LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
[ 46 Niraga Ragamadhani Nirmada Madanashini ]
मदनाशिनी (159)
Madanashini (159)
Meaning
Devi destroys pride from the minds of her devotees.
Interpretation
In this namah Mada stands for Pride and Nashini means destroyer. Combining the two we get the meaning of the namah as Devi is the destroyer of pride..
Destruction of pride is one of the preconditions for realizing the Brahman. To enable her devotees to realize Brahman Devi ensures destruction of the feeling of pride from the minds of her devotees.
Alternatively the namah can be split as Madanam asanati iti in which
Madanam means excessive anxiety and asnati means to eat. Devi drives away (literally eats) excessive anxiety from the minds of her devotees.
Madanasini in other texts
Madanasini is not a term that is very frequently used. We hardly find mention of it in any popular sloka or hymn.
Arunadatta (अरुणदत्त) the famous scholar of multi disciplines and the author of the Sarvanga Sundari a commentary on the Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita makes a mention about the term Madanasini in his works.
Upodaka Madanasini Apiśabdat gurvi sara cha| Upodakamayali, Khaṇḍapalankyeti prathita
Author's Notes
Pride is not always a bad quality. It is only when it turns out to be excessive, it is undesirable.
In certain cases, as in case of warriors or soldiers, it can be a virtue since it contributes to their courage and Confidence.
The great Tamil poet Thiruvallivar has devoted an entire chapter on Pride of the Army (Padai Cherukku) in his composition Thiru Kural.
Thiruvalluvar in this chapter deals with the essential pride that any soldier should have .When he says , hero is one who killed an elephant with a spear and when he was unable to find a spear to kill another elephant, He becomes happy to a spear which has gone deep in him.
Readers might recall that in the battle between Devi Lalithambika and Bhandasura, the demon, with a view to boost the sagging morale of his soldiers, gives a pep talk on self-pride to his soldiers.
Thus pride within limits, and well controlled, is a virtue and is good while excessive pride is harmful and needs to be destroyed. It's Devi, the Madanashini, alone who is capable of doing it.
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