LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
कुल सङ्केतपालिनी (91)
Kula Sanketa Palini (91)
Meaning:
In this namah Kula means race or a division of family. Devi guards the secrecy of the kula or the family of Her devotees.
Interpretation:
The namah should be understood as Kulasya (= matters regarding the Kula) Sanketan (Rahasyani = to be kept highly secretive) Palayati (pasusu na prakasha yati = not to be divulged).
Everything associated with Devi is considered extremely auspicious and highly secretive in nature such as the Panchadashi and Shodashi mantra-s, Devi's Kamakala form, the ritual worship called Navavarana Puja etc.
The secrecy is on account of two factors. One is that such mantra-s should not be elaborately discussed to avoid them falling into the wrong hands. Secondly, Devi's physical and Kamakala forms are highly intimate in nature and should not be discussed.
Devi, on her part, maintains details about the Kulam of her devotees in a highly secretive manner.
Quote from Soundarya Lahari
In Soundarya Lahari too we find mention of Kula by Adi Shankara.
But there is a significant difference in Shankara's version of the term Kula and the one given in LSN and other tantra scriptures.
Manopi Bhru Madhye Sakalamapi Bhittva Kula Patham says Shankara.
Manopi – tattva of mind; Bhru Madhye – in between the eyebrows (the Agya chakra region); sakalamapi Bhittva (to break every thing) Kula patham (the path of Kundalini). Thus we can see Shankara assigning the meaning of Kundalini for the word Kula.
According to Shankara, Devi remains in solitude with her consort Lord Shiva in the thousand petalled lotus known as Sahasrara (the crown Chakra) and to reach there, she breaks the path of the Kundalini at Agya Chakra region with the power of Mind.
Author's Note:
The origin of the word Kula makes an interesting reading. In Ramayana we find mention of Lord Rama's dynasty as Ikshvaku Kulam. In Mahabharata Arjuna expresses his deep concerns over committing great sin by destroying the family lineage (कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं) Kulakshaya Krutam Dosham in Chapter 1 of Bhagavad Gita. Manu Smriti also mentions about Kulam.
स्वां प्रसूतिं चरित्रं च कुलमात्मानमेव च ।
स्वं च धर्मं प्रयत्नेन जायां रक्षन् हि रक्षति
He who carefully protects his wife preserves his offspring, his character, his family, his own self, and also his religion.
We also find mention of Kulam in ancient Tamil literatures. May be the Sanskrit word was borrowed from Tamil language. Deep studies need to be made to establish this fact and I am on it.
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