Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 336: Shri Vindhyacala nivasini (OM vindhyAchalanivAsinyai namaH)

In Namams 275 to365, the Divine Mother’s  many forms providing benefits to Her devotees in great details are discussed.

The Divine Mother resides in Vindhya Mountains. 

When the whole universe is the Divine Mother’s form, then, why She chooses to reside in Vindhya Mountains? Ancient documents recount certain of the Divine Mother’s actions and incidents; there were asuras in Vindhya Mountains causing harm to humans and yogis. She slew them, the two of the known names, Sumbha and Nisumbha. Based on the place and the Divine Mother’s actions, this Namam aims to recall the Divine Mother’s great memorial actions; so She resides in magnificent Vindhya Mountains. 

Vindhya Mountain is one of the important residences for the Divine Mother, who as Nanda slew the asuras and created peace there. She was born as a daughter to Yasoda and was taken to Vadamadura (North Madurai) in place of Lord Krishna by Vasudeva. She escaped from Kamsa and announced to him that Krishna was living elsewhere and he cannot get Krishna; Kamsa was killed later by Krishna. Nanda, then slew the asuras Sumbha and Nisumbha. The Divine Mother is said to reside in Vindhya Mountains as Nanda. 

Devi Mahatmya (11-41-42) says that during the Vaivasvata Manu period, the Divine Mother as “Nanda” slew asuras in Vindhya Mountains, Sumbha and Nisumbha. With the devotees wishing, She took to reside in Vindhya Mountains.

 

The Divine Mother as Nanda slew asuras

Sumbha and Nisumbha in Vindhya Mountains

C  N Nachiappun          

Singapore, 26 December 2020.

 

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