Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 279: Shri Bhagavati (OM bhagavatyai namaH)

 In Namams 275 to365, the Divine Mother’s  many forms providing benefits to Her devotees in great details are discussed.

The Divine Mother protects the devotees who worship Her. 

She is the Goddess for Bhagam or six excellences, namely: auspiciousness, dharma, fame, wealth knowledge and extended knowledge in any scientific field. Another list of excellence depending up on the information source is: auspiciousness, supremacy, fame, valor, detachment and knowledge. People who have Isvara qualities may not have all these uniformly. If someone has all the six excellences uniformly, he will be called Bhagavan; in female form will be called Bhagavati. The Divine Mother is the only one having all six excellences uniformly. 

Bhagavati is praised for understanding the beginning, dissolution, comings, goings, knowledge and ignorance in beings in this universe. She is eternal to have all these knowledge; She knows all the happenings in the universe. Vidya and avidya conditions are only known to Her. She is praised for all Her knowledge as Bhagavathi; She is the one giving all the wealth and riches for the humans through Astha Lakshmi Devis. 

Devi Bhagavata says that Bhagavati knows the origin and dissolution of beings, their coming and goings, knowledge and ignorance.

The Sakthirahasya says “the word Bhaga comes from the root Bhaj meaning to worship; avati means to protect. The Divine Mother is called Bhagavati, as She is worshipped by all devas; She blesses and protects them.

The Divine Mother as Goddess Chothanikarai Bhagavati.

 

C N Nachiappun          

Singapore, 30 October 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 Sahasranama Stostram 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.