāvya.
614. Sacāmara-ramā-vāṇī-savyadakṣiṇa-sevitā
Meaning – Goddess Lakshmi (Ramā) and Goddess Saraswati (Shārada or Vāni) stand to Her left and right sides and fan Her. She joyfully accepts their services.
Saraswati symbolizes knowledge (vidya) and is the presiding deity for the entire knowledge. Lakshmi represents prosperity (aishwarya) and She is the presiding deity for all kinds of prosperity. Thus the Supreme Mother is being served by the energies of knowledge and prosperity. From this it can be understood that She rules over them.
Based on Her supreme directive, Lakshmi or Sharada shower their blessings (in the form of prosperity or knowledge) on to the devotee chosen. (Also refer nama no 892).
615. Ādiśaktiḥ
Meaning – She is the primordial energy – the cause behind this entire creation. She is the energy that can cause movement in even the otherwise motionless Lord Shiva.
616 & 617. Ameyaatma
(This nama can be split as ameya and atma and counted as 2 different names as well.)
Meaning – She is the immeasurable (ameya) and all-pervading Atma.
‘Atati vyāpnoti sarvam iti ātma’
Meaning – Atma is that which pervades everything or that which is all- pervasive is Atma.
618. Paramā
Meaning –
a) She is a dazzling brilliance.
‘Sushamā paramā modā modākāntir dyutischitih’ means ‘brightness/radiance (splendor) is known as Paramā, Sushamā or Kānti.
b) As an absolute power that supersedes even the energy of Goddess Lakshmi (ma), She is extolled as Paramā.
The very first stanza of Ramayana is- Mā Nishada Pratistham Tvamagamahsāsvati Samā.
‘Mā’ has many meanings but here it refers to Goddess Lakshmi. As the energy that supersedes Lakshmi, She is Paramā.
Parama consists of two words para+mā which means ‘that which is most supreme’.
Paramā thus means that She is over and above all forms of prosperity.
619. Pāvanākṛitiḥ
Meaning – Just a glance of Her form (ākruti) bestows purity (pāvanā). Her holy form is cleansing and purifying.
620. Aneka-koṭi-brahmāṇḍa-jananī
Meaning – Trillions of universes are contained within Her divine womb. She is the mother (Janani) to these infinite universes.