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!
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