LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
[ 44 Nirguna Nishkala Shanta Nishkama Nirupaplava ]
निरुपप्लवा (143)
Nirupaplava (143)
Meaning:
Devi is imperishable, indestructible. being one of the qualities of the Brahman.
Interpretation:
Nirupaplava can be split into two ways for a better understanding of its meaning.
1) Nir + Upaplava: Upaplava means something that is ‘destructible’. Everything created is subject to destruction. But the Supreme power is indestructible; it is eternal and hence is Nir+upaplava.
2) Nir + Upa + Plava: Plava means that which is used to cross over. ‘Upaplava’ means that which is helpful in quickly crossing over- here it refers to ‘quickly crossing over the cycles of birth and death (samsara), ignorance (ajnana, avidya), sorrows and difficulties’. Nir+upaplava therefore implies that She is over and above these cycles and hence does not have any necessity to cross over these.
Through various different names, the same concept i.e. the fact that ‘She is eternal and indestructible’ is being re-iterated. This is because the human mind believes in the concepts of beginning & end, birth & death, and needs to slowly absorb this great truth.
Adi Shankara
Unfortunately this namah Nirupaplava is a very one and similar usage of the name in any of the compositions of Adi Shankara is not to be easily found. May be deep research and further explorations are required.
Author's Notes:
Shaivism, the philosophy of Lord Shiva makes an exclusive claim of the word Nirupaplava. Lord Shiva is addressed as Nirupaplava and it is mentioned there in that the Lord alone can be referred to by that name.
Netratantra is a very rare book on Tantric Meditation in which Lord Shiva in the form of Bhairava teaches Devi Parvati various topics such as metaphysics, cosmology etc.
निरुपप्लवानि नः कर्माणि संवृत्तानि Nirupaplavani Naḥ Karmaṇi Saṃvṛttani
The Lord quotes himself to be Nirupaplava and also explains to Devi the meaning of the word:
The leader (Shiva) of these mantras is eternal, restraining, untroubled (nirupaplava), unexpanding, without appearance, and causes protection. He does all, he protects the trembling minds [of those who are afraid of samsara]. The practitioner (worshippers of Shiva) shall attain liberation from great fear. - Says the Lord.
Vaag Devi-s must have addressed Devi Lalithambiga as Nirupaplava to reiterate that Shiva & Shakti are one and the same.
Disclaimer: All matters contained in this article are the property of www.templesofasia.com. The opinions expressed in this article are purely that of the author. The author alone is responsible for the accuracy, authenticity, completeness and validity of all the information in the article.
Comments