MOTHER AND MOTHER'S THOUSAND NAMES
MAI AND MAI SAHASRANAMA
JAY MAI JAY MARKAND MAI
जय माई जय मार्कण्ड माई
GROUP A
The fifty names as described here may be taken to form group A. They are descriptive mainly of the different parts of Mother's physical body as visible to the devotees on attainment of Her grace.
First eight names are recommended to be constantly repeated, as stated before, as they describe Mother generally. It may also be seen that the whole group A of fifty names and group B of ten names may be generally said to be the amplification of the very first name of Shree-Maataa of the group A.
GROUP A - (1)
1) Shree Maataa श्रीमाता - "The Holy " Mother.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 1
The birth-giving physical mother is usually remembered and called upon in times of sorrow, but our natural mothers are not able to remove the different kinds of pains. Great men believing in reincarnation have therefore said: " Millions of physical mothers I had, O Treasure-house of compassion! Thou art the only one Mother of Eternity. Save me from the vast, and disastrous ocean of world-wormness." The Mother is the only one who is capable of removing the endless misery.
Shree means prosperity, success, beauty and wisdom
Shri is ambrosia. The title Shree is prefixed to eminent personages and is an honorific word.
2) Shree Mahaaraajni श्रीमहाराज्ञी - " The great " Queen.The controller of the created Universe. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 2
She by whose Grace the creation goes on. She who is the fighting Heroine Queen, and who fights out and dispels and controls all that is obstructive for Her devotees.
3) Shrimat Sinhaasaneshvari श्रीमत्सिंहासनेश्वरी -"The Ruler" on the lion-throne.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 3
One rendering is Sinha meaning pain and asana means expelling.
She is the destroyer of universe or that into whom the created beings enter on their dissolution. She is the Queen of Queens, Mother who is the most supreme merciful Donor, holds Her Darbar and grants whatever is demanded by Her devotees, and by all in good relations with them.
4) Chidagnikunda-Sambhootaa चिदग्निकुण्डसंभूता - Who is born from the altar of the fire of consciousness. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 4
If Mother is such a heroic and Majestic Queen, is She also unapproachable like such queens? No, just the reverse, She is at your beck and call. From the fire of devotion of a devotee that burns within his heart uninterruptedly, without fuel, and dispels the darkness of desire and attachment to other things and other persons, She at times bursts forth. The devoted heart is a fire because it consumes the sins and evils of the Universe and Mother abides in that fire, though not born from it.
Mother has often appeared from the physical altar of religious sacrifices as well. Thus run some of the descriptions - " Out of the sacrificial fire, slowly arose a woman divinely beautiful, adorned with divine ornaments and bright as the moon. She was Mother, the only one, the supporter of the Universe, equal to whom there is none ". Again we have '' Then the devotees constructed a very beautiful sacrificial altar and the devotees offered their body, mind and soul as oblations. When they were about to offer up the whole of their bodies, there appeared a great blaze of light, bright as millions of suns and cool as millions of moons put together; in midst of this light was seen an indescribable wheel-form ( Shree Chakra ); and from its centre the Great Mother shining like the morning sun dawned forth. On beholding the great Mother, the souls of all were filled with ecstasy and they bowed to Her again and again."
(5) Bhakta-Kaarya Samudyataa भक्तकार्यसमुद्यता - " Manifested Herself " for fulfilling the objects of the Devotees.ललिता सहस्रनामस्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 5
In the original, it is "Devakaarya "referring to Devaas. The same word can be retained and be interpreted to mean that Mother is constantly engaged in transforming Her devotees to be the most shining deified beings. But as the Universal Mother has no partiality to gods and demons, I make the change least that same may be perpetuate the long carried misunderstanding. Her eternal occupation is a fulfilment of devotees' desires and their transformation.
(6) Uddyat-Bhaanu-Sahasraabhaa उद्यतभानुसहस्राभा - This indicates She is very red. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 6
Rosy complexion is indicative of freshness, Love and mercy. There are three forms of Mother, the physical (sthula), the subtle (sukshma) and the supreme (para). The physical form has hands, feet, etc. and is elemental, the subtle consists of Mantra and ethereal, while the Supreme is made of the Vaasanaas and is ideal.
(7) Chaturbaahu-samanvitaa चतुर्बाहुसमन्विता - Endowed with four arms. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र,नाम क्रमांक 7
(8) Nijaaruna-prabhaapura-majjat-brahmaanda-mandalaa निजारूणप्रभापुरमज्जतब्रह्माण्डमण्डला Bathing the whole universe with Her own rosy effulgence.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 12
Rosy effulgence is indicative of being happy and cheerful in all respects. The order has been changed here to be in rhyme with the order of importance.
The idea conveyed by these eight names :
She is Mother(Shree Maataa). She helps Her devotees by fighting out the battle for Her devotees against six enemies and all other kinds of enemies (Shri Mahaa Raajni). She gives you all that you demand with the liberality of the highest supreme Queen ( Shrimat Sinhaasaneshvari). Although the Supreme Queen, She loves Her devotees as Her children and is always at the beck and call when the heart burns with the desire of meeting Her and She bursts forth (Chidagni-Kunda-Sambhootaa). Her constant work and occupation is about battering and deifying Her devotees (Bhakta-Kaarya-Samuddyataa). She is as bright as millions of suns in the matter of illuminating Her devotees. She has four hands( as explained in Preface) indicative of the very simple process of Her liberating the devotees. Finally, She constantly keeps the whole universe and, much more Her devotees, bathed in happiness and cheerfulness. Wherever you find joy, happiness and cheerfulness, it is simply proof of a greater pervading of Mother's Grace.
Jaya Maai, Mother Bless All.
GROUP A - (2)
Weapons and Visage
The names that follow describe Mother that has been described in the original as Shiva' wife. Necessary amendments have been made by a different interpretation so that except in the description of four arms and weapons , the description may be applicable to the Finalmost Mother. As stated in the Preface, the reader must use his discretion as to which name is applicable to which aspect of Mother.
(9) Raagasvarupapaashaadhyaa रागस्वरूपपाशाढ्या - Holding the noose of desire. [ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र,नाम क्रमांक 8 ]
Desire is the Supreme, the third, i.e., the Vaasanaa form of Mother, the noose being the corresponding gross form.This weapon She has in Her lower left hand. The subtle form of the noose is Hreem.
(10) Krodhaakaaraankushojwalaa क्रोधाकारांकुशोज्ज्वला -Shining with the elephant-hook of both " wrath and worldly knowledge ." [ ललिता सहस्रनाम, नाम क्रमांक 9 ]
Aakaara may be taken to mean self-created universe of souls based on ignorance, world-attachment and world-wormness.
She shines, holding in Her lower right hand, the elephant-hook which increases or removes world-wormness, wrathfulness, hatred, etc. The noose and the elephant-hook of Her are spoken as desire and anger. The noose is Ichchhaashakti, the goad, JnaanaShakti, and the bow and arrows referred to next represent Kriyaashakti.
(11) Manorupekshukodandaa मनोरूपेक्षुकोदण्डा - Armed with the sugarcane bow of mind. [ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र,नाम क्रमांक 10 ]
Mind characterised with both Sankalpa and Vikalpa ( healthy and unhealthy, rational and irrational thinkings )
is the bow. This is in Her upper left hand. A mind has mainly four functions. {1} Covering the whole vision with thoughts of " I, my, mine, not I, not my, not mine," {2} Oscillating between several aspects of a question, {3}Discriminating and determining and {4}Unifying oneself with. These are, in one word, egoism, thinking, discriminating and being one with.
(12) Panchatanmaatrasaayakaa पंचतन्मात्रसायका - Having the arrows of the five subtle elements. [ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 11 ]
The five subtle elements viz, sound, touch, sight, taste and smell, are arrows; these are in Her upper right hand. " The arrows are of three kinds; gross, subtle and supreme; the gross are flowers, the subtle are mantras, and the supreme are the vaasanaas. Of the gross arrows, two important flowers are the lotus and the mango-flower. The other three are Raktakairav, Kalhaar and Indivar. In the Vaasanaa forms, joy, attraction, confusion, maddening and dying are the five arrows. Some say they are Sankshobhan (agitation), Dravan (wetting), Aakarshan (being attracted), Vashya (surrendering) and Unmaad (being mad).
The plainest thing is that this Mother, the Active Mother, utilizes the very same weapons of noose, elephant-hook, mind and the arrows and Her energies of desire, knowledge and action, to protect, guide, lift and liberate the souls or do otherwise, according to as Her Grace goes. One thing is however certain, on the top of everything, that She is for evolutionising and finally liberating one and all.
This is exactly what happens with every energy. How to utilize it is ours. Floods may ruin villages, and may as well create a gigantic hydro-electric power. With the very weapon, one may kill his enemy or commit suicide. The very noose may bind us or our enemies. It wholly depends generally on our desires, thoughts, actions, and natural tendencies, but principally on our devotion and Her Grace.
(13) Champakaashoka Punnaaga Saugandhika Lasat Kachaa चंपकाशोकपुन्नागसौगन्धिकलसतकचा - Her hair is adorned with the flowers of Champaka, Ashoka, Punnaga and Saugandhika; Her hair gives scent to flowers. [ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 13 ]
(14) Kuruvinda manishreni kanat kotirmanditaa कुरूविन्दमणिश्रेणीकनत्कोटीरमन्डिता - Her crown is resplendent with rows of Kuruvinda gems. [ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 14 ]
Kuruvinda is supposed to confer love, prosperity and devotion.
(15) Ashtamichandravibhraajadalika Sthalashobhitaa अष्टमीचन्द्रविभ्राजदलिकस्थलशोभिता - Her forehead is as bright and crescent shaped as the moon on the eighth day.[ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र नाम क्रमांक 15 ]
(16) Mukhachandra kalankaabha mriganaabhivisheshakaa मुखचन्द्रकलंकाभमृगनाभिविशेषका - The tiny mark of Kasturi (musk) on it is like the spot in the moon. [ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 16 ]
(17) Vadanasmara maangalyagrihatoranachillikaaवदनस्मरमांगल्यगृहतोरणचिल्लिका - Her eyebrows are like green auspicious buntings over the entrance arches of the palace of Kaamaraaj (God of Love).[ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 17 ]
(18) Vaktralakshmiparivaahachalanminaabhalochanaa वक्त्रलक्ष्मीपरीवाहचलन्मीनाभलोचना - Her eyes are like fishes rapidly moving and playing in the shining water of the tank, viz., the bewitching beauty of Her face.As Fishes nourish their progeny though eyes alone, so also Mother give all nourishment to Her devotees through Her merciful eyes shedding Grace. [ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 18 ]
(19) Navachampaka pushpaabhanaasaadanda viraajitaa नवचम्पकपुष्पाभनासादण्डविराजिता - Her nose is beautiful like the newly blown champaka flower. [ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 19 ]
Champak is the most beautiful flower, with the best shape, best colour, and best smell. It is however said that it does not attract bee ( who is not faithful to one flower ). So also those alone are attracted towards Mother who have a single pointed devotion " of one without a second ". Mother devotees know no God except Mother if they are true devotees.
(20) Taaraakaanti tiraskaari naasaabharanabhaasuraa ताराकांतितिरस्कारिनासाभ॓रणभासुरा - Shining with the jewel on Her nose, which excels the star of Mars in splendour. [ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक20 ]
(21) Kadambamanjiriklripta karnapura manoharaa कदंबमंजरीक्लृप्तकर्णपूरमनोहरा - Decked with clusters of the Kadamba flowers worn above Her ears. [ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 21 ]
(22) Taatankayugalibhuta tapanodupamandalaa ताटंकयुगलीभुततपनोडुपमंडला - The two jewels in her ears are the sun and the moon.
The sun and the moon are the breasts, eyes and ear-rings of Mother. [ ललिता सहसनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 22 ]
(23) Padmaraaga shilaadarsha paribhaavi kapolabhuh पद्मरागशिलादर्शपरिभाविकपोलभूः Her cheeks eclipse the brightness of the ruby Padmaraaga. [ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 23 ]
If the sky with beautiful red colour were like our earth and the sky had corals, how beautiful they would be !
But they would be feeling shy and be put to shame by Mother's cheeks.
(24) Navaviduma bimbashri nyakkaari radanchchhadaa नवविद्रुमबिम्बश्रीन्यक्कारिरदनच्छदा - Her lips put to shame the colour of fresh corals and Bimba fruit. [ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र,नाम क्रमांक 24 ]
(25) Shuddha vidyaankuraa kaaradvijapankti dvayojwalaa शुध्दविद्यांकुराकारद्विजपंक्तिद्वयोज्ज्वला -
She shines with Her two rows of teeth in the form of buds of pure knowledge. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 25
Shuddha Vidyaa is pure or final knowledge when a yogi discarding limited supernatural powers is prompted to embrace all in himself.
On whom She smiles, he has passed through all Dikshaas, i.e., stages of initiation and knowledge. This Shuddha Vidyaa dawns on him and makes him forget the difference of "I" and "Thee". The upper teeth row represents theory and knowledge, the lower one initiation and realisation.
(26) Karpura vitikaa moda samaakarshat digantaraa कर्पूरवीटिकामोदसमाकर्षतद्दिगंतरा - The fragrance from the betel leaves She chews attracts the deities of different directions. [ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 26 ]
The tiny musk mark in the forehead and the fragrant betel leaf in the mouth are considered very auspicious and recommended for Mother's devotees.
Both confer attractive power. In the case of female devotees the tiny mark is a great protection against sexual hypnotism from the evil-minded and is a centre of radiations of her own sexual hypnotism for them whom she loves. The centre between the two eyebrows in a very important centre along the spinal cord way.
(27) Mandasmita prabhaapura majjata kaamesha maanasaa मन्दस्मितप्रभापुरमज्जतकामेशमानसा - The mind of Kaamesha is drowned in the fulness of the glory of Her sweet smile.[ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 28 ]
Kaamesh कामेश is Mother's primary beginner in devotion. Kaameshvar कामेश्वर is Mother's superior devotee. Kaamesh is the devotee who is desirous of conquering all desires. Kaameshvar is he who has conquered and has become master. Kaamesh is able to be above all the Kaama, desires and worries by reason of drowning his mind in the remembrance of Mother's sweet smile. The original popular meaning of Kaamesh and Kaameshvar is Shiva. The order has been changed here as the smile should precede the speech.
Original serial numbers 27 and 28 are interchanged.
(28)Nijasallaapa maadhurya vinirbhartsita kachchhapi निजसंलापमाधुर्यविनिर्भर्त्सितकच्छपी - The sweet melody of Her words brought the Kachchhapi to a stop. Kachchhapi is the Vinaa, i.e., the musical instrument of Saraswati or the Goddess Minerva of music. [ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 27 ]
Sings one devotee :- When Saraswati with Her Vina was singing Thy various triumphs in charmful tunes "O, Thou of beautiful speech! She immediately closed the melody of the string of her instrument with her fingertips, as soon as Thou started Thy vocal speech as it was sweeter than the sweetest music, ever sung or played."
(29) Anaakalita saadrdrishyachibuka shriviraajitaa अनाकलितसादृश्यचिबुकश्रीविराजिता
Illuminated by the beauty of Her chin, the equal of which is not to be found. [ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमामक 29 ]
Chin reminds one of children's often catching Mother's chin and forcefully turning Her face to themselves to hear and grant the demand made by them Chin-holding is the most affectionate assertion of the child'd right to the Mother, turning Her mirror face to itself to join eyes to eyes and protruded lips to protrude lips. Reader just sublimate thy love to thy Mother. Has thy mother never thrust her betel juice, quite unexpectedly in thy mouth!Imagine the same oneness with the divine Mother, and tears will flow from thy eyes in devotion if thou art a true Maai-ist.
Jay Maai, Mother Bless All.
GROUP A - (3)
Neck to Waist
(30) Kaameshabaddha maangalyasutrashobhit kandharaa कामेशबध्दमांगल्यसूत्रशोभितकंधरा - Having the neck adorned with the liberation promising thread tied for the satisfaction and assurance of Kaameshas ( devotees desirous of conquering desires ) around it. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 30
It need not be re-stated that Kaamesh in the original means Shiva as the husband of Shakti, but here it means as in bracket above. Mangala Sutra in popular meaning means the marriage thread which a wedded wife wears and prizes more than anything else as contributing to the life and happiness of her husband.
It is worn as a sign of her faithfulness, chastity and the livingness of her husband. The interpretation of Mangala Sutra may be taken as " tied-for-devotees ", and " their welfare securing thread ".
(31) Kanakaangada keyura kamaniyabhujaanvitaa कनकांगदकेयूरकमनीयभुजान्विता - Having lovely arms encircled with golden ornaments.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 31
(32) Ratnagraiveya chintaaka lolamukhaa phalaanvitaa रत्नग्रैवेयचितांकलोलमुक्ता॑फलान्विता - Having a pearl danging from a necklace of gems and gold. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 32
Adorned with the liberation - promise - representing celestial necklace with the most attractive gems and gold, put on by Her for the just-initiated devotees, as if the neck were pressed down by Her just initiated devotees, with their two hands, to crave mercy.
The pearl in the necklace is dangling and is just near her heart. It is to give assurance to Her devotees, although they are dangling and fickle-minded about their having a place and play in Her heart. This suggests to them the sublime truth, viz., that to the Mother the weakest child is dearest in Her heart.
Those who meditate (Chintaaka) on Her from the crown up to the neck (Grivaa)alone and can not meditate further on Mother up to Her heart in the cavity of their heart,, i.e., those who worship Her only externally have their love to Her, which is ever changing in intensity. But even the devotion of such wavering devotees Graiveyachintaaka becomes fruitful, although they are bound by various earthly desires. They are like the dangling pearl, swinging like a pendulum between happiness arising from earthly pleasures and that from devotion to Mother.
There should be no confusion between the Mangal Sutra and the Necklace regarding their being different things with different missions. The Mangal Sutra is for them that are Her beloved children who love Her and would sacrifice themselves for Her out of love for Her. The necklace is for the welfare of the devotees of various grades. If subtlety is appreciated, a distinction should be made from the view of direct approach to Mother as Her child and approach to Her through the usual religiously prescribed channel, although it may be remembered that the beloved children are those souls who have already been in the religious routine in previous lives, as per Hindu conception.
It should be clearly known that those that are connected with the Mangal Sutra, have doubtlessly their place in the heart. Devotees are connected with the heart, necklace and liberation, whereas the children have, in addition to those they claim to neck, Mangal Sutra and general welfare in the running life as well. Children have a double share, and naturally so, because they are in the most cases, the cream of the devotees.
(33) Kaameshvara-premaratnamani-pratipanastani
कामेश्वरप्रेमरत्नमणिप्रतिपणस्तनी - Her two breasts are the rewards offered in exchange for the priceless gem of the love and light of the Kaameshvara.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक
It need not be repeated that Mother is not the Father's wife as per Mother's Ideal, and even then in the Founder's opinion there can nothing more revolting than for children to even think of the husband and wife relation between Father and Mother, or for parents to think of the sexual relations of the daughter and son in law.
There can be no greater bluntness of heart than that devotees may indulge in the sexual relationship of the worshippable. The philosophy of lover and beloved, or husband and wife, however relishing, is, in Founder's opinion and experience, much inferior to that of Mother and child.
From personal experience, the Founder states that the pangs of separation and ecstasy of joy are many times much greater.
There are four principal parts of Mother's physical person and four kinds of devotees. The face, the breasts, the lap and the Lotus Feet. Sweet smiles of Mother are for the newly initiated devotees desirous of controlling their desires. They look into Her face, forget their misery and get wonderfully encouraged to push on forward on their path of spiritual progress. They know only face and meditate thereon. Next, Mother gives the suckling of Her breasts full of knowledge, devotion and Love-nectar to the advanced devotees who have mastered their desires especially the sexual desire. Further, Mother offers Her lap to the volunteering devotees who share Her work and worries in Her great work of conducting the universe and protecting righteousness, and finally, Mother offers Her Lotus Feet, which are invisible and unattainable for all others, to only fully self-dedicated devotees of the best and most supreme devotion.
This is a meditation and interpretation in just the reverse order of the usual meditation method. Mother's meditation is not from toe to top but from top to toe and the highest devotee is he who proceeding from up, from the meditation of the most charming merciful face finally merges in the devotional meditation of Mother's Lotus Feet.
(34) Stanabhaaradalanmadhya pattabandhavalitrayaa
स्तनभारदलनमध्यपट्टबन्धवलित्रया - Her golden belts supports Her waist which bends under the burden of Her breasts and makes visible the three separate folds of the side ribs below the bosom. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 36
(35) Arunaaruna kausumbhavastra bhaasvat katitati
अरूणारूणकौसुम्भवस्त्रभास्वतकटीतटी Her waist is bright with a rosy-tinted garment.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 37
(36) Ratnakinkinikaaramyarashanaadaama bhushitaa
रत्नकिंकिणिकारम्यरशनादामभूषिता -Decked in a belt beautified with jewelled bells.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र,नाम क्रमांक 38
GROUP A - (4)
Waist to Lotus Feet
(37) Kaamesha jnaata saubhaagya maardavoru dvayaanvitaa कामेशज्ञातसौभाग्यमार्दवोरूद्वयान्विता - The blessingfulness and smoothness of Her thighs are only to the devotees who know what is the highest fortune, viz., to be sharers with Her in the responsibility of managing the universe.ललितासहस्रनामस्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 39
The idea is that an infant is suckled, but when the child grows up and becomes a boy, Mother makes him sit in the lap, and while patting his head and playing Her fingers in his curls , tells him by sweetest words of advice about what should and should not be done, how facts are, how different conditions should be faced and initiates him very gradually and imperceptibly in to the act of sharing with her, her responsibilities . So also of the Mother.
(38) Maanikyamukutaakaara jaanudvayaviraajitaa
माणिक्यमुकुटाकारजानुद्वयविराजिता - Her knees shine like jewelled disks. These are like the pair of the frontal globes of the divine elephant.ललिता सहसनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 40
(39) Indragopa parikshipta smaratunaabhajanghikaa
इन्द्रगोपपरिक्षिप्तस्मरतूणाभजंघिका - Her calves are like the sapphire-studded quivers of the God of love. ललिता सहस्र स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 41
Those that meditate upon her with themselves as shampooing Her calves, soon become Her Love-stricken slaves. By this sort of meditation, shampooing the calves, which represent five arrows of Mother previously referred to, the devotees get mastery over the powers of agitation, attraction, liquefication, and subjugation.
(40) Gudhagulphaa गूढगुल्फा - With rounded ankles. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 42
Those are strong and round to hold the anklets, which by their tinkling sound and the dazzling light of the gems therein madden the ears and eyes of Her devotees.
The Founder's most favourite part for meditation of Mother is an anklet. For devotional readers, the devotional flight is suggested here.
(41) Kurmaprishtha jayishnuprapadaanvitaa
कूर्मपृष्ठजयिष्णुप्रपदान्विता - Possessed with the convex side of her feet arched like the back of the tortoise.
ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 43
(42) Nakhadidhiti sanchhannanamajjanatamogunaa
नखदीधितिसंछन्ननमज्जनतमोगुणा The bright rays from Her nails dispel the darkness of Her worshippers.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 44
As regard Mother’s Lotus Feet and Lotus Hands, there have been most sublime thoughts and emotions. Her one hand is described by Her best devotees (Naarada being one), as “ever uplifted, raised hand.”
Mother has always Her hand raised. Because, She is a great giver Herself, and Her hand must therefore necessarily be above that of the one who receives. She is never the receiver, i.e., She will never be failing to be the highest donor in return of love and in fulfilment of devotees’ desires.
Regarding Her Lotus Feet, the best devotees have in full devotion love and sportivity said: “Mother’s Lotus feet erred by their own shadow.” The interpretation of this most mysterious sentence, as explained to me, by Merciful Mother is this. As soon as devotee prostrates to Her, Mother is such an ocean in Her every atom that the bright ray from one of the nails of her Lotus Feet rushes into the heart of the devotee and transmutes all darkness and blackness in the heart to be light and whiteness, and every ray even after having done its work as a result of the climax of compassion to the devotees does not return, lest, after departure, the darkness and blackness should return and trouble the devotee and again make him miserable.
If this is the mercifulness of a single ray out of the most significant body portion as a nail, who could imagine the quality and intensity and concentratedness of the mercifulness her heart?
Think of me anyway! I am blessed, although the wicked child, most graciously and mercifully blessed. These tears on getting this thought in torrent have washed out all my blackness and darkness. To-morrow I may be again full of blackness, but at this moment I am not. Mother be blessed. Mother bless all.
To continue, the Lotus Feet of Mother on seeing that the ray emanating from itself rush to the devotee’s heart and do not return, get a bit annoyed on not finding any of the rays returning and the Feet speak to themselves ‘Should these rays not have the discretion of apportioning out their beneficial blessing to the deservedness and worth of such devotee? Should they not return?
But while these Lotus Feet thus try to think and judge on the lines of requirements of strict justice, they see that millions of Devas and Asuras have been prostrating to them. On seeing their own shadow in the various-coloured jeweled crowns during the humblest prostration by the greatest of souls, their true nature of immeasurable compassion soon gets uppermost and these Lotus Feet all along go on committing the greatest error (?) Of liberating any soul whatsoever, without any consideration whatsoever of worth, deservedness or any other qualification.
Further, these Merciful Mother’s Lotus Feet, on finding that rays emanating from them do not return, and again finding their shadow in the crowns of Devas and Asuras, abruptly begin to think “To whom do we belong? Which is our place? Is it the Mother’s person or the crown of the greatest Devas and Asuras? Or is it the heart of the humble devotees ?” “Do we belong to Mother? Devas or Asuras?” And they err(?), err most amiss(?), because out of their most compassionate nature very wrongly (?) they conclude that “Their real place of residence is in the heart of humblest devotees and they belong to the devotees.” Thus they err (?).
It need not be stated, to understand the above idea that the word “err” has been sarcastically used out of love for Mother.
Who shall describe the greatness of Mother’s Lotus Feet? It is no poetry, no poetic extravagance or exaggeration. Maai method of meditation is, to begin with, the meditation on Mother’s face. That is just for world worm full of pride, wrath, greed, lust and desires, with only the face of a devotee, and with the face-value of the devotee. By the time you reach the meditation of Mother’s breasts, you must have been a mere suckling babe. By the time you reach the lap, you must have the mind full of desire to relieve the sufferings of mankind. By the time you reach the meditation of the Lotus Feet, you must be prepared to lose anything and everything for the Mother and to lose yourself, prepared to merge in Her Lotus Feet.
No mysticism, no complexity, no external dependence, no scriptural requirement, no knowledge burden. Pure, simple and unadulterated thinking and feeling the most sublime thoughts and emotions are enough to make one merge in divine ecstasy by the time one reaches the Lotus Feet.
Practise it. Find it. Preach it. The Simplified and Purified meditation of Mother’s Lotus Feet.
No other meditation is possible for an average Kali-creature of the Iron age.
Practise feeling, when you prostrate before Mother, that the most merciful rays from Her Lotus Feet are running to you, are washing out all blackness in your heart and returning to the Mother with a portion of your consciousness which they drown ion the Mother’s Lotus Feet. Prostrating twice as above, practice feeling that after the third round, the blackness of your heart has disappeared.
(43) Padadvaya prabhaajaala paraakrita saroruhaa
पदद्वयप्रभाजालपराकृतसरोरूहा - Her feet by their beauty put the Lotus to shame.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 45
(44) Shinjaana mani manjira mandita shree padaambujaa सिंजानमणिमंजीरमण्डितश्रीपदाम्बुजा - Her Lotus Feet are adorned with jewelled anklets that tinkle.
She wears Anklets mainly for two reasons. Firstly, She, being very sportive, so often likes to dance to the tune of her devotees, and secondly because She is anxious to relieve the anxiety of Her devotees in distress by giving them news of Her arrival from long distance when She is running down to help Her devotees. Her ankles are purposely strong as they prevent these anklets slipping off during speedy flights.
Jay Maai, Mother Bless All.
GROUP A - 5.
(45) Maraali Mandagamanaa मरालीमन्दगमना - Her gait is that of the swan. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 47
There are two gaits, one the elephant-gait and other the swan-gait for a damsel. The former results in the oscillations of the central body rightward and leftward. In swan-gait, there is an up and down movement of the feet and the neck, with a face. The swan-gait is referred to because Mother's devotee's full attention is riveted on the Lotus Feet. Besides a swan is beautiful not only in its gait but even by itself. There is an idea of tenderness associated with "swan", that has no comparison.
Swan is further gifted with the natural capacity of separating and sipping away milk though immensely adulterated with water.
(46) Mahaalaavanyashevadhih महालावण्यशेवधिः The treasurehouse
of beauty. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र नाम क्रमांक 48
(47) Sarvaarunaa सर्वारूणा - All rosy-hued. ललिता सहस्र नाम, नाम क्रमांक 49
Mother's garments, ornaments, flowers, colours are all rosy and love-creating.
(48) Anavadyaangi अनवद्यांगी - With faultless limbs. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 50
(49) Sarvaabharanbhaasuraa सर्वाभरणभासुरा - Adorned with every ornament. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 51
(50) Shivaa शिवा - The beneficial.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 53
The energy underlying what becomes beneficial through perception, right understanding, true knowledge, practical wisdom, impartial seeing, long fore-sighted thinking, charitable considering, concentrated remembering, healthy conceiving, determined wiling, disinterested loving, legitimate desiring.etc., is a gift and grace of Mother.
The Daanavas and the Devas are on equal relations to Mother; She does good (Shivaa) to all beings. Hence Mother is known as Shivaa. She is Shivaa because She confers on Her worshippers natural purity, stainless qualities, superiority, supporting power, supremacy and immortality.
She who has assumed the energising aspect connected with one and varied consciousness, who is intellect, without attributes, self-shining, unchangeable, supreme bliss, and the cause of the destruction of worldly bondage, is Shivaa.
The first name group which a Mai-ist should repeat contains eight names and ideas consolidated in brief coined catch-words, as under.
I am sorry for murdering the English language in framing these words in the Sanskrit-Samaasa (संस्कृत समास) -like manner. If however, the words have to keep pace with thought, the bondage of grammar and lack of complete wording should be ignored.
The Mother, The all-conquering Mother, The Mercy-ocean Mother, The beck and call Mother, The Devotees' Mother.
The million sun and moon Mother. The four-armed Mother. The light, life and love-deluging Mother.
The names may be repeated in English as well. Without any diffidence or doubt their efficacy just as one would repeat Sanskrit names.
The above names should precede the mental amplification of the four arms of the finalmost Mother that are representative of (1) Love to Her children and Devotion to Herself, (2) Service to all, (3) Strict observance of common religion and morality and (4) Self-surrender, respectively.
The four arms of Mai confer devotion, boon, controlling power and success respectively. After these are meditated upon, one should meditate on Active Mother's four arms that liberate or binds souls by the noose, elephant-hook, bow and arrows of pure or impure desires, right or wrong knowledge, mind-control or temptation-yielding.
The second name group is the description from the hair to the chin and in a single word is as under. All qualifying phrases should first be ignored to memorise before meditation. Thus try to make up this order.
(1) The hair. (2) The crown. (3) The forehead. (4)The tiny mark. (5) The eyebrows. (6) The eyes. (7) The nose. (8) The nose gem. (9) The flower row over the ear. (10) The earrings (11) Cheeks. (12) Lips. (13) Betel-leaf-fragrance.(14) Teeth. (15) Smile. (16) Speech. (17) Chin.
Select the hour of silence and the place of solitude.Sit down before Mother's photograph and then alternately practise, seeing Mother's face with swallowing eyes for a few minutes and for the next few minutes with closed eyes repeating the above names and trying to form the image in your brain. By long practice, the face will begin to swim before you and then your happiness will be indescribable.
First fairly secure this much and after that alone the meditation should proceed further, up to the Lotus Feet. By the time you reach The Lotus Feet meditation, you will be liquefied and will be yourself an image of humility, with the only consciousnesses that you are nothing more than a straw or a heap of spiritualised dust magnetised by Mother to be used as life.
Then amplify the name group by repeating the same with qualified epithets added, thus:-
(1) Flower adorned scented hair. (2) Richest gems-bedecked resplendent crown (3) Crescent-moon-like forehead (4) Beautiful and nectar-pouring face with the musk mark above the eyebrow centre. (5) Festoon-like eyebrows. (6) Sharpe and sparkling fish-like eyes (7)Straight, newly bloomed flower-like nose (8) Star excelling nose-jewel (9) Ear canopy flower-row (10) Sun and moon-like ear-rings adorned ears (11) Ruby-like cheeks. (12) Coral-like lips (13) Divine knowledgeful, buds like teeth (14) Betel-leaves-fragranceful mouth. (15) Infant devotees' mind-absorbing smile. (16) Best instrument music-excelling mere vocal speech and (17) Frequently children pulled out chin.
The third name group is:-
(1) Neck. (2) Arms. (3) Necklace. (4) Breasts. (5) Waist. (6) Belt. (7) Belt-bells. (8) Thighs (9) Knees. (10) Calves. (11) Ankles. (12) Upper foot surface. (13) Nails. (14) Lotus Feet.
The further name groups may be further repeated and amplified with Her detailed description from the neck to the Lotus Feet asunder.
(1) Devotee's hand encircled beautiful necked Mother. (2) Necklaced Mother. (3) Adorned-armed Mother. (4) Spirituality-milk-giving-breasted Mother. (5) Waist-belted Mother. (6) Belt-underneath-red-garmented Mother. (7) Belt-linked-bells-announced Mother. (8) Advanced devotees reserved seat-like, lap-forming symmetrical and smooth thighed Mother. (9) Jewel disks-like-kneed Mother. (10) Five arrows'-power-conferring-calved Mother. (11) Anklets' slip preventing rounded-ankled Mother. (12) Tortoise-back- like convexity-shaped safe refuge-affording Lotus-Feeted Mother. (13) Ignorance-dispelling-rayed-nails-possessing Mother. (14) Salvation Lotus -Feeted Mother.
The next name group is general, tinkling-ankleted, swan-gaited, beauty-treasure, rosy-coloured, faultless, well-adorned, beneficent.
First 50 names are, therefore, 12 general, 17 hair to neck, 14 neck to Lotus Feet and 7 general, in all 50.
Jay Maai, Mother Bless All.
