Lalitha Sahasranama names 132-140
Lalita Sahasranama meanings per name
From here onwards, many names begin with the word ‘Nir’. Nir means ‘without’. This is a long list of traits that the Divine Mother ‘does not’ possess. This is a very significant portion of the Sahasranama and plays a very important role. The essence of the self (ātma tattva) is being preached in these names.
The infinite formless Lord, who is beyond the limitations of the mind and speech, cannot be understood through any words or logic. To increase our quality of self - contemplation (tattva vichāra), to help us visualize the real truth, and to take us to non-dual state (advaita),
Lalita Sahasranama teaches the Supreme essence through very simple names such that they get firmly imprinted in our mind. Understanding the meaning of these names also increases in us the desire to imbibe such qualities/ traits. As such traits are imbibed, the individual rises up to the position of God.
132. Nirādhārā
Meaning - She is without (nir) any support (ādhāra).
The Supreme Energy that has no beginning and no end needs no support for its existence. She is the support for everything in this creation.
133. Nirañjanā
Meaning - She is devoid of illusion and ignorance (anjana). Further She destroys illusion.
Anjana is the black paste that is applied to beautify the eyes (akin to the eye liner). Black colour is associated with ignorance (avidya), illusion (maya) and bondage (moha). White colour is associated with knowledge (Jnana) and purity (shuddha) as in full moon, milk and so on. She destroys ignorance and illusion within the being.
134. Nirlepā
Meaning - She is without attachments, bondages or impurities of any kind (lepa). This shows Her detached state.
Our Upanishads state-
Surya yathā sarva-lokasya cakśur na lipyate cak- susair bāhya-dośaih
ekas lhathā sarva-bhutāntar- ātma na lipyate loka-duhkhēna bāhyah
Meaning - The Sun is the eye (chakshu) for all the worlds (sarva loka). This Sun is unaffected by any defect/ blemish in the visible external eye of the individual. Likewise the inner being (atma) within all the beings is untouched by any happening. He is Nirlepa.
Due to the Sun’s light we perceive objects. The Sun cannot get contaminated just because a person, due to his defective vision finds deficiencies in the Sun. Based on the colour of the glasses worn the Sun appears different to different eyes. Yet the fact remains that the Sun is untouched by any of these. Likewise the Supreme Mother who is the inner being (antar atma) within all beings is unaffected.
135. Nirmalā
Meaning - She is without (nir) any mala (dirt, impurity). She is pure.
136. Nityā
Meaning - She is eternal.
While explaining about the inner soul (atma), the Bhagavad Gita states -
ajo nityah sāsvato 'yam purano na hanyate hanyamāne śarire
Meaning - He is unborn (aja), eternal (nitya), everlasting (shāswata) and ancient (purana).
Ajah, nitya, sasvata and purana are synonyms.
137. Nirākārā
Meaning - She is without form (ākārā). The closest She can be compared to is space.
138. Nirākulā
Meaning - She is without tensions. She is unruffled.
Ākula means tensions, afflictions, sorrows, confusions and the like. She is eternally in a calm state. She brings the devotee to such a state by removing his 7 types of vices/ afflictions (vyasana).
A Sadguru too, even without the knowledge of the devotee, gradually brings out a transformation in him/her and relieves him of his vices. Bad traits not only of this birth, but those of many past births are gradually weeded out by Him. He causes a change in heart and causes good thoughts to seep in. For example, a devotee who is a chain smoker, out of love and respect for his Sadguru, will refrain for hours without smoking in His presence. Gradually thus, step by step he is relieved of his vice.
139. Nirguṇā
Meaning - She is devoid of any traits or attributes (guna).
Gunas (traits) are of 3 types- Sattva (traits of purity), Rajas (traits of action/ passion) and Tamas (inertia/ ignorance). Every being can be classified as operating within one or more of these traits. Every thought and every desire that one has, owes its birth to one of these traits. These gunas are the chains that have firmly bound our feet. Undoubtedly of the three, Sattva is the best, nevertheless, even that needs to be given up. The Divine Mother is beyond these three traits (Gunāteeta).
The Bhagavad Gita states -
Traigunya-viśaya veda nistrai-gunyo bhavārjuna
Meaning - All our karmas (actions) arise out of our traits (gunas). One should rise above these gunas. Engage in niśkāma karma (actions that are not linked to any desire).
140. Niṣkalā
Meaning -
a) She is without any movement (spandana).
śodaśa kaḷā vo puruśah - Every person has the sixteen essential factors i.e. 16 kalās within him and these kalās are essential for life. Among them the prānakala (life energy) is the most vital and is known as the 16th kala. When this 16th kala departs, the person dies. To an ordinary being, this is a state of nishkalā (devoid of kala).
The first stanza of Soundarya Lahiri states -
Śivaḥ śaktyā yuktō yadi bhavati śaktaḥ prabhavituṃ
na cē devaṃ devō na khalu kuśalah spanditum api.
Meaning - Shiva obtains the power to create only when He is united with śakti (energy). In its absence the Supreme Lord cannot even move.
Here, Shiva does not mean the Lord Shiva who holds the trident and who has Ganga on His crest. ‘Shiva’ refers to the human body. Unless the body has life force (Shakti) it cannot move. In its absence, it is a dead body (shava). Hence, a combination of Shiva and Shakti is primary requisite for life and this is the 16th kala.
b) The Supreme Mother, who does not wear a human body, is over and above all these Kalas.
Gods are called ‘animesha’ as they do not have a body and hence have no movement (spandana). Even the slightest movement such as movement of eyelids will be absent.