Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 449: Shri Kantihi (ōṃ kāntyai namaḥ)

In Namams 381 to 474, the Divine Mother’s Jnana Yoga worship methods are discussed in details. The next seven Namams from 443 to 449 describe the Divine Mother’s Character; these attributes are within all universal beings which the Divine Mother grants based on the soul’s maturity level. 

The Divine Mother is effulgence and ultimate attraction for all the universal beings and non-beings; With Her Self effulgence, the Divine Mother also makes everything else shine. 

Kantih, once seen, awakens the desire to see more and more with its attracting power. Can any have enough of the dharsan of the Divine Mother? The desire for it is ever-rising for all universal beings. Kantih is also refers to Iccha Shakti (will Power). This is one who has indomitable (impossible to defeat or subdue) the will power. Further, Kantih is a mark of excellence in literature. This meaning also applies to the Divine Mother, who is the holder of all excellence. The Namams from 443 to 449 indicate that all great qualities in human beings are the Divine Mother’s blessings. 

The Divine Mother is beautiful at Her best. Her beauty, which is resulting from Her own forms, eternally explains its shine to the universe. Such beauty of the Divine Mother pulls all universal beings to Her. With Her shine, it helps to show and explain other being. It helps to satisfy the desires of others. Sun, Moon and stars lightings and fire all get their shine from Her only. So Her shine or Kantih is the root for all other elements’ shinning etc. So the Divine Mother is called the Kantih. 

So the Divine Mother’s beauty pulls other universal beings to Her; they represent Her Iccha Shakti, kamam and desire to be called Kantih. Lord Krishna in end of second chapter in Gita also defines this Kantih for our better understanding of this Namam. 

These seven Namams cover all the Divine Mother’s glories as reflected in various universal beings.

            The Divine Mother’s Shinning Beauty or attracting Kantih    

 

C N Nachiappun          

Singapore, 18 April 2021.

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 Chithbavandar.