Her Name...?

[Haridas]

Namaste.
I've read that out of the 1000 Names of Devi in the Lalitha Sahasranama, Devi likes "Lalitha" (The Elegant, Beautiful One) the most and thus we should call Her "Lalitha". Is this true?

[sarabhanga]

Namaste Haridas,

lalita means “sported, played, playing, wanton, amorous, voluptuous, innocent, artless, soft, gentle, charming, lovely, wished for, desired, quivering, or tremulous”.

lAlita means “caressed, fondled, coaxed, indulged, or cherished”.

lalitam is “sport, dalliance, artlessness, grace, charm, loveliness, lolling or languishing”, and especially “languid gestures in a woman (expressive of amorous feelings)”.

And lAlitam is “pleasure, joy, or love”.

lalitA is “a wanton woman, any woman, or musk”, the personified essence of all of the above, and lalitA is a favorite name of durgA.

[yajvan]

Hari Om
~~~~~

Namaste Haridas,

If you wish to read more of Her , ललिता lalita, one who plays, consider the works of S.Shankaranarayanan. His book is called the Ten Great Cosmic Powers ( Daś Mahā vidyās). This is offered by Samata Books ISBN 81-85208-38-7.

He takes you through 10 different expressions of the Supreme Mother e.g. Sundari, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairvi, Matanga, Kali, etc.

His knowledge is very insightful - IMHO he speaks from personal and direct experience. It is one of my favorite books... easy to read , insightful and useful.


pranams