LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
कराङ्गुलि नखोत्पन्न नारायण दशाकृतिः (80)
Karanguli Nakhotpanna Narayaṇa Dashakritihi (80)
Meaning:
Devi created the ten incarnations (dasa-avatara) of Lord Narayana from the tip of her finger nails.
Interpretation:
Narayana mentioned in this Namah, perhaps, does not refer directly to Sri Maha Vishnu. Devi is the younger sister of Maha Vishnu (mentioned elsewhere in the LSN - Padmanabha Sahodari) and it is difficult to accept that the ten incarnations of the Lord, the Dashavatara, was created by Devi from her finger nails.
A more appropriate explanation would be - when Bhandasura started hurling astras evoking various asuras who were already slain by Maha Vishnu, Devi just retaliated by counter-attacking with astras named after the Dashavataras of Lord Vishnu. Like when Bhandasura shot the Baleendra Astra, evoking Bali, Devi responded by cutting down the astra with Vamana (avatara) Astra. And so on… ..
The Battle with Bhandasura:
The battle now entered an interesting stage. Bhanda hurled various Astras that brought back to life various Asuras, Devi counter-attacking, also hurled various Astras whose names are linked to the Dashavatara of Bhagavan Sri Vishnu.
Bhandasura created asuras such as Somaka who stole the vedas. Lord Vishnu incarnated as Matsya from the right thumbnail (Dakshinatah Angushtam) of Sri Lalithambika and destroyed them.
Bhanda caused a huge flood using Arnavastra which submerged shakti sena. Kurmavatara of Vishnu came out of Sri Devi's right index fingernail (Dakshinatah Tarjani) and lifted them out.
Bhanda shot Hiranyaksha Maha Astra from which crores of Hiranyakshas emerged. From the right middle fingernail (Dakshinatah Madhyamam) of Sri Lalitha came out Varaha avatara of Lord Vishnu who destroyed all the Hiranyakshas.
From the curved eye brows of angry Bhandasura came out crores of Hiranyakashipus who started slaying the shaktis. Narasimha avatara of Vishnu came out of the right ring fingernail (Dakshinatah Anamika)of Sri Devi and destroyed all the Hiranyakashipus
Bhandasura shot Baleendra astra at Devi. From her right little fingernail (Dakshinatah Kanishtika) emerged hundreds of Vamanas who destroyed it.
From the Haihaya astra shot by Bhandasura originated crores of Arjunas ( Karthaveerya ). Lord Parasurama came out of the left thumbnail (Vamatah Angushtam) of Devi and destroyed all of them.
An angry Bhandasura let out a Humkara and created Ravana along with Kumbhakarna and Meghanada. From the left index fingernail (Vamatah Tarjani) of Sri Lalithambika came out Sri Rama and Lakshmana and destroyed them.
Out of the Dvida Astra employed by Bhandasura emerged numerous huge ferocious monkeys that started attacking the shakti sena. Balarama who came out of the left middle fingernail (Vamatah Madhyamam) of Sri Devi destroyed them all.
Bhandasura shot Rajasura Astra. From it came out many demon kings such as Kamsa, Chanura, Keshi, Shambara, Pralamba and Banasura. From the left ring fingernail (Vamatah Anamika) of Sri Lalithambika came out Vasudeva and destroyed them all.
Bhandasura shot Kalya Astra, out came various kinds of cruel people trying to disturb and destroy dharma. From the left little fingernail (Vamatah Kanishtika) of Devi came out Kalki and destroyed them all.
Author's Note:
The meaning of this Namah should be construed as: Devi re-created the ten avatars - the Dasha Avatars of Lord Vishnu or Sriman Narayana. One of the many names of Devi is Narayani
(Narayani nadarupa namarupa vivarjita). In the Devi Mahatmya an entire chapter is devoted to this name called Narayani Namastute.
Devotees of Devi should strongly believe that if one makes complete surrender to her, whatever be the odds, however hard the crisis situation be, Devi will rise to the occasion to protect her devotees.
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