86
Sanskrit:
प्रभावती प्रभारूपा प्रसिद्धा परमेश्वरी ।
मूलप्रकृतिरव्यक्ता व्यक्ताव्यक्तस्वरूपिणी ॥ ८६ ॥
English:
prabhāvatī prabhārūpā prasiddhā paramēśvarī |
mūlaprakr̥tiravyaktā vyaktāvyaktasvarūpiṇī ॥ 86 ॥
Tamil:
ப்ரபா⁴வதீ ப்ரபா⁴ரூபா ப்ரஸித்³தா⁴ பரமேஶ்வரீ ।
மூலப்ரக்ருதிரவ்யக்தா வ்யக்தாவ்யக்தஸ்வரூபிணீ ॥ 86 ॥
Meaning:
This verse reveals Śrī Lalitā as the radiant Reality behind both consciousness and creation.
The first three names lead us through different dimensions of divine radiance. As Prabhāvatī, She possesses the light that illumines existence; as Prabhārūpā, She is not merely the possessor of light but Light itself. Everything we see is known because consciousness illumines it, and that inner light ultimately points back to Her.
As Prasiddhā, She is not a distant or unknown Reality. She has been celebrated through the Vedas, Upaniṣads, Āgamas, Purāṇas, mantras, and countless streams of devotion. As Parameśvarī, She is the Supreme Power behind all these manifestations and the sovereign of the entire cosmos.
The verse then turns from light to creation.
As Mūlaprakṛti, She is the primordial source from which the universe unfolds. Yet She is also Avyaktā—the unmanifest state in which all names and forms remain hidden before creation emerges.
The final name, Vyaktāvyaktasvarūpiṇī, beautifully gathers everything together. She is both the manifest universe that we experience and the unmanifest Reality from which it arises.
Thus, the verse does not ask us to choose between the visible world and the transcendent Divine. It reveals them as two expressions of the same Śakti.
Meditation:
This verse gently invites us to contemplate the Light behind everything we experience.
Meditate upon Prabhāvatī and Prabhārūpā. Before we see an object, we need light to reveal it; yet even light itself is known only because consciousness illumines the experience. Turn the attention inward and ask gently: What is the light by which I know that I am aware? The Upaniṣadic tradition repeatedly points toward this inner illumination—the Consciousness that does not need another light to reveal it.
The Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad asks what serves as light when the sun and moon have disappeared, leading the seeker toward the Self as the ultimate light. In this contemplation, Śrī Lalitā is not merely the light we perceive; She is the Consciousness because of which all perception is possible.
Reflect upon Prasiddhā and Parameśvarī. The Divine Mother has been approached through countless names, scriptures, temples, mantras, and traditions. Yet all these forms of worship point toward one Supreme Reality. Her many names do not divide Her; they reveal different facets of the same Infinite.
Now contemplate Mūlaprakṛti. Look at the world around you—the movement of nature, the body, thoughts, emotions, seasons, stars, and galaxies. Behind this extraordinary diversity lies a primordial power from which manifestation unfolds. In the language of Sāṃkhya and Śākta traditions, Prakṛti is the dynamic principle through which the universe becomes manifest.
Then become still with Avyaktā.
Before every thought there is silence.
Before every form there is formlessness.
Before every expression there is an unmanifest potential.
The Divine Mother is present there too.
Finally, contemplate Vyaktāvyaktasvarūpiṇī. The visible and invisible are not two separate worlds. The flower and the seed, the wave and the ocean, the thought and the silent awareness in which it arises—all point toward one underlying Reality.
The Bhagavad Gītā repeatedly presents this relationship between the manifest world and its deeper, unmanifest source. Here, Śrī Lalitā is revealed as embracing both.
Allow this contemplation to dissolve the tendency to divide life into “spiritual” and “ordinary.” The sacred is not hidden somewhere beyond creation. The Mother shines as the visible universe while remaining eternally present as its unmanifest source.
Sanskrit: प्रभावती
Tamil: ப்ரபா⁴வதீ
Meaning: She who possesses immense radiance, power, and splendor. அனைத்து வகையான ஒளிகளுக்கும் ஆதாரமாகவும், அவற்றைக் காத்து நிற்கும் தெய்வீக ஒளி வடிவாகவும் விளங்கும் பராசக்தி.
Reflection: She is the eternal Light from which every form of radiance arises. The brilliance of the sun, the serenity of the moon, the transforming power of fire, the flash of lightning, and the light of spiritual wisdom all shine through Her. As I contemplate Her, I realize that the greatest light is the one that awakens within my own heart.
Contemporary Reflection: She teaches that the brightest light is not external success but inner character. Wisdom, integrity, kindness, and compassion illuminate lives more deeply than fame or power. By cultivating these qualities, we become a source of light for others.
Meditation: As I sit quietly, I visualize the Divine Mother as an infinite radiance surrounding and filling my entire being. The brilliance of the sun, the cool peace of the moon, the warmth of sacred fire, the awakening flash of lightning, and the quiet light of inner wisdom all merge into Her luminous presence. As Her light fills my heart, every shadow of fear and confusion gently fades away. I rest in Her radiant grace, allowing my life to become a reflection of Her light for the benefit of all.
Sanskrit: प्रभारूपा
Tamil: ப்ரபா⁴ரூபா
Meaning: She whose very nature is Light. ஒளியே தனது இயல்பாகவும் வடிவமாகவும் கொண்ட பராசக்தி.
Reflection: She is Light itself. When I contemplate the sun, moon, sacred fire, or the gentle flame of the Kāmākṣī lamp, I remember that these visible lights are only reflections of Her eternal radiance. Her true light shines within me as awareness, clarity, and divine presence.
Contemporary Reflection: She reminds us that light is not only something we see—it is also something we can become. When our thoughts are clear, our intentions pure, and our actions compassionate, we become a source of light for those around us.
Meditation: As I sit quietly before the gentle flame of the Kāmākṣī lamp, I imagine the Divine Mother arising from its radiant light and filling my heart with Her presence. I let the light of the flame steady my mind and gently dissolve every shadow of confusion. I feel Her radiance within me as clarity, peace, and quiet abundance. As Her light grows brighter within, I offer my life back to Her and allow Her grace to illuminate every path before me.
Sanskrit: प्रसिद्धा
Tamil: ப்ரஸித்³தா⁴
Meaning: She who is renowned, celebrated, and universally revered. எங்கும் அறியப்பட்டவள், புகழ்பெற்றவள், அனைவராலும் அறியப்பட்டவள். இறை அருளால் வெளிப்படும் நிலையான புகழ்.
Reflection: She is the Divine Mother whose glory becomes known through the grace, wisdom, and goodness that flow through Her devotees. She reminds me that true recognition need not be pursued. When divine grace transforms my character and actions, whatever is worthy within me naturally becomes visible.
Contemporary Reflection: She teaches that lasting reputation is not built by seeking attention but by consistently creating value, serving others, and living with integrity. Recognition that arises from genuine goodness has a deeper and more enduring influence than recognition pursued for its own sake.
Meditation: As I sit quietly, I place every desire for recognition at the feet of the Divine Mother. I ask only that Her grace awaken whatever is noble within me. May my thoughts become worthy, my words become beneficial, and my actions become useful to others. If Her light chooses to reveal me to the world, may that recognition serve a greater good rather than my own pride. I rest in the quiet confidence that Her grace will reveal what is meant to be revealed.
Sanskrit: परमेश्वरी
Tamil: பரமேஶ்வரீ
Meaning: She who is the Supreme Sovereign Goddess. அனைத்தையும் கடந்தும், அனைத்திற்குள்ளும் இருந்து ஆளும் பரம சக்தி.
Reflection: She is the Supreme Power who transcends every level of existence while dwelling within and governing them all. She moves through the gross, subtle, and causal dimensions of my being, functioning through my senses, mind, intellect, memory, and sense of individuality. When I recognize Her presence within, even ordinary perception becomes a sacred encounter with the Divine.
Contemporary Reflection: She reminds us that our body, senses, emotions, thoughts, and intellect are not disconnected parts of life. True well-being comes when all these dimensions function in harmony. Caring for the body while cultivating clarity of mind and awareness of the inner Self becomes a form of honoring the Divine within.
Meditation: As I sit quietly, I bring my awareness to my body and gently recognize the Divine Mother working within it. I notice my breath, my senses, my thoughts, my memories, and the quiet sense of “I” behind them all. I feel Her moving through every layer of my being, giving my senses their power and my mind its capacity to know and experience. With each breath, I surrender my body, mind, and senses to Her, allowing Her wisdom to guide everything within me.
Sanskrit: मूलप्रकृतिः
Tamil: மூலப்ரக்ருதிஃ
Meaning: She who is the Primordial Nature; the original source from which the entire universe emerges. அனைத்துப் படைப்புகளுக்கும் வேர் மற்றும் ஆதாரமாக இருந்து, வடிவமற்ற நிலையிலிருந்து உலகை வெளிப்படுத்தும் ஆதிசக்தி.
Reflection: She is the primordial source from which every visible form emerges. I may see countless forms in the world, yet behind them all is one unseen creative power. When I contemplate Her, I learn to look beyond appearances and recognize the Divine Mother as the root from which every experience, relationship, and expression of life arises.
Contemporary Reflection: She reminds us to look for the invisible foundations behind visible results. A strong life, relationship, or achievement begins with subtle roots—values, intentions, discipline, and awareness. When the root is healthy, the expression naturally becomes healthy.
Meditation: As I sit quietly, I imagine the Divine Mother as an infinite, formless source beneath all that I can see. I let go of the need to give Her a particular shape and simply rest in the awareness of Her presence. Like a seed containing the potential of an entire tree, I feel Her quiet power within me, holding possibilities that have not yet unfolded. I surrender my thoughts, words, and actions to Her, trusting Her to bring forth what is meant to grow.
Sanskrit: अव्यक्ता
Tamil: அவ்யக்தா
Meaning: She who is unmanifest; beyond definite form, perception, and sensory experience. வடிவமின்றி மறைந்திருந்து அனைத்திற்கும் ஆதாரமாக விளங்கும் பராசக்தி.
Reflection: She is the Divine presence that remains beyond what my senses can clearly perceive. What appears before me is only one part of reality; much remains subtle and unseen. When I remember Her, I learn to respect the mystery behind every visible form and trust that what is hidden may be holding the potential for what is yet to unfold.
Contemporary Reflection: She reminds us that the unseen dimensions of life often shape the visible ones. Intention precedes action, potential precedes achievement, and inner transformation precedes outward change. Not everything valuable needs to be immediately visible to be real.
Meditation: As I sit quietly, I let go of my need to see and understand everything. I imagine the Divine Mother as a gentle presence hidden behind all that appears before me. I feel Her silently protecting what is still unfolding in my life. Like a seed holding an unseen future within itself, I trust Her with the possibilities I cannot yet see. I rest in Her invisible presence, knowing that what is hidden today may reveal Her grace tomorrow.z
Sanskrit: व्यक्ताव्यक्त-स्वरूपिणी
Tamil: வ்யக்தாவ்யக்த-ஸ்வரூபிணீ
Meaning: She whose very nature is both the manifest and the unmanifest. வெளிப்பட்டதும், வெளிப்படாததுமான இரு நிலைகளிலும் தன்னுடைய இயல்பாக விளங்குபவள்.
Reflection: She is both the visible presence and the invisible power behind it. I see Her in the forms, places, and symbols through which devotion becomes tangible, yet I also recognize Her in the unseen grace working quietly within. She teaches me that the Divine is not confined either to form or to the formless—the two are expressions of the same Reality.
Contemporary Reflection: She reminds us that visible life and invisible inner life are inseparable. Our actions arise from intentions, relationships from feelings, and achievements from unseen effort. By honoring both what is visible and what lies beneath it, we learn to live with greater depth and awareness.
Meditation: As I sit quietly, I imagine the Divine Mother revealing Herself both before me and within me. I see Her sacred form, Her symbol of power, and the holy space through which I feel Her presence. Then I gently close my eyes and turn inward, sensing the same Mother as an unseen presence guiding my thoughts and protecting my heart. I surrender my burdens to Her and allow Her grace to transform what is hidden within me into goodness, clarity, and peace.
Audio courtesy of The Sanskrit Channel
Video courtesy of Sri Sankara TV YouTube channel