32
Sanskrit:
कराङ्गुलिनखोत्पन्ननारायणदशाकृतिः ।
महापाशुपतास्त्राग्निनिर्दग्धासुरसैनिका ॥ ३२ ॥
English:
karāṅgulinakhōtpannanārāyaṇadaśākr̥tiḥ |
mahāpāśupatāstrāgninirdagdhāsurasainikā ॥ 32 ॥
Tamil:
கராங்கு³ளிநகோ²த்பந்நநாராயணத³ஶாக்ருதி꞉ ।
மஹாபாஶுபதாஸ்த்ராக்³நிநிர்த³க்³தா⁴ஸுரஸைநிகா ॥ 32 ॥
Meaning:
In this 32nd verse, Śrī Lalitā appears as:
The Supreme Mother whose mere fingernails radiate such infinite power that the ten incarnations of Lord Nārāyaṇa are manifested instantly from them. At the same time, She wields the blazing Pāśupatāstra fire, through which the entire army of Bhaṇḍāsura is reduced to ashes.
Here, She is revealed as the source of all avatāras of Nārāyaṇa and as the wielder of Śiva’s supreme weapon, showing that all divine powers and manifestations arise only from Her.
Meditation:
This verse unveils two profound insights into Śrī Lalitā’s nature:
- Source of Avatāras – The daśāvatāras, who preserve cosmic balance across ages, are but rays of Her nails. This shows that all avatāras, even of Nārāyaṇa, are expressions of Her supreme will. Meditating on this reminds us that divine help in any form—be it Viṣṇu, Śiva, or other deities—is ultimately the Mother’s compassion.
- Destroyer of Negativity – With the fiery Pāśupatāstra, She reduces the demonic armies to ashes. Spiritually, this represents the burning away of inner enemies—anger, greed, ego, fear—that wage war against our higher self.
Thus, Lalitā appears as both the origin of all sustaining divine forces (Nārāyaṇa’s avatāras) and as the final destroyer of all evil (through the Pāśupatāstra fire).
Sanskrit: कराङ्गुलि-नखोत्पन्न-नारायण-दशाकृतिः
Tamil: கராங்கு³ளி-நகோ²த்பன்ன-நாராயண-த³ஶாக்ருதி꞉
Meaning: From the fingernails of Śrī Lalitā Devī, the ten incarnations (daśāvatāra) of Nārāyaṇa manifested. Each avatāra (Matsya, Kūrma, Varāha, Narasimha, Vāmana, Paraśurāma, Rāma, Kṛṣṇa, Buddha, and Kalki) is said to be an expression of Her power, arising effortlessly from Her nails. This name reveals that even the greatest divine manifestations of Viṣṇu are Her emanations, springing forth playfully and naturally from Her divine body.
Reflection: The verse illustrates Her supreme sovereignty — even Viṣṇu’s incarnations, who protect the cosmos in different yugas, are born of Her will. It signifies that all deities and their powers are ultimately rooted in Her Shakti.
Contemporary Reflection: In life, we may think great achievements require immense effort. But from the Divine Mother’s perspective, the most extraordinary creations flow effortlessly, like sparks from Her nails. It teaches us to act from inner alignment and grace, rather than strain.
Meditation: "O Mother, may I realize that the highest powers arise effortlessly when aligned with Your Shakti.”
Sanskrit: महा-पाशुपतास्त्राग्नि-निर्दग्धासुर-सैनिका
Tamil: மஹா-பாஶுபதாஸ்த்ராக்³னி-நிர்த³க்³தா⁴ஸுர-ஸைனிகா
Meaning: She who burned and destroyed the armies of demons by unleashing the blazing fire of the Mahā-Pāśupatāstra (a supreme and fiery weapon associated with Lord Śiva, embodying ultimate destructive power). This name shows that in the great battle against Bhaṇḍāsura, Lalitā Devī commanded the use of the invincible Pāśupatāstra, which incinerated the hostile forces instantly.
Reflection: The imagery reveals the Mother’s role as the Supreme Power who annihilates adharma. The Pāśupatāstra here is not just a weapon of destruction, but also symbolizes spiritual fire — the burning away of ignorance, ego, and obstacles that prevent us from experiencing the Divine.
Contemporary Reflection: In daily life, this teaches us that sometimes only the fire of higher wisdom and discipline can dissolve deep-rooted negativities. Just as Lalitā’s astrā cleared the battlefield, Her grace can help us clear the battlefield of our minds.
Meditation: “O Mother, may the fire of Your wisdom burn away the inner demons of ignorance, fear, and pride.”
Audio courtesy of The Sanskrit Channel
Video courtesy of Sri Sankara TV YouTube channel