This is our own Lalithambigai

We have seen four dhyan slokas of Lalithambigai in Lalitha Sahasranamam. The first one starting with Sindhooraruna vigraham probably is the one composed by the eight vak devis. The second one beginning with arunaam is said to have been composed by Dhatatreyar. The fourth sakunkuma has been composed by aathi Shankarar. No information is available about the origin of the third beginning with dhyateth. In all the dhyan slokas there is unanimity about Her red complexion, which resembles the sun at dawn.

 

Lalithambigai is a sculptured beauty. More than her complexion or beauty, her qualities are paramount. She is the universal mother, which is emphasized by the fact that her sahasranamam begins by addressing her as Sri Matha, which means universal mother. She is seated on a throne and Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswathi standing on each side of the throne fans Her. She is also called para bhattarika meaning the queen of queens. She is also known as para shakthi, Parameshwari and Rajarajewsari. She is the consort of Paramashiva. Rudra is different from Paramashiva. She is worshiped in the form of Sri Vidya and Dasa Maha Vidya. Both the form of worship consists of many secrets to be learnt from a learned Guru. The latter form of worship consists of tantric rituals. But they are extremely powerful and desired results are imminent.

 

In the Supreme form Shiva and Shakthi are called maha kameshawarar and maha kameshwari. They are the ultimate and the Absolute. In the absolute form she is called prakasha vimarsha maha maya swarupini (please refer my posting ‘Lalitha Sahasranamam’).Both of them in this absolute form have four hands and hold the same weapons. Pasam, angusam, bow made of sugar cane and arrow made of flowers. Both of them have moon in their crowns. Maha kameshwarar is pure transparent and colourless form. He is seated on a throne, with left leg folded and his right foot placed on the ground. She, the red coloured beauty, shining and smiling filled with joy and grace, ever ready to help her devotees, walking towards maha kameshwarar. His pure transparent and colourless form gradually turns red with every step she puts forward towards him. Even swans are ashamed about her agile walk. Maha Kameshwarar beams with smile on seeing Her. She sits on His left thigh with her right leg folded and left foot placed on a golden vessel filled with rubies. The moment she placed her left foot on this vessel, the red colour of the rubies reflects everywhere.

 

When She sits on His lap, His form also turns red. Both of them are shining and when people look at them, they mistake the bright red radiation emanating from them as sun. This divine couple always stays united and that is why in this sahasranamam the penultimate nama is called shivashakthi ikya rupini. This nama complies with the above description. This form is called the Absolute form. It is presumed that there is nothing beyond this shivashakthi ikya rupini or the absolute form. But this sahasranamam ends with Lalithambiga. Does this mean that her Lalithambigai form is superior to shivashakthi ikya rupini form? The answer would be a firm Yes. Otherwise, vak devis would not have placed this nama as the last. They could have made this as the penultimate and shivashakthi ikya rupini as the last. They did not do so. In the body of the sahasranamam there are namas saying pancha pretha sana seena and panch brahma swarupini. The first one means that she sits on Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Mahadeva and Sadashiva.

 

The deeper and impressed meaning of this nama will be discussed later. Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the sustainer; Shiva, the destroyer; Mahadeva and Sadashiva are the two forms of Shiva one removing the illusion and another providing knowledge and blessings. When Lalithambigai is sitting on them, Her power cannot be described by us. She is the ultimate. She is everything. She is you and me. She can give us whatever we want. She can be approached like our own mother. You and I are her children. She will never harm us, irrespective of whether we think about her or not. Let us bow before her Absolute form in right earnest. Rest, she will take care. With this we end our discussions on Lalithambigai. In the higher form of learning Shiva is known as subject and Shakthi is known as object. Shiva is quiet and does nothing and Shakthi is the performer and is called prakrti or maya. Shiva is like atman within us and shakthi is like our body and mind always active to perform karmas or acts.