Lalitha Hand Painted

She who plays. Shri Yantra -- The Red Flower. Merciful Mother of Enlightenment.

Goddess of Divine Bliss and Love.

Lalitha, or Lalita Devi, is called Tripura Sundari ("Beauty of Three Worlds"), Shodashi ("Vermilion-hued"), Lalita ("She Who Plays") and Rajarajeshvari ("Queen of Queens"). Lalitha is an aspect of Parvati/Shakti/Kali.

She is described as one of the group of ten goddesses of devotion in Hindu beliefs, collectively called mahavidyas in the Tantras. The Shri Yantra is described in the Yogini Hridaya (Heart of the Yogini Tantra). In her aspect as Shodasi, she is represented as a young woman, believed to embody sixteen types of desire. The Shodasi Tantra describes Tripura Sundari as "Beauty Of Three Worlds." She is said to be a dusky color, and may be shown in an embrace with Shiva.

Lalitha is associated with the secret mantra of Sri Vidya, the panchadashakshari mantra. A Guru reveals it only to the most highly deserving disciples, as this divine knowledge or vidya should not be shared with anyone who is wicked, depraved or unfaithful. Lalitha's mantra is "tripurasundaryai vidmahe kameshvaryai dhimahi tanno klinne prachodayat."

Lalita holds five flowery arrows, noose, goad and bow, and sometimes a pot of honey. The noose represents attachment, the goad represents repulsion, the sugarcane bow represents the mind and the flowery arrows are the five sense objects. She is considered to contain both Kali's power and Durga’s grace. She has a third eye on her forehead, is four-armed, wearing a red sari and jewels. She is seated on a lotus seat on a golden throne, with a chakra symbol at her feet. She is shown with symbols connected to Shiva. 9" Ganges clay/resin statue, handpainted. #LAL