LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
महारूपा महापूज्या महापातक-नाशिनी ।
महामाया महासत्त्वा महाशक्तिर् महारतिः ॥ ५४॥
Maharupa Mahapujya Mahapataka nashini Mahamaya Magasatva Mahashaktir Maharatih – 54
महाशक्ति (217)
Mahashakti (217)
Meaning
Devi represents the entire gamut of Power / Energy found in the universe.
Interpretation
The Namah may be split as Maha which means the large / entire thing and Shakti which may be understood to mean Power or Energy. The entire universe functions because of some energy and it is Devi who provides such Energy. Hence she is called Mahashakti.
In the view of certain experts the word Shakti itself is to be understood as Sh + Kti in which the sound Sh means welfare or prosperity and Kti means prowess. Therefore Shakti means she, who is the embodiment of prosperity and prowess or she, who grants prosperity and prowess.
In Devi Mahatmyam the term Shakti appears several times and most importantly in the following quotes:
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्ति-रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
सृष्टि स्थिति विनाशानां शक्तिभूते सनातनि ।
In the first quote, Devi is described to be present in various Roopams (forms) and one amongst them is Shakti, the Power.
In the second, Devi is described as the Power of Creation, the Power of Maintenance and the Power of Dissolution.
Adi Shakti and Para Shakti
Apart from being described as Mahashakti, Devi is also addressed as Adi Shakti and Para Shakti or sometimes in the combined form as Adi Parashakti.
The prefix Adi means the Start point or the most ancient one whose origin is not known. Para means the highest form and beyond the range of human understanding.
Adi Shankara on Shakti
शिवः शक्त्या युक्तो यदि भवति शक्तः प्रभवितुं
Adi Shankara begins his great composition Soundarya Lahari with the term Shiva Shakya Yukta. The great saint repeat the term a few more times such as in verse 32 शिवशक्तिः कामः क्षितिरथ रविश्शीतकिरणः
Author's Notes:
The worship of Devi in the form of Shakti called Shaktam has been in practice in Hinduism from ancient times.The earliest archaeological evidence date back to 9000 - 8000 BC.
Holy texts such as Devi Mahatmyam, the Devi Bhagavadha Purana, Lalitha Sahasranamam, Kalika Purana and Shakti Upanishads are the important framework for worship of Devi,
The most striking feature of Shaktam is that it emphasizes that intense love towards Devi is more important than simple obedience to Her. Devi is addressed as Mother and motherhood is defined as divinity. The case of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and his deep devotion towards Maa Kali can be cited as the best example.
Devi is the Shakti - the power / Energy who liberates Her devotees from the ocean of existence. That's why Sri Ramakrishna gave the idol installed at the Dakshineswar temple, Kolkata as Maa Bhavatarini.
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