Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 576: Shri Mattayai (ōṃ mattāyai namaḥ)

The Divine Mother is intoxicated. This Namam refers to the egoism or ego consciousness (parahanta) of the Divine Mother on Lord Shiva; it is therefore called Matta, (with the meaning implying the sense of mineness Mat +ta). 

She is unconscious or intoxicated. Madhu drinks give mild intoxications, they help in great actions. So, such intoxications are accepted norms. Mat is reflected as Aham. Mat is the “I” am feeling. With Lord Shiva’s as mine and I am here feeling is in Shakti form for the Divine Mother. As this feeling improves, the souls reach Brahmam. Such clear pure status is Lord Shiva form. The Divine Mother creates such supreme status for the souls, so She is celebrated as Matta. 

She has intoxicatedness. By drinking the grape juice with honey as Madhu, She, loses interest in outside activities and looks lazy, in intoxicated state. Due to the soul enjoying the Brahmam, the soul loses interest in outside activities even if outside materials reach It. The Divine Mother is in such an intoxicated state. 

Mat also means “I”; Matta is mine. Souls having these “I” feeling is the reflection of Brahmam. The Divine Mother has the whole universe under Her. Para is big; Paramatta is such Bramanda rupam in which the Divine Mother stays.

The Divine Mother is ego conscious with Lord Shiva being with Her.

 

C N Nachiappun         

Singapore, 23 August 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