In the first twenty one slokas of Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra, the Vasinyadi Devtas glorify the ethereal beauty of Sri Mata by describing every part of her person. Her radiance that had drenched the entire universe, Her beautiful moonlike face, Champaka, Punnaga flowers adorning Her locks of hair, the crescent occupying her plait of hair, the eyes crisscrossing like the fish in a lake, Her nose shining like the fresh blossomed Champaka flower, the nosegay that defeated the shine of the stars, and the moon and the sun forming Her ‘thatankas’ are descriptions that can never be equalled! Even Her breasts and the lower parts of the body are delicately described! She is extremely compassionate, Knower of everything and does not discriminate between the humble and the noble! “ Sarvajna sandra karuna samnadhika varjitha” She is full of Sringara rasa-- romantic feelings! She is called Jaya and stationed at Jalandhara Peetam! Her mouth is full of “tamboola”-a mixture of betel leaves and arecanut. She shines in the hue of the flower of pomogranate! ”Thamboola poorita mukhi Dadimimikusuma prabha.”
The obsession for the beautiful face and other features of Sri Mata has not left Sri Sankara! He has compared Her locks to the black lillies! Her forelocks covering her face have increased Her beauty and mock at the beauty of the lotus! Her forehead along with the crescent is actually the full moon! Her left eye is the Sun that creates the day while the right eye being the Moon forms the night! Her looks are always spread out, compassionate, invincible, indescribably sweet, protective and bringing good to all! Now Sankara describes what her look means to different persons! Says Sankara, “ O Mother! Your gaze at Kameswara is full of Sringara rasa--romantic feelings! It is terrible for others. It is an expression of anger for Ganga who is said to be the second wife of Lord Siva who bears her on his head! It creates an amazement to the Lord's ‘Trinetra’ or the Third Eye! Sri Mata's look creates panic and terror among snakes winding themselves around the neck of Kameswara and is red beating the color of the lotus! It is humorous for the friends of Sri Mata! Sankara finally says that Her look is compassionate to him! Thus the look of Devi is a combination of all rasas' or feelings!
Devi as Parabrahma swarupini is always compassionate. All are equal to her. But depending on the actions and attitude of an individual her attitude changes! She is for Dharma or righteousness. She would never tolerate adharma or unrighteousness. Incarnation or avatar takes place for the establishment of Dharma and the destruction of evil. The Lord, in the Bhagavdgita has clarified the aim of an avatar.” Paritranaya sadhunam vinasayacha dushkritam Dharma samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge.” In that process the good are protected while the bad are eliminated!
In a family, with husband, wife and children, the way in which they look at one another differs according to relationship! The husband's look is romantic as he looks at his wife and is reciprocated by the wife.The look of the husband and wife towards their children is always affectionate. The relationship is filial! Children too return love and affection in their looks! The cat carries its kitten in its mouth gently and softly! But the same cat, when it catches a mouse, tears it off violently! The mouse is its food and enemy!
Devi is the protector of the entire universe! She is very affectionate and compassionate to her children and devotees! But to the evil-minded and the bad she is a terror and nightmare! That is why She took avatar as Rajarajeswari to destroy Bhandasura and his accomplices! Even then her compassion gave them salvation! In every avatar the good are blessed while the bad are eliminated for the evil and adharma perpetrated by them! The look of Devi differs from one to another based on the good and evil deeds! Thus Hiranyaksha, Hiranyakasipu, Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Kamsa, Sisupala, Chanda, Munda and Bhandasura perished! Sankara hints at this aspect of Devi's look which is good for the good but terrible for the bad and evil-minded!
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