Speaking about the face and eyes of Sri Mata, Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra points out that her “ mriganabhi” mark is similar to the spot on the moon! The ‘mangala sutra’ on her beautiful face is like the colorful festoon decoration! Her agile eyes are similar to the fish criscrossing the lake like face of Lakshmi! “Mukhachandra kalankabha mriganabhi viseshika Vadanasmara mangalya griha torana chillika Vaktra Lakshmi Parivaha chalan minabha lochana” The description continues and the nosegay and it brilliance, the ears decked with Kadamba flowers, as well as Her ‘thatankas’ formed by the sun and the moon are described exceptionally! Her ‘Kapola’ is a mirror of Padmaraga stone! She has drenched the Manas of Kamesa with the brightness of Her Divine smile!
Sri Sankara is totally lost in his devotion for the Divine Mother! He is not ready to describe anything else without exhausting the features of Her face! He is unable to withdraw his looks from the exceptional beauty of Her face! Everything about Her face is so beautiful that he is unable to think of anything else! The result is that he now starts describing and explaining her looks and their effect and efficacy. Says Sankara, “ O Mother! Your looks are 'Visala'-very broad and not restricted to a particular locality. They are forever conducive to general happiness for all. Not only this, they are bright and radiant and invincible! They bring a cascade of universal compassion! They are indescribably sweet and encompass everything! They are forever protective! They have conquered a cluster of various cities and towns! Your Looks, thus, are eligible to be called by the names of the cities and towns!”
There are eight cities called Visala, Kalyani, Ayodhya, Dhara, Madhura, Bhogavati, Avanti and Vijaya. In the same manner, there are eight varieties of Devi's Looks! Visala look is endowed with radiance! Kalyani look has an element of surprise! Ayodhya look has the eyes open with the black pupils! Dhara look is a little tired and sluggish! Madhura look is vacillating and unsteady! Bhogavati look is called “Asruna”! Avanti look is called ‘Mugdha’! Vijaya look brings both the black pupils together! These are called “Akekaras” and equal to women!
What is the significance of these looks of Devi? Why does Sankara allude to these special looks of the Divine Mother? These looks of Devi are capable of creating good as well as bad effects on those who receive them! They are responsible for creating ‘ samkshobhana’- confusion, ‘Akarshana’- --attraction, ‘Dravana’, ‘ Unmadana-- insanity or madness, Vasya--control over others, ‘Ucchatana’-driving away all evil influences, Vidveshana’--enmity and hatred, and ‘ Marana’ inflicting death!
The city Vijaya is the place from which Sri Mata fought and achieved victory over Her enemies through Her ‘akekara look of Vijaya! Likewise the city Visala is the place from where She created ‘Samkshobhana’ -confusion through Her Visala look! Sri Sankara, while appreciating the beautiful and delicate looks of Devi, dwells on the effect of those looks on humanity and how they create different moods and feelings!
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