[26] अपर्णा Aparnaa -Removing debts of Her devotees. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 754
She never remains a debtor to Her devotees.
Apa means removing and rina means debt. Thus says one devotee, while making a claim to Mother as mother, "When you have not discharged your debt to me, though I have been repeating your name , O Mother, why are you not ashamed, to bear the name of Aparnaa (The dis-charger of debt) ?"
Aparnaa means without leaf, and is the name of Maheshvari because She made penance to get Shiva as husband for centuries together, without taking even a single dry leaf as food.
[27] अप्रमेया Aprameyaa - Unknowable. Everything about Her including Her mysterious ways of saving and perfecting and granting salvation, etc., is unknowable.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 413
[28] अभ्यासातिशयज्ञाता Abhyaasaatishaya-jnaataa - Known by immense practice. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 990
The aspirant must have a Guru and obedience to him, he should develop a character, he should broaden the outlook and when he should launch upon the life of immense practice.
The degeneration that has recently set in the spiritual world has been due to misunderstanding of the meaning of the word Abhyaasa. Almost every man translate it by "Study". Abhyaasa means practice. Thousands are under that misunderstanding. A wrong notion has prevailed for centuries, viz., that you must obtain Jnaana and as soon as you are Jnaanin , you have nothing more to do. Sins do not touch you just as water does not touch the lotus. This misunderstanding has been overpowering and that is because common reason is entirely banished while meditating on religion. Mother's religion states "Knowing is not possessing. "Possessing requires exertion, suffering, patience, etc., Knowledge simply enlightens you as to the goal, and the method of attaining goal, etc. Knowledge is not the end as is wrongly and foolishly understood. Knowing is to enable you to achieve.
Mere knowing does not help you. Having known that there are six enemies, as per, Maai method, you have actually to start on a campaign of controlling and subduing and uprooting them, one after another, by actual practice extending for a certain period , in respect of one after another. The foolish notion is that with the assent to certain beliefs a man advances in spirituality as he advances in age. No !! Nothing is achieved automatically except what yon have actually exerted yourself and died for.That is the main teaching of Maai-method.
No Guru, nor even God can enable you to cross even the smallest obstruction, unless you yourself will it and exert yourself for it. There is no CHOOMANTAR in the Mother's realm and Mother's Path.
[29] अमती Amati - Wrongly directed intelligence. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 537
Why is it so as above stated ? Because having left the protection of the routinists stated before, you are likely to miss as well. If you are not the blind follower of what the society or some routine religious leader tells, you are likely to commit a blunder as well.
Mother is everything. She is the Lakshmi or the prosperity in the house of the meritorious devotees , the atheism of the atheists, and poverty and wretchedness of the wicked.
The final results are determinable by your determination not to leave Her Lotus Feet, even though you sometimes commit blunders.
Because these blunders are errors and sometimes purposely ordained by Mother to test and teach by suffering. They are sometimes a part and programme of the evolutionary path.
[30] अमूर्ता Amurtaa - Shapeless. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 814
Murtaa is earth, water and fire. Amurtaa means air and ether. The former is so called because it has form, whereas the latter has no form.
Further Murta means the five gross elements mingled with each other; Amurta means the subtle elements which are not mingled with each other.
Again Murta means Universe and Amurta means Brahman. Also they mean perishable and imperishable respectively.
[31] अमृतातदिमहाशक्तिसंवृता Amritaadi-mahaashakti-samvritaa Surrounded by Amritaa and other Shaktis. These are sixteen, beginning in names,with vowels.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 483
[32] अमेया Ameyaa - Immeasurable. Everything about Her including mercifulness, beauty, love, etc.,is immeasurable. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 616
[33] अम्बा Ambaa - Mother. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 485
[34] अम्बिका Ambikaa- The Mother. This Mother is not the Finalmost Mother.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 295
Motherly aspect which has a larger portion of Ichchha Shakti, with just necessary portion of Jnana and of Kriyaa Shakti, is known as Ambikaa.
As already explained, prisons are also of king's making. Similarly Ambikaa ( beside perfection ) also means deceit, sleep and night. Prisons are there as also guest houses. The whole thing depends on the class of book, in which you are with the Royal Majesty.
The devotee has however not only the right to the guest house but to the palace itself. For them that approach God as mother, not simply the guest house or the palace , but even the harem ever open.
Night is the great Shakti, and the day is Shiva.One of the agencies of Shakti is Maayaa. She is the great deceiver. Another agency ruling the world is sleep. Night creates darkness and destroys the day, and is consumer of the life of the beings in the world.
That sleep has enshrouded even Vishnu. When Brahmaa was assailed by two demons, he sought the help of Vishnu, but Vishnu could not get up being under the influence of sleep. He than prayed Mother to remove Vishnu's sleep.One has said," I praise the divine sleep of Vishnu, of unequalled power, the ruler of the Universe , the supporter of the world, and the cause of the preservation and destruction."
[35] अयि Ayi - Oh.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 427
This word is used in singular number "Thou", in the emotion of endearment. Mother alone is addressed as "Thou," amongst elders to be respected, as She is the eternal Mother of all. "Thou" showing absence of cold enforced respectfulness and flow of love. Ayi also means "Oh, fortunate one".
[36] अयोनिः Ayoni - Without origin or cause or abode or limbs." A" means Vishnu and Ayonih also means Mother of Vishnu.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 894
[37] अरूणारूणकौसुम्भवस्त्रभास्वतकटीतटी Arunaaruna kausumbhavastra bhaasvat katitati
Her waist is bright with a rosy tinted garment.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 37
[38] अवरदा Avaradaa -She is the giver of a boon, which one is unable to see through, whether for immediate good or removing invisible evil. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 639
[39] Avyakta अव्यक्ता - Unimanifest. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 398
Avyakta is the collective form of the three qualities of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.
[40] अव्याजकरूणामुर्ति Avyaajakarunaamurti - Compassionate immeasurably and impartially. Her mercifulness and man's ungratefulness have made me weep so often, made me break into tears before others. Just yesterday [ 9-5-1938 ] a devotee came to me weeping to inform me that his brother has been taken into custody for defalcation and the surety asked for being for a great amount, there was no possibility of his being released on bail. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 992
I was moved.I felt giddy as I could not find the way and then broke into tears. I told the man I have such a bitter experience of the ungratefulness of mankind that I am now ashamed to pray to Mother for pouring Mercy on suffering souls". So many have lacked even the most superficial courtesy of a single good word after the calamity ( as of restoring of the lost vision, acquitted and escape from a sure sentence imprisonment) , is over ".
At one place a man was under a criminal trial. The judge had decided to himself that he should be heavily sentenced. All remedies to get the mercy of the judge had failed. On hearing about the Founder he went to his place and in spite of his telling him that he was mere dust,that he had not iota of greater capacity than any other man of the street, would not leave his feet till a promise was given that Mother would show mercy on him. By some great some wonderful happenings he was acquitted. In spite of repeated and repeated and repeated requests, " Do not forget to thank my Mother when you are released, "Mother wants only a little recognition," there was not a word even through some one not a letter, not a single going to Mother, not a single desire of Darshan.
Only a month back, the Founder received a very earnest letter from who stated that he and his wife were members of Mother's Lodge. His wife had been seriously ill. Doctors had left all hopes. He requested the Founder to pray to Mother. It would be foolish to write what people think of the Founder. The Founder replied, "If you honestly believe what you write about the Founder's relation with Mother, just take a little water, and a few flowers , pray to Mother and promise Her that you would not forget Her obligation. Run then to hospital. If you find the fever is gone, wire to me and do not forget to celebrate Mother's Mercy to you on ensuing Friday.
Not to neglect the next Friday, Founder had repeatedly and repeatedly requested him. The fever immediately disappeared, as soon as he received letter and prayed. On being assured accordingly at the hospital, he wired to the Founder . But thanks-giving on next Friday was neglected. Ha had to make that indifference good by running down to Poona (Pune) and offer prayers personally to Mother. Again Mother was merciful . Not only on return to Bombay (Mumbai) did he find that all complications had disappeared but even the doctors' committee's opinion, viz., that a major operation was indispensable was changed. This letter promise he took from the Founder at 4 A.M. during the night. Husband and wife are now happy and they now regularly pray to Mother on every Friday.
It is the most bitter experience of the Founder that people are so ungrateful that after the calamity is over they do not bestow even a moment's thought of thankfulness to Mother. Founder has often found that cruel beasts like tigers and lions are more grateful than man.
And yet !! The Founder's lot is to break his head against the wall when he is taunted by routine religionists and orthodox people ," You have made Mother cheap like straw ".
But reader !! Are you an atheist or a devotee !! How has Mother consoled the Founder !! Would like to know ? She had often told the Founder in dreams, " If Thou hast been Servant of my children for My Sake , am I not bound to be what Thou makest me ? " I presume the world is as it is, and yet my work is to create a love for Mother.
Once a devotee on the river bank saw a scorpion being dragged in the river flood, struggling for life. The devotee out of pity went into the flood and took him up over his hand and began to make his way towards the bank.
The scorpion begins to give stings and with the pain, tears were flowing from the eyes of devotee.Onlookers shouted out,"Throw of the scorpion," but he would not.
On inquiry as to the cause of his folly he said ,"Mother created a scorpion and a devotee.The scorpion has not failed to fulfil the purpose for which he was made.Should the scorpion be true to its creator and I false to my Mother !!"
Reader ! excuse me, I write only one thing out of hundred that I have experienced. If you are not prepared to excuse me for these outpouring, throw away Mother's book. What else can you expect from a devotional mind !!
The Finalmost Truth is that Mother will ever remain pouring Her Mercy and man will ever remain being ungrateful. If man is to remain ever ungrateful, God to be ever pouring Mercy must be Mother, and because man is getting more and more absorbed in his own selfishness, greater is the necessity of God being Mother.
[41] अश्वारूढाधिष्ठिताश्वकोटिकोटिभिरावृता Ashvaarudha-adhishtita-ashva-koti-koti-bhiraavritaa -Surrounded by many crores of horses conducted by Ashvaarudha.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 67
The power of Ashvaarudha sprang from the noose of Lalitaa and ran in front of Mother with a great speed, riding a horse called Aparaajitaa अपराजिता ( The invincible ), and crores of swift horses followed Her.The senses are called horses. Arudhaa अरूढा means rider ( of horses), the controller of the senses, i.e., mind.
What is meant by Ashvaarudha riding, followed by crores of horses, is that She directs and drives endless sense-impressions in millions of minds simultaneously. Thus Ashvaarudhaa is full of Raajasik,राजसिक i.e., active nature. The noose represents desire, and Ashvaarudhaa may be taken to mean energy of desire.
Viewing Mother as in battle field She has in Her army :- first, elephants with Sampatkari संपतकरी , then horses with Ashvaarudhaa अश्वारूढा, next Dandini दण्डिनी, then Mantrini मन्त्रिणी and then She Herself. Dandini दण्डिनी, Mantrini मन्त्रिणी and Herself are seated each in a chariot.
Dandini rides forth with a rod in her hand and is a power of action. She proclaims the advent of Mother striking fear and establishes the consciousness about the final supremacy of the powers of Mother that follows. Mantrini who next follows is the intimate minister of Mother for discussion, decision and propagation of the simplest welfare remedy of repeating Her names with sacred Mantras Praise Hymns, etc.
Viewed from the point of view of the inner life, while conquering the inner foes , it becomes apparent that the first thing is that the knowledge of our imperfection & bondage.(Sampatkari). The second thing is the strong desire to do everything to be, be liberated. (Ashvaarudhaa).The third thing is breaking all obstructions with the rod. Say, by making chitta-shuddhi or attaining purity of mind by hard struggle, by penance, by becoming enemy of oneself, and by undergoing rigid observances, etc.(Dandini). The fourth thing is Grace which is the result of Mantra repetition, devotion, praising Mother,etc. (Mantrini). The fifth and last thing is the acceptance by mother Herself, on perfecting what still remains as imperfection.
To understand and appreciate Mother's names one great truth should be constantly borne in mind,viz.,the underlying idea of the intense spirit during the repetition of all descriptions is that Mother makes Her devotee to be what She is described as, and that Her devotee becomes Mother like by either Her special making or by natural psychic law of " We become what we meditate upon," or by the combination of both Grace and unifying meditation.
Thus when we describe Mother as victorious over worst enemies, apparently, there is no propriety of saying so when Mother is all in all, but the spirit behind the idea of repeating the name, and of praising Her with these words is that the devotee becomes victorious over his worst enemies."
I have changed the order of next three names to suit my interpretation.
[42] अष्टमीचन्द्रविभ्राजदलिकस्थलशोभिता Ashtamichandravibhraajadalika Sthalashobhitaa - Her forehead is as bright and crescent shaped as the moon on the eighth day.[ ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र नाम क्रमांक 15 ]
[43] अष्टमूर्तिः Ashtamurtih - Eight-formed.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 662
Earth, water,fire, air,ether, mind, intellect and egoism are the eight forms, of elements, physical astral etc.
"Wealth, intelligence, earth, nourishment, protection, contentment, radiance and stability are the eight forms", of reliefs and remedies, by which Mother protects Her devotees.
Mother as manifest in the self, makes the self to be of eight kinds, according to the difference of qualities, viz., (1) Elemental Self (Bhutaatman); (2) Embodied soul (Jivaatman) (3) Inner Self (Antaraatman) (4) Wisdom Self (Jnaanaatman) (5) Great Self (Mahaatman) ; (6) Untaintable Self (Nirmalaatman); (7) Positively pure Self (Shuddhaatman); and (8) Supreme Self (Paramaatman).
The most important meaning of eight forms for the Mother worshipper may be taken as under :-
She is Braahmi, Maaheshvari, Kaumaari, Vaishnavi, Vaaraahi, Indraani, Chaamundaa and Mahaalakshmi, and they respectively govern the following emotions of the whole universe and individual souls :
Desire, wrathfulness, greed, infatuation, pride , envy, sin and merit.
These are governing deities, or forces and forms, and according as they are pleased or indifferent or displeased, they favour, remain neutral or obstruct the soul, in their respective fields, through the agency of thoughts, desires and actions.
[44] अस्थिसंस्थिता Asthisamsthitaa - Presiding over bones. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 516
[45] आज्ञा Aajnaa - She, who rules and set things as She desires, not by any hard effort but by mere command.Then the aspirant tries to know the ordinance through scriptures. ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 828
[46] आज्ञाचक्ररालस्था Ajnaa-chakraanta-raalasthaa -Mother residing between the eyebrows.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 103
[47] Aajnaa-chakraabja-nilayaa आज्ञाचक्राब्जनिलया -Residing over the Ajnaa centre lotus.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 521
There is a two-petalled lotus in the Ajnaa centre, between the eyebrows; there resides the Yogini, called Haakini. Her meditation is : " We meditate on Haakini, residing between the eyebrows, in the two petalled Bindu lotus , is white coloured holds the Jnaanamudraa , drum, lotus, Rudraaksha bead and skull and resides in the marrow, is six faced, is attended by Hamsvati and other Shaktis and does good to all."
[48] आत्मविद्या Aatmavidyaa - Spiritual knowledge.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 583
Knowledge about the soul and its latent powers, knowledge about spirit versus matter and of soul versus body.
[49] आत्मा Aatmaa - Soul.ललिता सहस्रनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 617
As different sparks are to fire, so are all Jevaas( souls) to Mother.
Soul or Atmaa is one who obtains , receives and enjoys the objects and exists perpetually.
All bodies of embodied souls are the representations of Shakti and all embodied souls are sparks of Shiva.
[50] Adishaktih आदिशक्तिः -The Primordial energy.
The cause of the origin of the universe. ललिता सहस्रमनाम स्तोत्र, नाम क्रमांक 615
