Sindhuraruna Vigraham (Lalita Sahasranama Dhyana) — Word-by-Word Meaning
सिन्दूरारुण विग्रहां (ललिता सहस्रनाम ध्यान)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
सिन्दूर-अरुण
sindura-aruna
of a hue red as vermilion / the rising sun
विग्रहाम्
vigraham
form, body, divine image
त्रिनयनाम्
trinayanam
three-eyed (sun, moon and fire)
माणिक्यमौलि
manikyamauli
with a crown of rubies
स्फुरत्
sphurat
shining, glittering
तारा नायक शेखराम्
tara nayaka shekharam
wearing the lord of stars (the crescent moon) as a crest
स्मितमुखीम्
smitamukhim
with a smiling face
आपीन वक्षोरुहाम्
apina vakshoruham
with a full bosom
पाणिभ्याम्
panibhyam
with her two hands
अलिपूर्ण रत्न चषकम्
alipurna ratna chashakam
a jewelled cup full of honey-wine (madhu)
रक्तोत्पलम्
raktotpalam
a red lotus
बिभ्रतीम्
bibhratim
holding, bearing
सौम्याम्
saumyam
gentle, serene, benign
रत्न घटस्थ रक्तचरणाम्
ratna ghatastha raktacharanam
her red feet resting on a jewelled vessel
ध्यायेत्
dhyayet
one should meditate upon
पराम् अम्बिकाम्
param ambikam
the supreme Mother (Ambika)
Complete Translation
One should meditate upon the supreme Mother whose form glows red as vermilion, who has three eyes, whose ruby crown sparkles, who wears the crescent moon — lord of the stars — as her crest; the gently smiling Goddess with a full bosom, bearing in her two hands a jewelled cup brimming with honey-nectar and a red lotus, serene, her reddened feet resting upon a jewelled vessel.
Origin & History
Source: Dhyana verse of the Lalita Sahasranama, Brahmanda Purana (Lalitopakhyana)
Author: Traditional (Vagdevatas / Lalitopakhyana of the Brahmanda Purana)
Period: Ancient (Puranic)
The Lalita Sahasranama, revealed in the Lalitopakhyana of the Brahmanda Purana, was composed by the eight Vagdevatas at the command of the Goddess Lalita. It is prefaced by several dhyana verses that establish the worshipper's vision of the Mother; 'Sindhuraruna vigraham' is the foremost among them, describing her vermilion radiance and divine attributes before the thousand names begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dhyana sloka?▼
A dhyana sloka is a meditation verse that describes the form, ornaments and attributes of a deity, recited before a stotra so the worshipper can visualise the deity in the heart. This is the chief dhyana of the Lalita Sahasranama.
Who is the Goddess described here?▼
She is Lalita Tripura Sundari, the supreme Divine Mother of the Sri Vidya tradition, also called Rajarajeshwari. She is visualised holding a jewelled cup of nectar and a red lotus, seated in radiant vermilion beauty.
What do the cup and red lotus signify?▼
The cup of honey-nectar (madhu) represents the bliss of divine consciousness, while the red lotus symbolises pure-hearted love and the unfolding of spiritual awareness in the devotee.
Can I recite this dhyana without the full Sahasranama?▼
Yes. While it traditionally introduces the thousand names, this dhyana is a complete meditation on the Goddess and may be recited daily on its own with devotion.
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