Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 536 Shri Svadha (ōṃ svadhāyai namaḥ)

The Divine Mother is the object of the “Svadha” invocation at the end of mantras chanted during offerings, oblations to the fire in Yoga ceremonies for forefathers. 

The Divine Mother is in Svadha form; we are obliged to offer to our ancestors in seeking their blessings for our family and our generations. In such homa Agni offering the word Svadha is used. Yogins do this offering, before taking the priesthood, for their ancestors. Later when they become the yogins, they do not do this homa Agni offerings for ancestors. For those who leave these worldly attachments, the Divine Mother is in Svadha form. 

In offering to ancestors through homa Agni. this Svadha is used. The meaning of this word Svadha is that offering is made with utmost sincerity to an ancestor. The ancestors are said to be pleased on the things and the sincerity of offering. The Divine Mother is the one who make the ancestors satisfied to be happy by being the Svadha. 

At the end of mantras chanted while making offerings to the ancestors, this word “Svadha” is mentioned while the word “Svaha” is used at the end of mantras for offering to Devas and other deities. 

Svadha can also be interpreted as, “She who carries (nourishes, protects all being including Vishnu” (Su is well, a is Vishnu and dha means nourishes). 

Devi Mahatmyam says, “O, Devi, by repeating Your name all the gods are pleased, since You are both Svaha and Svadha,” 

Svaha, Svadha, Sraushat, Vaushat and vashat are the parts of mantras used to invoke various gods while making offering to them. 

Agni resides in Lord Shiva’s third eye; by Arthanareswara form, the Divine Mother also shares this third eye with Lord Shiva.

   The Agni Homa fire where the mantras “Svaha and Svadha” are recited .

 C N Nachiappun          

Singapore, 14 July 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 Sithbavandar