Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 644: Shri Jnana vigraha (ōṃ Jṇānavigrahāyai namaḥ)

The Divine Mother is the embodiment of Knowledge itself. 

Vigraha means “known through special means”; we arrive at the meaning of this Namam as “She who is the Knowledge that is obtained through special means”. This Namam is a form of worship to the Divine Mother. 

She is in the form of Jnana or Supreme Knowledge. She has created all universal beings to have Knowledge to understand other beings and to aim to reach the Brahman. Bees prepare their hives where there are lots of flowers. Before the rain starts, all bees will go into their hives. Mankind is trying to be knowledgeable in various fields. At last, he realizes that through devotion to the Divine Mother, he can get Superior Knowledge. Through to Bhakti, Shri Ramakrishna Baramahamsa transformed himself as Jnana Vigraha or embodiment of knowledge, like the Divine Mother Herself. 

For those who matured and attained Brahman, the Divine Mother as the Para jnanam, blesses them. So, at all stages of, the souls’ maturity, She is providing the Jnana which is splendid. 

Athma vidya and soul are not different. By achieving knowledge or athma vidya, we can differentiate the knower and what is known by him. 

The Divine Mother is in Jnana form in souls. With our lower knowledge, we need not worry about getting Brahma knowledge as the devotion to Divine Mother will expand our knowledge to a higher level. This again through Her blessing expands to Brahma knowledge. 

The Superior Self is basically knowledge, which is the cause of Liberation and bondage. Everything in this universe is knowledge based. There is nothing beyond knowledge. (O Maitreya, know that vidya and avidya are both knowledge. (Vishnu Purana). The Divine Mother is also one, “who expands Knowledge”).

    The Goddess the Divine Mother is in Sarasvati’s

form giving the Superior Knowledge.

C N Nachiiappun

Singapore, 30 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