LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
[ 46 Nishkarana Nishkalanka
Nirupadhir Nirishvara ]
निष्कलङ्का (153)
Nishkalanka (153)
Meaning:
Devi is free from any spot or stain. She is pure, clean and immaculate.
Interpretation:
In this namah Kalanka refers to dirt, stain or black spots and the prefix Nish adds negativity to it. Therefore, Nishkalanka should be understood to mean - without any stain.
Being absolutely clean, blemishless is one of the primary traits of Brahman and Devi, being the representative of Brahman, is referred to as Nishkalanka.
Isa upanishad (verse 8) uses two words to describe the Brahman without stains. The first one is Shuddham which means pure. The other is Apapaviddha which means being unblemished - without any sin.
The Quote:
पर्यगाच्छु क्रमकायम व्रणमस्नाविरं शुद्धम् अपापविद्धम् ।
Paryaga chukram akayama vraṇam asnaviraṃ Shuddham Apapaviddham |
Nishkalanka in other texts:
Quote from Skanda Purana
We find several instances of the term Nishkalanka being associated with Lord Shiva. In Skanda Puranam wr gind the following quote
प्रतिग्रहेश्वरं वापि निष्कलंकेशमेव च ।
pratigraheśvaraṃ vāpi
Quote from Shiva Purana
Devi Parvati, in her incarnation as the daughter of Himvat, the Lord of the Himalayas, does severe penance on Lord Shiva. When disturbed and asked who Shiva is, Devi replies praising her Lord and adds He is Nishkalanka, the spotless one. So we have a reference where Devi herself mentions Lord Shiva as Nishkalanka
In the same text we also find Sage Narada also addressing Lord Shiva as Nishkalanka during his conversation with king Himvat.
Nishkalanka Mahadev Temple, Gujarat
Nishkalank Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple located in Koliyak beach in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. The temple is believed to have been built by the Pandava brothers on the advice of Lord Krishna, to wash away the sins committed during the Mahabharata war. (Sounds somewhat similar to Lord Rama worshiping Shiva at Rameshwaram after the Rama-Ravana Yuddham in Ramayana.)
Located about a kilometer into the sea, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has 5 distinct swayambhu Shiva lingams on a square platform and each is having a Nandi facing it. This temple is submerged during high tides and emerges only during low tides.
Author's Notes:
The sense of dualism, uncertainty in the minds of devotees is the prime cause for committing sins. These sins cause blemishes. Blemishes could be of anything such as anger, hatred, jealousy, vengeance etc.
Vaag Devi-s addressing Devi ad Nishkalanka is perhaps meant for the devotees. While meditating upon Devi, devotees should ensure that their minds are also devoid of impurities. This is possible only by seeking the blessings of Devi.
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