Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 609: Shri Daharakasa rupini (ōṃ daharākāśarūpiṇyai namaḥ)

The Goddess Divine Mother is the subtle Self in the heart. Dahara means small and akasa means subtle space, connoting Brahman. 

The Divine Mother has the form of small akasa (sky) within the cave of the heart in humans. She makes one’s body as a temple and the heart within it is the key space; She abides to be worshipped. In consideration, one drop of water and the whole ocean full of water are same in water attributes. Subtle, akasa cannot be split which spreads all above the universe or earth. Small section of sky is part of greater sky or akasa. Subtle Daharakasa is comparable to the sky. The one who understands this aspect also understands Brahman. Understanding through meditation that Daharakasa is his real self is an achievement for the humans. The Divine Mother is Daharakasa and greater akasa (sky) form. What an ant has and what an elephant has, the human also has within the heart, called Daharakasa, the Divine Mother’s form. 

Daharakasa is very minute in size. Such minute akasa (sky) is there in human’s heart. This is called Hrdaya Daharam where the Divine Mother abides. The Divine Mother ‘s form is like aksam (sky). Such a heart cave is there for all the universal beings. The Divine Mother is within this heart as Daharakasa. 

Chandogya Upanisad  (Vlll.i.i) says, “Now in the city of Brahman, there is a mansion in the shape of small lotus with a small inner akasa. What is within that should be sought; that indeed, one should desire to understand.” 

See also Narayana Suktam, the English meaning is as follows, Here Lord Narayana is said as Supreme, although He represents the Divine Mother under Her guidance as always. 

“Narayana Suktam Meaning: 

This universe is the Eternal Being (Narayana), the imperishable, the supreme, the goal, multi-headed and multi-eyed (i.e., omnipresent, and omniscient), the resplendent, the source of delight for the whole universe. 

This universe is the Supreme Being (Purusha) alone; hence it subsists on That, the Eternal which transcends it (in every way), -the omnipresent Absolute which destroys all sins. 

The protector of the universe, the Lord of all Souls (or Lord over Self), the perpetual, the auspicious, the indestructible, the Goal of all creation, the Supreme object worthy of being known, the Soul of all beings, the Refuge unfailing (is He). 

Lord Narayana is the Supreme Absolute; Narayana is the Supreme Reality; Narayana is the Supreme Light; Narayana.is the Supreme Self; Narayana is the Supreme Meditator; Narayana is the Supreme Meditation. 

Whatever all this universe is, -seen or heard of, -pervading all this from inside and outside alike, stands supreme the Eternal Divine Being. 

He is the Limitless, Imperishable, Omniscient, residing in the ocean of the heart, the Cause of the happiness of the universe, the Supreme end of all striving, (manifesting Himself) in the ether of the heart which is comparable to an inverted bud of the lotus flower. 

Below the Adams apple, at a span, and above the navel (i.e., the heart which is the relative seat of the manifestation of Pure Consciousness in the human being), effulges the Great Abode of the universe, as if adorned with garlands of flames. 

Surrounded by nerve-currents (or arteries), suspends the lotus-bud of the heart in an inverted position. It is in a subtle space (a narrow aperture, the Sushumna-Nadi), and therein is to be found the Substratum of all things. 

In that space within the heart resides the Great Flaming Fire, not decaying, all-knowing, with tongues spread out in all directions, with faces turned everywhere, consuming food presented before it, and assimilating it unto itself. 

His rays, spreading all around, sideways as well as above and below, warm up the whole body from head to foot. In the center of That (Flame) abides the Tongue of Fire as the topmost of all subtle things. (Note: Due to the attachments and entanglements of the Jiva in worldly enjoyment and suffering, the Consciousness is enshrouded in potential as well as expressed objectivity, and hence it appears like a tiny streak of flame within the dark clouds of ignorance. But when the Jiva rises above worldliness the Consciousness is realized as he Infinite.). 

In the Middle of That Flame, the Supreme Self dwells. This (Self) is Brahma (the Creator), Siva (the Destroyer), Hari (the Protector), Indra (the Ruler), the Imperishable, the Absolute, the Autonomous Being. Prostrations again and again to the Omni-Formed Being, the Truth, the Law, the Supreme Absolute, the Purusha of blue-decked yellow hue, the Centralized-Force, Power, the All-Seeing One. 

Prostrations again and again to the Omni-Formed Being, the Truth, the Law, the Supreme Absolute, the Purusha of blue-decked yellow hue, the Centralized-Force, Power, the All-Seeing One. 

We commune ourselves with Narayana, and meditate on Vasudeva, may that Vishnu direct us (to the Great Goal). 

Om. May there be Peace, Peace, Peace.

     The Divine Mother is in subtle space in heart connoting Brahman 

C N Nachiappun

Singapore, 25 September 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