LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
[ 46 Niraga Ragamadhani Nirmada Madanashini ]
नीरागा (156)
Niraga (156)
Meaning:
Devi is devoid any passion, desire or attachment.
Interpretation:
The literal meaning of the word Raga is desire and Nir adds negativity to it. Therefore Niraga should be understood to mean Devi is beyond the ambit of such feelings like, desire, emotion and passion.
It might sound somewhat strange to describe Devi as someone who is devoid of passion or Desire etc. considering it both from the point of view of her relationship with devotess and that of Lord Shiva.
Devi is the very embodiment of Motherhood. By worshiping Devi, devotees actually worship motherhood. Mother means passion, love, affection. Devi is abundantly passionate towards her devotees, She takes immense pleasure in granting boons, shower her benevolence etc. So she cannot be described as without passion.
Similarly in her relation with her consort Lord Shiva, she is deeply attached towards him. It's a case of unbound desire between the two and that's why the couple is referred to as Kameshwara and Kameshwari. Desire is eternally present in them and never diminishes. So she cannot be referred to as someone without desire.
But Vaag Devi-s have used the term not without reasons. Perhaps the inner meaning of the term is meant for the devotees and not to Devi directly. To attain Brahman one has to give up such qualities like desire, passion, attachment etc. And this can be sanctioned to them only by Devi. That's why she is called Niraga.
Author's Notes.
Apart from the explanation provided above, the writer wishes to add that the word Raga can can also be interpreted to refer to number six. Six, in this context, refers to the six
deterrents such as desire, anger, jealousy, confusion, pride and envy. To get rid of all these bad elements one has to meditate upon Devi applying their minds " in totality ".
This stage is called Antahkarana.
Antahkarana (अन्तःकरण) is a concept in Hindu philosophy, referring to the totality of the mind, including the thinking faculty or the sense. Antah means 'inner' and karana means 'instrument' or 'function'. Therefore, the word Antahkarana can be understood as 'inner organ', 'inner functions' or 'inner instrument'.
Those devotees or the sadhaka, the right term to use once a devotee reaches this stage, is bound to get himself released from the bondage of desire, passion etc. if he meditate upon Devi with deep concentration.
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