Lalita means "She Who Plays",  refering to the creation and sustaining of the Universe, and she is the presiding deity of the most esoteric yogic practices associated with the Sri Chakra (also called Sri Yantra) that are collectively called Sri Vidya.

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"The Mother Goddess, Lalita, has 1,000 names as described in the "Lalita Sahasranama," which is a book of hymns devoted to her. Lalita is considered to be the most important goddess of the Mahavidyas, a group of 10 main goddesses in the Hindu religion. She is unique, as she possesses the rare combination of remarkable beauty, great wisdom and immense power.

It is believed that she directs all karma of creation and approves all actions, sending righteousness to individuals who practice good conduct and trials to those who practice poor conduct." (Yogapedia)

 

Lalita has three forms: the maiden, the Mother, and the "Crone" and the Triune Deity is often known simply by the Mother-Name of Tripurasundari. The term Lalitha Tripurasundari is used to depict Her in Her trinitarian aspect.

Due to her threefold nature, Lalita is identified as the Creator, Preserver and Desolver of the Universe.

All creation, manifestation, and dissolution are considered to be the play of the Goddess.

 

"Lalita is preeminent. Self-willed and independent, Lalita is an exquisitely sensuous goddess also known as Kameshvari “Empress of Desire”. At the same time, she is the completely devoted wife of the Supreme Lord Shiva, who is pure consciousness. She exists in a perpetual state of perfect harmony, ever benevolent, her eyes moist with compassion for all beings." (Yoga International)

 

Meditating on Lalita Tripura Sundari creates infinite merit and the strength to control body, mind, and emotions, benefiting you with family pleasure, a favorable life partner, and potency.

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Sri Lalitha Sahasranama is the hymn in the 36th chapter of Lalitopakyana in Brahmanda Purana,  according to which Lalita Devi manifested herself in the midst of a disc of extreme brilliance that arose from the sacrificial pit when Indra was performing a sacrifice in her honor.

She destroyed the demon Bhandasura and annihilated his city. The Sonitapura. Visvakarma, the engineer of the gods, built a gorgeous city named Sripura on the Meru mountain for her sake, where She resides eternally along with her spouse Kamesvara.

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The demon Bhandasura was living in the Sonitapura, the city of blood and flesh.  and represents the ego which makes the soul identify itself with the body and separate itself from its divine nature. When the Goddess, who is the expression of Divine power and grace, kills’ it, she liberates us from its limitations.

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She is depicted as 6 years old, extremely beautiful and strong at the peak of her best qualities and energy, holding a Sugar Cane Bow, Five Flower Arrows, a Goad and a Noose. She is Sitting on a throne over the Sri Yantra, one foot in meditation position, the other touching the Sri Yantra.

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The bow made of sugarcane actually represents the mind. It is through the mind that we experience all joy. Hence it is described as made of sugarcane. The bow is the instrument for discharging the arrows. The mind is the instrument by which the sense organs are ‘shot’ towards the sense-objects.

The arrows are the five elements: ether, air, water, fire and earth and produce the sense organs like the eye and the ear. They are discharged like arrows, through the mind towards the sense-objects. Thus the subtle elements are described as the arrows in her hand. She has control over the mind and sense organs.

The noose symbolises the attachment that binds us and the Goad symbolise the emotions of anger, hate and repulsion as obstacles in our path to Realisation and Liberation. So by holding these two weapons she exercises control over them, leading us to overcome attachment and the obstacles of hate and anger.

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The Sri Yantra is a map of the Universe, symbolises the Universal Energy Force and as its name defines it liberates from bondage (Sri means Holly, Yantra means instrument that Frees from bondage). The dot in the middle of the Sri Yantra where Lalita touches with her foot, is the Bindu, the point where all creation begins,  the point where Shakti and Shiva meet, transcending duality, in Divine Union. The four triangles pointing upward symbolise Shiva, and the five triangles pointing downward symbolise Shakti, Their interconectedness symbolise that ALl is connected.

Meditations on the Sri Yantra, alighns one with the Cosmic Energy, brings balance, spiritual transformation, blessings and manifestation tof the Highest Qualities to the physical plane.

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During our meditation we will focus on Lalita at her 3 & 6 years old. A full explanation of the mantra and its benefit will be offered as well as an explanation of how we meditate on the Devi.