Chaturbahu Samanvita

Chaturbhuja Samanvitā 

She Who is Endowed with Four Arms and Embodies the Form of the Sri Chakra

The seventh nama in the Lalita Sahasranama, Chaturbhuja Samanvitā, unfolds the Divine Mother’s manifestation in a form that can be seen and worshipped. Chaturbahu translates to “four-armed,” while Samanvitā suggests “consisting of” or “endowed with.” This name carries layers of meaning, from the visible form of the Divine Mother with four arms to the deeper cosmic symbolism of the Sri Chakra.

The Transition from Light to Form: Nirguna to Saguna

In the previous name, Udyatbhānu-sahasrabhā, the Divine Mother is described as pure light, luminous like a thousand suns — a formless, radiant presence. Now, in Chaturbhuja Samanvitā, this luminous essence has taken a physical form. The formless nirguna (without attributes) has become saguna (with attributes), embodying a shape that the devas and devotees can perceive. This transition from light to form is the Divine Mother’s way of making herself accessible, embodying compassion through a recognisable form.

Four Arms: The Symbol of the Divine’s Sthula Rūpa

In her sthula (gross, physical) form, the Divine Mother is often depicted with four arms, symbolising her complete power and support to the cosmos. Each arm represents a different aspect of divine qualities or blessings she bestows upon her devotees, such as protection, wisdom, abundance, and compassion. Her form with four arms reflects her readiness to engage with the world in an approachable, worshipful form.

Chaturbahu as Chaturasra: The Trailokya Mohana Chakra

Beyond the physical form, Chaturbahu has another significant meaning. The word also implies chaturasra, a quadrilateral or four-sided shape representing the Trailokya Mohana Chakra, or Bhupura, the outermost layer of the Sri Chakra. This square-shaped formation acts as the “ground” or foundational layer, symbolising the stability of all realms (Trailokya) within the Sri Chakra.

All the avaranas (sacred enclosures) of the Sri Chakra are contained within this quadrilateral. Therefore, Chaturbahu Samanvitā not only symbolises her four arms but also hints at her presence within the Sri Chakra, where she embodies the entire structure of creation, from the outer realms to the innermost essence.

The Sri Chakra in Upasana: The Yantra of Divine Manifestation

In upasana (devotional practice), practitioners begin by worshipping the Trailokya Mohana Chakra, this outer square, symbolising the entry into divine energy. To invoke the Divine Mother, one worships the Sri Chakra in its complete form, beginning with the outer chaturasra, which encompasses all sacred enclosures (nava avaranas).

This sequence also reflects the manifestation process in the Agni Kunda, where, following the initial spark of light, the Sri Chakra gradually emerged as a subtle yet structured form, revealing the cosmic plan. The Mother’s form manifests from this yantra, bridging the physical and divine.

Yantra, Vigraha, and Jyoti: The Manifestation of the Divine

The Chaturbahu Samanvitā name reveals the secret relationship between the Divine Mother’s three forms: vigraha (sthula, physical form), yantra (sacred geometry), and jyoti (light). The yantra is intermediate between the luminous essence and the physical image. It is subtler than the physical form yet denser than pure light.

• Vigraha (Form): The physical representation of the Divine Mother, embodying both light and yantra.
• Yantra (Sacred Geometry): A subtler form than the physical, representing the structural essence of the cosmos within which the Divine Mother resides.
• Jyoti (Light): The pure, radiant essence that first appeared, transcending all forms and illuminating the true nature of the Divine.

Chaturbahu Samanvitā encapsulates the journey from light to form, revealing the Divine Mother as both accessible and transcendent. Her physical form contains the yantra, which holds the divine light, symbolising the union of form and essence, structure and light.

The Esoteric Meaning: Form, Energy, and Consciousness in Harmony

As Chaturbahu Samanvitā, the Divine Mother represents the harmony between the visible and the invisible, the formless and the formless. Her four arms are symbols of power and support and represent the four dimensions of reality containedwithin the Sri Chakra. The yantra, positioned between pure consciousness (light) and manifest reality (form), serves as a bridge, allowing the Divine Mother’s presence to permeate all levels of existence.

This name reminds us that every aspect of creation manifests the Divine Mother’s energy, carefully woven into a tapestry of light, form, and sacred geometry. Her chaturasra form, as represented by the Sri Chakra, reveals that she is not only the form that we can see and worship but also the underlying energy matrix that sustains all realms of existence.

Reflection on Chaturbhuja Samanvitā

In Chaturbhuja Samanvitā, Lalitha Devi embodies divine accessibility, wisdom, and support. She emerges not only as a four-armed deity who holds power and compassion in equal measure but also as the essence of the Sri Chakra, where every boundary and enclosure holds a part of her presence. This name inspires us to see her in both structured forms, like yantras and vigrahas, and to connect with the pure light of her being, which flows through every form, every symbol, and every spark of creation.