Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 792: Shri Samarasya parayana (ōṃ sāmarasyaparāyaṇāyai namaḥ)

The Divine Mother follows the path of Supreme Equanimity. She is ever in the equipose.

In Ardhanaree-shvara form, Shiva and the Divine Mother have equal status. Ardhanaree-shvara is the name for Shiva. This form implies that any prayer towards the Divine Mother is also applicable to Shiva. There is no difference between Shiva and the Divine Mother in this joint form.

When we are driving a bullock cart, the two bulls should be a matched pair. Only then, there will not be any problem in driving the cart. If there are any differences in shape and pulling strengths for the two bulls, then the two bulls will suffer in pulling the cart; Also, the driver will face similar problems in going forward. Similarly in a family, if the husband and wife have differences in their attributes, their family life will suffer. Fighting and other difficulties will occur. However, if the husband and wife have similar attributes and are like Shiva and the Divine Mother as in Ardhanareeshvara rupam, the couple will be fortunate in their family life.

Samarasyam means in all respects there is no difference in one’s status or having a steady state in everything. The Divine Mother naturally has that steady state within Her. The Divine Mother is equal to Shiva. Likewise, Shiva is equal to the Divine Mother. Both show this equality in five ways to their devotees. (These five ways are creating, protecting, dissolving, preserving and granting salvation).

Samarasa is a state of equanimity or steady wisdom (Sthita-prajna). And samarasya pertains to that state. This condition is one in which the mind does not lose its balance in happiness or pain, in profit or loss, in victory or defeat. “He whose mind is not shaken by adversity, and who in prosperity does not pursue pleasures, is free from attachments, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady wisdom” as mentioned in Gita II.56. The Divine Mother is one who is immersed in that state of steady wisdom. This state is equanimity and is also a state of identity of Shiva and Shakti.

The Divine Mother is devoted to the enjoyment of the songs Samaveda is implied when we split Nama as sama + rasya + parayana.

         The Divine Mother holds a steady state of wisdom.      

 

C N Nachiappan

Singapore, 27 March 2022; updated 14 June 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