Saguna Adi Parashakti Devi Rajarajeshwari

Devi Lalita Maha Tripura Sundari is the saguna (that whose attributes are perceptible) manifestation of the Adi Parashakti (timeless and transcendental). There is none in paraloka that is the equal of Her saundarya (beauty; ‘sundari’ is that who is possessed of saundarya) va shakti (strength). The life-sized oil painting that you see on this page testifies to the glamour of the Devi Rajarajeshwari, the wife of the all-powerful Lord Sadashiva, who lies beneath Her on a throne of gold and blue velvet.

Like the sliver of moon on His hair, half a moon is balanced on Her crown. Beneath it is a composure of all-encompassing wisdom and compassion. It is with all the love and devotion of a husband that the twilight-coloured Lord Shiva looks on at His beauteous wife. Adorned with ample proportions of gold and a garland of fresh flowers, Her chaturbhujadhari (four-armed) lalitasana (stance) roopa justifies the import of each of Her names in the sahasranama.

The presences of Devi Lakshmi and Devi Sarasvati on either side of Devi Rajarajeshwari’s throne add to the beauty and auspiciousness of the composition. Her throne is surrounded by seated sages of paraloka, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma. The Shri Yantra is affixed beneath Her feet, which in turn is flanked by Lord Ganesha and Lord Skanda. From the folds of Her brocaded saree to the reflection of light off the peacock lamps, these aspects of the painting have been done with remarkably lifelike brushstrokes.