How to start reciting Lalitha Sahasranama ( Step Seven)

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Step Seven: The toe of Devi and Source of Sound

 

 

The beautiful toe of Devi is in front of you. You are humbly

submitting to her at tip of her toe. You are now seeking her grace.

 

Before the radiance of the pair of Lotus feet of Devi, the real

lotus pales into insignificance, according to Lalitha-Suhasranama

 

Pada-draya-prabha jala parakrta saroruhayai(45).

……… Lalitha

Sahasranama

 

" The divine foot pales the lotus into insignificance. Lotus withers

away in snow. But, Devi, whose house of birth as well as the house

of marriage both are in Himalayas, the feet are always excelling in

snow. Lotus droops during night, but the divine feet beams with

freshness. The lotus has the goddess Lakshmi within it. Whereas the

divine feet of Devi dispense wealth and prosperity to all who touch

them. "

 

…………….Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Kanchi Mahaswamigal.

 

Om nakha - didhiti - samchanna - namajjana - tamo - gunayai namah.

(44)

 

……… Lalitha Sahasranama

 

Salutations to Her the illuming splendour of whose toe nails dispels

the darkness of ignorance in the votaries prostrating at Her feet.

 

Concentrating on the toe of Devi would help the moon like shine of

Devi's toe to radiate to your forehead. That love for Devi will

radiate love for us and for all. This state will dissolve our anger,

selfishness, lustful passion, selfishness etc. In the ultimate state

everyone becomes your Mother, Father, Brother and Sister.

 

 

------- Pranata Suraasuna moulimanispharadam shula sannakha chandra

ruche----- (15)

 

 

……….Sri

Mahishasuramadini Stotra

 

Meaning: -------- The one sporting toe nails that are bright like

the moon beams and which are adorned by the light emanating from the

gems studded in the crowns of gods and demons falling at your feet---

-- (15)

 

Goddess Saraswati is wisdom, learning, arts, knowledge, performing

arts, music and speech. The Sanskrit word `Sara' means `essence'

and `swa' means `self'. Thus saraswati means `essence of self'.

 

Devi as Saraswati creates sounds. She is the source of all sounds

whether heard by humans or outside the range of human hearing.

Even, light is said to be a type of sound.

 

Sound is different forms of vibrations. The source of creation is

from sound. Remember the big bang theory of the beginning of the

universe. Our Vedas confirm this proposition but goes further to

say that the sound is continuous like a fan, which makes a constant

noise while rotating.

 

Lalitha Sahasranama, are sound-forms that embody different aspects

of divine consciousness. We have the Thousand Names of Lalita Devi.

Each Devi's name is really a mantra that contains the energy of a

divine quality. When we recite the names, we are not just praising

Devi.

 

" As we chant each name, we stimulate different points in our subtle

bodies. When all these points are fully purified and activated by

the mantric vibrations, our consciousness will be capable of

expressing the divine Consciousness embodied by Lalita Devi. We will

be like a channel for Her love, Her grace, Her compassionate mercy,

Her wisdom, Her divine energy. We will realize our Oneness with this

entire universe. " ..Sri Karunamayi

 

The sound in the chant actually creates a sound form of Devi in the

air. As mentioned earlier, when sound was first created when this

universe was formed which released a bundle of energy or sakti.

 

When we recite Lalitha Sahasranama we need to concentrate on the

source of this sound creation within us. The recital of Lalitha

Sahasranama has to be continuous without a break.

 

Constant practice helps us to concentrate at the base of our spine

where Lakshimi reside as our spiritual energy or lotus. This is

where Kundalini yoga begins.

 

When we recite Lalitha-Sahasranama we also must not only concentrate

on the source of sound but also the gaps between two sounds. The

gap between two sound states is a state of silence. The silence

craves for thoughts; restless thoughts crave for silence. Eros,

craving, is the fundamental nature of silence; at this state, as one

practice's one can also feel one's universal self. This is the ever-

present reality. Its presence will help vibrate our spiritual

energy. It is this spiritual energy that helps us feel Devi's

presence.

 

When you start reciting Lalitha Sahasranama, the toe of Devi, source

of sound, and the gaps between sound ie silence, are important

aspects for us to bear in mind.

 

R Ravi Sankar