LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
[ 44 Nirguna Nishkala Shanta Nishkama Nirupaplava ]
शन्ता (141)
Shanta (141)
Meaning:
Devi is calm and tranquil.
Interpretation:
Shantam literally means calmness and more specifically tranquility. When we say Devi is at peace, she is the embodiment of Shantam, then the questions arise: what is shantam and how can it be obtained?
That which is not disturbed by any external force is shantam. It may be noted that when one is bound by the clutches of bondage, there cannot be any tranquility. Tranquility is considered the most essential quality for self-realization. Therefore to achieve this, one has to first get himself released from bondages and from emotions and then meditate upon Devi.
Devi herself speaks about the significance of meditation in Devi Bhagavatam. Says Devi: At the highest point of meditation, the devotee doesn't seek happiness, doesn't materialistic wealth, doesn't even liberation, he seeks only peace.
He does not want to forsake the idea of Sevya (to be served) and Sevaka (servant who serves). He always meditates on Me with Supreme Devotion; he does not think himself separate from Me but rather thinks himself “that I am the Bhagavati."
Adi Shankara and Soundarya Lahari
The holy sage has at many places in his various compositions underlined the importance of Shantam but there is no direct reference on SL about him addressing Devi as Shanta swaroopini.
However, in Deivathin Kural, the Kanchi Paramacharya offers a wonderful explanation to it. Says the Kanchi Mahan, in the very first line of Soundarya Lahari Shiva Shaktya Yukto Adi Shankara mentions about the Shantam nature of Devi - for the word Shivam stands for Shantam or peace elaborates the Maha Periyava.
The Shadakshara Slokam (a hymn about the Six letters in the name Om- Na-Mah-Shi-Va-Ya) the letter Shi stands for शिवं शांतं जगन्नाथं लोकानुग्रहकारकम् । Shivaṃ Shantam Jagannatham Loka Anugraha Karanam .
Sai bhajan:
Sai Devotees of Puttaparthi must be familiar with the popular bhajan, one of the regular items at Prashanti Nilayam. (Note Baba himself has named his holy abode as Pra Shanti Nilayam not without reasons)
Sathya Narayani Shantha Swaroopini
Mangala Vadani Malini
Maya Vilasini Maha Kamini
Mahishasura Mardhini Harini.
Author's Notes:
The namah Shanta is very important from the point of view of worship of Devi. The mind of the devotee has to be pure, clear and free of other thoughts when he sits down to worship Devi. This is possible only by keeping his mind tranquil. Since Devi herself is depicted as Shanta / Shantam, this peace of mind can be rewarded only by her.
The simple way to seek this peace of mind is by chanting Om Shanti Shanti Shanti. Shanti is chanted three times and it is believed that it respectively cleanses our mind, body and spirit. Moreover the Sanskrit phrase Trivaram Satyam indicates that anything chanted three times turns out to be the truth.
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