Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 663: Shri Aja jaitri (ōṃ ajājaitryai namaḥ)

The Divine Mother conquers ignorance. 

She has won over ignorance (avidya). Aja also means that which is not born. This indicates the ignorance in souls. As the Divine Mother had won over it, She, is called Aja jaitri. Wherever the Sun’s light is present, we cannot see the darkness, as the Sun has won over the darkness. If the Sun starts to look for or chase the darkness, he cannot identify the darkness in such places where the Sun is looking. Likewise, with all the wisdom in the Divine Mother, there is no place for ignorance; She is praised as Aja jaitri. 

This ignorance follows the jivatma in each birth; we cannot understand the first birth for the jivatma. We cannot take it as to when the creation had started after a pralaya, as early universe and souls had been dissolved and absorbed by the Divine Mother. They come out and yet it is not possible to ascertain the first birth for the jivatma. As ignorance follows the jivatma in each birth, it is not correct to establish the starting point of the ignorance, which is called aja (avidya) in jivatma; there is only an end when the jivatma attains the Brahman but has no known starting. For the souls to reach the Brahman is the end of the ignorance. The Divine Mother with all Her wisdom gives the knowledge to Her devotees to win over the avidya (ignorance). So, She is called Aja jaitri. 

Avidya which has no beginning is called aja (that is not born). “There is an unborn being, a female of red, white and black colours, who produce many offspring,” according to Sruti (Svetasvatara Upanishad 1V.5). These three colours red, white and black represent the three gunas (attributes) of rajas, sattva and tamas respectively. Avidya (ignorance) is a mixture of these three gunas and is called aja.

It is very difficult to conquer Maya, yet it is effortless for the devotees, who have gained the Divine Mother’s grace. This is the essence of this Nama. When we say that the Divine Mother conquers Maya, it also means that Her devotees will also conquer Maya, as we recognize that Her devotees are no different from Her.

Aja also means Brahma, Aja jaitri is the one who rules over Brahma.

The Divine Mother conquers ignorance (avidya).

C N Nachiappan

Singapore, 18 November 2021/updated 28 August 2024.

 

 

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