Tales of the Goddess Part 2 - Lalitha

Lalitha

Lalitha (the Playful One) is also known by her other names – Tripura Sundari, Shodasi, Kameshwari, and Sri Vidya. The story of Lalitha is narrated in the Lalitha Mahatmya section of the Brahmanda Purana.

Kama Deva, the God of Love, had been destroyed by Lord Shiva. From the ashes of Kama rose Bhandasura who wrought havoc upon all creation. Indra, the Ruler of the Devas appealed to the Goddess, and in response to his call, Goddess Lalitha unleashed upon the forces of Bhanda Her divine Shakthis. The battle ultimately culminates with the defeat of Bhanda by Lalitha.

Lalitha is personified as an enchantingly beautiful woman. In her four hands she holds a bow made out of sugar cane, five flowers as arrows, the goad and the noose. Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati are at her service and she is seated on a throne made of the Pancha Brahmas (Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Maheshwara, and Sadashiva).

Coming to the symbolism of the Name and Form of the Divine Mother as Lalitha – Kama Deva, in the Hindu pantheon of devas, is the form of sexual desire. His reduction to ashes is the absolute elimination of carnal thought by an ascetic. But sex plays a vital role in the Mother’s cosmic game – it’s her playful instrument of attraction, distraction, and regeneration. The ascetic-minded might shun it to sidestep the bonds of attachment. But to the Mother, it’s just another facet of her Shakti, and a vital one at that.

If Kama Deva represents desire and love, the demon who rose from his ashes represents egocentric lust. Indra represents the sadhak who realizes that he cannot defeat Bhandasura (the Maya afflicted mind) on his own and appeals to the Goddess for succor and guidance. Lalitha, also known as Kameshwari, (Empress of Desire) vanquishes ignorance (Bhandasura) through wisdom.

That Desire may not be eliminated that easily, but can be sublimated; is symbolized by the sugar cane bow (mind) and the five flower arrows (five senses). The mind and sensory pleasures when offered to the Mother and savored as her gifts become not obstacles to the Seeker’s spiritual progress, but Her blessings. However, when her devotees for any reason stray from the path, Lalitha will provide the necessary course correction by reeling them back in (symbolized by the pasha – noose) and urging them onward and upward (symbolized by the ankusa – goad).

Many names and forms of Devi represent only aspects of Adi Parasakti’s infinite power. But Lalitha is the Supreme Divine conceptualized as the All-Mother. Hence she is depicted as being served by Auspicious Good Fortune (Lakshmi); and, Knowledge and Wisdom (Sarawati). Her being seated on a throne of the Pancha Brahmas signifies her supremacy to the quintets that are the substratum of our world – the Five Elements (pancha bhootha), the Five Vital Breaths (pancha prana), the Five Senses (panchendriya), and the Five Organs of Action (pancha karmendriya). These serve Her Purpose, but She is unaffected by them.

One of the important temples of Goddess Lalitha is at Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu – the Kanchi Kamakshi temple.

Kanchi Kamakshi Temple at Kanchipuram

North Indian Traditions - Chaturthi

Presiding Devi: Kushmanda

Presiding Graha: Surya

Bhog (sacred offering): Malpua

Mantra:

Om Devi Kushmandaayai Namaha

 Stotra:

surāsampūrṇakalaśaṃ rudhirāplutameva ca |

dadhānā hastapadmābhyāṃ kūṣmāṇḍā śubhadāstu me ||

South Indian Traditions 2 - Chaturthi

Presiding Devi: Sri Lalitha

Durga Saptashloki

Gnaninamapi chetamsi devi bhagawatee sadaa

Baladaa krushya mohaya mahamayaa prayachchathi ||1||

Durgesmrita harasi mathi mashesha jantho

Swasthai smrita mathi matheeva shubhaam dadasi

Daridrya dukha bhaya harini kathwadanya

Sarvopakara karanaya sadarthra chittha ||2||

Sarva mangala mangalye shive sarvartha sadhike

Saranye thriyambake gauri narayani namosthuthe ||3||

Saranagatha deenartha paritrana parayane

Sarvasyarti hare devi narayani namosthuthe ||4||

Sarvaswarupe sarveshe sarva shakti samanvithe

Bhaye bhyasthrahi no devi durgedevi namosthuthe ||5||

Rogaana seshana pahamsi tushta rushta thu kaamaan sakalana bheeshtan

Thwama shrithanam navipanna raanaam thwama shrithahya shrayatham prayanthi ||6||

Sarvabhadaa prashamanam thrailokyasya akhileshwari

Evameva thwaya karyamasmath vairi vinashanam ||7||

Lalitha Ashtottram

Om Rajataa-Chala-Shrungaagra Madhya-Sthaayai Namo Namah
Om Himaa-Chala Mahaa-Vamsha Pava-Nayai Namo Namah
Om Shankaraar-Dhanga Soundarya Sharee-Raayai Namo Namah
Om Lasanma-Rakata Svaccha-Vigra-Haayai Namo Namah
Om Maha-Tishaya Soundarya Lavanyayai Namo Namah
Om Shashanka shekhara praana-valla-bhayai namo namah
Om Sada-Pancha-Dashaatmaikya Svarupayai Namo Namah
Om Vajra-Manikya-Kataka Kireetayai Namo Namah
Om Kasturee-Tila-Kodhbhaasi Nitalayai Namo Namah
Om Bhasma-Rekhankita-Lasan Masta-Kayai Namo Namah (10)

Om Lasat-Kanaka-Thaatanka Yuga-Layai Namo Namah
Om Vika-Chaambho-Ruha Dala-Lochanayai Namo Namah
Om Shara-Champeya Pushpa-Bha-Nasikayai Namo Namah
Om Latatkamchana-Tatamka Yugalayai Namah
Om Mani-Darpana Sankaasha Kapolayai Namo Namah
Om Taanbula-Puritasme-Ravadanayai Namo Namah
Om Supakva-Dadi-Meebeeja-Radanayai Namo Namah
Om Kanbu-Puga-Samacchaya Kandha-Rayai Namo Namah
Om Sthula-Muktaa-Phalo-Dara-Suharayai Namo Namah
Om Gireesha-Baddha-Mangalya Mangalayai Namo Namah (20)

Om Padma-Pashankusha-Lasat-Karaab-Jayai Namo Namah
Om Padma-Kairava-Mandaara Sumalinyai Namo Namah
Om Suvarna-Kunbha-Yugma Bhasuku-Chayai Namo Namah
Om Ramaniya Chatur-Bhahu Samyuk-Tayai Namo Namah
Om Kana-Kanga-Dakeyura Bhushitayai Namo Namah
Om Bruhatsouvarna Soundarya-Vasanayai Namo Namah
Om Bruhanni Tambu-Vila-Sajja-Ghanayai Namo Namah
Om Soubhagya-Jaata-Shrungara-Madhya-Mayai Namo Namah
Om Divya-Bhushana Samdo-Ha-Ranjitayai Namo Namah
Om Paarijata Guna-Dhikya Padab-Jayai Namo Namah (30)

Om Supadma Raga-Sankaasha Chara-Nayai Namo Namah
Om Kama-Koti Maha-Padma Peeta-Sdhayai Namo Namah
Om Sreekanta-Netra Kumuda Chandrikayai Namo Namah
Om Sachaa-Mara Rama-Vanee Viijitayai Namo Namah
Om Bhakta-Rakshana Dakshinya Katakshayai Namo Namah
Om Bhute-Shalinganod-Bhuta Pulakangyai Namo Namah
Om Ananga-Jana-Kaapaanga-Veeksha-Nayai Namo Namah
Om Bramho-Pendra Shiro-Ratna-Ranjitayai Namo Namah
Om Shachi-Mukhyaa-Mara-Vadhu Sevitayai Namo Namah
Om Lila-Kalpita-Bramhanda Mandalaayai Namo Namah (40)

Om Amrutadi-Maha-Shakti-Samvrutayai Namo Namah
Om Ekaata-Patra-Samrajya-Dayikayai Namo Namah
Om Sanakaadi Samaaradhya Paadhu-Kayai Namo Namah
Om Devarshi-Bhistuya-Mana-Vaibha-Vayai Namo Namah
Om Kala-Shodbhava Durvaasa Pujitayai Namo Namah
Om Matte-Bhavaktra-Shadvaktra-Vatsa-Layai Namo Namah
Om Chakraraja Maha-Yanta-Madhya-Varyyai Namo Namah
Om Chidagni-Kunda Sambhuta Sude-Hayai Namo Namah
Om Shashanka-Khanda Samyukta Mukutayai Namo Namah
Om Matta-Hamsa-Madhu Manda-Gama-Nayai Namo Namah (50)

Om Vandaaru Jana-Sandoha Vanditayai Namo Namah
Om Antarmukha Janaa-Nanda Phala-Dayai Namo Namah
Om Pati-Vratanga-Nabeeshta Phala-Dayai Namo Namah
Om Avyaja-Karuna Pura-Puri-Tayai Namo Namah
Om Niranjana Chida-Nanda Samyuk-Tayai Namo Namah
Om Sahasra-Surya-Sanyukta-Prakaa-Shayai Namo Namah
Om Ratna-Chinta-Mani Gruha-Madhya-Sdhayai Namo Namah
Om Haani Vrudhi Guna-Dhikya-Rahitayai Namo Namah
Om Maha-Padma-Tavee Madhya Nivaasayai Namo Namah
Om Jagrat-Svapna Sushuk-Teenam Sakshi-Bhutyai Namo Namah (60)

Om Maha-Papougha Papaanaam Vinashinyai Namo Namah
Om Dushta-Bheeti Maha-Bheeti Bhanja-Nayai Namo Namah
Om Samasta Deva-Danuja Prera-Kayai Namo Namah
Om Samasta Hruda-Yambhoja Nila-Yayai Namo Namah
Om Anaa-Hata Maha-Padma Mandi-Rayai Namo Namah
Om Sahasraara-Sarojata Vasitayai Namo Namah
Om Punara-Vrutya Rahita Purasdhayai Namo Namah
Om Vanee Gaayatri Saavitri Sannutayai Namo Namah
Om Rama Bhumi-Suta-Radhya Padabjayai Namah
Om Lopa-Mudrarchita Sree-Maccharanayai Namo Namah (70)

Om Sahasra Rati-Soundarya Sharee-Rayai Namo Namah
Om Bhavanaa-Matra-Santushta Hruda-Yayai Namo Namah
Om Nata-Sampurna Vigyna Sidhidayai Namo Namah
Om Tri-Lochana Kruto-Llasa Phala-Dayai Namo Namah
Om Sree-Sudhabdi Mani-Dvipa Madhya-Gayai Namo Namah
Om Daksha-Dhvara Vini-Rbheda-Sadha-Nayai Namo Namah
Om Sreenadha Sodaree-Bhuta Shobhi-Tayai Namo Namah
Om Chandra-Shekhara Bhaktarti Bhanja-Nayai Namo Namah
Om Sarvo-Padhi-Vinirmukta-Chaitan-Yayai Namo Namah
Om Nama-Parayana-Bheeshta Phala-Dayai Namo Namah (80)

Om Srushti-Sdhiti Tiro-Dhana Sankal-Payai Namo Namah
Om Sree-Shoda-Shaksharee Mantra Madhya-Gayai Namo Namah
Om Anadyanta Svayam-Bhuta Divya-Murtyai Namo Namah
Om Bhakta-Hamsa-Para-Mukhya Viyo-Gayai Namo Namah
Om Matru-Mandala Samyukta Lalitayai Namo Namah
Om Bhanda-Daitya Maha-Satva Nasha-Nayai Namo Namah
Om Krura-Bhanda Shiras-Cheda Nipu-Nayai Namo Namah
Om Dhatra-Cchuta Sura-Dheesha Sukha-Dayai Namo Namah
Om Chanda-Munda Nishumbhadi Khanda-Nayai Namo Namah
Om Raktaksha-Rakta Jihvadi Shiksha-Nayai Namo Namah (90)

Om Mahisha-Suradorveerya Nigra-Hayai Namo Namah
Om Abhra-Kesha-Mahotsaha Kara-Nayai Namo Namah
Om Mahesha-Yukta Natana Tatparayai Namo Namah
Om Nija-Bhartru Mukham-Bhoja Chinta-Nayai Namo Namah
Om Vrusha-Bhadhvaja Vigynana-Bhavanayai Namo Namah
Om Janma-Mrutya Jara-Roga Bhanjanayai Namo Namah
Om Vidhe-Ha-Mukti Vigyana-Sidhi-Dayai Namo Namah
Om Kama-Krodhadi Shadvarga-Nashanayai Namo Namah
Om Raja-Rajarchita Pada-Sarojayai Namo Namah
Om Sarva-Vedanta Siddhanta Sutaatvayai Namo Namah (100)

Om Veera-Bhakta-Vigyana Nidhanayai Namo Namah
Om Ashesha Dusta Dhanuja-Suudhanayai Namo Namah
Om Sakshachri Dakshana-Moorty Manogyanyai Namo Namah
Om Haya-Medagra-Sampoojya Mahimayai Namo Namah
Om Daksha-Praja-Pati Sutha-Vesha-Dyayai Namo Namah
Om Suma-Banekshu-Kodanda-Mandi-Tayai Namo Namah
Om Nitya-Youvana Mangalya-Mangalayai Namo Namah
Om Maha-Deva Samaa-Yukata-Shareerayai Namo Namah (108)

Lalita Pancha Ratna Stotra by Adi Shankaracharya

Pratha smarami Lalitha vadanaravindam,
Bimbadaram pradhula maukthika shobhi nasam,
Aakarna deerga nayanam mani kundaladyam,
Mandasmitham mruga madojjwala phala desam. 1

Prathar Bhajami Lalitha Bhuja kalpa vallim,
Rathnanguleeya lasathanguli pallavadyam,
Manikhya hema valayangadha Shobha maanam,
Pundreshu Chapa kusumeshu sruneen dadhanam. 2

Prathar namami lalitha charanaravindam,
Bhakteshta dana niratham bhava sindhu potham,
Padmasanadhi sura nayaka poojaneeyam,
Padmangusa dwaja sudarsana lanchanadyam. 3

Pratha sthuthave parasivaam lalithaam bhvaneem,
Trayyanha vedhya vibhavam karunanan vadhyam,
Viswasya srushti vilaya sthithi hethu bhootham,
Visweswareem nigama vang mana sathi dhooram. 4

Prathar vadami lalithe thava punya nama,
Kameswarethi, kamalethi Maheswareethi,
Sri shambhaveethi jagatham janani parethi,
Vag deva thethi vachasa tripureswareethi. 5

Ya sloka panchakam idham, Lalithambikya,
Soubhagyuam, sulalitham patathi prabhathe,
Thasmai dadathi lalitha jadithi prasanna,
Vidhyaam sriyam vimala soukha manantha keerthim.6

Lalitha Gayatri Mantra

Om. Ganaamvikaayai Vidmahe

Maha Thapaayai Dheemahi

Thanno Devi Prachodayaath

South Indian Traditions 1 - Chaturthi

Presiding Devi - Lakshmi

Flower Offering - Jaadhi Malli

Fruit Offering - Guava

Neivedyam - Kadamba Saadham

http://kitchentantras.com/kadhamba-saadham-spicy-vegetable-khichdi/

Thithi: Chaturthi

Kolam: Step-shaped rangoli using 'atchadhai' (mixture of rice, turmeric and ghee)

Raagam: Bhairavi

e.g. 'Amba Kamakshi' in Bhairavi composed by Shyama Shastry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xKnsHigSZI

Shlokam:

Om. Padma Vaasinyai cha Vidmahe

Padma-lochanee cha Dheemahi

Thanno Lakshmi Prachodayaath