INCOMPARABLE MOTHER (Soundarya Lahari 12)

The first twenty sections of Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra describes the exceptional Divine Beauty of the Mother, Maha Tripurasundari! Coming out of the sacrificial fire she is bent on accomplishing the task for the Devas. Her radiance is equal to the rising of a thousand suns! She has ‘pasa, ‘ankusa’ the sugarcane bow and the five arrows! She has drenched the entire universe with her brilliant radiance. ‘Champaka, Asoka and Punnaga’ flowers heighten her beauty.j

Her eyes are like the fish moving about the lake like face of Lakshmi! Her nosegay defeats the twinkling brilliance of the stars in the sky! The sun and the moon are her ear studs or  ‘thatankas’ Her forehead is similar to the mirror made of Padmaraga precious stones! She has filled the heart of her spouse with her smiles! Her neck has the radiance of the ‘ mangala sutra’ tied by Kamesa! With heavy breasts and a narrow waist she is dressed in red clothes. Her soft, tender feet defeat the radiance of the lotus! Her feet are adorned with ringing anklets! Above all Her gait resembles the slow dignified walk of the female Swan!

Sri Sankara, in the twelfth sloka of Soundarya Lahari, questions Sri Mata: “O the daughter  of Himavan, Parvati! Is it possible for the creator Brahma and others poets to compare your Divine beauty to some other person or object? No, it is absolutely impossible! The Apsarasas or the Divine damsels, anxious to witness you glamorous Beauty, perform tapas or penance and attain the unattainable unity and position with Siva through their Manas!”

Sri Mata is not merely beautiful in the ordinary mortal sense! She is the personification of Beauty! “Beauty is Truth, Truth beauty” says John Keats, the illustrious Romantic poet! Devi is ”Adi madhyanta rahita!” She is eternal, indescribable, and an indestructible phenomenon which is Truth or Satya! She is the beauty of the beauty! All beauty springs from her! She is the very origin of Beauty herself! Her exceptional beauty is not that of evanescent transitory good looks of mortal man or woman. “ ayur nasyati pasyatam prati dinam yati kshayam yauvanam” describes a poet! Normal beauty in the world decays as one grows old “ sans teeth sans taste and sans everything!”

“ A thing of beauty is a joy for ever” but what is real beauty? Real beauty is not physical beauty! “ Beauty is not in the face. Beauty is light in the heart” Beauty can also be defined as the illumination of your soul. “The best and the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within heart.” Above all, inner beauty is great!

SRI CHAKRA- A FEW DETAILS

“ Sri Chakra raja nilaya Sri math Tripura Sundarip Sri Siva Sivasakthaika rupini Lalithambika” declares Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra at its end. She resides in the Sri Chakra! She is the most beautiful in all the three worlds. She is the embodiment of the unity of Siva and Sakthi, the dynamic energy! In this sloka, Adi Sankara describes the formation of the Sri Chakra where she is seated in all her glory. “ O Mother!”, says Sankara, “ the Sri Chakra where you dazzle in glory has forty four edges. It is formed by the four Rudras, five Siva sakthis different from Siva himself, nine “ moolaprakrithis”, lotuses of eight and sixteen petals, three circles,  and three lines. Sri Chakra has five Sakthi Chakras viz Trkona, Astakona, two Dasa Kona triangles, and Chaturdasa konas! The Siva Chakras are the Bindu, lotus with eight Petals, lotus with sixteen petals and the Square. Thus the Sri Chakra, with the five Sakthi Chakras and the four Siva Chakras consists of Nine Chakras symbolizing the dual embodiment of Siva and Sakthi.”

Sri Chakra worship is cardinal to Sri Vidya system of worship. It represents the Goddess as Lalitha Maha Tripurasundari, the beauty of the three worlds-- Bhu loka, physical plane, Bhuvar loka-- antariksha or Space, Suvar loka--Swarga or heaven- consciousness of the Divine mind. Sri Chakra is a symbol of Hindu Tantra based on Saktham or the worship of Sakthi! It represents the union of the Masculine and Feminine divisions. Upward pointing isosceles triangles indicate the union of the Goddess with Masculine embodiment Siva. Down pointing triangles symbolize the female embodiment, Sakthi. Thus Sri Chakra is called “Nava Chakra” of nine concentric layers radiating outward from the Bindu. Each corresponds to a mudra,  yogini, and a specific form of the deity Tripurasundari along with her Mantra!

The four ‘ Srikantas’ refer to the four triangles pointing upwards signifying the Siva element. The five triangles pointing downwards are the Siva yuvathis representing the Sakthi element. While the triangles are inside, the parallel lines are outside. In between the parallel lines and the triangles are there three circles. The lotuses are embedded within these circles. While the lotus of eight Petals lies within, the lotus of sixteen petals  remains outside. There are a number of Sri Vidya Peetas all over India and abroad where the Sri Chakra is worshipped! Its worship bestows extraordinary powers, wealth and prosperity! Worship of Sri Chakra with selflessness and Nishkama or desirelessness shall help the sadhaka in taking the Kundalini to the final Sahasrara!

In the microcosm, Sri Chakra constitutes the Jiva, Avidya, Prana, Mind, Buddhi, Ahamkar, Chitta, Karmendriyas, and Jnanendriyas. Similarly in the Macrocosm it constitutes Ishwar, Hiranyagarbha, Virat, Maya, the three gunas Satwa, Rajas and Tamas, the Pancha Bhutas or the Five elements and the Tanmatras. The various deities residing in the Nine Levels of Sri Chakra are described in the “Devi Khadgamala Mantra.” Each Of the Nine Chakras fulfill specific desires of the upasakas if proper worship is rendered to Devi! The Nine Chakras and their names and purpose are listed below.

1 Trailokya Mohana Chakra-the outermost square

2 Sarvasa paripuraka Chakra-outer lotus of sixteen petals. It fulfills all desires

3 Sarva samkshobana Chakra- Inner lotus of eight Petals. It creates terror and confusion

4 Sarva Soubhagya dayaka Chakra- Outermost ring of small triangles, fourteen. It assures all round prosperity.

5 Sarvartha Sadhaka Chakra-the next ring of triangles, ten in total. It ensures the fulfilment of whatever desire the Sadhaka has!

6 Sarva Rakshakara Chakra-Smaller ring of ten triangles. It provides total protection.

7 Sarva Rogahara Chakra- ring of eight triangles. This promises total wellness and health, absence of diseases

8 Sarva Siddhi Prada Chakra- One small triangle containing the Bindu. This offers all Siddhis or mystical powers to the worshipper.

9 Sarva Anandamaya Chakra-the Bindu. It bestows total indescribable Bliss to the worshipper! Hence all the desires and aspirations of worshippers can be fulfilled through the worship of  Sri Chakra and its Nine divisions!

KUNDALINI-ITS DESCENT

Sankara , in the previous sloka, describes the upward journey or the ascent of  Kundalini! In this sloka, the downward journey or the descent of Kundalini is described. “ Kusala komalakara kurukulla kuleswari Kula kundalaya kaula marga tatpara sevitha” is the description of Sri Mata in Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra!  Where is Kundalini exactly? It resides “ in the triangular hollow, the celestial triangle ( Trikona) in the Muladhara lotus.

Sri Sankara says, “ O Mother! From the center of your lotus feet there is a rain of nectar- Amrita that drenches the seventy two nadis! Through Chandra, full of radiance You reach once again Your Muladhara Chakra! You then relinquish the form of snake like coils and enter the delicate opening  of the corner of Sushumna which is verily the Adhara Chakra!

It is there that You sleep!” In other words, Kundalini shakti is in the center of the opening Adhara kunda which is like the nice thread of the lotus flower! Kuhara represents cavity or hollow. Kuharini means ‘she’ who dwells in the cavity or hollow! What is there in Kundalini?  It contains ‘ the abundant flow of ambrosia caused by her union with Lord Siva in the Sahasrara. As she descends, she bathes the Chakras with the nectar and gives radiance.

How do you know that the Kundalini is awakened in an individual? There are number of indications that show the awakening. Courage, unruffled state of mind, dispassion, frequent meditation, loss of desire, contentment, peace, spiritual bliss, discrimination, self control, concentration of mind, faith in God, and devotion signify that Kundalini has awakened in the individual! These signs also show that it has entered the Sushumna Nadi after piercing the Muladhara Chakra!

Steady mind, purity, a strong desire for liberation, mercy,  sweet voice lustre in the eyes are also the qualities of one with awakened Kundalini! The more the rise in the Sushumna and the more the spiritual experiences the more these qualities and signs become marked and well pronounced! However Kundalini doesn't stay for long in the Sahasrara! It is based on the purity, degree of the Sadhana and the inner spiritual strength of the individual!

SATHYA KAMA--SANKALPA

“ Jatasya maranam dhruvam”- That which is born must necessarily die one day. There is no escape according to natural law! That which has no birth has no death. Paramatma is not born! Hence He has no death! Likewise Jivatma is not born and as such It has no death! All things, people,creatures, fauna, flora and everything that is created has to die and decay! What should be the object of man in this world? Should he be regularly born and die in the cycle of birth and death endlessly? Is there no redemption for him? No, during the period of his mortal existence he should live in such a way that it could give him a state of deathlessness thereafter. What has to be done to attain that deathlessness? Think of that Paratma Vishnu who is “ Adi madhya and anta rahita” -one who has no beginning, middle or end! The One that has manifested in many! “ “Ekah paratma bahu deha varthy” The most important quality of Paramatma is “ Satyakama” and “ Satya Sankalpa"! Our desires and wishes are likely to be unfulfilled! “ Man proposes but God disposes” There is no such state for the will of God or His ‘ Kama’ or ‘ Sankalpa’! The will of God shall definitely come true whatever obstacles are in the way!

Several instances there are where the Lord has established this prime quality of 'Satyakama’. At the beginning of the Kurukshetra war Duryodhana went to the great grand old Bhishma. He was readying himself for the fight! He was putting the armor and wearing the sword! He was the commander in chief for the first ten days of the war! Approaching him Duryodhana asked him a ticklish question. “ In how many days can you kill the pancha Pandavas?”, said he. “ What time you require to do the job?”, he added. Bhishma was hurt very much at this wicked question. When Duryodhana repeated the question, Bhishma said that it doesn't require days for him to destroy the Pandavas! He can kill the Pandavas in a minute or in a trice with a single arrow! “But” said Bhishma and paused. Duryodhana who was ecstatic earlier was crestfallen! What does this “But” mean?, he contemplated. Bhishma continued, “ If the Lord, the cause of everything, is not on their side protecting them, I can finish them off in a moment with a single arrow!” Duryodhana left accusing Bhishma of his inability and uselessness in killing the Pandavas!

To the Pandavas, Krishna was not only a friend, philosopher and guide but God or Paramatma himself! How can He fail them? He doesn't mind his will but shall prove the Kama or desire of his great devotees! He will honour the words of his greatest bhaktas! It was thus he emerged as Sri Ugra Narasimha from the pillar to kill Hiranyakasipu! That is how Krishna is compelled to confront Bhishma with his Cakrayudha on the battlefield! Krishna remained neutral and did not fight! He gave his forces to Duryodhana on his request. He agreed to drive the chariot of Arjuna and thus became “ Partha Sarathi!” Bhishma wished that the one who could grant moksha should be present before him in his last moments! The Lord granted his request! It should be the desire of everyone one of us to aspire for such a rare opportunity!

The Lord's Kama or Sankalpa can never fail! He has decided to establish Dharma and save his

devotees by destroying the evil! “ Parithranaya sadhunam vinasayavcha dushkrutham Dharma samsthapa narthaya sambhvami yuge yuge.” Krishna has decided to kill the evil minded Kauravas long before the Kurukshetra war! Accordingly, through Arjuna, His staunch bhaktha, the Lord carries out his Sankalpa! As Arjuna throws down his Gandiva and arrows and becomes despondent and refuses to fight, the Lord disabuses his mind and eggs him on to fight. He wonders why Arjuna sho feel dejected and disillusioned. The body should die one day or other. There is no point in feeling sorry for its death! The Soul is indestructible and eternal! It is foolish to feel sorry for it! In both the cases Arjuna is wrong! After all, the Lord says that he has already killed the evil doers Kauravas including Bhishma, Drona and others! There is nothing left for Arjuna except to aim and shoot his arrows! In fact, it is like killing a dead snake! Man is, after all an instrument in the hands of God! Krishna asserts, “ Nimitta matram bhava Savyasachin."

God’s will, desire or Sankalpa is inexorable and never failing! No power on earth or heaven can stand against it! The stories of all the avatars or incarnations prove it beyond any doubt! Innumerable were the obstacles that the avatars faced in establishing Dharma. But they were all blown away by the will of God! How many asuras were killed during the course of the avatars! Countless numbers during the Krishnavatar were killed for the good of mankind! Can Arjuna’s refusal to fight the Kauravas stop the Daiva Sankalpa of the Lord? The moment God wills, the moment He has the Sankalpa, the deed is accomplished! That is Satyakama or Satya Sankalpa!

THE CHAKRAS AND SRI MATA (Soundarya Lahari 9-)

The step by step movement and progress of Sri Mata in the different Chakras within the body is described by  Sri Sankara in the ninth sloka of Soundarya Lahari. “ Visuddha chakra nilaya rakta Varna tri lochani- Devi has red color, three eyes and a face here. “ Anahatabja nilaya, syamabha vadana dwaya”- in Anahata Chakra She has two faces,dark color, sharp teeth, rosary garland, and seated in blood! “ Manipurabja nilaya vadana traya samyuta”- In Manipuraka Chakra She has three faces, wields Vajra and other arms,and is surrounded by instruments like ‘damaru! Red in color, She likes meat and sweet rice with jaggery! “Swadhistanambuja gata chatur vaktra manohara”-Next in Swadhistana Chakra She has four faces, is very attractive,  has the trident and other arms. She is yellow in color and very proud and arrogant!

“Mooladharambujaruda pancha vaktrasti samsthita”-In Mooladhara Chakra , She has five faces and arms like Ankusa for control over beings! She likes rice mixed with Black gram! “Ajna Chakrabja nilaya sukla Varna, shadanana”- She has six faces in Ajna Chakra and is white in color! She is in bone marrow and is surrounded by sakthis like Hamsavathi! She likes yellow rice! Finally in “ Sahasra dala padmastha sarva varnopa sobhitha” In the final Sahasrara Chakra She is of all colors,  wields all arms, likes all food! Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra describes the various positions and other attributes of Devi as she progresses through these Chakras! Sri Sankara summarizes this movement of Devi and how she evolves and merges into Sada Siva to become Paramatma!

Sankara says, “O Mother, you have pierced the earth in Muladhara, fire in Swadhistana, air in Anahata, space above in Visuddha! You have crossed Manas between the eyebrows in Ajnachakra! Thus You have passed through the entire Kula way. You reach in secret your consort Paramasiva all alone in the thousand petalled lotus Sahasrara!” Muladhara, the base of six Chakras is a lotus of four petals. Kundalini shines there with the effulgence of millions of suns! Earth is the element of this Chakra. While Dakini Devi resides here, Brahma is the presiding deity. Swadhistana Chakra, in the Sushumna Nadi, is at the root of the genitals. Its element is water and Rakini Devi remains there. The presiding deity is Vishnu. At the root of the navel, with ten petals is Manipuraka Chakra. It is a fiery Chakra. Lakhini Shakti resides in this Chakra. Rudra presides over this chakra.

Situated in the throat with sixteen petals is  Vishuddha Chakra of ether or Space. Shakti Shakini dwells there. Sadasiva is the presiding deity. The lotus at Trikute, the “Bhrumadhya” or the space between the two eyebrows is the Ajna Chakra  with two petals. It is the seat of the mind and Hakini Shakti resides there. Shambhu is the presiding deity. This is the region of “ “Omkara or Pranava!

Sri Mata crosses the “chatur vimsati” or the twenty four tattvas and unites with Sadasiva who shines with “Pancha vimsati tattvas! As a result the Universal Mother transforms herself into  “Shad Vimsati tattva” form or twenty six tattvas which is the embodiment of the Absolute Brahman or Paramatma!

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THE SEAT OF SRI MATA ( Soundarya Lahari 8)

Continuing the description of the Divine and extraordinary beauty of Srl Mata, Adi Sankara excels in recording the other details of Her Person and state! “ Sarvarunanavadyangi sarvabharana bhushita Siva Kameswaran kastha Siva Swadhina vallabha” “ Chintamani gruhantasta pancha Brahmasanasthita Maha padmatavi samstha kadamba vana vasini Sudha sagara madhyasta Kamakshi Kama dayini” is the description of Devi in Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra. Soft red color spread all over her body, She is decked with all adornments and rests on  Siva’s thighs! She has totally surrendered herself to her Lord Parama Siva! She resides in the diamond studded house of Chitamani! She has the pedastal of the Five Brahmas! In the forest of great lotus flowers amid Kadamba vana She is pleased to remain! Sri Kamakshi Devi is in the center of ocean of Amrita and grants the wishes of all her devotees! Sri Sankara’s description of Devi coincides more or less with the Sahasra Nama Stotra.!

“ In the center of the sea of nectar, enveloped by the garden of Kalpa Vriksha- the wish fulfilling tree, in the island of precious stones filled with Nipa trees, in the Chintamani diamond  home, O Devi, You reside! There, on the cot of the form of Sivasakti, on the Utsanga--thighs of Sadasiva as the base, You present yourself as “ Chidananda Lahari-the Wave of Supreme Knowledge and Bliss! This exceptional darshan is available to very few realized Souls who worship You” exclaims Sankara  in his ecstasy of the Vision of Sri Mata in his mind!

Gross form of description of meditation of Devi is introduced in the sloka. Absolute consciousness is otherwise called ‘ Chit’. Absolute bliss is Ananda! Lord Siva is the Supreme Being and the Parabrahman himself! Chintamani is the precious wish fulfilling jewel. The ocean of Nectar is Sudha sindhu granting immortality! Sri Mata is the bestower of whatever her devotee wishes. She grants the “ Ashta Maha Siddhis to her beloved bhaktas. The four supports or pedestals are Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra and Iswara! Sushumna Nadi is the outermost sheath and within that is Vajra Nadi. Sushumna is said to be the house of Chintamani! Lotus of the heart corresponds to “Anahata Chakra” and the garden of Nipa trees! The great couch is Parama Siva.

“ In the light of Vedanta”, says Swami Sivananda, “ Para Brahman is the ocean of nectar. Brahmakara- vritti is the island of gems; Om or Pranava is the house of Chintamani. Meditation is the celestial tree. Fourfold means is the garden of Nipa trees. The Koshas are the pedastals.” What does the Grove of Nipa trees denote? It symbolizes the inner peace that the devotee derives just before the darshan of Devi! It denotes a stage where all activities are controlled and there is an overflow of Satwa guna!

When a person walks through very hot Sun and reaches a grove he rejoices at the coolness and peace of mind! Similarly, when the Jiva approaches Devi with meditation after all the vicissitudes in life, he experiences immense peace of mind! “Island of gems” represents the effulgent form of Devi--” Jyotirmayarupini”. By meditation on her, the devotee experiences  flashes of divine light in the beginning and later, through constant practice, realizes continued illumination, ecstasy, insight, intuition, revelation and supreme Bliss ( paramananda).

SRI MATA'S BEAUTY ( Soundarya Lahari 7)

In the seventh sloka of his magnum opus, Soundarya Lahari, Adi Sankara visualizes the glorious beauty of the Mother Goddess Sri Mata in the “ Manipuraka Chakra”. Her beauty is indeed indescribable! “ Raga swarupa pasadya krodhaka rankusojwala Mano rupekshu kodanda pancha  tanmatra sayaka” is how Lalitha Sahasra Nama Stotra describes Her! The Sun and the Moon are her thatankas or ear studs! She has filled the entire universe with the brilliant rays of her radiance! Her nosegay defeats the brilliance of the twinkling stars! Her neck is adorned by the mangalsutra tied by Kamesa or Lord Siva! She is the embodiment of the perfect beauty of the woman! “ Nabhyalvala romali lataphala kucha dwayi lakshya roma latadhara samunneya madhyama sthanabhara dalan madhya patta bandha valitraya” is the special description of Sri Mata’s breast and hip!

How does Sankara visualize the Mother? she has a belt of tinkling bells around her slender waist! She appears a little bent on account of the heavy breasts similar to the temple of young elephant! Her face resembles the full moon of ‘Sarat kala’! She holds in her hand the sugarcane bow, arrows of flowers, Pasa or noose, and an ‘ankusa or spear! Sankare wants such a figure of Sri Mata to appear before him! He is proud of such a presence of Devi before him! What is the significance of the sound of the bells? They signify the Omkara or the Pranava which is Nadabrahma and the source of all sounds in the universe! All languages and melodious music

with its Sapta Swaras-- seven notes and even the chantings of Sama Veda have emanated from Omkara! The ‘ Ankusa or Spear is the emblem of Royalty and control over others. Sri Mata carries various functions and the principle of dynamic energy! “ Suptha prajnathmika turya sarvavastha vivarjita srushtikartri Brahmarupa goptri Govinda rupini Samharini Rudra Rupa tirodhana kariswari Sadasiva ugrahada pancha krutya Parayana" She appears to sleep, at the same time full of knowledge, and in turiya state of deep sleep! She transcends all stages and creates, protects and destroys  as Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra! She vanishes and even showers her grace on Sadasiva! These are called “Pancha Kritya!”

Pasa or noose is the symbol of Death! The unrighteous, those attached to wife, children and property, and full of lust are punished through the eternal cycle of birth and death! The Bow of the Mother represents the Panchakshara- the FIVE LETTERS- Om NaMa Sivaya! Why is the arrow and what is the target? It signifies the Jiva or the Individual Soul. The target is the Brahman or Lord Siva! An attempt has to be made to reach the goal or lakshya-- Lord Siva when the Mother will take you there! Sri Mata’s heavy round breasts are emblems of beauty that nourish everybody as the Universal Mother!

“ Mooladharaika nilaya Brahma grandhi vibhedini Manipuranta rudita Vishnugrandhi vibhedini” is how Sri Mata is described inSri Lalitha Sahasra Nama Stotra! Remaining at Mooladhara chakra of the body, which is the base, she pierces through the knot of Brahma! Later She enters Manipura Chakra and destroys the knot of Vishnu! Manipura chakra is the third primary chakral in our body. It is called the City of Jewels! It is situated between the navel and the Solar Plexus. It is of yellow color. The Chakra is associated with Fire and the power of transformation. Manipura Chakra governs digestion and metabolism in our body and hence is very important for maintenance!

Manipura Chakra is home for Agni and the vital wind ‘Samana Vayu’ one  the five (pancha) Pranas. Prana and Apana Vayus meet at a point here! This Chakra is the  center of dynamism, energy, and will power. Sri Mata is described as “chitsakthis chetana rupa Jada sakthir jadatmika” and “ Iccha sakthi jnana sakthi krya sakthi swarupini” She is awareness, form of awareness; She is inertness and the soul of everything inert! She is the power of Iccha or desire, the executive power behind and the power of Knowledge or Jnana! Manipura Chakra is the seat of this Iccha Sakthi! In our body Manipura Chakra is associated with the Pancreas and outer adrenal gland which create important hormones involved in digestion, converting food into energy for the body. It is Manipura Chakra that radiates Prana throughout the body!

MANMATHA'S VICTORY (Sringara Lahari 6)

Continuing his description of the glory of his Mother Goddess, Sri Mata, Adi Sankara establishes the manner in which She favored him with her side glance! That made him invincible and a formidable power subjugating the the mighty and the most spiritual! She gave life to Manmatha when he was reduced to a heap of ashes by the anger of Lord Siva! Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra refers to the exemplary compassion of Devi! “Hara netragni sandhagdha Kama sanjiva naushadhihi”. She had to show her mercy on Manmatha because he was responsible for the union of Siva and Parvati for the welfare of the entire Devas! Were the Devas unhappy and tormented? Many Asuras had their grudge against the Devas, invaded Heaven, and drove away even Indra the king! They had obtained tremendous powers from their tapas and the boons granted by Brahma and Siva and Vishnu. Unable to withstand the torture from Tarakasura, the Devas approached Brahma for help when he expressed his inability! But he suggested that the help of Kamadeva or Manmatha should be taken to save themselves. Siva and Parvati should be united through the wiles of Manmatha when Karthikeya would be born! He would finally destroy Tarakasura!

Indra summoned Manmatha to his presence and apprised him of his task for the welfare of the Devas. But it was fraught with great danger. Manmatha shuddered at the difficult task entrusted to him. He knew that this attempt would kill him! He hesitated but he was prevailed upon by Indra and other Devas. He reluctantly accepted to carry out the task despite the impending danger. Shiva was in deep penance in the Himalayas and Parvati was looking after His needs during penance! He had to wait for the opportune time and shoot his flower arrows and disturb Siva with amorous feelings for Parvati serving him very closely! How was it possible to shake and disturb the great penance of Siva with flower arrows?

Flowers are soft and fragile and cannot be bent or aimed at some body! Manmatha has only five flower arrows and nothing more after he uses them! They are flowers and cannot be shot as arrows! The five flowers of Manmatha are Aravinda or lotus, Asoka, chuta or mango flower, Nava Mallika or fresh Jasmine,and Nilotpala or water Lily! Vasantha or Spring season is unfit to be the adviser to Manmatha! Manmatha's chariot is ‘ Malaya marutha’-gentle breeze from the South which blows occasionally and is impermanent! With all these inherent disabilities and imperfect tools how can Manmatha shake and perturb the strongest spiritual minds and hearts of Gods and men?

Hiding behind the bushes and brambles, Manmatha waited for opportunity! Parvati came to garland the Lord and that was the exact time when he aimed and shot his arrows one by one! Shiva was, strangely disturbed and He wondered who it was that dared! He opened his third eye in anger and Manmatha who stood there was reduced to a heap of ashes! Six rays emanated from Siva’s third eye and Shadanana, Kumaraswamy was born with six heads and twelve hands! Later compassionate Devi restored life to  Manmatha as Rati Devi,Manmatha’s wife prayed for him.Thus Manmatha lost his personality and became ‘ Ananga’ the one without parts of the body! He would be invisible but could be seen only by his spouse Rati!

“ O Mother! Daughter of the Himalayas! The invisible and bodiless Manmatha, all alone with a bow of flowers, a bow string of bees, five flower arrows, Spring season as his charioteer, soft breeze of Malaya mountains as the war chariot conquers the whole world!  That is because you have favored him with the gentle side glance of your eyes!” Says Sankara explaining her Divine Grace and its effect! The third eye is considered as the eye of intuition or Jnana chakshu. When that is opened Kama or lust is destroyed by the fire of knowledge or Brahma Jnana. It is Devi’s grace that enables Manmatha to  have a sway over the minds and hearts of all people in the world except the Yogis who have sublimated their sexual energy into spiritual energy!

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SRI MATA'S GRACE (Soundarya Lahari 5)

Sri Mata is the embodiment of causeless compassion! “ Avyaja karunamurthi rajnana dwanta dipika” She is the torch that dispels the darkness of ajnana! There is no limit for her kindness!  “Sarvajna Sandra karuna samanadhika varjitha”.She is the knower of all; her kindness is unfathomable! But for Her kindness nothing can move in the universe! Kenopanishad narrates the story of how Agni, Varuna, Vayu and Indra were puffed up with pride and arrogance on achieving their victory over the demons! Uma appeared as a Spirit and humiliated them. They could not burn, move or blow away a straw placed before them! She is the concentration of dynamic energy, bestower of wellness, good position, Lord of everything, the inherent force and the personification of all mantras! “ Sarva Shakti mayi sarva mangala sadgatiprada sarveswari sarvamayi sarvamantra swarupini”. Sankara is all praise for the way she had blessed Vishnu and even the Love God Manmatha!

The Devas wanted ‘Amirta’ for which they teamed up with Asuras.The ocean of milk had to be churned with Meru mountain and Vasuki the king of snakes was the rope with which it had to be churned! The Devas were on the side of the head while the Asuras took the tail to churn! As the churning progressed, terrible fumes and poison were released! The Devas and Asuras ran helter skelter to escape death! On fervent prayers, Lord Siva collected the entire poison into a ball and gulped it down his throat! That was stopped at the neck by Goddess Parvati! That was how Siva came to be called “Nilakanta” because of the black mark on his throat! As the churning continued, amazingly many objects started emerging out of the ocean one by one! The horse by name, Ucchaisrava, Kamadhenu, the white elephant Iravata, Goddess Lakshmi, Chandra, precious stones Kaustubha, Chintamani and many other things came in a procession from the ocean!

Finally came Dhanwantari carrying the “Amirta Kalasa” the pot of divine nectar that granted immortality! Excited at this appearance, the Asuras grabbed the vessel and tried to share it among themselves!The Devas were at a loss and didn't know what to do. They prayed to Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu took the guise of an astonishingly beautiful damsel in her prime youth and created a flutter among the Asuras! They were enchanted at the bewitching beauty of the lady and wanted her favor! She said she would distribute Amrita fairly among the Devas and Asuras and took the vessel into her hands! But cunningly, she distributed the maximum quantity to the Devas! Rahu and ketu, sensing this injustice, sat in the row of the Devas disguising themselves! Detecting their guile, Vishnu beheaded them with his Sudarsana Chakra! Thus Rahu and Ketu, having sipped Amirta, are considered equal to Devas and respected and worshipped!

Referring to this incident, Adi Sankara points out that it is because of worshipping Sri Mata and her Grace that Vishnu could transform himself into the glamorous lady! Sankara says “ O Mother, capable of granting prosperity to your humble devotees! It is because Vishnu worshipped you that he could take the form of that Divine beauty! Even Lord Siva was deceived by the exceptional beauty of Mohini who was Vishnu in reality!” It is said that Lord  Ayyappa was the child of Mohini and Lord Siva and was called “ Harihara Putra! Sankara refers to another incident of her compassion and love that made Manmatha very beautiful!

“ Even Manmatha worshipped Devi and was granted exceptional beauty that made Rati Devi fall in love with him!” comments Sankara! The power of Manmatha is unassailable as he disturbed Siva himself twice; once during Siva’s tapas which led to the birth of Lord Kumaraswamy or Karthikeya! The second time was when Siva fell in love with Mohini and Lord Ayyappa was born! Even sage Viswamitra could not protect himself against the wiles of Menaka when she appeared before him to spoil his penance! Is it not because of Sri Mata's Grace that the Love God is invincible and disturbs the minds of even the greatest sages and seers? questions Sankara in glorifying the Universal Mother!

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LALITHAMBIKA'S FEET ARE ENOUGH (Soundarya Lahari 4)

Ancient science of healing using symbolic gestures and movements of hands and fingers is called “Mudra”. The word ‘Mut’ means bliss! ‘Ra’ means to draw! Hence that which draws bliss is called Mudra! It also means” seal, mark, gesture. While some mudras involve the entire body,most are performed with hands and fingers. A mudra is a spiritual gesture and an energetic seal of authenticity in the spiritual practice of Indian religions. Natya Shastra lists 24 mudras while Abhinava Darpana of Nandikesa has 28 mudra positions that are shown by hands and fingers! Abhaya Mudra is a gesture of fearlessness and represents protection. In Chin Mudra the thumb and the forefinger are joined forming a zero! Rest of the fingers are expanded. Hands are placed palms up on thighs or knees in Vajrasana.

In Adi Mudra the thumb is folded into the palm touching the the base of the small finger. Palms are placed down on the thighs sitting on Vajrasana. In Varada Mudra the arm is crooked and the palm offered is slightly turned up! This Mudra is a gesture of generosity, offering, welcome, charity, giving, compassion and sincerity! ,There are many Mudras that are employed in Yoga practice and maintenance of perfect health of the body and the mind. A few of them are Brahma Mudra, Prana Mudra, AnjaIi Mudra, Vayu Mudra, shunya Mudra, Pruthvi Mudra,  Varuna Mudra, Shakti Mudra, Apana Mudra, Jnana Mudra, Yoni Mudra, Hridaya Mudra, Vishnu Mudra and others! In Sambhavi Mudra the person gazes at the center of the eye brows with eyes half open!

Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra describes Devi as worshipped by ten Mudras! “ Dasa Mudra samaradhyaTripura Sri vasankari” She is Tripurasundari! She is capable of attracting and controlling everyone in the universe. Unlike other Gods and Goddesses she has Jnana Mudra! She is the destination or the goal of all Jnana! She is Jnana or Knowledge Herself!  She herself is the object of Realization! She is also the embodiment of Yoni Mudra! “ Jnana Mudra Jnana gamya Jnana jneya swarupini” She has no worries, is totally free from ego or ahankara! She is absolutely unattached and the destroyer of all attachments or ‘mamakara’! She has no sins and wards off all sins of her ardent bhakthas! “ Nischinta nirahankara nirmoha moha nasini nir mama mamatahantri nishpapa papa nasini”.

Why these references to various Mudras? Sankara, in his love and devotion to the universal Mother, has already described the special effect of Her “Pada dhuli” The Trimurtis, Brahma,Vishnu, and Siva are in a position to create, protect and destroy respectively as they wear the pollen dust of Her lotus feet! Sankara, in his inimitable twist, points out the normal ways of other Gods and Goddesses compared to DEVI’S grace! The manner in which they grant boons to their devotees is entirely different from the way in which Sri Mata offers Her grace and boons!

“ O Mother! the protector of all this universe!,” says Sankara, “ all the other deities have Abhaya and Varada Mudras on their hands and grant various boons to their bhaktas according to their merits.  You are the only Goddess who does not hold any Mudra like them. When you lotus feet are capable of granting immeasurable benefits to your devotees, where is the need for you to hold any Mudra? Your lotus feet grant all wants of your devotees and much more than what they expect! It is absolutely useless for you to hold any Mudra!” By glorifying the pollen dust of Her lotus feet and later expressing the futility of holding Mudras, Sankara wants all devotees to surrender themselves unto Her lotus feet! This total surrender shall absolve everyone from their prarabdha karma and enable them to get salvation or mukti! In every sloka, Sankara brings out some glorious aspect of Mother Goddess!