Paribhasha Stora-s (An Exploration of Lalita Sahasranama)

There is many a book available on Lalita Sahasranama. This book is not on, but about Lalita Shasranama. Paribhasha vestes are an insight into, analysis of a research paper on and what not, about Lalita Shasranama. These forty verses apparently look like praising/bowing to Shreedevee. But it is full of mathematics using Katapayadhi and Bhoota Sankya methods of denoting numerals in Sanskrit by letters/ words.

Sahasranama about any God is always in the form statra-s- i.e. verses.Different sages split the verses into 1000 names and thus we get namavali- series of names about that God. There could be minor differences in splitting the verses into name through different schools- however, the total count of 1000 will not be affected.

The Paribhasha verses give the rules to divine the 182.5 verse of Lalita Shasranama Statra into 1000 names. When these verses are split in to names using this method, the verses are split uniquely into 1000 names. Let Shreedevee shower her choicest blessings to all the readers.

This book Paribhasha Stora-s is one of the greatest outcomes of Sri N. Ramamurthy's intellect. It is a rare attempt in the history of the human mind to make use a sort of Indian Mathematics with Sanskrit representing numerals through letters and words. Normally the Paribhasha Stotra-s seem to be verses praising Shree Devi. But when read in depth one can enjoy the beauty of the verses. This book is a complete analysis and research on Lalita Sahasranama. A blend of Katapayadhi and Bhoota Sankhya methods are used to explain the formulae to split verses into 1000 names.

Normaly we analyse any Sanskrit work with grammar, Bhasyam or its Varthikam and tika or tippani. First time, I am seeing such a kind of book exploring the beauty of Paribhasha Stotra-s - a treasure by using traditional methods and I appreciate Sri N. Ramamurthy with full enjoyment.

Paribhasha verses were written by Sree Nrsimhanandanatha, who was blessed by his teacher Bhasuranandanatha. £ree Nrsimhanandanatha is the guru of Shree Bhaskararaya. Shree Bhaskararaya's bhashyam was completely based on Paribhasha verses. Paribhasha Stotram, the 40 verses, written with the deep meaning in it explains the structure of all the thousand names -how many names contain how many letters, the following names start with which letter, the starting letter of every hundredth name, etc. It is a delight to read these 40 verses. However, it is very difficult to understand by one self, without the detailed interpretations and explanations given in this book. This is because the numerals are denoted by Samskrit letters and are in cryptic method. One of the meanings of the word Paribhasha in Samskrit is 'definition'. Each word has lots of meanings. In the same manner splitting of each word differently will provide different meanings. This makes different people split the words differently and convey different meanings. This hymn exactly has 1000 names. Hence if splitting of words is not done properly and the names read individually, then count of 1000 names may change. That is the reason, to split the words properly, Salakshara Sutras were first formulated. I enjoyed reading this book completely and I am sure, that this Book shall help all devotees of Shreedevee in general and Shaktha's in particular to understand the deeper aspects of the Paribhasha Stora-s - An exploration of Lalita Sahasranama. 1 write this foreword with a sense of satisfaction. In presenting to the seekers this book Paribhasha Stora-s of thousand names of Lalitambhika. I congratulate Sri N. Ramamurthy for undertaking this book with great commitment and dedication. I thank Sri Swami Pranavananda who had introduced Sri N. Ramamurthy to me and the occasion to write this foreword. May the Lalitambhika's grace continue to flow for Sri N. Ramamurthy and the readers of this book.

Lalita Sahasranama was initiated by Lord Hayagreeva to Sage Agastya. It forms part of Uttara Kanda of Markandeya Purana as a dialogue between Lord Hayagreeva to Sage Agastya. Like any other Sahasranama, this is also given as verses and then split as names by sages-182.5 verses of 2 lines each, split, into 1000 names.

Be it Sahasranama on any God, the methods of split provided by different sages have subtle variation. There could be difference in some names; however the total number of names will be 1000. But in the case of Lalita Sahasranama a mathematical formula in the form of 40 verses called as Paribhasha Stotra-%/ verses, has been provided. These verses is also called a unique method to split the 182.5 verses into 1000 n as Paribhasha Mandalam.

The author of this book was fortunate to have an opportunity to write a volume on Lalita Sahasranama - a translation into English from Tamil, which was completely based on Shree Bhaskararaya's bhashyan (commentaries) in Samskrit. That book had preliminary chapters about and around Lalita Sahasranama for nearly 22% of the total book (175 pages). Paribhasha verses were one of the chapters in the preface section. This chapter, mainly inspired the author to write the entire volume. The readers of that book requested that a separate book focusing only on Paribhasha verse be written so that the beauty of it is propagated. And hence this book.

There are some methods in Samskrit for representing numerals through letters/ words. The major two methods are Katapayadhi and Bhoota Sankhya. On the surface reading the Paribhasha Stotra- s apparently seem to be praising Shree Devee. But when read in depth one can enjoy the beauty of the verses. It is a complete analysis and research paper on Lalita Sahasranama. A blend of Katapayadhi and Bhoota Sankhya methods are used to explain the formulae to split the verses into 1000 names. Before discussing the Paribhasha Stotra-s per-se, an introduction to Katapayadhi and Bhoota Sankhya methods are provided so that the beauty of Paribhasha Stotra-s treasure can be appreciated and enjoyed.

Paribhasha verses were written by Sree Nrsimhanandanatha, who was blessed by his teacher Bhasuranandanatha. Sree Nrsimhanandanatha is the teacher {guru) of Shree Bhaskararaya. Shree Bhaskararaya's bhashyam was completely based on Paribhasha verses.

The word paribhasha in Samskrit means 'definition'. The greatness of Samskrit language is mentioned in the name itself (Samskritam - done in a perfect way). Each word has lots of meanings. In the same manner splitting of each word differently will provide different meanings. This makes different people split the words differently and convey different meanings. Though it can be taken that this does not affect heavily, this hymn exactly has 1000 names - not even a single more or less. Hence if splitting of words is not done properly and the names read individually, then count of 1000 may change. That is the reason, to split the words properly, Salakshara Sutra-s were first formulated. Because this is not available now Paribhasha Mana'alam, with 40 verses, was written.

Every one of the thousand names has got loaded with so much of mantras and inner meanings. The forty verses called Paribhasha stotras is a self-contained research paper on Lalita Sahasranama. It is perfect allegory. At the outset the surface meaning of these verses is as praising and bowing Sree Devee. But the deep meaning is that, it explains the structure of all the thousand names - how many names contain how many letters, the following names start with which letter, the starting letter of every hundredth name, etc. It is a delight to read these 40 verses. However, it is very difficult to understand by one self, without the detailed interpretations/ explanations given in this book. This is because the numerals are denoted by Samskrit letters and in cryptic method.

i Each of the verse in the Paribhasha Mandalam is about Sree Devee and indicates the beginning letters of the names and the number of letters in each name as well.

• Further the beginning letters of each of the hundredth name (101st, 201st, ...) has also been mentioned in one the verses. All these convey the message that the splitting of words has to be done very carefully. So much care has been taken that even if a small mistake happens, it may affect greatly. This much care is needed because this hymn forms part of Brahmana'a Purana as a continuous verse and since the written format was not earlier available it was passed on by word of mouth to the disciples by the teachers.

One other specialty of this hymn is that the main part of 182.5 verses, we cannot read any fillers or any word which does not have any meaning. That is, there are no filler words or meaningless words like Cha, Vai, Tu, Hi, Eva, etc.

There is no repetition of names. If such duplication is seen, by properly splitting the names those names can be considered as a new one. Hence there is no flaw such duplication of names.

As mentioned earlier, each of the names contain mantras, only if this hymn is learnt through a proper teacher its complete meaning can be understood and enjoyed. That is the reason, the inherent meanings and mantras are not explained explicitly in this book. In the same manner, there are 51 letters in Samskrit - out of which the specific 19 letters have been left out and the remaining 32 letters only have been used to begin the 1000 names in this hymn. This and number of names beginning with each of the letters have all been calculated. The 25th name Shuddha- vidyankurakara dvijapakti-dwayojjwala seems to explain the reason why only these 32 letters have been used. One other surprising aspect is seen in many names. If 3 or 4 names are contained in a half verse, individual meanings can be taken for them. If those 3 or 4 names are read in a combined manner, even then we get a complete meaningful sentence. For instance;

i. Sudhasagaramadhyastha Kdmakshee Kamadayinee (61st, 62nd and 63rd names)

61 - One who dwells in the midst of the ocean of the nectar.
62 - One who has beautiful eyes. 63- One who fulfills all the desires.

When these names are read in a combined manner it gives the meaning that She, who has beautiful eyes and by residing in the midst of the ocean of nectar, fulfills all the desires of Her devotees.

ii. Gayatree vyahruti: Sandhya dvijavrundani Shevita
420 - One who is in the form of Gayatree.
421 - One who is in the form of invocations.
422 - One who is in the form of twilight.
423 - One who is well worshipped by the groups of twice bom.

When these names are read in a combined manner it gives the meaning that She, in the form of Gayatree, is worshipped in the twilight, with invocations like Bhoo:, Bhuva: and Suva:, by the groups of twice born.

iii. Kleemkaree Kevala Guhya Kaivalyapadadayinee
622 - One who is the personification of the letter Kleem.
623 - One who is the Absolute devoid of all attributes.
624 - One who is the most secret.
625 - One who bestower of the solitary abode.

When these names are read in a combined manner it gives the meaning that Sreedevee, in the form of the Kleem root letter, as an individual who is devoid of all attributes, if worshiped in secret form bestows the salvation.

As a befitting tribute to Shree Bhaskararaya, his brief biography is also included in this book.

Conventions used in this book: Wherever she indicates Shreedevee it has been written in bold as She. The transliterated Samskrit words are written in italics - for instance Devee. When Samskrit words are transliterated in English, diacritical marks are normally used. The same convention has been followed in this book also to introduce the diacritical marks. However it has not been used, in its entirety, since it makes the reading a little more difficult and since this book is intended for very common audience.

My pranams to our Guru HH PGjyashree Pranavananda Avaduta Saraswathi Swamiji, who guides me in all my endeavours. My humble pranams to HH Swami Tattvabodhananda Saraswati, who has written a nice introduction and some pleasantries about me and about this edition. I will be failing in my duty if I do not thank Shree. M. Easwaran, who has printed and published this book. He not only did the publication tasks, but also reviewed the book and gave vital feedback, so that the book is in the fashion it is in your hands. Even amdist all constraints like soaring power cut,- etc., Nice job done - thanks a lot. The author thanks all those who supported in this noble cause.

The readers are requested to give all comments and feedback to the author and take the glory of Sreedevee.