Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 112: Shri Bhavani (OM bhavAnyai namaH)

From Namam 112 to 131, we will see the devotion aspects in the Divine Mother worship

The Divine Mother (also called Bhavani) is the spouse of Lord Siva. With proper devotional attitude, She can be reached. She is called Bhavani.

  

For a better understanding of Goddess Bhavani, we look at the following: The great poet Kalidasa in his famous book, ‘Abhijiana Sakuntalam’ says that “May Siva, who manifests in eight forms and protect the devotee”. The eight forms are: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Either, Sun, Moon and Consciousness.

Lord Siva in water from is known as “Bhava” which means, being or becoming. The Divine Mother in the form of His consort is Bhavani (feminine gender of Bhava). Usha is another name for Goddess Bhavani. Usha (refers to last Yama or the last three hours of night) is the Vedic Goddess of Dawn. As the Dawn prepares the world for the activity of the day, She help Her Lord Siva, in his activities. Since She is helping her spouse, referred to a  Bhavan, she is also called Bhavani

The Devi Purana gives the meaning of "Samsara Sagara", as the Ocean of Samsara (perperually moving) refers about Manmatha (the god of desire). When Manmatha was burned to ashes, the Divine Mother ( Bhavani) sought Lord Kameswara’s (the Lord of desire) help to give life to Manmatha.

Bhavani is the one who creates and gives life to all creatures in this universe. Manmatha helps Her  in this process of creation. This can be read as that the universe is created by Lord Siva in unison with the Divine Mother or the Goddess Bhavani where the Divine Mother gets the work done through Manmatha.

 

Adi Sankaracarya in his work, Soundarya Lahari verse 22 says that when a devotee prays “O Bhavani  be gracious to cast your compassionate glance on me and when he utters the very word Bhavani, you instantly bless him with your Supreme Self. The same Supreme Self is worshipped by the Brahma, Vishnu and Indra with their crowns. They performed Nirajana (waving of lights) to you, Devi Bhavani”.

In essence the Divine Mother bestows the vision of Her Supreme State even to a devotee who does not expect it. Though the devotee is asking only a simple blessing, he receives unimaginable and immeasurable blessings from Her. It is like a fire burning a person even if he touches the fire unintentionally. The Divine Mother helps the devotee to get salvation from his samsara life cycle.

C N Nachiappun          

Singapore, 15 May 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 Sahasranamam Stostrom 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.

4.       Kalidasa Shakuntala translated by Arthur W. Ryder in PDF form