LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
कौलिनी (94)
Kaulini (94
Meaning:
Devi is the core of kaula worship. Kaula worship is a kind of tantric worship. Since she is the center of this worship she is called Kaulini.
Interpretation:
No other namah in LSN is so unique as to have a variety of meanings assigned to it as the namah Kaulini.
According to one view, the union of Shiva and Shakthi is called ‘kaula’ and therefore Devi she is worshiped as Kaulini.
Yet another opinion is that Kaulini is the name of one of the eight Vaak Devi-s who composed the LSN and therefore it is used here. To explain this view, the concept of triads (three things) is employed by the scholars.
It is suggested that Devi is omnipresent and all three items involved in her worship, such as the worshiper (Vaag Devi here), the worshiped (Devi Lalitha Parameshwari) and the worship (Mantras of LSN) are represented by Devi.
Therefore Devi who is also present in the Vaag Devi-s, gets the name of one of the Vaag Devi-s, Kaulini.
Some Telugu Scholars say the word Kaulini should be interpreted as Destroyer of Problems. Not much additional information is available on what basis this interpretation has been arrived at.
Author's notes:
My personal feel on the subject is during worship of Devi, name is only of secondary importance. The prime thing that matters is the image. Devi's roopam (image) is more important than her name.
Names are no doubt very auspicious and chanting the names is the basis, the foundation, the fundamental part of any form of worship. And chanting such names with complete knowledge about their meanings, right interpretation ensures more involvement and deeper devotion.
But it should also be remembered that the ultimate stage of worship is meditation. When one meditates upon Devi, her roopam, her image, alone become a matter of relevance. Various Names by which Devi is addressed, their interpretations etc. take a back seat during meditation.
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