The Lalita Trishati, a profound and esoteric hymn dedicated to the divine goddess Lalita Tripurasundari, holds within its sacred verses an exposition of 300 names that reflect the infinite facets of the goddess. Among these, four names stand out, forming a captivating sequence that reveals the essence of the divine mother as the creator, sustainer, destroyer, and eternal one: "सर्वकर्त्री सर्वभर्त्री सर्वहन्त्री सनातना" (Sarvakartṛī, Sarvabhartṛī, Sarvahantrī, Sanātanā). Each of these epithets encapsulates the cosmic functions and timeless nature of the goddess, portraying her as the supreme embodiment of the universal principles of creation, preservation, dissolution, and eternity.
सर्वकर्त्री (Sarvakartṛī) – The Supreme Creator
The name Sarvakartṛī signifies the divine mother as the creator of all that exists. She is the cosmic womb from which the entire universe emerges. Just as a painter conceives and brings to life a masterpiece on a blank canvas, Lalita Tripurasundari, as Sarvakartṛī, envisions and manifests the cosmos with her will alone. The infinite galaxies, the myriad of beings, the intricate laws of nature, and the subtle play of energies—all arise from her creative power.
In this act of creation, she is not bound by any tools or external materials. Her very sankalpa, her divine intention, is enough to bring forth the multiplicity of forms and phenomena. She is the causeless cause, the one from whom even the primordial elements and principles of existence are born. Every speck of dust and every grand star is a reflection of her infinite creativity. As Sarvakartṛī, she not only creates but also infuses each creation with her divine essence, making the universe a living testament to her boundless creativity and grace.
सर्वभर्त्री (Sarvabhartṛī) – The All-Sustaining Force
As Sarvabhartṛī, Lalita Tripurasundari embodies the sustaining power of the universe. Just as a mother nurtures her child with unconditional love and care, the divine mother supports and sustains all that she has created. The sun shines, rivers flow, plants grow, and life flourishes because of her nurturing presence. It is her benevolent energy that keeps the cosmos in perfect balance and harmony.
She is the force behind the rhythm of the seasons, the cycle of birth and death, and the delicate balance of ecosystems. The concept of dharma, the cosmic order, is sustained by her will, ensuring that every being, from the smallest insect to the mightiest deity, plays its part in the grand symphony of life. Her sustenance is not limited to the physical realm alone; she also upholds the moral and spiritual dimensions, guiding souls on their path of evolution and realization. As Sarvabhartṛī, she is the unifying thread that weaves through the tapestry of existence, holding it together with her boundless love and compassion.
सर्वहन्त्री (Sarvahantrī) – The Ultimate Destroyer
The name Sarvahantrī depicts the goddess as the ultimate destroyer, the force that brings an end to all forms and phenomena. However, this destruction is not malevolent; it is the necessary dissolution that paves the way for renewal and transformation. Just as night follows day, and autumn precedes spring, destruction is an integral part of the cosmic cycle, enabling the continuity of life.
Lalita Tripurasundari, as Sarvahantrī, dissolves not only the physical forms but also the illusions and limitations that bind the soul. She is the force that liberates beings from the shackles of ignorance and ego, leading them toward the ultimate realization of their divine nature. Her destructive aspect removes obstacles, purifies, and transforms, much like a forest fire that clears the old, making way for new growth. In her role as Sarvahantrī, she is both the fierce yet compassionate mother who ensures that nothing static or stagnant remains, allowing the universe to evolve perpetually.
सनातना (Sanātanā) – The Eternal One
The name Sanātanā signifies the goddess as the eternal, unchanging reality that underlies the ever-changing cosmos. She is beyond time, space, and causation, the ultimate truth that remains constant amidst the transient play of creation, preservation, and destruction. While the world of forms appears and disappears, she, as Sanātanā, remains the eternal witness, the immutable substratum upon which the drama of life unfolds.
This eternal nature of the goddess reflects the idea that she is both immanent and transcendent. She is present in every particle of creation, yet she transcends all phenomena, untouched by the changes of the material world. As Sanātanā, she is the ultimate refuge, the timeless source from which all beings arise and into which they ultimately dissolve. She is the supreme reality, the unchanging essence that supports, pervades, and transcends the entire universe.
She is the creator, the sustainer, the destroyer and yet she remains the uninvolved witness to all actions : karmādisākṣiṇī. She is the all-pervading consciousness that observes every thought, deed, and event without attachment or judgment. As the eternal witness, she remains untouched by the dualities of life—success and failure, joy and sorrow, virtue and vice—existing beyond the transient nature of karma and its consequences. In her presence, all actions unfold within the cosmic play, yet she remains aloof and serene, embodying the pure awareness that neither influences nor is influenced by the myriad of activities that occur within her boundless expanse. This aspect of the Divine Mother encourages us to cultivate inner detachment, to observe the unfolding of our own lives with equanimity, and to realize our true nature as the ever-illuminated, unchanging witness beyond the play of actions and reactions.
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