(Sri Lalitha Sahasranama: Mantra 31)
“Kanakāṅgada-keyūra-kamanīya-bhujānvitā”
[She whose arms are beautifully adorned with golden armlets]
is the thirty-first mantra in the Sri Lalitha Sahasranama, describing Devi’s arms. It means that Devi has slender, beautiful hands adorned with ornaments such as the angadam and keyuram, both studded with precious gems. Devi is depicted wearing many ornaments. In ancient times, men also wore jewelry, and women were equally interested in them. The angadam is a piece of jewelry traditionally worn by men, while items like angadam and kavacham were used as protection from weapons during war. Keyuram and other ornaments were worn for beautification. Devi wears both types of ornaments, with the angadam and keyuram adorned with precious gems. However, it is not the ornaments that give Devi her beauty; rather, Devi imparts beauty and radiance to the ornaments.
(Sri Lalitha Sahasranama: Mantra 32)
“ratnagraiveya-cintāka-lola-muktā-phalānvitā”
[She whose neck is resplendent with a gem-studded necklace with a locket made of pearl]
is the next mantra, describing the ornaments Devi wears. Graiveyam, Chintakam, and Muktaphalam are different types of jewelry. Graiveyam is a necklace worn around the neck, Chintakam is a pendant, and Muktaphalam refers to a pearl chain. These ornaments adorn Devi’s neck and chest, enhancing their radiance. Saundarya Lahari narrates this beautifully in a story.
The story speaks of the demon Gajamukhasur, who was defeated by Mahaganapati. It is believed that pearls are formed in various places, such as bamboo, shells, and even within the foreheads of elephants and snake hoods. When Mahaganapati broke Gajamukhasur’s forehead, many precious pearls emerged. Ganapati crafted a beautiful garland from these pearls and joyfully gifted it to his mother, Parvati Devi. She wore the necklace because it was a gift from her son. This is why a large pearl necklace adorns Devi’s chest.
Parameshwara, who is fair in complexion, became enraged when he went to kill Tripurasur, causing his eyes and body to turn red with fury. Similarly, Devi’s pearl necklace turns red with the Kumkum smeared from her body, symbolizing the transformation of the fair Parameshwara into a figure of rage. The pearl glows with the brilliance of Parameshwara, and Mahaganesh presented it to Devi with great love.
The previous mantra described Devi’s slender and graceful arms, and here her four arms are further glorified. Once, Brahma traveled for millions of years to see Parameshwara but could not reach his head. A Fragrant screw pine (Thazhampoo) had been falling from Parameshwara’s head for many years, and it is said they finally met. When Brahma truthfully admitted seeing Parameshwara, Parameshwara, in anger, plucked one of Brahma’s five heads. Fearful of losing his remaining heads, Brahma sought refuge in Parameshwari, who graciously provided him shelter with her four arms. In Saundarya Lahari, Shankaracharya Swami praises these four arms of Devi, comparing them to delicate vines or lotus stems.
So far, we have discussed the mantras that describe Devi’s Kesadhi Padam and her magnificent form, which transcends names and forms. In the coming days, we will delve into the Bhandasura Vadham.
To be continued….
#Lalita #LalithaSahasranamam
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