Śrī Lalitā Sahasranāmam 116–119
Channel: Consciousness Research Centre
Date: 08/05/2021

This video is classified Vivartha-vāda | Rāja-yoga | Viśuddhi-cakra | Śrī Lalitā Sahasranāmam
116. Bhadramūrtiḥ भद्रमूर्तिः 
She is an embodiment of auspiciousness, as confirmed by nāma 200, Sarva-maṅgalā. This is because she is also addressed as Śrī Śivā (nāma 998) which means auspiciousness. Brahman alone is auspicious. Therefore, She is addressed here as Brahman. Viṣṇu Sahasranāma also says maṅgalānām ca maṅgalaṁ meaning the best amongst the auspices. Her very form is most auspicious. 
117. Bhakta-saubhāgya-dāyinī भक्त-सौभाग्य-दायिनी 
She confers prosperity on Her devotees.  There is a reference to saubhāgya aṣṭagam, eight things that give prosperity, in Agṇi Purāṇa. They are sugarcane, the peepul tree (ficus religiosa or sacred fig, also known as Bodhi tree), sprouted jīra (cumin) seeds, coriander, cow’s milk and its modifications curd, butter and ghee, everything that is yellow in color, flowers and salt. All these indicate auspiciousness and prosperity. The next three nāmas discuss bhakti (devotion).
118. Bhakti-priyā भक्ति-प्रिया
She is fond of devotion. Śivānanda Laharī (lahari means to rise up in waves) 61 describes devotion: “The way a needle seeks a magnet, the way a creeper seeks a tree, the way a river unites with the ocean and the way the mind seeks the lotus feet of Śiva, are called devotion.” Sage Nārada said “Devotion is beyond three guṇas—rājas, tamas and sattva. It is beyond desire. It grows every second. It remains connected with Brahman. It is subtle and realized out of experience. Once realized, one always remains with That.” Śrī Rāmakṛṣṇa compares devotion to the flood that flows powerfully into the ocean in spite of the dams built to control the floods.  Our mind, he continues, is not flowing but stagnant like a pond. Our mind gets stagnated towards devotion, which has to grow every second. 
Viveka cūḍāmaṇi 31 says “Amongst things conducive to liberation, devotion alone holds the supreme place. Seeking after one’s real nature is designated as devotion. Others maintain that inquiry into the truth of one’s own Self is devotion.”
The point driven home in this nāma is that nothing prevents a true devotee in realizing Her, irrespective of any hurdles. She is delighted with such devotion and such devotees. Devotees are those who worship Her through the mind, seeking Her within. 
119. Bhakti-gamyā भक्ति-गम्या 
She can be attained only by devotion. Since She likes pure devotion in terms of the previous nāma, She can be attained by such devotion only.  The Upaniṣads explain devotion in detail. 
Brahma-sūtra III.ii.24 says, “Brahman is realized in samādhi, as known from direct revelation and inference.”
Cāndogya Upaniṣad II.23.1 says brahmasṁsthomṛtatvameti: “One devoted to Brahman attains immortality.” Attaining immortality means mukti, as discussed in nāma 112. This is possible only through devotion.
Katha Upaniṣad II.i.1 says “Self-created God has also created the sense organs with the inherent defect that they are by nature outgoing. This is why beings see things outside and cannot see the Self within.”

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