Lalita Sahasranama meanings per name
801. Puṣṭā
Meaning- She is a form of completeness. She grants opulence, nourishment and development to the mind and intellect so that it can achieve this completeness.
A devotee who has crossed the 8 boundaries realizes that his mind and intellect are firm and strong. Only he who possesses a strong will and confidence will be able to reach God. The weak-minded fail in this path.
802. Purātanā
Meaning- She is very ancient (eternal).
Truth and knowledge are both eternal. There is nothing that can be newly added to it. Every invention brings back to the world the knowledge that exists invisibly. For example, description of Pushpaka-vimana in Ramayana teaches us that aeroplanes existed in ancient times. Demon Ravana possessed this plane.
As the name suggests, ‘research’ is nothing but ‘re-search’ i.e. searching once again for that which was originally known/ existed. Such re-search should be directed towards re-learning about the self (self realization).
803. Pūjyā
Meaning- She is most worthy of worship. She is deemed worthy of worship even by the various Gods. She accepts all the offerings of the devotees.
804. Puṣkarā
Meaning-
a) She is Pushkara of the river.
Pushkara is the very auspicious time for a particular river; the combination of Jupiter and the zodiac sign results in its Pushkara. At the time of Pushkara the supreme energy in the form of all the Devatas are said to reside in that river and hence bathing in the river and offering it worship are considered very auspicious. The medicinal properties of that river increase multi fold at such time.
b) Pushyati avakaasham akasha roopena iti pushkara- She provides the opportunity for our spiritual growth and hence She is called Pushkara.
c) Pushkara refers to yoga. She is the form of yoga and hence is Pushkara. Arunopanishad states- pushkara parnai pushkara dandai.. which means- She loves the pushkara parnai (lotus flowers); pushkara danda (lotus stem) and hence is Pushkara.
The lotus blooms beautifully even when it is situated in mire and mud. This is to teach us irrespective of our surroundings we should make efforts to raise and bloom in the spiritual field. As lotus flowers contain such deep symbolism, they are very dear to Her.
805. Puṣkarekṣaṇā
Meaning- Her beautiful eyes are like lotus petals.
Her long lotus-like eyes indicate that She is ever scanning and looking out for people whom She can uplift in the spiritual field. She is eternally guarding her children.
806. Paraṃjyotiḥ
Meaning- She is the ultimate divine flame (light, illumination).
While lighting the oil lamp, the following verse should be recited-
Om antar-jyotih bahir-jyotih pratyak-jyotih sanātanah
Jyotir-jyotih swayam-jyotih ātma-jyotih shivosmyaham
Meaning- Illumination is of various forms- the inner light/illumination (antar jyoti), the external light (bahir jyoti) and individual illumination (pratyak jyoti). Such illumination is ageless (eternal, sanātana). It is the foundation for all other types of illumination and is self-ignited (swayam jyotih, which does not need support). Such illumination is the illumination of the self (atma-jyoti) who is none other than Shiva himself (shivosmyaham)!
Lighting the lamp in the evening before God has a great spiritual significance. Even though the house is completely illuminated with electrical lamps, this practice of lighting the oil lamp should not be given up. This oil lamp is considered as Parabrahma itself!
807. Paraṃdhāma
Meaning- She is the ultimate destination; the ultimate state of achievement and the super ultimate bliss that can be attained. Beyond Her there is nothing that one can seek to achieve.
Na tat bhāsayate suryo na shashānkah na pāvakah
Yad gatva na nivartante tad dhāma paramam mamā.
Meaning- It is Her effulgence that illuminates the Sun, Moon and Fire. But for this, the Sun, Moon or fire would have failed in dispersing light. Her residence is the ultimate abode; one from which there can be no return and no further upward journey.
808. Paramāṇuḥ
Meaning- She is the sub-atomic particle. She is the most-minute and subtle element within the atom.
This earth was formed out of a collection of infinite atoms. She is the subtlest particle within the atom that cannot be comprehended by the senses and sense organs.
809. Parātparā
Meaning- She is superior to even that which is considered the most-superior.
The Lord declared that the buddhi (intellect) is superior to the mind (manas) and that He is superior to even such intellect. She is the force that supercedes Him.
810. Pāśa hastā
Meaning- She holds the pāsa (noose) in her hand.
This is similar in meaning to nama no 8 – Rāgasvarūpa-pāśāḍhyā.