Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 468: Shri Vajresvari (ōṃ vajrēśvaryai namaḥ)

In Namams 381 to 474, the Divine Mother’s Jnana Yoga worship methods are discussed in detail. 

The Divine Mother is the sixth moon growing phase and tenth moon waning phase day deity Vajresvari. 

Vajram is strong material. The Divine Mother has those superior powers/strengths of Vajram. Lord Krishna says that among weapons, He is Vajra weapon. Indra, the head of Devas, used Vijra weapon to defeat asuras. His penance gave the strength to the weapon. Any petty evilness can be eliminated with Vajra weapon. Since such strength or shakti comes to Devas from the Divine Mother, She, is called Vajresvari. The human beings through their penance ought to achieve to vajra strength in them. To the level, the devotee praises the Divine Mother’s glories and strengths, he becomes a Vajra weapon himself. In China, Shaolin Mongs develop this Vajra strength from young age and they demonstrate its usefulness. 

The Sricakra has twelve walls built out of diamonds. In the eleventh the Vajra fort, there is a river called vajramayi; Vajraesvari is the deity for this river, having a beautiful abode on the riverbanks. She wears diamond ornaments. She is part of the Divine Mother; hence the Divine Mother is called Vajresvari also. Devi Vajresvari gave Indra, Vajra weapon as a reward for his penance. She is one of the rays originated from the Divine Mother as will be discussed in Namam 944 “Vajrini”. 

The Lalitha-stava-ratna describes Her as:”In the ever-flowing Vajra River which has beautiful banks and in which the graceful swans play on the waves, Vajresvari shines, decked with diamond ornaments and served by Indra, the wielder of the Vajra weapon”. Indra did the penance in water; the Divine Mother arising from the water gave Indra the Vajra weapon and disappeared. Indra returned to heaven. With all these the Divine Mother is called the “Vajresvari.”

The Divine Mother

 C N Nachiappun          

Singapore, 07 May 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.