Sri Lalita Sahasranama— The Mystical Origin

In this blog post, you will learn how the knowledge of Lalita Sahasranama and Devi Sadhana passed down in an unbroken lineage.

This might be the first introduction to the Lalita Sahasranama for some readers. However,  It is a very popular stotram in Southern India and its tradition goes back several thousand years! Unlike many stutis, composed by humans, the Lalita Sahasranama is 'apaurusheya' (not composed by humans), much like the Vedas. Let us understand how this mystical text came into existence.

The First Practitioner

The Brahmanda Purana contains the Lalita Sahasranama and the Lalitopakhyana, which describe Lalita Devi's conquests. The legend begins with the revered sage Agastya, who travels southwards beyond the Vindhya mountain at Lord Shiva's instruction. Vindhya had grown vain and was gaining height rapidly with no concern for forests or other beings it supported. Agastya rishi requested Vindhya to allow him a safe passage and stop growing till he returned. Vindhya agreed. Meanwhile, Agastya rishi remained in the South, ending Vindya's growth forever.  

Sage Agastya was saddened to see the human race moving headlong into the endless pit of desires at the cost of harmony and liberation. He arrived at Kanchipuram (where the Devi resided as Kamakshi) and performed an intense penance to please Sri Vishnu. Lord Vishnu appeared before him as Sri Hayagriva known for his infinite wisdom. Lord Hayagriva initiated sage Agastya into the chanting of Lalita Sahasranama. He also said that chanting the stotram with devotion would fulfill desires and grant liberation.

The Invocation of Ma Lalita

Later, another sage of the same name—Hayagriva— narrated the story of Ma Lalita to Agastya. How the Devas had invoked her to end Bhandasura's violent rule. Bhandasura was born from the ashes of Kamadeva (the God of love). Kamadeva had been sent to arouse the desire for Devi Parvati in Lord Shiva and break his intense penance so that the balance could be restored in the universe. Disturbed with Kamadeva, Lord Shiva opened his third eye and turned Kamadeva to ashes. Later, empathising with Rati (Kamadeva's wife), Lord Shiva cast a loving yogic glance at Kamadeva’s ashes. However, from the ashes arose the demon Bhandasura. Strong and invincible, Bhandasura wreaked havoc upon the Devas.

In desperation, the Devas performed intense penance to invoke the Supreme Goddess, Ma Lalita Tripura Sundari. Only she could put an end to Bhandasura's reign. For thousands of years, the Devas prayed and, at last, created a havan kund (fire pit) and began to offer themselves to her. From the fire of the yagna arose an exquisite feminine form seated at the center of a Sri Chakra Ratha (a divine chariot). This was Ma Lalita. She was of hibiscus complexion, four-armed, beautiful, fragrant, and compassionate. The overwhelmed devas knew not how to welcome her. At this point, Ma Lalita called upon her eight companion energies—the Vaga Devis—who sang Ma Lalita’s glories and described her attributes in the form of her thousand names, known to us as the Lalita Sahasranama.

In Lalitopakhyana, Ma Lalita has said, 'When my devotees recite this verse, I should derive immense satisfaction." 

The Glorious Lineage

From Sage Agastya, the knowledge of Sri Lalita Sahasranama and Devi Sadhana got passed down to Sage Dattatreya, who imparted it to Sage Parshurama and Vashishta. Sage Vasishtha disclosed the Devi Sadhana to his grandson Muni Parashara, the father of Maharishi Veda Vyasa. Maharishi Veda Vyasa performed intense Devi Sadhana, meditating on the form aspect of Mother Divine for the first 12 years. In the next 12, he invoked her as his latent energy—the Kundalini. As the Devi arose in him, she untied the psychic knots (granthis) and pierced through the chakras (the energy centres), filling Maharishi Vyasa with immense creativity. 

In the years that followed, Muni Veda Vyasa wrote the Brahmanda Purana, which documents the Lalita Sahasranama. His contribution to the Sanatana texts is unmatched. He compiled the Vedas and composed the Mahabharata and the 18 puranas. 

With Mother Divine's blessings and Veda Vyasa's intense tapas, Lalita Sahasranama and Kundalini Sadhana are available today.

You can read about the Lalita Sahasranama and the origin of Kundalini Sadhana in more detail in Om Swami's book, Kundalini: An Untold Story.

Participate in the Lalita Sahasranama Yagna

The Lalita Sahasranama is a maha mantra that bestows numerous blessings. While any time is auspicious to invoke Mother Goddess with this stotram, what better way to begin the new year than by listening to her Divine names and doing yagna? 

Experience the world of Sri Vidya with the master himself! Participate in the powerful Sri Lalita Sahasranama Yagna on the new year.