Namaskaram

S

Sri Shyamala Shodasa Namavali

1. shree shyaamalaa shod'ashanaamaaval'ih'1. om sangeetayoginyai namah'
2. om shyaamaayai namah'
3. om shyaamalaayai namah'
4. om mantranaayikaayai namah'
5. om mantrinyai namah'
6. om sachiveshyai namah'
7. om pradhaaneshyai namah'
8. om shukapriyaayai namah'
9. om veenaavatyai namah'
10. om vainikyai namah'
11. om mudrinyai namah'
12. om priyakapriyaayai namah'
13. om neepapriyaayai namah'
14. om kadambeshyai namah'
15. om kadambavanavaasinyai namah'
16. om sadaamadaayai namah'

Meaning

This Sri Shyamala Shodasha Namavali invokes sixteen sacred names of Goddess Shyamala (Matangi), the embodiment of divine speech, wisdom, and music. Each name represents a unique power — mantra, sound, intellect, and compassion — uniting into her graceful presence.
    1.    Sangeeta Yogini — The Yogini who embodies celestial music.
    2.    Shyama — The dark-hued, compassionate one.
    3.    Shyamala — The gentle, melodious form of speech.
    4.    Mantra Nayika — The ruler of all sacred mantras.
    5.    Mantrini — The divine minister, advisor to the Goddess Lalita.
    6.    Sachiveshi — The one who directs the council of divine powers.
    7.    Pradhaneshi — The supreme controller of all energies and deities.
    8.    Shuka Priya — Beloved of the parrot, symbol of divine speech.
    9.    Veena Vati — The Veena-holding goddess of musical resonance.
    10.    Vainiki — The origin of all melody and rhythm.
    11.    Mudrini — The mistress of mystic gestures and yogic seals.
    12.    Priyaka Priya — The most beloved among the beloved.
    13.    Neepa Priya — Lover of the sacred Neepa flowers.
    14.    Kadambeshwari — The ruler of the Kadamba grove.
    15.    Kadamba Vanavasini — The one who dwells amidst Kadamba forests.
    16.    Sadamada — The ever-joyous, playful, blissful Goddess of divine intoxication.

Summary:
The sixteen names of Goddess Shyamala invoke her musical, mystical, and maternal powers. She is the sound behind creation, the song within silence, and the grace within wisdom. Chanting this Namavali daily bestows eloquence, beauty, inner peace, and success in every art.

Frequently asked questions

What are the sixteen names in the Sri Shyamala Shodasa Namavali?
The list runs Sangeetayogini, Shyama, Shyamala, Mantranayika, Mantrini, Sachiveshi, Pradhaneshi, Shukapriya, Veenavati, Vainiki, Mudrini, Priyakapriya, Neepapriya, Kadambeshi, Kadambavanavasini and Sadamada. Each is offered with Om at the start and namah at the end, so one round of archana takes a minute or two.
Where do the sixteen names of Shyamala come from?
The same sixteen names, in the same order, appear in the Lalitopakhyana of the Brahmanda Purana, in the account of Goddess Lalitha's army where Shyamala is Mantrini, her minister. The namavali turns that list into sixteen salutations for puja.
Why do so many names in the Shyamala Shodasa Namavali refer to a minister?
Mantrini, Sachiveshi and Pradhaneshi all mean the chief minister or counsellor. In Sri Vidya, Shyamala holds that office in Lalitha's court, which is also why she is called Mantranayika, the leader of mantras.
What do Shukapriya, Veenavati and Vainiki tell us about Shyamala?
These names describe her usual image, a dark goddess who holds and plays the veena and keeps a parrot she is fond of. Read with Sangeetayogini, the first name, they explain why musicians keep a special regard for Shyamala.
Why does the Shyamala Shodasa Namavali keep returning to the kadamba tree?
Neepa is another word for kadamba, so Neepapriya, Kadambeshi and Kadambavanavasini all tie her to the kadamba grove. The list ends with Sadamada, the one who is always joyful, and several of its names come back in the Shyamala Kavacham as guardians of the body.

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