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INTRODUCTION
I
 
The Lalitäsahasranama is a sequel to the Lalitopukh-
yana which forms part of the Brahmanda Purana. It
consists of three chapters. The first is only introductory,
the second gives the thousand names of the great
goddess Lalita and the third contains the usual
phalaśruti.
 
In the introductory chapter Agastya, who has been
listening to the account of the deeds of the goddess
given by Hayagriva, as set forth in the Lalitopakhyana,
asks the latter why he did not include in his narrative
the thousand names of the goddess. He says:-
"You have narrated to me the most wonderful
history of Lalità Devi. You have narrated in detail
the birth of the Mother, then her coronation, and then
her slaying of the demon Bhanda. You have described
Sripura in all its glory and also the greatness of the
Panchadasi mantra...... But you have not told me the
thousand names of Lalità Devi. Have you forgotten
to do so or have you deliberately refrained? Or am I
unworthy of hearing the names?"
 
Thus questioned, Hayagriva replied, "I did not
tell you, because I thought it was a secret. Now that
you have asked me with devotion, I will impart it to
you." And then he gave him the thousand names,
saying that they had been composed by the goddesses
of speech at the express command of Lalita Parames-
vari herself.