Ambals' Avatharam

Ambal's Avatharam consists of the first 4 slokas, which end with the description of her weapons etc.. and the kanthi / brightness of her feet, which fills the entire Brahmandas.

The very first beginning of Lalitha 1000 begins with the vaibhavams of Ambal, who arose formt he Agni Kundam, when Deas started doing a Yagnam, by sacrificing their own body parts.

Lalitha Sahasranamam - Logical Structure/Grouping

 As the topic of this post says, let's take a quick peek of how the slokas have been logically structured or grouped in this glorious grantham. As per the bhashyam of Sri Anna (from Ramakrishna Mutt) here are the logical groupings:

1. Ambal's Avatharam ( Brith of Ambal from Yagna or Dave Kaaryam)
2. Ambals' keshadi Padha Varnanam ( Description of Ambal from her head to toe)
3. Bandasura Vadham (Slaying of Badasura)
4. Sri Nagara Varnanam (Description of Mother's holy city)
5. Manthra Swaroopam (Ambal's Swaroopam in the form of pancha Dashakshari)
6. Kundalini Swaroopam (Ambal's Kundalini Swaroopam)
7. Bhaktha Anugruham (Blessing and granting boons to devotees)
8. Nirguna Upasana (Ambal's form , devoid of attributes)
9. Nirguna Upasana Phala: (Fruit of wroshipping her in Nirguna Form)
10. Saguna Upasana (Ambal's form with attributes)
11. Pancha Brahma Swaroopam (Ambal's manifestation as the 5 principal Saguna Brahman)
12. Kshethra Kshethrajna Swaroopam (Ambal's form as the body and Soul)
13. Shakthi Peetas and Anga Devathas (Glories of the Shakthy Peetas)
14. Yogini Nyasam 
15. Vibuthi Visthara and Saamarasyam of the Maarga Devathas
16. Shiva Shakthy Aiykyam (Union of the Shakthy and Shivam)

Note: This whole episode of lalithopakyaanam is found in Brahmanda Puranam, which depicts the glories of Ambal.

All the 1000 names of Ambal have been beautifully grouped into the above sixteen sections by the bhashyacharya . These sections also could be compared to various adhyayas of Bagavad Gita . Thus we can infer that, this glorious Grantha is not only a sweet rendition of the immeasurable qualities of Ambal, but also the essence of Vedanthic, Gita, Shaiva,tantra and other works,m, guiding one to the realization of the Ultimate Reality.

Let's enjoy the nectar of this Lalitha 1000 part by part, with the blessings of Lakshmi Haya Vadana and Kalsodhbhava, who blessed us with this gorgeous grantham.

Lalitha 1000

Ambal's glories are countless. Having said that, none other than Lakshmi Hayagreeva has elaborated her divine qualities in her 1000 names, which was given as an upadesham to Sage Agasthya.  The preacher is none other than, Lakshmi Hayagreeva and the student is the glorious Agasthya and thus common loukeekas like all of us will be well benefited by their conversation.

Lalitha Sahasrananam, is like the essence of all the Upanishads, Vedas, Tantra etc.. It has references from Upanishads, Sri Vidya, etc.. and several other granthas. Understand Lalitha 1000 completely may be beyond our scope for one janma - as each of the the methods prescribed there may take several births to understand completely.

But with the graces of our SadGuru, Ambal graces us the divine wealth of Athma Gnanam or wisdom of the Self, which then helps us get enlightened and get a complete context and vision of the verses mentioned in Lalitha 1000.

Glories of Ambal and this glorious verse(s) are uncountable. Lalitha Trishati and Lalitha astotharam, are all the simplified versions of the glorious Lalitha Sahasranamam. Lalithmbal Shobanam is the translated Tamil version of Lalitha Shasranam. But, the Purva Bhagam, PhalaSruti, and the core Lalitha 1000 is the crux of Ambals Vaibhavams, which was taught to Sage Agasthya by none other than, Sri Lakshmi Hayagreeva.