LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
निस्तुला नीलचिकुरा निरपाया निरत्यया ।
दुर्लभा दुर्गमा दुर्गा दुःखहन्त्री सुखप्रदा ॥ ५०॥
[ Nistula Neelachikura Nirapaya Niratyaya // Durlabha Durgama Durga Dukha-hantri Sukhaprada ||50||]
दुर्गमा (189)
Durgama (189)
Meaning
Devi is not easily accessible. She can be approached only by tough sadhana or practice. Sadhana means meditating on Her self-illuminating form.
Interpretation:
Durgama is a single word and literally means difficult to access. To understand Durgama, one also has to know the meaning of its opposite word Adurgama which refers to something that can be easily accessed.
When expanded the Namah becomes
Adurgama – Na Vidyate Durgame Yasyah which means She is not difficult to approach (i.e. Her grace)
Three forms of Devi:
It may be noted that, to her devotees, Devi appears in three forms
(1) Roopam or the physical form Idols (Vigraham) and or Picture / Painting (Chitram) etc. that are used for worship of Devi for performing external rituals.
(2) Kamakala form which is ac subtle form where Devi is imagined within the mind while doing Dhyanam / Meditation.
(3) Kundalini form which is considered to be Her subtlest form that can be used only by Sadhakas and Sri Vidya Upasakas. In this form Devi is not accessible by performing only external rituals.
She can be accessed through tough sadana by meditating on Her other two forms. Her worship should commence with rituals, gradually transforming into meditating Her subtlest form.
When such a transformation happens in a devotee, She becomes Adurgama, meaning She is easily accessible. If such a transformation does not happen in a devotee, She is not accessible at all.
Reference from other texts about Durgama
We all are familiar with the Slokam
वसुदेवसुतं देवं कंस चाणूर मर्दनम् which mentions about Lord Krishna killing Kamsa and Chanura, the wrestler. When Krishna was busy killing Chanura, brother Balarama was engaged in killing another demon wrestler called Mushtika and it is in this context that we come across the word Durgama
तथैव मुष्टिकं मल्लं मुष्टिभिर् युधि दुर्गमम्
Tathaiva Mushtikam mallam
Mushtibhir yudhi Durgamam
In the same way powerful Lord Balarāma grabbed the feet of invincible Mushtika, whirled him around, and threw him to the ground and the demon, vomiting blood from his mouth, suddenly died.
Author's Notes:
Vaag Devis have specifically used the word Durgama in this context to make devotees understand a couple of things
(1) to initiate oneself in worship of Devi reciting Slokas, chanting mantras and performing Puja etc.
This will awaken the feel of devotion in them. Here Devi is Durgama - not accessible.
(2) Next stage is to involve the mind in the process of Meditation. Here form is immaterial and only concentration is important. After days of continuous practice when can visualize Devi. Here Devi is Adurgama - accessible.
(3) This is a highly advanced stage meant only for Sadakas and Sri Vidya Upasakas and for those who perform Chadi Homam and Navavarna Puja etc. To these devotees, Devi is Adurgama or easily accessible.
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