Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 779: Shri Virajasha (ōṃ virajasē namaḥ)

The Divine Mother is without and beyond Rajas (one of the three gunas, namely Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas).

Rajas means desire and anger, To Arjunan’s question,” what draws men to sinful deeds?’, Krishna gave the answer “It is desire and anger, both born of Rajo Guna” (Gita 3.37). The Divine Mother is beyond all these negative issues.

Rajas also means light, water, and worlds. All three share the quality of mobility with the prefix Vi (distinguished or special). We get Viraja meaning as, “one who possesses special radiance, holy waters and exalted world”.

The Divine Mother is without any sins. Due to papa or sins, the soul assumes, it is different from Brahman. So, with sin, the soul considers it something not to be the Self, the Brahman. When we say that the soul has birth and death cycle, it is due to temporary separation of the soul from Brahman. Due to sin or papa, a soul cannot reach the Divine Mother or the Brahman, Humans with Rajo guna have defects in their life. For those who have renounced all desires (like Yogis), there is no rajas. The Divine Mother with Her fullness always has no need to search for desired things. So, She is celebrated as Viraja.

In India Odisha state, there is a temple for Viraja Devi and a Viraja River. Her darshan is said to purify seven generations of sins of souls. Also, Viraja, a river, is said to flow from Heaven. She is without any papa or sin.

The Divine Mother is without and beyond Rajas Guna.  

C N Nachiappan

Singapore, 14 March 2022; updated 31 May 2025.

 

 

 

 

References:

1.     The Thousand Names of the Divine Mother published in English by Mata Amritanandamis AparnaSan 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