LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
कुलाङ्गना (92)
Kulangana (92)
Meaning:
The literal meaning of the namaha is Devi is a virtuous woman hailing from a high class, noble family.
Interpretation:
It's an interesting exercise to correctly decode the meaning of this Namah - Kulangana - is to be split as Kula and Angana.
As Devi came out of fire of Chidagni Kunda, it may be interpreted as to mean that Devi is the daughter of Agni Kundalini. Therefore Devi is a virtuous woman belonging to a family of high class, explains Guruji Sri Amrtananda Natha Saraswati in his Sudha Syandini Bhashyam.
Assigning the word Angana to mean the fire that caused the destruction (of Daksha), the namah may be interpreted as to mean Devi to be the daughter of Daksha, hailing from a noble family.
Quote from Soundarya Lahari
Continuing from where we left yesterday, Adi Shankara says Devi prefers to remain in solitude with Her consort Lord Shiva in Sahasrara Chakra.
Saha Rahasi Patya Viharase – says the Sage in Soundarya Lahari.
Here, Rahasi means in the secret place (in solitude) Patyaa Saha means along with her consort Sada Shiva and Viharase means enjoying the bliss of Ananda.
From Shankara specifically using the word Rahasya we further gather that Devi is a woman not to be seen easily (she is always in a Gupta swaroopam). Devi prefers to remain behind the curtain of Avidya. The Kularnava says, this Sambhavi Vidya is the veil that covers Devi who is a respectable, virtuous, chaste lady.
Significance of the Namah:
Devi Lalithambika is the supreme power and is above all yardsticks meant for common women such as her chastity, pureness, righteousness, etc. There must be some specific reason for the Vaag Devi-s to use it. Let's take it the away it is mentioned in the LSN.
Author's Notes:
We find mention about the word Kulangana in several Sanskrit texts. The most important one being in a verse from Lalita-Madhava a book by Rupa Goswami, an authority and a great scholar on Gaudiya branch of Vaishnavism.
While describing the beauty of Lord Krishna, the saint describes: Lord Krishna, the moon in the family of Nanda Maharaja, is so beautiful that He defies the beauty of clusters of valuable jewels. All glories to the vibration of His flute, for it cunningly breaks the patience of chaste ladies who loosen their waist belts and tight dresses. Sakhi Sthira Kulangana Nikara nivi Bandhargala etc.
(2) Chanakya in his book Chanakya Niti specifies what character a Brahmin, a king, a chaste housewife and a prostitute should posses and what they should not.
असन्तुष्टा द्विजा नष्टाः सन्तुष्टाश्च महीभृतः ।
सलज्जा गणिका नष्टा निर्लज्जाश्च कुलाङ्गना ॥
Asantuṣhṭa Dvija Naṣhṭa Santuṣhṭa scha Mahibhṛtaḥ |
Salajja Gaṇika Naṣhṭa Nirlajjascha Kulangana ||
A discontented (greedy) brahmin (Dvija - the twice born), a contented king (Mahibhrata), a shy prostitute (gunika), and an immodest housewife (Kulangana) are always ruined says Chanakya.
(3) In Hemachandra's Kavya Anusasana, we find the following verse:
Yasmin kulangana patyuh sakhyagre varnayed gunan |
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