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A Special Project: Sri Lalitha Sahasranama In Context - By Aravindan Neelakandan
A Thousand Names! Some time back, my senior colleague Aravindan Neelakandan, had embarked on a project to research and write on the names of the Goddess as mentioned in the Sri Lalitha Sahasranama.
As we step into the nine glorious days of Navratri, we're sending you a sharp summary of select explanations of the devi's names - one every day, starting today.
- Arush Tandon, Asst Exec Editor
Ragaswarupa-pashadhya—the one holding the noose of desire. That is the eighth name of the Goddess in the Sri Lalitha Sahasranama.
It is among the most meditative and delved-upon names of the Goddess because even while it is an exploration into the human psyche, it is also a description of how the same psyche can be used as an instrument for a spiritual ascent.
The meaning behind the meaning: In the hands of the Goddess, even desire becomes a medium for mortal beings to effect an upwards spiritual journey to realise Her.
The word Raga here is used in the same sense as used by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutra—to imply attachment/desire and the karmic memories formed as a result of attachment.
Raga in this sense is taken to be one amongst the five obstacles to Self-realisation.
Further, with her blessings, the raga of mortal beings can be sublimated; i.e., for one who has realised the Goddess, even attachment to materialistic things will not bring karmic memories and nor will it lead to more feelings of attachment.
In the hands of the Goddess, even an all-powerful feeling like desire undergoes a transformation.
The core of the meaning: With the blessings of the Goddess, what may originally be an impediment, becomes a force through which one can reach Her.
Adapted from Aravindan Neelakandan's article.
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