LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
साध्वी (128)
Sadhvi (128)
Meaning:
Devi is very pure, chaste and virtuous.
Interpretation:
Devi is deeply attached to Her husband Lord Shiva. She is eternally devoted to him and to him alone,
past, present and future - that's why she is considered the epitome of chastity.
Significance of the namah Sadhvi
It should be very clearly understood here that Vaag Devi-s have deliberately applied the term Chastity in this namah but it is not meant for Devi Lalithambika. It is addressed by them to the womanhood in general.
Who are we to talk of the chastity of Devi Maa? Any discussion about Her chastity is absolutely meaningless. Her chastity is beyond any level of comprehension even by the best of yogic minds. She is supreme.
But Devi is present in all women, in all female entities and chastity mentioned by the writers of LSN applies to them - the entire female fraternity. It is the most important trait and the very definition of womanhood. It's an yardstick, a benchmark and to underline it's importance, Vaag Devi-s have involved the name of Devi with it and the term Sadhvi.
Adi Shankara and Soundarya Lahari
In verse # 26 of SL, Adi Shankara mentions that at the time of great dissolution, Brahma, Vishnu, Yama, Kubera, Indra and all other gods cease to exist. But Lord Shiva alone stays with Devi, the loyal, faithful consort of the Lord. Mind you - Shankara addresses Devi not as Sadhvi but as Sati - one of her many names that stands for chastity.
विहरति सति त्वत्पतिरसौ॥
Viharati Sati Tvat Patir Asauas
Author's Notes
There are many references to the term Sadhvi in Vedic scriptures. It should be understood that Sadhvi is the feminine gender of term Sadhu, the male form.
Rig Veda, the oldest of the four Vedas, says: कुलायिनं घृतवन्तं सवित्रे यज्ञं नय यजमानाय साधु ॥ Kulayinaṃ Ghṛtavantaṃ Savitre Yajnaṃ Naya Yajamanaya Sadhu ||
In Shiva Purana, Narada informs Mena the King of Himalayan mountains and father of Parvati, that the young daughter of the king would be a great chaste lady [Maha Sadhvi]. She will always grant bliss to everyone.
Sadhvi (साध्वी) is also one of the Goddesses to be worshiped during Avarana Puja, according to the Durga Puja Tattva and Paddhati (The methods and procedures of Durga Puja rituals). Devi Sadhvi should be worshiped with the five upacharas, perfume and flowers, says the scripture.
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