Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 68: Shri Cakra Raja Ratharudha Sarvayudha Pariskrta (OM chakrarAjarathArUDhasarvAyudhapariShkRRitAyai namaH)

In Namams 64 to 84, we will be seeing the Divine Mother destroying the Bhandasura.

The Divine Mother shines in Her Chariot Cakararaja with all her weapons.

The Lalitopakhyana purana describes various chariots used by the Divine Mother in a war against Bhandasura. Among them Cakraraja is the best and the most glorious. It has the bliss (ananda) as its flag. It has nine levels similar to nine stages in SriCakram. It is ten yojana (one yojana is about 8 miles) in height and four yojana long. That means 80 miles height and 32miles long.

Next Geyacakra chariot with large wheels and seven levels is lead by Goddess Mantrini comes. KiricCakra chariot also having seven stages lead by Goddess Dandanatha that follows. All three chariots move together. The three chariots represent ida, pingala and susmna the three nerve systems in human body according to Tantric concepts. The weapons in the mantra refer to the methods of Sadhana to get the knowledge of Self.

We can guess the obvious that Cakraraja chariot is the Sricakara. The “Cakrarajaratharudha” implies that the Divine Mother in Sricakara is blessing Her devotee in all their Sadhanas. One who knows Srividya is able to understand the secrets of the Sricakara. He who knows such secrets can transcend from his “I and Mine” state to the knowledge of the Self.

Sricakaram represents this universe. The Divine Mother rides on the Sricakraraja chariot and controls the universe. Her weapons in her four arms, Pasam, Anguksam (goad), Five flowers and Sugar cane bow are helping the devotees to get Her blessings and salvation. All the Goddesses in Sricakara are there in nine stages of the chariot.

In Her celestial home Sricakaram, the Divine Mother is the Empress with all Her four weapons.

Bhandasura with his ignorance is in opposite side. With her weapons she rides in the chariot to defeat and later also bless Bhandsura.

May the Divine Mother take away my ignorance and bless us with salvation.

Close enough meanings:

Lalitopakkyana is the great narrative of Shri Lalitha; part of the Brahmanada Purana;a dialogue between Mahavishnu and Sage Agastya.

Serivayudha is armed with every weapon

Parishkrta is surrounded by well stocked arms

Ratharudha is riding on a chariot

Sadhana is disciplined and dedicated practice or learning, especially in religion or music

C N Nachiappun

Singapore, 01 April 2020.

References:

1.       The Thousand Names of the Divine Mother published in English by Mata Amritanandamayi Center, San Ramon, California, USA, with Commentary by T. V Narayana Menon

2.       Shri Lalitha Ahasranama Stoistrom published in Tamil by N. Ramaswami Iyer charities’ societies, Trichirapalli, India, with Commentary by C. V. Radhakrishna Sastry.

3.     The Lalitha Sahasranamam published in Tamil by Shri Ramakrishna Thapovanam, Thiruipparaithurai,Trichy District, Tamilnadu, India with commentary by Shrimath Swami Sithbavandar.