Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 636: Shri Gandharva sevita (ōṃ gandharvasēvitāyai namaḥ)

The Goddess Divine Mother is served and worshipped by Gandharvas, the deva loka musicians. 

When a devotee excels in music, he can use the music to improve his personal qualities. Music attracts people to devotional activities. So, to use music to pray to the Divine Mother is ideal. As the Gandharvas are musicians in upper world, Heaven, they are using their divine musical skills for serving the Divine Mother. 

Gandhava singing is called Gandharam. Gandharvar also means horse. The Divine Mother as Asvarudha Devi, who is sitting on Her horse is surrounded by Gandharvas. 

The science of music is called Gandharva vidya. The Divine Mother is one who is worshipped by great musicians, especially during the Navarathri festivals. As we have mentioned earlier, Gandharva also means horse (asva). Thus, the Divine Mother is Asvarudha (mounted on horse) and attended by the sakti called Asvarudha. (Reference to Namam 67: Asvarudhadhisthitasva koti kotibhir avrta with the meaning “She is surrounded by a cavalry of several million horses which are under the command of a sakti called Asvarudha). This Asvarudha mantra is well-known in Tantra. 

Gandharva also connotes the Sun; the Divine Mother is worshipped by the Sun. Lalitha Sagasranama Nama 27, “Nija sallapa madhurya vinirbhartaita kacchapt” with the meaning the Divine Mother excels even the vina of Sarasvati in sweetness of Her speech aptly says about the Divine Mother’s skills. Also Adi Sankaracarya’s Soundariya Lahari Verge 66, “O Devi, while nodding your head to applaud Devi Sarasvati;s sweet music on the vina, extolling Lord Shiva’s noble deeds, You began to praise Her, the Sarasvati Devi. On hearing your sweet voice, Sarasvati quietly covers Her instrument, the sweet notes of which are far excelled by Your soft melodious voice." 

Again Lalitha Nama 614, “Sacamara rama vani savya daksina sevita” with the meaning: the Divine Mother is attended by Lakshmi on the left side and Saravati on the right side, bearing ceremonial fans., confirming all divinities are serving and worshipping the Divine Mother.

              The Goddess the Divine Mother is served by Gandharv

C N Nachiiappun

Singapore, 22 October 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