A Tantric goddess, the symbol of cosmic energy and secret ruler of the world. She is the → Śakti, the female and—in India—dynamic force, from whose union with the malestatic principle of → Śiva, the transitory world of...

Lalita (sometimes written Lalitha) is another name for Devi and means elegant or beautiful. The thousand names of Devi are recited in the Lalita sahasranama, which is considered one of the greatest prayers to Lalita, an aspect of Parvati. Lalita is also...