There are sixty mantras in Lalitha Trishathi that began with the word Hrim.
The next mantra is
Om hrīṁkāra bōdhitāyai namaḥ
(… who is Hrim and Hrim is She.)
It means she who is known by the sound Hrim. We cannot separate word and meaning. When we hear a word, we right away relate it to the object it represents. We remember Parashakthi when we hear Hrim. There are four letters Hi, ru, e, um. We saw earlier that Devi is creation, preservation, destruction and beyond. Parashakti is a being whom we know.
एकम सत विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति
Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti
Rig Veda 1.164.146
Existence is One, Sages call it by different Names. Some say she is the power who encourages senses, few say she is the witness who shines in the hearts of beings. Ishavasya Upanishad says that God is everything. The summary is that Devi is one who is known through all these different ways. All Upanishads talk about the one substance or truth.
एकधा बहुधा चैव दृश्यते जलचन्द्रवत् ॥
ekadhā bahudhā caiva dṛśyate jalacandravat
Brahmabindūpaniṣad Verse 12
This can be described using an example. Moonlight shines in the skies. Below there are pots filled with water. Every pot seems like having moonlight. Moon light is reflected in all water bodies. There is only one substance or matter. Its reflection is seen everywhere. This is the essence of the above mantra. Even though we explain in different ways it is just one. We should realize “unity in diversity”. hrīṁkāra bōdhitā means she who is aware through Hrimkara.
The next mantra is
Om hrīṁkāramaya sauvar-ṇṇastaṁbha vidruma putrikāyai namaḥ
(… who is the coral statue on the shining pillars called `Hrim)
A beautiful view is presented before us. There is a golden palace with golden pillars. Devi is a beautiful idol of coral situated in the most important, hidden space in this golden palace. So Hrimkara is compared to a beautiful golden palace. Chanting mantras are that valuable and precious. Chanting mantra is unavoidable for those seeking spiritual progress.
Devi is the most beautiful idol, the most worshipful. Scriptures talk about strong, unshakeable devotion. They will perform rituals at dusk, at the right time, chant mantras. They will offer worship elements like water, incense, flower, camphor, food offerings and so on in the right way. Even though there is discipline in this, there may be a lack in inner feeling or expression. Liberation is not attainable for them. Inner purity is the most important attribute.
For example, we visited Meenakshi Amman temple and saw its thousand mandaps, pond and other holy places. We could not have darshan of Meenakshi Devi because we were late. So there is no use. Likewise, we arrive at Vallikavu, saw the ashram, went to the beach, Kali temple but did not get darshan of Amma. It is similar to the above.
The most important part of spiritual practices is to attain realization of Devi. It is enough to see Amma, a word of Amma, and look from Amma. Amma smiled, Amma spoke, Amma enquired. We cannot derive this happiness received from anything else. Devi is the beautiful coral idol located in the most important part of a golden palace.
The next mantra in Lalitha Trishati is
Om hrīṁkāra vēdōpaniṣadē namaḥ
(… who is the Upanishad placed in the top of Veda called Hrim)
Hrimkara is compared to Veda. Devi is the part of its Upanishad. Veda has two parts, Karma (Actions) Kandam and Jnana (Knowledge) Kandam. Karma Kandam talks about all noble knowledge necessary for worldly living. It covers dexterity in multiple languages, writing and reading them, learning and remembering, writing poetry, learning Vedas like Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda, learning Upa (sub) Veda like Dhanur, Gandharva, Ayur and so on.
It also covers construction, maintenance of buildings, playing musical instruments like Mridanga, Learning to dance, playing flute and other instruments, carpentry, all knowledge for our living, performing yagas and yajnas. Thus Vedas discuss all such actions in Karma Kandam.
At the same time, Vedas also discusses about the need for ultimate knowledge. This mortal frame is perishable. There is something that is unperishable and pervades in all sentient and insentient objects in the universe. All senses function with the power from this one matter. That principle is the inner witness of all.
A pot is made, ten holes are drilled, one lamp is lit in it. Light is seen through all the ten holes. Our senses are like this. Supreme consciousness is the inner witness of senses. Upanishads teach us the supreme principle in various ways. This is Jnana Kandam. Upanishads teach us that liberation is attained only through the true supreme knowledge.
We can realize through this mantra that even though Vedas are Hrimkara practices, they hint at the karma Kandam of Vedas and Devi tattva or principle is the knowledge behind it. Lalita Trishati teaches us ways for God realization……