Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 93: Shri Kulantastha (OM kulAntasthAyai namaH)

In Namams 91 to 111, we will be seeing the Divine Mother’s subtle Mantra- Rupam.

The Divine Mother resides in Kulavidya.

Kula is to mean that it is a special spiritual knowledge or sastra.

Some take this namam to mean Kulankastha or one who sits in the lap of Kulavidya.

O’ Devi you are the Essence of all Vedanta, Essence of Universe, who ever can know you, O essence of Knowledge

According to Bhaskararaya the ancient Scholar who wrote the interpretations and meanings for this Sahasranama of the Divine Mother says “She resides in the Kula which between the measurer and the measured in the form of measure”. The other way to look at the above Bhaskararaya’s statement is: The devotee who is looking at, the material that being looked at and the knowledge gained can be said as Kula.

Kula is also the place, country or the home. This namam implies that the Divine Mother is residing as an object of worship in each home, society and the village or city. She is worship able everywhere by Her devotees.

C N Nachiappun           

Singapore, 25 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.