Shri Lalitha Sahasranamam: Namam 910: Shri Somya (ōṃ saumyāyai namaḥ)

The Divine Mother is benign (kind) and gentle in nature, like the coolness of moon.

She deserves Soma Yagam, wherein devotee sacrifices all he has to the divinity. All his wealth is provided for public welfare. In such way, he does not have Ahankara or ego status; he becomes dear to the Divine Mother, who showers Her kindness to him. Wherever the selfishness dies off, the Divine Mother’s presence is there.

Soma means Chandra or moon; Like Chandra or moon, She provides peace and happiness. Shiva is with Uma Devi. Shiva has Uma Devi as His other half in his body, She is with Him always. In Soma Yagam, there are Somya lessons for us to learn. When we affectionately ask our friends about their happiness, we use the word Somya. The Divine Mother is such kinder.

Somya is that which belongs to Soma Yaga, the soma sacrifice. The Divine Mother deserves the foremost position in this ceremony and therefore, She is Somya. 

According to Bhaskara Carya, Soma is Shiva Himself, because He is with Uma (Sat Uma). Then, Somya is the one who belongs to Shiva, with the meaning the Divine Mother who is in union with Shiva as Shiva-Shakti.

Soma also means Camphor; the Divine Mother is like Camphor in brightness, coolness, and purity.

The Divine Mother is benign (kind) and gentle in nature, like the coolness of moon.

C N Nachiappan

Singapore, 22 July 2022; updated 07 October 2025.

 

References:

1.The Thousand Names of the Divine Mother published by Mata Amritanandam in California, USA, with Commentary by T. V Narayana Menon

2, Shri Lalitha Sahasranama Stostram published in Tamil by N. Ramaswami Iyer charities’ societies, Tiruchirappalli, India, with Commentary by C. V. Radhakrishna Sastry.

3. The Lalitha Sahasranamam published in Tamil by Shri Ramakrishna Thapovanam, Thiruipparaithurai, Trichy District, Tamil Nadu, India with commentary by Shrimath Swami Sith-bavandar.