23
Sanskrit:
महापद्माटवीसंस्था कदम्बवनवासिनी ।
सुधासागरमध्यस्था कामाक्षी कामदायिनी ॥ २३ ॥
English:
mahāpadmāṭavīsaṁsthā kadambavanavāsinī |
sudhāsāgaramadhyasthā kāmākṣī kāmadāyinī ॥ 23 ॥
Tamil:
மஹாபத்³மாடவீஸம்ஸ்தா² கத³ம்ப³வநவாஸிநீ ।
ஸுதா⁴ஸாக³ரமத்⁴யஸ்தா² காமாக்ஷீ காமதா³யிநீ ॥ 23 ॥
Meaning:
In this 23rd verse, Śrī Lalitā appears as:
- Seated atop the central peak of Mount Meru (sumēru-madhya-śṛṅga-sthā), she reigns as the sovereign queen of the magnificent Śrī Nagara (śrīman-nagara-nāyikā), the celestial city of supreme consciousness and divine order.
- Dwelling within a palace made of wish-fulfilling gems (cintāmaṇi-gṛha), she is enthroned upon the sacred seat formed by the five Brahmas (pañcabrahmāsana-sthitā), symbolizing her mastery over all aspects of creation and divinity.
Meditation:
I meditate upon Śrī Lalitā, who resides on the central peak of Mount Meru, the spiritual axis of the universe, reigning as the divine queen of the sacred city of light, and who dwells in a palace of wish-fulfilling gems, seated upon the throne of the five cosmic forces. May Her presence remind me that the center of all spiritual striving is within me, and may Her throne of wisdom awaken in me the understanding that true fulfillment arises not from desires granted, but from desires transcended in the light of higher truth.
Sanskrit: महापद्माटवी-संस्था
Tamil: மஹாபத்³மாடவீ-ஸம்ஸ்தா²
Meaning: She dwells in the great forest of lotuses, an abode that symbolizes purity, spiritual awakening, and the blossoming of the soul beyond the muddy waters of material existence.
Reflection: The lotus thrives unstained in the mud—so too does the divine presence reside in the world yet remain untouched by its impurities.
Contemporary Reflection: Your mind can be like the lotus forest—calm, luminous, and filled with inner beauty, even amid life’s chaos.
Meditation: “May my heart bloom like the lotus, pure and serene, no matter the storms around me.”
Sanskrit: कदम्ब-वन-वासिनी
Tamil: கத³ம்ப³-வன-வாஸினீ
Meaning: She resides in a grove of kadamba trees—a sacred tree often associated with divine play, fragrance, and joy. The kadamba blossoms’ sweet scent mirrors her enchanting presence.
Reflection: The divine presence is like a fragrant forest—those who enter are naturally uplifted, their minds refreshed, and hearts awakened.
Contemporary Reflection: Surround yourself with people, environments, and thoughts that feel like a kadamba grove—where joy and inspiration grow naturally.
Meditation: “May my mind become a fragrant grove where divine joy always dwells.”
Sanskrit: सुधा-सागर-मध्यस्था
Tamil: ஸுதா⁴-ஸாக³ர-மத்⁴யஸ்தா²
Meaning: She dwells in the center of the ocean of nectar (amṛta). This is the ocean of immortality, bliss, and divine sweetness—symbolizing the inexhaustible source of life and joy.
Reflection: At the heart of all experiences lies an ocean of nectar—pure bliss untouched by turbulence. She is that center, calm and unchanging.
Contemporary Reflection: In a chaotic world, finding your “nectar-center” means staying anchored in joy and peace, no matter what waves arise.
Meditation: “May I rest in the calm center of life’s ocean, where the nectar of divine bliss flows eternally.”
Sanskrit: कामाक्षी
Tamil: காமாக்ஷீ
Meaning: She whose eyes are full of love and compassion, attracting all beings. The name also refers to the divine form worshipped in Kāñchipuram, where her benevolent gaze grants both worldly joys (kāma) and ultimate liberation (mokṣa).
Reflection: Her eyes are not just beautiful — they see through pretenses, straight to the soul, and respond with unconditional grace.
Contemporary Reflection: True beauty is in the eyes that understand and uplift. Her gaze reminds us to see others with empathy and kindness, not judgment.
Meditation: “May my vision reflect her compassionate gaze, turning every glance into a blessing.”
Sanskrit: कामदायिनी
Tamil: காமதா³யினீ
Meaning: She who fulfills the heartfelt wishes of her devotees. This name signifies her power to grant desires (kāma) that are pure and aligned with dharma, bestowing both material well-being and spiritual progress.
Reflection: Her blessings are not about indulging fleeting wants — they are about nurturing the aspirations that lead to lasting happiness and upliftment.
Contemporary Reflection: Life often gives us what we are ready for, not what we demand. Kāmadāyinī reminds us to refine our desires so they bring harmony, not chaos.
Meditation: “May my wishes be guided by wisdom, so that every blessing I receive brings light to me and to others.”
Audio courtesy of The Sanskrit Channel
Video courtesy of Sri Sankara TV YouTube channel