LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
[ 49. Nirnasha Mrityu Madhani Nishkriya Nishparigraha ]
निष्क्रिया (182)
Nishkriya (182)
Meaning:
Devi does not get involved in any actions.
Interpretation:
In this Namah the word Nish stands for Nil and Kriya stands for action. Thus the term Nishkriya literally means action-less.
First of all let's understand Devi, who is Shakti - the power personified, is the cause, the very basis of every action in this entire universe. So she cannot be called action-less. As far as this description of Devi as Nishkriya is concerned, it should be understood that though Devi is the cause of every action (karma) , the effect of such actions (phalan) do not affect her. She is brahman, she is supreme, she is above all these qualities such as Karma and phalan. But still she is Nishkriya.
Interesting Quote from Mahabharata:
I found this interesting quote from the Mahabharata about the term Nishkriya and sharing it here:
During the war, in the combat between Arjuna and Asvatthama, the latter shoots arrows at Krishna which angers Arjuna who momentarily becomes action-less. Vedvyasa has treated the Sanskrit lovers by using the word Krip twice in succession one to mean mercy - rather merciless (A-kripae) and Kripi (name of mother of Asvatthama).
पत्रि-मोक्षम् अकृपे कृपी-सुते ।
सत्वरो'पि रिपु-निष्क्रये रुषा
निष्क्रियः क्षणम् अभूत् कपि-ध्वजः ॥
When merciless (अकृपे) Asvatthama
(कृपी-सुते) became eager to shoot arrows at Lord Krishna, Arjuna, riding his chariot called कपि-ध्वजः -Kapi Dhwaja (Flag having Hanuman) became action-less (निष्क्रियः) for some moments on account of his anger.
Author's Notes:
In the book Sanat Kumara Samhita, sage Sanat Kumara, mentions it as in a conversation between Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati the Lord explains to Devi why he is being referred to as Nishkriyam or the action-less one.
व्यापकत्वाच चिद्-अंशेन मां ब्रह्मेति विदुर बुधाः
अक्तृत्वात् प्रपञ्चस्य निष्क्रियं मां वदन्त्य् अपि
Vyapakatvacha Chid-Amshena Maam Brahmeti Vidur Budhah
Akartrtvat Prapanchasya Nishkriyam Maam Vadantatya Api
With a single fragment of consciousness I pervade everything. That is why the philosophers think I am the formless Brahman. My actions have nothing to do with the world of matter. That is why the philosophers say I am inactive. (Vadanti = they say so).
Interestingly, for the term Inaction, the author has applied the word Kriya-heenam in the next sloka which is also equivalent to Nishkriyam.
नीरूपं निर्गुणं व्यापी क्रिया-हीनं परात् परम्
वदन्ति वेद-शिरसा इदम एव ममनघ
O sinless one, the Upanishads, which form the crown of all the Vedas, say that I am formless, without qualities, all- pervading, inactive, and greater than the greatest.
From the above two quotes, it will be amply clear that it's Lord Shiva who is described as Nishkriya and Devi, in her capacity of the Lord's consort, also gets referred to as Nishkriya.
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