The third name of Devi from the Lalitha Sahasranama is Srimat Simhasanesvari. Let’s explore the layered meanings of this name and understand Devi as the ultimate Brahman.

Her as The Majestic Ruler

नृपाधिष्टितमासनं सिंहासनमुच्यते ।

The seat occupied by a ruler is called a Simhasana (throne/best-seat). As we explored in the previous name, she is the supreme ruler of existence. The seat she occupies to govern the cosmos is this very lion-throne.

श्रीमत्प्रपंचसात्राज्यलक्ष्मीवच तत्सिहासनंच तस्येश्वरी ईशित्री।

The glorious, sovereign wealth of the universe (srimant) itself is that throne, and she is its Ishvari (Mistress/Ruler).

Her as The Devi Seated Upon the Lion

Alternatively, simhasana can literally mean a seat that is non-different from a lion. A prominent story from the Devi Purana tells of how the Devi, manifesting as a fierce maiden, mounted a lion to slay the buffalo-demon Mahisha (who represents our stubborn ego).

Because she conquered this demon, the Goddess is known as Mahishaghni (Slayer of Mahisha), and as she rides the majestic beast, she is hailed as Simhasaneshwari (Ruler on the Lion-Throne).

Her as The Supreme Destroyer

On a deeper linguistic level, the word Simha implies Himsa (violence or destruction). The great scholar Bhaskararaya grammatically explains this formation as follows:

‘हिसिधातोः सिंहशब्दो वशकान्तौ शिवः स्मृतः। वर्णव्यत्ययतः सिद्धौ पश्यकः कश्यपो यथेति’ ।

The word Simha comes from the root ‘himsi’ (to injure/destroy), just as Shiva comes from ‘vash’ (to desire). It is formed by the transposition of letters (metathesis), just as ‘pashyaka’ becomes ‘kashyapa’.

Similarly, asana can be derived from the verbal root asu, meaning ’to throw’, which implies elimination or casting away.

Therefore, when Simha means destruction and asana means elimination, she is the supreme ruler (isvari) presiding over cosmic dissolution. She is the ultimate destroyer who continuously recycles the universe.

Her as The Ultimate Bramhan

तथाच श्रुतिः’यत्प्रयन्त्यभिसंविशन्तीति’ ।

The the Shruti (Vedas) describes the bramhan as: “That into which all beings depart and enter.”

She is the Parabrahman (Supreme Absolute) into whom all beings and all of creation merge after the cosmic dissolution.

Conclusion

Through the first three names of the Lalitha Sahasranama, Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari is indicated as the ultimate Brahman, encompassing the holy trinity of cosmic functions:

• Sri Mata = The Creator
• Sri Maharajni = The Preserver
• Srimat Simhasanesvari = The Destroyer

श्रीमत्सिंहासनेश्वर्यै नमः

My deepest salutations to the ruler on the lion-throne, Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari.