Often while reading a Purana, Mahabharata or Ramayana, we come across instances where it is stated that an army or a soldier or a particular person was bound by reciting a mantra. What actually it means? This question arises in our minds.
It means that the person concerned becomes immobile, loses consciousness and remains unaware of his surroundings. Human beings are capable of controlling their mind and reach above mentioned state. This state can be considered to be the ladder which connects us with the Almighty and obtain supreme bliss. Mantras help us to achieve this state. Hence, mantras can be considered to bridge the gap between us and the Almighty. As the mother responds to single call of her child, Devi (Goddess Mother) also responds in same manner when we recite her stotras or namavalis. When we recite her 1000 names, she provides a shield around us without our own knowledge.
Under the command of Lalithadevi, Lord Hayagriva explained to the Sage Agastya, the importance of chanting the Devi mantras (Naam). According to Lord Hayagriva, by chanting a single name from the sahastra naam of Lalithadevi, we obtain the same Punya (benefit or boon) which is greater than the Punya obtained due to following deeds.
Furthermore, by reciting one naam, from the namavali, helps remove all the sins irrespective of their magnitude. Mere recital of single name of Lalithadevi, removes the sins due to all acts of errors and omissions of all duty. Hence the recital of sahastra naam is considered to be the most important aspect of worship in spiritual path. In that also the worship of Devi is considered to be one of the greatest.
The word Lalith itself indicates that she is lovable, adorable, beautiful, benevolent, affectionate, passionate and so on. Hence the practice of worshiping Devi with 1000 names i.e. Lalitha sahastranaam, is largely prevalent. The greatness of this Sahastranaam with respect to other Sahastranaams is that it contains exactly 1000 names without any repetitions. It also does not contain the words meant for rhythm. It is not only the namavali but it also contains (tells) rules and guidelines for the Upasana.
Among the Devi mantras, the most important is known as PANCHADASI which is a combination of 15 beejaksharas (seed letters) divided in 3 parts
Part 1 : ka (क), ae (ए), e (ई), la (ल), hrim (ह्रीं),
Part 2: ha (ह), sa (स), ka (क), ha (ह), la (ल), hrim (ह्रीं),
Part 3: sa (स), ka (क), la (ल), hrim (ह्रीं).
Lalitha Trishati contains 300 names. Each of these 300 names start with a letter from panchadashi. For example there are 20 names starting with ka (क), 20 names starting with ae (ए) and so on. Making total 300 names.
Every part of panchadashi ends in HREEM, which is called Maya Beej Mantra. This mantra is considered as the seed (beej) of all the mantras. The Sanskrit word HREEM contains 4 alphabets.
HAKARA -HA (ह)
REKARA -RA – (र)
IKARA – EE – (ई)
ANUSWARA – MA (.)
HA represents Aakash tatva which is endless and denote Lord Shiva. RA denotes Ishwara and his inseparable Shakti. Hence it represents the sound which is pure Chaitanya. IKARA denotes the stage of Vishnu which is spread everywhere. MA represents the destruction of sound or stage all mingle to become a new one. Thus we can conclude that this Beej Mantra represents the Tri Shaktis namely Creation, Protection and Destruction. Therefore Lalitha Devi bears the title, HREEMKAR LAKSHANA.
Again the three alphabets in this Beej mantra represents Satva, Rajas and Tamaa gunas. They are again represented by the colors White, Red and Black. By this Beej mantra all evil forces move away.
This mantra has both Saguna and Nirguna qualities. Therefore it has to be recited in same manner in which we recite the Pranava mantra - OM.
Of the 5 Beej mantras of Devi, HREEM has the capacity to grant virtues. Hence we can consider these Beej Mantra as a bridge between Human being and Goddess Devi.
This mantra is the most powerful and whoever chants it makes him a leader of men.
It means that the person concerned becomes immobile, loses consciousness and remains unaware of his surroundings. Human beings are capable of controlling their mind and reach above mentioned state. This state can be considered to be the ladder which connects us with the Almighty and obtain supreme bliss. Mantras help us to achieve this state. Hence, mantras can be considered to bridge the gap between us and the Almighty. As the mother responds to single call of her child, Devi (Goddess Mother) also responds in same manner when we recite her stotras or namavalis. When we recite her 1000 names, she provides a shield around us without our own knowledge.
Under the command of Lalithadevi, Lord Hayagriva explained to the Sage Agastya, the importance of chanting the Devi mantras (Naam). According to Lord Hayagriva, by chanting a single name from the sahastra naam of Lalithadevi, we obtain the same Punya (benefit or boon) which is greater than the Punya obtained due to following deeds.
- Taking bath in all sacred tirthas
- Establishing enumerable Shiva lingas in Kashi which is called Avimukta Kshetra
- Giving crores of gold coins to Brahmin and Vedic pandit on a Solar eclipse day
- Performing Ashwamedha yaag infinite times on the banks of the sacred river Ganga.
- Digging innumerable wells where the people are suffering without water
- Performing innumerable number of Annadaan during a famine.
Furthermore, by reciting one naam, from the namavali, helps remove all the sins irrespective of their magnitude. Mere recital of single name of Lalithadevi, removes the sins due to all acts of errors and omissions of all duty. Hence the recital of sahastra naam is considered to be the most important aspect of worship in spiritual path. In that also the worship of Devi is considered to be one of the greatest.
The word Lalith itself indicates that she is lovable, adorable, beautiful, benevolent, affectionate, passionate and so on. Hence the practice of worshiping Devi with 1000 names i.e. Lalitha sahastranaam, is largely prevalent. The greatness of this Sahastranaam with respect to other Sahastranaams is that it contains exactly 1000 names without any repetitions. It also does not contain the words meant for rhythm. It is not only the namavali but it also contains (tells) rules and guidelines for the Upasana.
Among the Devi mantras, the most important is known as PANCHADASI which is a combination of 15 beejaksharas (seed letters) divided in 3 parts
Part 1 : ka (क), ae (ए), e (ई), la (ल), hrim (ह्रीं),
Part 2: ha (ह), sa (स), ka (क), ha (ह), la (ल), hrim (ह्रीं),
Part 3: sa (स), ka (क), la (ल), hrim (ह्रीं).
Lalitha Trishati contains 300 names. Each of these 300 names start with a letter from panchadashi. For example there are 20 names starting with ka (क), 20 names starting with ae (ए) and so on. Making total 300 names.
Every part of panchadashi ends in HREEM, which is called Maya Beej Mantra. This mantra is considered as the seed (beej) of all the mantras. The Sanskrit word HREEM contains 4 alphabets.
HAKARA -HA (ह)
REKARA -RA – (र)
IKARA – EE – (ई)
ANUSWARA – MA (.)
HA represents Aakash tatva which is endless and denote Lord Shiva. RA denotes Ishwara and his inseparable Shakti. Hence it represents the sound which is pure Chaitanya. IKARA denotes the stage of Vishnu which is spread everywhere. MA represents the destruction of sound or stage all mingle to become a new one. Thus we can conclude that this Beej Mantra represents the Tri Shaktis namely Creation, Protection and Destruction. Therefore Lalitha Devi bears the title, HREEMKAR LAKSHANA.
Again the three alphabets in this Beej mantra represents Satva, Rajas and Tamaa gunas. They are again represented by the colors White, Red and Black. By this Beej mantra all evil forces move away.
This mantra has both Saguna and Nirguna qualities. Therefore it has to be recited in same manner in which we recite the Pranava mantra - OM.
Of the 5 Beej mantras of Devi, HREEM has the capacity to grant virtues. Hence we can consider these Beej Mantra as a bridge between Human being and Goddess Devi.
This mantra is the most powerful and whoever chants it makes him a leader of men.
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