LALITHA SAHASRANAMA # 200

LALITHA SAHASRANAMA

सर्वशक्तिमयी सर्व-मङ्गला सद्गतिप्रदा। सर्वेश्वरी सर्वमयी सर्वमन्त्र-स्वरूपिणी ॥ ५२॥

52. Sarvashakti mayi Sarva Mangala Sadgati Prada Sarveshvari Sarvamayi Sarvamantra Svarupini

सर्व-मङ्गला (200) 

Sarva-Mangala (200) 

Meaning:

Devi is the embodiment of all kinds of auspiciousness. 

Interpretation:

Sarva stands for All and Mangala stands for Auspiciousness. Devi is thus the embodiment of all kinds of auspiciousness. 

Sarva Mangala in other texts:

Devi has been described as Sarva Mangala in two other popular texts - (1) Lalitha Trishati and (2) Devi Mahatmyam. 

Namah #124 in Trishati mentions Devi as Sarva Mangalayay Namah:

In Devi Mahatmyam, the description is elaborate:

सर्वमंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।

शरण्ये  त्र्यम्बके गौरी नारायणि नमोSस्तु ते ।।

Sarva Mangala Mangalye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike  / Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namostute||

Devi has been described by five different names in this sloka (1) Narayani - sister of Narayana (2) Shive - wife of Shiva (3) Triyambake - wife of the three-eyed God, again, Shiva (4) Gauri - the white, brilliant one and (5) Sarva Mangala - Most auspicious one. 

How Devi got the name Sarva Mangala:

According to the Shiva Purana, after the death of Sati and chopping off of her body parts by Lord Narayana, the Lord himself incarnated as Devi Parvati at the request of the Devas. But it was only after performing a severe penance that Devi Parvati could attain Lord Shiva again. The Lord gave her several names and one amongst them is Sarva Mangala. These various names given to her confer worldly pleasures and salvation according to qualities and action. (The Shiva Purana also mentions the Lord Himself is called Sarva Mangala.)

Shodasi Nitya Devatas:

It's an advanced Sri Vidya Sadhana in which fifteen Nitya Devathis, each one representing a Thithi (a phase of the moon) is worshiped along with Devi Lalitha Parameshwari. Each of these Nitya Devata is given a specific name and the one corresponding to Trayodashi tithi (13th) in the waxing phase and Tritiya (3rd) tithi during the waning phase, is named Sarvamangala. 

Author's Notes:

The worship of Devi in Sarva Mangala form is popular particularly in the Eastern part of India. There are many temples, big and small, for Sarva Mangala Devi. The one at Cossipore, near Dum Dum in Kolkata and the one at Bardhaman are quite famous. 

The Mangala Gauri temple, located in Gaya, is one among the Shakti Peeth temples. Here Shakti is worshiped in the form of a breast symbol, a symbol of nourishment.

The most popular and one of the largest temples for Sarva Mangala Devi is located in Korba, Chhattisgarh. The Goddess of this temple is Durga. This temple was built by the Zamindars in Korba. The temple is surrounded by Trilokinath Mandir, Kali Mandir and Jyoti Kalash Bhavan. There is also a cave, which goes under the river and comes out on the other side. Korba stands on the banks of Hasdo river. 

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