LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
निस्तुला नीलचिकुरा निरपाया निरत्यया ।
दुर्लभा दुर्गमा दुर्गा दुःखहन्त्री सुखप्रदा ॥ ५०॥
[50 Nistula Nilachikura Nirapaya Niratyaya // Durlabha Durgama Durga Dukha-hantri Sukhaprada]
निस्तुला (184)
Nistula (184)
Meaning:
Devi is incomparable. Comparison can be made only between two equals. Since She is the Supreme and does not have any equals the question of comparison doesn't arise.
Interpretation:
In this Namah, Nis stands for negativity and Tula means to equate, to compare, to evaluate etc. Nistula the sense in which it is used here in this Namah means Devi is matchless, Peerless, she has no equals etc.
Na Vidyate Tula Yasyah sa. There is nothing which can be compared with Devi.
Readers might recollect that in the initial few Namahs when the description of bodily features of Devi were taken up, there was a constant companion. Her eyebrows were compared to Manmatha's bows, her lips compared to buds and so on.
Now we say she is incomparable. Is there not a contradiction? No, of course not. Here we are discussing the whole aspect of Devi, her all pervading prowess, her Motherliness, her compassion, her divinity, her supreme nature etc. These qualities have absolutely no equals. Hence the description of her as Nistula.
Author's Notes:
Tula bharam / Tula Purusha Dana
Tula literally means to weigh. It's the symbol of the zodiac sign Libra - the weighing balance. There is a practice amongst devout Hindus called Tula bharam to offer prayers to God. The donor weighs himself against a specific item ranging from Gold and silver to foodgrains, to fruits, jaggery etc. placed in the other pan of the balance and later distribute it to Brahmaṇas. It's popular in the Indian state Kerala, in particular at the Guruvayoor Temple.
There is a mention about the practice in Matsya Purana (perhaps the origin of the concept). It is referred to as
Tula Purusha Dana and is considered one of Maha Dana. The Atharva veda parishishta uses the name "tula-purusha-vidhi" to describe the ceremony, while the Linga Purana calls it by various names such as "tula-purusha-dana", "tuladhirohana", and "tulabhara".
Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja in the book Brihad Bhagavatamrita mentions that the glory of Lord Krishna is incomparable.
Here he uses the word Tula.
अहो तत्-परमानन्द-रसाब्धेर् महिमाद्भुतः ।
ब्रह्मानन्दस् तुलां नार्हेद् यत् कणार्धांशकेन च
O the astonishing glory of the Lord of Vaikunta! Brahmananda, the happiness of self-realization, is not comparable to even half a drop in the ocean of that divine bliss.
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