762. Tryambakā
Tryambakā reveals the Divine Mother as the Three-Eyed Goddess, whose eyes are the Sun, Moon, and Fire. The name symbolizes her omniscience, compassion, and transformative wisdom, teaching that she perceives all times, all worlds, and all states of consciousness while guiding seekers toward the realization of the eternal, non-dual Self.
Tryambakā (त्र्यम्बका)
This is the 762nd name of the Lalitā Sahasranāma.
After praising the Divine Mother as Subhagā, the embodiment of all auspiciousness and blessedness, the Sahasranāma now reveals her as Tryambakā, a name rich with Vedic, Purāṇic, and esoteric significance:
Tryambakā: She who has three eyes; She who sees through the Sun, Moon, and Fire; She whose vision encompasses all time and all existence.
This is the feminine form of the celebrated Vedic epithet Tryambaka, often associated with Śiva in the famous Mahāmṛtyuñjaya Mantra. In the Lalitā Sahasranāma, the name is applied to the Divine Mother, affirming the essential unity of Śiva and Śakti.
1. Literal Meaning
Word-by-word
Tri – three
Ambaka – eye
Literal translation
"She who has three eyes."
or
"The Three-Eyed Goddess."
2. Traditional Meaning
The commentators explain:
The Goddess is called Tryambakā because she possesses three eyes like Śiva.
Her three eyes are traditionally identified with:
the Sun,
the Moon,
Fire.
These symbolize her all-encompassing vision and knowledge.
3. The Three Eyes
The Divine Mother's three eyes are understood as:
Right Eye – Sun (Sūrya)
Represents:
activity,
illumination,
knowledge,
waking consciousness.
Left Eye – Moon (Candra)
Represents:
compassion,
coolness,
grace,
nourishment.
Third Eye – Fire (Agni)
Represents:
wisdom,
spiritual insight,
transformation,
destruction of ignorance.
Together they symbolize complete awareness.
4. Relation to Śiva
The name reminds us that the Mother shares the attributes of Shiva.
Just as Śiva is Tryambaka, the Goddess is Tryambakā.
This reflects the non-separateness of:
Śiva and Śakti,
Consciousness and Power,
the Divine Father and Divine Mother.
5. Devotional Meaning
For devotees, Tryambakā signifies:
omniscience,
protection,
divine watchfulness.
Nothing escapes the Mother's gaze.
She sees:
the outer world,
the inner mind,
the deepest spiritual aspiration.
6. Why Does This Name Follow Subhagā?
The sequence is meaningful.
Subhagā
The Mother is the embodiment of all auspiciousness.
Tryambakā
Her auspiciousness is guided by perfect knowledge and vision.
She blesses because she sees all.
Her grace is informed by complete awareness.
7. Śākta Meaning
In Śākta philosophy, the three eyes symbolize the Mother's control over the fundamental powers of the cosmos.
They are often associated with:
creation,
preservation,
dissolution.
Thus Tryambakā is the ruler of the entire cosmic process.
8. The Three Times
Another traditional interpretation connects the three eyes with:
past,
present,
future.
The Mother simultaneously perceives all three.
Nothing is hidden from her.
9. The Three States of Consciousness
The three eyes may also symbolize:
waking (jāgrat),
dream (svapna),
deep sleep (suṣupti).
The Mother is the witness of all three states.
10. Advaita Vedāntic Meaning
Now the deeper layer.
A profound insight
What is the real meaning of the third eye?
The hidden teaching
The eye of wisdom.
Ordinary Vision
The physical eyes perceive objects.
They reveal the world of names and forms.
Spiritual Vision
The third eye symbolizes insight into reality itself.
It perceives the truth beyond appearances.
The Eye of Knowledge
The Mother's third eye is the wisdom that destroys ignorance.
It is analogous to the fire of Self-knowledge that reveals the eternal Self.
Seeing All as One
Ordinary vision sees multiplicity.
Divine vision sees unity.
The Mother perceives the one Consciousness appearing as all beings and all worlds.
The Witness of Time
Past, present, and future appear within awareness.
The Mother as pure Consciousness witnesses all of them without being limited by any.
Beyond Three
Though she is called Three-Eyed, her true nature transcends all numerical distinctions.
The three eyes symbolize the completeness of her awareness.
Relation to Earlier Names
Observe the progression:
Subhagā: Embodiment of all auspiciousness.
Tryambakā: The Three-Eyed Goddess whose perfect vision governs and blesses all existence.
The Sahasranāma now reveals the wisdom underlying her auspicious grace.
The Non-Dual Meaning
At the highest level, Tryambakā signifies the Divine Mother as the all-knowing Consciousness that illumines every experience. Her three eyes symbolize complete awareness of all states, all times, and all manifestations while remaining established in the non-dual reality beyond them.
A Deeper Contemplation
The name Tryambakā reveals the Divine Mother as the embodiment of perfect vision.
The ordinary mind sees fragments.
The Divine Mother sees the whole.
Her three eyes symbolize a consciousness that embraces:
knowledge and compassion,
illumination and transformation,
time and eternity.
The sequence after Subhagā is especially beautiful.
The Mother is not only auspicious.
She is infinitely wise.
Her blessings arise from complete understanding.
From a devotional perspective, Tryambakā is the ever-watchful Mother whose gaze protects and guides her devotees.
From a Purāṇic perspective, she shares the three-eyed glory of Śiva, revealing their essential unity.
From a Śākta perspective, she governs the powers of creation, preservation, and dissolution.
From an Advaitic perspective, she is the eye of pure Consciousness that witnesses all states, all times, and all experiences while remaining eternally free.
The Mother sees everything because everything exists within her awareness.
Ultimately, Tryambakā teaches that the Divine Mother is the Three-Eyed Goddess whose vision encompasses the entire cosmos. Through the Sun, Moon, and Fire of her divine eyes, she illumines, nourishes, and transforms all existence while guiding seekers toward the realization of the eternal Self.
To contemplate Tryambakā is to invoke the Divine Mother's wisdom, protection, and all-seeing grace.
One-line Essence
Tryambakā reveals the Divine Mother as the Three-Eyed Goddess whose perfect vision illumines all worlds, all times, and all states of consciousness.
