Bhakthi yoga or the path of Devotionis the easiest way to God-realisation in this Yuga of Kali. In this age of Kali, it is practically impossible to be aJnani i.e., one who possess Total Knowledge or Universal Wisdom.Karma Yoga, or the path of Action, may not be possible for those whoare physically unfit or sick. (Ajamila in his death bed)The sages of the ages have said that there are three ways to realisethe presence of God within us: Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga and BhakthiYoga. Unableto recognize them he called out to his last son, "Narayana, pleasecome and see what these visitors want." Although he was not a devoutperson, Ajamila attained `moksha' or salvation, just because heuttered the name of the Lord-Narayana –at the time of his death!Such is the power of uttering the name or `naama' of God and vedicscholars never tire of citing the story of Ajamila to drive homethis truth. Actually they were the agents ofYama, the Lord of death, who had come to take away his soul. When his end was nearing Ajamilasaw some strange beings around him. Heleft his wife and went to live with a woman who was practising theoldest profession in the world(prostituion) and had many children through her ofwhom the last was named Narayana. If jasmineflowers are offered in the sacrificial fire (Homa) whilst chantingthe sahasranaam, then one attains fame and also attracts otherpeople to him.Ījamila led a wayward life, away from the path of righteousness. Lalitha Sahasranaam is a conversation between Agastya andHayagriva, as in Vishnu Sahasranaam between Bhishma and Yudishtira and asin Lakshmi Sashasranaam between Gargya and Sanatkumara. Merits earned by chanting is considered equivalent to the merit earned by visiting places of pilgrimage, for those who are unable to visit these places.The efficacy of chanting this litany has been culled from Soubhagya Bhaskara an ancient treatise. Lalita Sahasranama chanting also harmonizes any negative effects that might come due to rituals or pujas that were not completed, or that were not performed in right manner.
When chanted by a lady, it has a very positive effect on the household and the family relationships. It is can also chanted with a specific desire in mind. For ones recite these thousand names get both pleasures as well as salvation.
There is no prayer similar to this one, which would give both pleasure and salvation. It is believed if recited with devotion Sri Lalitha, the Mother Divine fulfills both spiritual and materiel aspirations, and bestows Karya Siddhi (fortune of getting good things done successfully). Lalita Sahasranama (thousand names of goddess Lalitha) is an ancient Sanskrit text praising the virtues, aspects, greatness and manifestations of Mother Divine.