In his famous book, ‘Shakti and Shakta’, (1918 publication), Sir John Woodroffe, in explaining the word Shakti, rightly said: There is no more comprehensive word in any language than this Sanskrit term meaning ‘Power’. Lalitha Sahasra nama explains this power in a thousand names. This Sahasranama was composed by Deities such as Vakdevata or Goddess of Speech by express mandate of the Holy Mother Lalitha Herself for the benefit of all humanity. The recitation of Lalitha Sahasranama has a unique and very important place in Shakti worship. It is a fact known to all Shakti devotees that each of the thousand names is a Mantra in itself. Each mantra has a specific power and by reciting it, this power automatically comes to the reciter.

It is interesting to read an anecdote in the book titled ‘Studies in the Tantras and Vedas’ written by MPPandit of Aurobindo Ashram. He narrates an incident in the life of the Shakthi worshipper, the great Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, going to Dakshineswar along with another person. it was completely dark. He couldn’t see the way. His companion, an adept in Tantra Sadhana, then walked in front and from behind him emanated a light that illuminated Sri Ramakrishna’s path. The Thantrik was an ardent devotee and agni worshiper. He had gained control of this element Agni (light) by reciting agni mantra. Therefore, we can control all the elements by uttering the appropriate mantras.

We can discuss some of the mantras of Lalitha sahasranama. The name 707 is Guhya rupini, which means secret form, beyond the senses. Power or truth is behind the phenomenal universe and, therefore, invisible and secret. She must be reached by knowledge only. Therefore, she is praised as Jnana-Gamya. The name of her adbuta caritra indicates the wonderful story as described in Lalitopakyana. Her acts from creation to grace are unique and wonderful.

She is Sasvataisvarya, which means she is always the giver of eternal bliss, the highest dominion. When the ultimate freedom itself is granted, it goes without saying that it will grant the basic requirements such as wealth, peace of mind, health, and other pleasures of life. Vishnu’s ten incarnations arose from his fingernail to fight his battles with the power of darkness called asuras. Its cosmic and supracosmic dimensions are thus indicated in the name 80, ‘Karanguli nakhotpanna narayana dasakrithi’.

She is Sarva mantra swarupini, which means the embodiment of all mantras. There are more than 7 crores of mantras made up of the 105 letters of the Sanskrit alphabet.

Realizing the importance of these great names, great scholars like Vimarsananda Nadha, Vidyaranya, Bhatta Narayana, Sankara, Bhaskararaya wrote commentaries on Lalitha Sahasranama.

One who recites this automatically becomes His devotee (bhakta). Since She is Bhakta saubhagyadayini (name 117-her devotees get all good things and also the best) and Bhakta Priya (name 118-fan devotees) She grants whatever the devotee wishes!

It is advised to recite this sahasranama daily, if not, at least on Fridays after taking the usual bath.