Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 79: Shri Bhandasuraendra Nirmukta Sastrapratyastra Varsini (OM bhaNDAsurendranirmuktashastrapratyastravarShiNyai namaH)

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

The Divine Mother responded with weapons which neutralized each of Bhandausra’s weapons fired at Her.

The weapons such as sword used with hand for short distance fighting are called sastras. The weapons (Like arrow, bullet from a gun) for long distance attack are called astras.

Bhandasura’s army was fully destroyed by the Divine Mother’s forces. Then he used his magical powers and ignorance to attack the Divine Mother with weapons of delusion. She had responded, in fact showered many weapons back at him. Bhandausra used sastras thinking the Divine Mother is nearer to his hand. She moved far away and responded back with astras on him.

It can be related like this: For people who may think that the Divine Mother is nearer to them but she is far away from them in seeking their liberation. Whereas some other devotees with their sincere efforts may think it is far off to get liberation, but She would be nearer to them to grant liberation.

The human beings get sickness mostly due to ignorance. Using their knowledge, ways to eliminate sickness is found. There are many such ways in this universe to eliminate ignorance. For every soul in this universe there are many enemies or obstructions. How humans handle such obstructions skillfully is like using an astram.

Then question may arise as to why the Divine Mother creates such sastras and let the devotee fight them through. There is no life without any obstructions. The Divine Mother is happy in seeing the devotees managing such ignorance and progressing towards liberation.

Close enough meanings:

Nirmukta is released

Varsini is raining or showering

C N Nachiappun           

Singapore, 12 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.