LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
[ 46 Niraga Ragamadhani Nirmada Madanashini ]
निर्मदा (158)
Nirmada (158)
Meaning:
Devi is without pride.
Interpretation:
The word Mada means pride and adding Nir, it gives a negative meaning - Devi is without the feel of pride, arrogance or ego says the namah.
When you have something that others do not have, it naturally gives rise to a sense of pride. Devi, being the embodiment of complete knowledge, knows about this. Na vidyate madah yasyam says the Sanskrit saying. There is no necessity for Devi to become proud of her vast knowledge.
The words Madah and Garva in Sanskrit are interchangeable both referring to pride. We have two such references of the term Garva in holy Sanskrit hymns.
In Shiva Purana, in a conversation with Devi Parvati, Lord Shiva indicates the importance of giving up the feeling of pride. Garva bija vivarjita says the Lord - the last seed of pride should be completely eliminated.
Adi Shankara on Pride
In Bhaja Govindam, verse # 11, Adi Shankara makes a mention about pride:
मा कुरु धन जन यौवन गर्वं
हरति निमेषात्कालः
Ma Kuru Dhana jana youvana garvam Harti Nimeshatkala:
Do not be proud of wealth, power and youth, time destroys them in a moment,
Author's Notes:
Hindu Mythology contains numerous quotes about Pride and it's destructive quality. The writer wishes to refer to two such instances both involving Brahma, the Lord of Creation.
According to the depiction in Skanda Purana, Brahma was extremely proud of his knowledge about the Vedas. When Lord Subramaniya questions him about the meaning of Pranava Mantra, he is not able to answer and is put behind bars. Later Lord Shiva intervenes, gets him out of the prison and in the process vanishes the pride of Brahma.
The other story centers around Brahma and Lord Krishna. When the serpent demon Aghasura was killed by Krishna, Brahma's pride closed his eyes and he didn't believe that a cow head boy could kill a demon he created so strong. He visits Vrindavan, hides all the cows and cowboys in a cave. Krishna watches this and creates a fresh set of cows and cowboys. Brahma later realizes his mistake, seeks pardon before the Lord and in the process Krishna subdues Brahma's pride.
So devotees let's all pray to Devi to destroy the pride present in us and seek her blessings to make us humble and modest.
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