Śrī Lalitā Sahasranāma stotram - The thousand names of Goddess Śrī Lalitā: An advaita Vedanta view of its meaning and significance

The purpose of this work is to explain the underlying advaita (monistic) Vedānta philosophy that focuses on acquisition of Knowledge (jñāna) to achive liberation through understanding of the philosophical meaning underlying the holy 1000 names (nāma-s) of Śrī Lalitā Sahasranāma stotram. On His (Lord Śiva) behalf, Lalitā, the MāyāŚakti (avyakta) inseparably associated with Him, caused (vyakta) the manifest Universe (prakṛtī, which is only an effect of Her Śakti), which can be viewed as Her cosmic dance (lāsya). To the living beings with body, mind, and senses that provide only limited awareness, the creation ‘appears’ as though it is real, even though it is transient and ever changing, and causes attachments and grief. Acquisition of the true knowledge of the underlying imperishable Reality is the only means for liberation, as emphatically stated in the Upaniṣad-s. Thus, it is highly beneficial to focus on the inner monistic (advaita) meaning of the 1000 names. The intent of this work is merely to provide the inherent philosophical understanding of the names and not to discourage the Yantra, Tantra, or Mantra worship practices of Lalitā or to sugggest it as an alternative to them. Read more