LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
महाभोगा महैश्वर्या महावीर्या महाबला ।
महाबुद्धिर् महासिद्धिर् महायोगेश्वरेश्वरी ॥ ५५॥
Mahabhoga Mahaishvarya Mahavirya Mahabala Mahabhudir Mahasirdhir Mahayogeshvareshvari – 55
महाभोगा (219)
Mahabhoga (219)
Meaning:
Devi is the embodiment of enjoyment. She showers immeasurable enjoyment on her devotees.
Interpretation:
The Namah refers to Devi as the provider of Enjoyment. Maha as usual refers to greatness and Bhoga means enjoyment.
Two references indicating that the term Bhoga refers to enjoyment is furnished below - one from Siva Purana and the other from Bhagwad Gita.
Quote from Siva Puranam
भगेन सहितं लिंगं भगंलिंगेन संयुतम् ।
इहामुत्र च भोगार्थं नित्यभोगार्थमेव च ॥
The Lord alone is the bestower of enjoyment (Bhoga) and not anyone else. The Lord who is the master of Bhaga is called Bharga by wise men.
Quote from Bhagwad Gita
ये हि संस्पर्श-जा भोगा दुःख-योनय एव ते आद्य्-अन्तवन्तः कौन्तेय न तेषु रमते बुधः ॥
O Kounteya! Enjoyments, born of contact with the senses, are certainly the cause of misery. Since they have a beginning and an end, an enlightened person does not become attached to them.
Interestingly the text Tantra Sadhana which is considered very important by the Kashmiri Shaivite sect, restricts the meaning of the term Bhoga to refer only to sexual enjoyment.
Mere knowledge (Gnanam) about sex is no enjoyment - to realize fully what enjoyment is all about, one has to experience it (kriya) mentions the text.
bhoga-jnana stribhakṣya bhogajno
Another text Jnanarnava by the famous Jain scholar compares Bhoga (enjoyment) to a dream svapanavad bhoga na kiṃ vanchaka) as both are short lived.
Author's Notes
According to the Hindu scriptures, Bhoga (enjoyment) can be classified into three categories:
(1) Sukham or Bhautika bhoga - Physical enjoyment which arises from comforts of life, sensual enjoyment, and bodily pleasures.
(2) Anandam or Manasika Bhoga - Mental happiness which arises from a sense of fulfillment and freedom from worries, afflictions, and anxieties.
(3) Adhyatmika or Atmananda Bhoga - Spiritual happiness or the ultimate knowledge about God realization which is the result of constant worship, devote meditation.
Apart from the above three there is an ultimate one the Maha Bhoga which is the supreme enjoyment - the Mukti - the liberation, the permanent release of the mind from all attachments. Only Devi, the Maha Bhoga can provide it.
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