LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
निराधारा (132)
Niradhara (132)
Meaning:
Devi exists without any support. She does not require any support. To the contrary, she is the very base, the foundation, who provides support to the entire universe.
Interpretation:
Aadhar means the base on which something rests or that provides support to something. Nir is in the negative sense and therefore Niradhara should be understood as to mean something that does not have any base or support. Devi is glorified as being eternal, infinite and immortal and she does not require any external support for existence - she rests on her own power.
LSN vs Devi Mahatmyam
While the description of Devi in the LSN as Nir-adhara is in the negative dimension, the same description of Devi in the Mahatmyam is in positive spirit. The holy script refers to Devi as the Adhara Shakti - the power that provides the base, the foundation for the entire universe to exist.
Aadhaara Bhootaa Jagatastvamekaa
Mahee Swaroopena Yatah Sthitaasi
O Devi of inviolable valour! You are the sole substratum, the basic foundation of this entire universe. Because you exist, all this (universe) is gratified.
Adi Shankara and Nir-adhara
Like the previous namah, for this one too, we have to refer to the Brahma Gnanavali Mala to catch up with what the great sage Adi Shankara has to say about Nir-adhara.
निराधारस्वरूपोऽहं सर्वाधारोऽहमेव च ।
आप्तकामस्वरूपोऽहमहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ १५॥
Nir-Adhara Svarupo Ahaṃ Sarva Adharo Ahameva cha .
Apta Kama Svarupo Aham Aahameva Aham Avyayaḥ .. 15..
I am without any support but I am the support of all. I have no desires to be fulfilled. I am the very Self, indestructible and changeless.
Author's Note:
The word Nir-adhara draws my attention to the mastery in Sanskrit language of the great poet Kalidasa.
Once king Bhoja Raja decided to have some fun with friend Kalidasa and entered the house of Kalidasa in disguise along with a courtier. The courtier announced that the king was no more. Struck by deep grief, Kalidasa composed the following verse:
अद्य धारा निराधारा निरालम्बा सरस्वती।
पंडिताः खंडिताः सर्वे भोजराजे दिवंगते।।
Today the entire world is without support. The Goddess of Learning, Saraswati is also without support. All scholars are overwhelmed with grief at the departure of Raja Bhoja to heaven.
The king could not hide his emotions and revealed himself. Both the friends had a hearty laugh and Kalidasa immediately changed the verse to.
अद्य धारा सदाधारा सदालम्बा सरस्वती।
पंडिताः मंडिताः सर्वे भोजराजे भुवंगते।।
Today the entire world is ever supported, and so is Goddess Saraswati. All scholars are adorned now that Raja Bhoja has descended on earth. Such was the Kalidasa's scholary and the command he had in Sanskrit language.
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