The Appellation That Awakened A Nation

Good evening Dear Reader. 

The name which Aravindan has chosen for today’s episode of Sahasra gives me an opportunity to have a brief but serious discussion with you on a topic that at first sight may seem awfully cliched. The lies we tell ourselves.

They say those are the worst kind of lies. Mostly these are excuses for not doing something we think is hard. Or for justifying something where we know, in our hearts, that we were wrong.

A self-created cushion of illusion.

But for a devotee of who has received the blessings Devi, the shattering of all illusions is a given.

Nakhadidhiti-sanchanna-namajjana-tamoguna: The radiance emanating from Her toe nails removes the inner darkness of the worshippers. This is the 44th name of the Goddess in the Sri Lalitha Sahasranama. 

●      The ‘darkness’ I speak about is referred to by ‘tamoguna’ in the name.

●      Taken literally, ‘tamoguna’ translates to the ‘quality of darkness’.

There are three gunas according to the Hindu tradition: sattva, rajas, tamas. The closest translations for each are:

●      Sattva: Saintly goodness

●      Rajas: Restless activity

●      Tamas: Lethargy borne out of delusion and ignorance.

Inside every individual, there is a dynamic disequilibrium of all three.

●      It is this disequilibrium which determines the nature of an individual’s actions.

The route of a spiritual ascent is from tamas to rajas to sattva.

●      However, very often, tamas may come disguised as sattva and overwhelm the individual.

●      Laziness of the mind and intelligence can put on a spiritual cloak.

●      Cowardice can posture itself as spiritual maturity.

Such a thick, all-powerful sorcery of tamas, of inner darkness, can only be broken by the radiance of the Devi’s feet.

That is why, Bhaskara Raya, in his commentary on the 44th name clearly says that meditating on Her feet dispels ignorance.

May we ever meditate on Her feet.

May she take us from ignorance to knowledge.

From excuses to action.

From deluded lethargy to enlightened movement. 

You can read Aravindan’s full exposition on the 44th name here.

Until next time,

Arush Tandon