SESHA SESHI BHAVA (Soundarya Lahari 34)

Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra has described already that the sun and the moon have become the “thatankas” of Sri Mata! “ Thatanka yugalibhuta thapanodupa mandala”. “Kulangana Kulantastha Kaulini Kulayogini akula Samayantasta Samayachra tatpara”- She is the maiden of Kula, its indweller; she is “Kaulini” as well as “Kulayogini.”  She is at the center of the “ Ajna Chakra, pierces through the Rudra Granthi, rides on the thousand petalled Lotus and rains a cascade of Divine Nectar! “Ajna Chakrantharalastha Rudra Granthi vibhedini” “Sahasrarambujaruda sudhasarabhi varshini.” Sri Sankara, from this sloka wants to describe the type of worship called “Samayachara”. Necessary for understanding that are the two branches called “Purva “ and “ Uttara”! These constitute what is called “Kaula mata”! The following two slokas describe the Kaula type of worship.

Sankara says, “ O Bhgavathi, to your Spouse Iswara, You appear as Ananda Bhairavi with the sun and moon as your breasts! You are the body of Ananda Bhairava! It is surprising that His Body appears to be Yours and your Body resembles His! It is thus clear that the relationship between you two is that of “Sesha and Seshi!” This state is common to you both!

Who can be called “ Bhagavathi?” It is the one who has the knowledge of birth, death, arrival, departure, vidya and avidya! Hence Sri Mata is Bhagavati indisputedly! The unity or oneness of Siva and Parvati is emphasized in this sloka. One is the Adhara-container and the other is Adheya-contained! Bhagavati is the body of Sambhu or Lord Siva whose functions are creation, protection and destruction! The word ‘Nawatman’ indicates the nine vyuhas or forms of Iswara or Sambhu.These are Kala, Kula, Naman, Gyana, Chitta, Nada, Bindu, Kala and Jiva. “ Para, Pasyanti, Madhyama and Vaikari sounds constitute the BINDU. Para rises from the nabhi or navel while Madhyama comes from the heart. Pasyanti is from the throat while Vaikari emanates from the mouth!

Iswara or Sambhu is Purusha while Bhagavati or Sri Mata is Prakriti! They are both part and the whole. Prakriti consists of buddhi or intellect, ahamkara, mind, tanmatras, gross elements, jnanendryas, Karmendriyas and the five Pranas! Prakriti is also called as “Ashtangi”, one who has eight limbs viz the Panchabhutas or the Five Elements Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intellect and egoism! This is called ‘ Apara or lower Prakriti.

Apart and above this is the Superior Prakriti or Para Prakriti constituting the life element that sustains the universe. In other words similar to the cup being the container for the ghee, the contained, Siva is the container or supporter while Bhagavathi or Prakriti is the contained or the supported! Since Bhagavathi is the frame or the body of Sambhu, She is one with the Lord! She is inseparable from Her spouse Sambhu!