LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
दुष्टदूरा दुराचार-शमनी दोषवर्जिता ।
सर्वज्ञा सान्द्रकरुणा समानाधिक-वर्जिता ५१॥
Dushta-doora Durachara Shamani Doshavarjita
Sarvagyna Sandra Karuna Samanadhika Varjita – 51
दुराचार-शमनी (194)
Durachara Shamani (194)
Meaning:
Devi puts an end to all sorts of evil ways and unholy practices.
Interpretation:
The Namah Durachara Shamani comprises three parts Dur + Achara + Shamani. Achara can be construed as the code of conduct or customs and practices. Dur stands for negativity and anything not falling within the established customs or practices is Durachara. Shamani means the one who puts off or destroys and and the entire Namah means Devi destroys all sorts of evil customs and practices.
[It may be ensured that while chanting LSN the entire namah is pronounced in one go i. e. Duracharashamani. When split as Durachara & Shamani we end up pronouncing रा instead of र which is incorrect. ]
Achara again is of two kinds, those prescribed and authenticated by Vedas called Shastras and those customs and practices that are unique to a family and that are being followed generations after generations called Sampradayam. In fact the very meaning of Sampradayam is to handover, to pass on.
The lines from Lalitha Sahasranama “Dushtadura, Durachara shamani, Doshavarjita” describes goddess Maha Prathyangira Devi.
She is known for her power that repels any misfortune or fatal incident that can be caused by the force of evil magic etc.
Quote from Srimad Bhagwad Gita
In Bagwad Gita Chapter 9, which deals with Raja Vidya Yoga, Bhagwan Sri Krishna declares that he accepts the worship by even the sinners and those who allthrough life indulge in practicing Durachara.
अपि चेत्सु दुराचारो भजते मामनन्यभाक्
साधुरेव स मन्तव्यः सम्यग्व्यवसितो हि सः
Api chetsu Duracharo Bhajate maam ananya bhak
Saadhureva sa mantavyah Samyag vyavasito hi sah
Even if the vilest sinners worship Me with exclusive devotion, they are to be considered righteous because they have made the proper resolve.
Author's Notes
Let me make a mention here about the queer stories of Valmiki and Ajamila who were initially involved with Durachara and later became celebrated saints.
Ajamila was a scholar born into a Brahmin family and well versed in the Vedas. He fell victim to infatuation and married a dasi and got polluted through her association. He neglected the Vedic way of life and resorted to a life of crime for supporting his family, holding captives for ransom, gambling, committing frauds, and thefts. He was involved in total Durachara. He had ten children by this woman, the youngest of whom was named Narayana.
On his deathbed, he saw the Yamadutas and frightened by the sight, called out to his son, Narayana. Hearing the name of Vishnu, the Vishnudutas, the servants of Vishnu, appeared to rescue him from the clutches of hell. He was awarded moksham which is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavadam as Ajamila Moksham.
Valmiki’s impious deeds were so overbearing that he was unable even to enunciate “Ra..ma,” the two syllables in Lord Ram’s name. His sins were preventing him from taking the divine Name. So, his Guru thought of a way of engaging him in devotion by making him chant the reverse, “Ma Ra,” with the intention that repetition of “Mara Mara Mara Mara…”
Ulata namu japata jagu jana,
Valmiki bhae Brahma samana.
The whole world is testimony to the fact that Valmiki attained sainthood by chanting the syllables of God’s Name in the reverse order.
Disclaimer: All matters contained in this article are the property of www.templesofasia.com. The opinions expressed in this article are purely that of the author. The author alone is responsible for the accuracy, authenticity, completeness and validity of all the information in the article.
Comments