Lalithambal Shobanam is a popular Tamil devotional poem that narrates the story of Goddess Lalitha, who is also known as Shri Vidya or Tripura Sundari. The poem is a summary of Lalithopakhyanam, a section of Brahmanda Purana, which describes the glory and power of Lalitha Devi.
The poem was composed by an unknown author in a colloquial language used by Tamil Brahmin women in their households. It was recited daily by thousands of women as a part of their morning rituals. The poem consists of 103 stanzas, each ending with the word "Shobanam" repeated twice. Shobanam means "let it be auspicious" or "let it happen", and it was believed that saying this word would coincide with the blessings of two celestial beings who constantly uttered "let it happen" in the sky.
The poem begins with an invocation to Hayagreeva, the horse-faced incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who narrated the story of Lalitha Devi to sage Agasthya. The story tells how Lalitha Devi was born as the daughter of Himalaya Mountain, and how she married Kameswara, the handsome form of Lord Shiva. It also tells how she fought and killed Bandasura, a powerful demon who was created from the ashes of Manmatha, the god of love. Manmatha was burnt by Lord Shiva when he tried to disturb his penance. Lalitha Devi also revived Manmatha at the request of his wife Rathi Devi. The poem also gives a detailed description of Sri Pura, the divine city where Lalitha Devi resides with her consort and her attendants.
Lalithambal Shobanam is a poem that celebrates the beauty, grace and compassion of Lalitha Devi, who is considered as the supreme goddess in some Hindu traditions. The poem also expresses the devotion and faith of the women who recited it with reverence and joy.
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Lalithambal Shobanam is not only a poem, but also a ritual. The women who recited it believed that they would receive the blessings and protection of Lalitha Devi in their daily lives. They also hoped that they would attain the highest state of bliss and liberation by worshipping Lalitha Devi as the supreme reality. The poem was also a source of inspiration and empowerment for the women, who faced many challenges and hardships in their patriarchal society.
The poem has many layers of meaning and symbolism. It can be interpreted as a spiritual allegory, a cosmic drama, a historical account, or a personal experience. The characters and events in the poem represent different aspects of the human psyche, the cosmic forces, the divine plan, or the individual journey. The poem also contains many references to the Tantric and Vedantic philosophies, the sacred geometry, the mantras and yantras, the chakras and kundalini, and the esoteric practices of Shri Vidya.
Lalithambal Shobanam is a poem that transcends time and space. It is a poem that connects the past and the present, the human and the divine, the mundane and the sublime. It is a poem that invites us to explore the mysteries and wonders of Lalitha Devi, who is the embodiment of love, beauty and power.