LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
[ 45 Nityamukta Nirvikara Nishprapancha Nirashraya ]
निष्प्रपञ्चा (146)
Niṣhprapancha (146)
Meaning:
Devi is beyond the reach of the universe and thoughts related to it.
Interpretation:
In this namah, the word Prapancha should be understood to mean the universe. The prefix Nish negates it to give the meaning without (opposite of within) universe or beyond the reach of universe.
Prapancha can also be taken to mean expansion which leads us to the term without expansion or something that cannot be extended. This definition appears more appropriate as Devi is para brahma swaroopini - Devi needs no further expansion and hence referred to as Nish Prapancha.
Adi Shankara and the word Nish Prapancha
In a rare coincidence, Adi Shankara mentions the word Prapancha (in the context of Nish Prapancha) both in Soundarya Lahari and in Sivanands Lahari.
In SDL he quotes: Prapancham Sinchanthi Punarapi Rasamnaya mahasaha to mean the nectar that flows from Devi's feet on her return journey from Sahasrara Kundalini Chakra back to her home in Muladhara Kundalini Chakra, sprinkles the entire universe.
In SNL Shankara uses the word Prapancha while describing the situation at the time of the great deluge. Quotes the sage Brasyaddeva ganam trasan muni ganam nasyat prapancham layam to describe that the Devas, the Ganas, the Rishis and Munis all tremble with fear when the universe is destroyed at the time of the great deluge and LordShivaalone remain in solitude, fearlessly carrying on his play (the Ananda Thandavam) in intense rapture and pleasure.
Author's notes:
Let's see how the Upanishads deal with the term Nish Prapancha. The Brihadaranyaka and Chandogya Upanashids are the two most important Mukhya Upanishads. They represent two main schools of thought within the Upanishads.
The Brahadaranyaka deals with acosmic or Nish Prapancha whereas the Chandogya deals with cosmic or Sa Prapancha. Between the two more weightage is given to Brahadaranyaka.
Acosmism is a subject that denies the reality of the universe and insists that ultimately it is all illusory.
The Mandukya Upanishad provides us with an interesting information. It classifies the Prapancha or the Universe into three categories - namely, Sthula Prapancha or the gross universe; Sukshma prapancha or the subtle universe and Karana Prapancha or the causal state. Nish Prapancha is something that is beyond these three categories. It is represented by, who else, but Devi Jaganmata.
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