SrImAtA 1/9

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The tamil translation I have gives 9 points while explaining this

name. I will go over the points one by one. I will try to provide the

Sanskrit text when it is possible. I had already posted this 1st

part, but for completion I am posting it again. Translation provided

is a free translation and does not follow the original strictly.

--

 

Sri bhAskararAya gives this introduction before going deep into the

name SrImAtA.

 

loke hi duHkhadaSayAM mAtuH smaraNam prasiddham.h |

 

At times of difficulty remembrance of one's mother is most natural

reaction and it is well known in the world. It is natural because of

the conscious and subconscious memories of one's mother caring for,

nurturing, and protecting at the young age.

 

anubhUtAstu mAtaro na tapatraya haraNa samarthAH |

 

But it is also well known that the mother who gave birth to the body

is not capable of destroying the three-fold affliction. This three

fold affliction will be described as a part of commentary to the name

"tApatrayAgni santapta samAhladana chandrika". It can be said this is

three-fold afflictions denotes the nature of samsAra.

 

[having said this, bhAskararAya goes on to quote a verse from the

shakti mahimna stotra"

 

taduktaM abhi yuktaiH "nAnA yoni sahasra sambhava vaSAt.h jAtA

jananyaH kati prakhyAta janaka kiyanta iti me setsya.nti chAgre kati |

eteShAM gaNanaiva nAsti mahataH samsAra sindhoH vidheH bhItaM mAM

nitarAM ananya SaraNaM raxa

anukampAnidhe||" iti | [1]

 

Hence, j~nAni-s say that due to association and birth through

thousands of wombs (of different types) it is not possible to say how

many mothers one had in the past and how

many fathers. Considering the number of births one will have in

future, it is impossible to say how many more one will have. O Divine

Mother I am distressed and overcome by fear of this terrible ocean of

saMsara. O treasure house of compassion, I have no other refuge but

Thee, please protect and save me".

 

ato duranta duHkha haraNa xamAsu sarvottamA jagan mAtA eva svasmin

dayAvatva ApadanAya mAtR^itva ena eva stotavyA stotra sandarpa

prayojana moxAdi rUpa phalatvenApi stotavya iti ASayenAha SrIti |

 

 

Only the Supreme Mother of Universe is capable of saving us from this

misery, hence, we pray and worship her in form of Mother (appealing

to her motherly nature which

is the most compassionate form) so that she will save us out of mercy

bestow all good things and the ultimate moxa.

 

--

 

Here the commentator brings two things into perspective. First, the

natural compassion of a mother and ability of a child to bond with

her, remember her, and seek her at the moment of difficulty. To many,

the word mother is synonymous to compassion and love. It is a place of

refuge. The second thing he brings out is the inability of the mother

of one's body to quench the fires of three-fold affliction. He brings

this to highlight that the supreme Mother is capable of doing that and

She is more compassionate than any one. God transcends gender. Yet,

it is easier to bond with God in the form of mother. The element of

fear that is always associated with one's father is not seen with

one's mother. It is always the unconditional love that first comes to

one's mind.

 

In next few posts, I will take up the other points in the tamil

translation I have. Often commentators give many meanings to a name.

But as a sAdhaka we should focus the dominant idea among them that

appeals us to the most. That way this dominant theme will come to

one's mind at the time of recitation and enrich the recitation.

 

Ravi

 

[1] http://escribe.com/religion/ambaa/m1592.html

[2] http://escribe.com/religion/ambaa/m1610.html

 

 

--

Ravi Mayavaram <abhayambika