DEVI'S NOSEGAY (Soundarya Lahari 61)

During the “Kesadi padanta'” description  Sri Mata's form is given special importance by the Vasinyadi Vagdevatas! Every ‘anga’ of Devi is specifically described. She has emerged out of the sacrificial fire for the purpose of defeating the asuras tormenting the Devas! With four arms and pasa and ankusa she shines forth with the coruscating brilliance of thousand Suns! She has equipped Herself with the sugarcane bow and the flower arrows of Manmatha! The beauty of Her form is incomparable and indescribable as She has decked Herself with excellent flowers like the Champaka, Asoka and Punnaga! Her face is similar to that of the full moon with ‘mriganabhi’ mark resembling the spot on the moon! The ornament on Her nose-- nosegay shines like the freshly blown Champaka flower! The nosegay shines mocking the brightness of the stars in heaven! “ Navachampaka pushpabha nasadanda virajita Tarakanti tiraskari nasabharana bhasura. ” Vasinyadi devatas continue and are ecstatic in describing the other parts of Devi's Divine form!

Pleading for Devi’ sideward glance on him, Sankara says that his birth shall find its fulfilment only then! He compares Her eyes to the arrows of Manmatha and the earlobes to the bow of the Love God! That illusion is created by the proximity of the eye and ears! Taking the metaphor further, Sankara continues and says that Her two ear studs refllect on her exquisite cheeks as four! He considers it as the chariot of Manmatha with four wheels! He wonders how Mamatha could oppose Iswara proceeding to destroy the Tripurasuras with earth as His chariot, sun and the moon as two wheels and the Vedas as the horses followed by Devas and the Pramatha Ganas! Sankara, in his vision observes Goddes Sarasvathi nodding her head vigorously and enjoying Devi’s songs even as her ‘kundalas’ produce strong tinkling sound!

In line with the description of  Devi's nosegay in Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra, Sankara takes up Devi's nose for his explanation! Says Sankara, “ O Mother, the flag post of the clan of Himavan! let the flute of Your nose be near to us and grant us deserving fruits! This flute of Your nose has pearls that have slipped from the left Chandranadi’! Because of this, Your left nostrl tip wears the  Pearl of Chandra Nadi!”

It is the nature of true devotee to expect well being through every part of the Divine form! Hence Sankara expects that Devi's Nose shall bring him and all others wellness and  happiness! The Flute is a wind instrument and the air passing through it is modulated into different notes by the mastery of the player and the dexterity of his fingers! As Prana or breath passes through the nose, Sankara compares Devi's nose to the flute! The pearl at the tip of Her nostril is compared to the one inside the Chandra Nadi on the left!

Nadi is the term representing the channels through which, according to Indian traditional medicine and spiritual science, the energies of physical, subtle and causal bodies flow. Surya is the Sun- your breathe in. Chandra is the Moon--your breathe out. Through the control of breath- Pranayama- the breathe in and breathe out--we can release suffering, heartache, depression and create the highest enlightenment, bliss and miraculous capability! Our right nostril is Surya Nadi and the left nostril is Chandra Nadi. Inhaling and exhaling is an automatic process throughout our lifetime. This represents the Vedantic principle-- ‘So ham’ ‘Ham sa’ or the Brahman! Through proper control of Breath or Prnayama one can increase his longevity and live for more than hundred years! That is how our Sages and Seers  lived for centuries together!

SARASWATHI NODS HER HEAD (Soundarya Lahari 60)

Describing the glorious attributes of Sri Mata,Vasinyadi Vagdevatas point out the dexterity of Devi in music and literature!  She is the personification of all sixty four arts! She is an expert in artistic discourses! “ Kalavati kalalapa kantha kadambari priya”. Not only this, She is a redoubtable debater, who can demolish any opponent through Her arguments! “ Vagvadini vamakesi vahnimandala vasini”. She is the very heart of fine arts, the master and one who revels in discussion of kavyas-epics! “Kalathmika kalanatha kavyalapa vinodini sachamara Rama Vani savya dakshina sevitha”- She is fanned with chamaras-- a kind of fan with feathers, by the Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati on Her left and right! She is the Knower of all Vedanta- the essence of all Vedas as well as the embodiment of Satya- Truth and Ananda or Bliss! “ Sarva Vedanta samvedya satyananda swarupini”.

Is there any limit for the attributes of Sri Mata who is “ Akhilandakoti Brahmanda Nayaki?- the Lord of all the worlds in the universe?  She is the very form of all languages, has a huge army, bereft of ‘bhava’ feeling and 'abhava'- absence of feeling! She is Rajarajeswari, the bestower of kingdoms and the queen of all Kingdoms! “Rajarajeswari rajyadayini rajya vallabha”.Vasinyadi Devatas are never tired of glorifying the countless attributes of Sri Mata. She is the essence of all ‘Chandas’--rules of prosody and composing, of all Sastras and Mantras or invocations! She grants peace and rest to mortals tortured by the inescapable cycle of birth, death and old age! She is well versed in the Upanishads, and the very center of art that transcends peace and calmness! “Janma mrityu jaratapta Jana visranti dayini Sarvopanisha dudgushta santyatita kalatmika”

Earlier Sri Sankara has described Sri Mata's earlobes as the bow of Manmatha and the eyes that cross lobes as the arrows of the Love God! In another twist of imagination he calls Her face with exquisite cheeks that reflect the two earstuds, as chariot of Manmatha! He wonders how Manmatha could target Lord Siva who with earth as chariot and the sun and the moon as the two wheels and the Vedas as the horses, killed Trpurasuras! Sankara now exults in the sweet music and songs Devi is engaged in! Says Sankara,” O Mother, the spouse of Sarva (Siva), Your melodious and mellifluous song is being heard and enjoyed by Goddess Saraswathi! Even as she nods her head in total enjoyment of Your music, her ear studs produce a tinkling sound! I consider that as an appreciation and praise for Your music!”

Strange and amazing indeed is the poetic imagination of this devotee, Sankara! He says that Devi's words beat the cascade of Divine nectar! They are so sweet like honey. In his vision Sankara sees Goddess Saraswathi drinking deep the beauty of Devi's song continuously! As a result of this ecstasy, she nods her head without a stop! Her earstuds (kundalas) produce a sweet tinkling sound as if Goddess Saraswathi is appreciating and extolling Devi's music and song!

Every poet has what is called poetic license! We cannot take exception to pictures

painted by Sankara's imagination! Sankara has embellished the image of his Divine Mother through his rare poetic vision! In doing so, he has derived inexplicable delight, not only for himself, but passed it on to the readers of Soundarya Lahari! Every sloka is a gem of description involving flights of imagination, fancy and imagery!The reader who understands and enjoys each and every sloka is really fortunate! Devi shall surely bless him!

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MANMATHA'S CHARIOT (Soundarya Lahari 59)

From the first sloka of Soundarya Lahari Stotra to the twenty first sloka the beauty of Sri Mata is   glorified in no uncertain terms! The ‘Kesadi padanta’ description does not leave any part of the form of Devi untouched! Her radiance, purpose, bow and arrows, the ‘pasa’, flowers and ornaments, more importantly Her face similar to the full moon, the eyes flitting across like the fish are described in detail. Her nose gay is of the brightness of fresh Champaka flower! The ornament of Her nose dims the brightness of the stars! She decks Herself with flowers of different hues and looks very pretty! Devi has the sun and the moon for Her ear studs or thatankas!  “ Vaktra Lakshmi Parivaha chalan meenabha lochana navachampaka pushpabha nasadanda virajita Tarakanti tiraskari nasabharana bhasura kadamba manjari klapta karnapura manohara thatankayuglibhuta tapanodupa mandala” Sankara too is inspired by the beauty of Devi's face and her eyes. He looks at Her face and eyes in different angles and with rare poetic

zeal explains their significance! His interpretation of the nature and beauty of Her eyes and ears is astounding!

Sankara requests Devi to extend Her benevolent looks, beautiful like the half open ‘kaluva’- Lily flowers! His life shall find its true fulfilment only then! She would not lose anything by doing so. Her earlobes create an illusion in the minds of people since they look like the bow of Mamatha!  The wide eyes crossing the earlobes appear to be the dangerous arrows of the Love God! Says Sankara, “ O Mother! The two ear studs, reflected on your exquisite cheeks look like four! Looking at this face with the two earstuds, I consider it as the four wheeled chariot of Manmatha! Is it not the one with which Manmatha targeted Lord Siva who fought the asuras, with earth as His chariot, the sun and the moon as the two wheels and accompanied by an army of the Pramathaganas?”

Sankara points out that Lord Siva went to fight the Tripurasuras with earth as his chariot, Brahma as the driver, and the sun and the moon as the two wheels of the chariot and Narayana as the arrow! He was accompanied by all Devas and the Ganas. Finally He killed them to the great delight of Devas who heaved a sigh of relief. Such a great invincible Hero like Lord Siva is targeted by Manmatha with the exceptionally beautiful face of Sri Mata which is like the chariot of Manmatha with four wheels-- the two studs reflected as four on Her beautiful cheeks! Sankara compares the heroism of Lord Siva to that of the Love God and suggests that it is Manmatha that wins finally!

The story of Tripurasura samharam is narrated in the Bhagavata Purana. Vidyunmali, Tarakaksha, Viryavana, sons of Tarakasura performed tapas in different poses for three thousand years! They demanded immortality from the creator Brahma which he refused as impossible. They wanted as an alternative, three forts, of gold, silver and iron where they would live for a thousand years! The forts would align as one once in thousand years. This combined fort is called Tripura! Anyone who destroys Tripura, at the time of alignment, with a single arrow shall kill them! Accordingly the boon was granted and the forts were built by Maya the architect. The asuras flourished. But the Devas were uncomfortable! Lord Siva told them that the asuras have not committed any sin and so nothing can be done! Lord Vishnu suggested that the asuras should be forced to commit sin so that they can be killed! He created a man with a shaven head to preach a religion against the Vedas!

The disciples went to the forts and spread the new religion against the Vedas, worship, non belief in heaven and hell! The new religion was so convincing that even sage Narada was confused and converted! Vidyunmali at length accepted the religion! People opposed the Vedas, worship and fell into evil ways! They committed sin! Knowing this, Lord Siva agreed to destroy  the asuras. He had the earth as His chariot with the sun and the moon forming the wheels of the chariot! Creator Brahma drove the chariot!The four Vedas became the horses and the Lord proceeded against the asuras! The three forts aligned into Tripura at the same moment! At this opportune moment the Lord shot His arrow with Lord Narayana at itq s tip! That saw the end of Tripura and  Tripurasuras! Lord Siva came to be called ‘Tripurantaka!’ Sankara alludes to this incident to demonstrate the Lord's great heroism and invincibility! Manmatha aims his arrows at the Lord and wins too!!! There is another version in Tamil Literature that the Lord destroyed them by his explosive laughter!

THE ILLUSION OF DEVI'S EYES (Soundarya Lahari. 58)

In the first few slokas of Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra, Vasinyadi Vagdevatas glorify the face, ears and the eyes of Lalithambika along with their adornments! Sankara later in his Soundarya Lahari embellishes their description! “ Vaktra Lakshmi Parivaha chalan meenabha lochana navachampaka pushpabha nasadanda virajita Tarakanti tiraskari nasabharana bhasura  Kadamba manjari klapta karnapura manohara Thatanka yugalibhuta thapanodupa mandala”!

Her eyes are like the criss crossing fish in a lake; the nosegay bright and fragrant as the fresh Champaka flowers; the ears that have the sun and the moon as their studs!

Explaining the beauty of Devi's eyes, Sankara says that they are exceptionally attractive with collyrium applied to them! The combination of the white, black and red colours represent the three Gunas, Satwa, Rajas and Thamas with which Devi wants to recreate the Trimurtis after the Mahapralaya or the Great Deluge! Sankara further envisions Her eyes as the arrows of the Love God Manmatha that destroyed the penance of Lord Siva and made him romantic! He points out that Devi always keeps Her eyes open so that the universe, Her own creation, is not annihilated! The fish hide themselves fearing that they may be called thieves for keeping their eyes open! Having said these things, Sankara requests Devi to extend Her Divine looks to him who is at a distance. That would be the fulfilment of his birth!

In the fifty eighth sloka of Soundarya Lahari, Sankara once again brings in the idea of Manmatha and his sugarcane bow! This time Sankara comes a little below and describes the two ear lobes!

Says Sankara, “O Parvathy! the daughter of the Himalayas! Your two ear lobes are bent even as your eyes cross them! All mistake them as the flower arrows and the ear lobes as the sugarcane bow of Manmatha! It is an illusion created by the situation of the eyes and the ear lobes!”

Sankara suggests that Devi's eyes are so wide that they reach Her ears! She is described as “Rajiva pathrekshana”- one having eyes as broad as the petals of the lotus flower! This is one of the most important qualifications of beauty! Being so wide, the eyes naturally reach the ears of Devi! The earlobes are semicircular and fit enough to have the Sun and the Moon as thatankas! Sankara's imagination leads him to think that the earlobes, being bent like a bow, look like the bent bow of Manmatha! The eyes of Devi, crossing the bent earlobes, appear to be the flower arrows shot by the Love God Manmatha!

Ingenious imagination indeed! Devi, despite Her divinity is the embodiment of Sringara rasa--romantic feelings! “Sringara rasa sampurna Jaya Jalandhara sthitha!” She is also described as “ Kamya kamakalarupa Kadamba kusumapriya”- She is desire Herself and the personification of “Kamakala-- the art of Love! We may wonder why Sankara often refers to Manmatha, his bow and arrows in describing Sri Mata! It is because Mamatha and his spouse Rati Devi are the standards of beauty! Whenever we want to praise people we say he or she is as beautiful as Manmatha and Rati Devi respectively! Sankara as the dear child of Sri Mata, thus brings in the name of Manmatha, his bow and arrows to heighten the Divine Beauty of his chosen Goddess Tripurasundari! What is wrong with the dear son of Devi when he so minutely describes the beauty of his own Mother?

SANKARA'S WISH (Soundarya Lahari 57)

Is there any limit for the causeless compassion of our Divine Mother? With all our faults and transgressions, She overlooks them with Her infinite patience and love! That is why  she is described in Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra as ” Avyaja Karuna murthy rajnana dhvanta Deepika”--the one who is the embodiment of causeless compassion and the torch that dispels the darkness of ‘Avidya or Ignorance!’ While it is so for all Her children in the universe, will it not be special and exclusive for Her staunch devotees and upasakas like Sri Sankara? They are all special for Her. Did not the stupid and ignorant wood cutter become the great Kalidasa, one of the greatest poets in Sanskrit literature admired even today? It is all because of Her Grace and Divine love! She is called “ Bhakta paradhina”- one under the control of Her devotees! Explaining Her partiality towards Her bhakthas, Vasinyadi Vagdevatas say in the Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra,”Bhaktha Priya bhakti gamya bhakti vasya bhayapaha”- She is the darling of Her devotees; can be approached only through bhakti or devotion; surrenders Herself to pure bhakti; wards of fear from the minds of all Her devotees!

Why do devotees worship Her? Is it for the trifles of material existence and evanescent pleasures? She is the bestower of  whatever Her bhakta desires- material, personal and spiritual! She is “Bhaktimath Kalpa lathika pasu pasa vimochani”- She is the Kalpa Vruksha of Swarga, the wish fulfilling tree that grants whatever the individual wants! Not only that, She releases the bhakta  from the bonds of attachment to terrestrial things leading him to moksha or salvation! She is also described as the bestower of wellness to all Her bhaktas! She takes over the burden of Her true devotee in all respects! “Samastha bhakta sukhada.” Why is the upasaka bent on worshipping Her? It is not for the ephemeral pleasures of mortal existence but for liberation from the eternal cycle of birth and death! Sri Mata offers respite and relief from birth, death and old age and senility! “Janma mrityu jaratapta Jana visranti dayini.” She is well versed in lifting up those caught in the mire of samsara or worldly life! “ Samsara panka nirmagna samuddharana pandita!” She is the stamp of Jnana; can be reached only through Jnana or Knowledge; the embodiment of Jnana and that that has to be Known! “ Jnanamudra Jnana gamya Jnana Jneya Swarupini!”

Earlier Sankara has said that Sri Mata's eyes are open always to save the universe which is of Her own creation! Closure of her eyes would annihilate the entire universe! The fish have hidden themselves lest She would complain that they have stolen the rare quality of openeye from Her! Having described the amazing beauty of Her eyes in different angles of his vision, Sankara wants Devi to extend Her Looks to him! Says Sankara, “ O Mother, Sive!  Please extend your broad, cool eyes, beautiful as the half open Lily flower and look at me! My life will have its fulfilment once You look at me at a distance! In what way is that an impediment for You? Will not the Moon spread his moonlight in the same manner over the forest and the town? Will that hurt him in any way?

It is very difficult to attract the attention of Sri Mata! Ostentatious worship and ritual shall never please Her. It is pure selfless love and perennial devotion that pleases Her! We have seen how the Mother tested Sri RamaKrishna Paramahamsa till he, out of desperation, attempted to cut his throat for the sake of Her wonderful vision! Sages and seers, Jnanis vie with one another for the grace and look of Devi but most of them fail! Only those who are ardent devotees and aspire for spiritual upliftment and realization of Self are granted Her vision after many tests! Sankara was a realized Soul and in spite of this he yearns for the mere glance of Devi which he thinks is very difficult to attain! What about us, the mortals, engulfed in Maya and drowned in the sea of samsara?

As the dear child of his Mother, Sankara requests her to look at him for his deliverance! The dear child wants always to be in the eye of the Mother! Will not the Mother look at Her dear son who has described Her waves of Beauty in such an amazing and extraordinary manner?  Women are normally pleased when their beauty is recognized and praised by others! Can Devi be an exception and that too when Her dear son Sankara has exceptionally praised the beauty of Her ears, eyes and other attributes?

FEAR OF THE FISH (Soundarya Lahari 56)

Sri Mata's eyes are extremely beautiful and defy any accurate and appropriate description! Sri Sankara is taxing his wonderful poetic imagination and straining himself to explain their beauty in different angles! In the dhyana sloka, Devi is described as having “ VikasitaVadanam Padma patrayathakshim”- bright and opening up face and eyes as broad as the lotus petals! The beauty of any woman is judged by the broad eyes she possesses! But DEVI'S eyes are Divine, not mortal! In the sixth sloka of Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotram Vasinyadi Vagdevatas describe Devi's eyes as “ Vaktra Lakshmi Parivaha chalan minabha lochana”-- Her beautiful eyes are similar to the crisscrossing fish in the lake of of Her Lakshmi like face!They are so fascinating! Inner meditation alone can bring us nearer to Devi! Outer rituals and worship can never take us near to Devi! “Antarmukha samaradhya bahirmukha sudurlabha!” Devi is effulgent always, has very attractive three eyes, and capable of taking any form She likes!--” Thejovati trinayana lolakshi kamarupini” It is practically impossible to describe Devi's attributes!

Sankara is far from satisfied with the descriptions of Devi's eyes! He is continuously searching  for new comparisons and unexpected twists! He has already pointed out that Devi's eyes had brought into the world the three perennial rivers Shona, Ganga and Yamuna! When Her eyes open there is creation and prosperity while there is total annihilation when she closes Her eyes! In a major twist Sankara says that She does not close Her eyes in order to protect the universe and all its inhabitants created by Her! A new flash of thought flits across the mind of Sankara who is ever contemplating on different ways of experiencing the beauty of Devi's eyes!

Says Sankara, “ ,O Mother! Your eyes have gradually reached your ears! Looking at these eyes of yours that are open always ( without batting of eyelids), the fish are afraid if You would complain against them and say that they have stolen this abnormal quality from You! Out of this fear, the fish have hidden themselves in water! Your extraordinarily beautiful eyes station themselves in the Lily( kaluva) flowers during the night and in the morning close the petals of the Lilies and return to You! Staying with You throughout the day, they return to the Lilies opening the petal doors! Devi! Your eye are incomparable!”

It is believed that the fish have the peculiar quality of not closing their eyes! They keep their eyes open always. Looking at the wide open eyes of Devi, the fish feel that She may claim that they have stolen that rare quality from Her! Hence out of fear they hide themselves in water! Kaluva or Lily flowers open up during the night and look very beautiful! They are called ”Kumuda”! In the morning the Kaluva flowers fold up their petals and wait for the night! Sun is said to be the enemy of of Lily flowers while the Moon is said to the bosom companion of the Lily flowers!

The more we read the slokas of Soundarya Lahari and understand their meaning and the manner in which Sankara describes Devi, the greater is our astonishment! It is given to great devotees and Upasakas of Devi like Sankara to delve deep into the Divine beauty of Devi and describe it to the common mortal man!  Otherwise, how can the common man understand and appreciate the Divine beauty of Lalita Maha Tripurasundari? Sankara was not only a philosopher par excellence but a very great Upasaka of Lalithambika!

DEVI'S EYES- EFFECT OF OPENING AND CLOSING (Soundarya Lahari 55)

Sri Mata is the dynamic force behind every activity! She is the primum mobile, the root cause of everything in the universe! She is “Akhilandakoti Brahmanda Nayaki.” Nothing moves without her concurrence! Kenopanishaad describes how Againi, Vayu, Indra  and other Devas were humiliated and lost their inherent power because of their ego and arrogance before the Light that stood before them! Agni could not burn the straw that was placed before him and Vayu couldn't blow away the blade of grass paced before him! Indra wondered at this and was told by Uma that it was by Her Grace and will that the Devas could achieve victory over the asuras and not by their inherent strength! Sri Mata is “Parabrahma swarupini!” Nothing lights up without her Light! Khatopanishad proclaims the primary significance of the BRAHMAN! “ Na tatra suryo bhati na chandra tarakam ne mo vidyuto bhanti ku toya magnihi tameva bhanti manubhati sarvam tasya  bhasa sarvamidam vibhati” The sun, the moon and the stars, lightning, even fire do not shine there! it is only after your shine that they all begin to shine! The absolute necessity of the BRAHMAN is thus establihed! Sri Mata is ‘Sarva Sakthi mayi, Sarveswari Sarvamayi Sarva mantra swarupini- She is the under current of all energy and the embodiment of all mantras!

She is the Mother of all starting from the lowest of beings, the worms! The Vedas are Her mandates! She doles out fruits according to the good and bad deeds of individuals! ”Nijagnarupa nigama punyapunya phalaprada.” She is the dear spouse of Maha Kamesa! She is none other than MahaTripurasundari! She is the spouse of creator Brahma as well as his mother! She is of many forms and worshipped by the wise! She is very strict and exacting and demanding! She has established her form very well!  She is the very life breath of all and grants life to everyone! She is the form of one hundred and five Sakthi Peetas! “ Brahmani Brahma Janani bahu rupa budharchita prasavitri prachandagna prathishta prakatakrutihi Praneswari pranadatri Panchasat peeta rupini” She is capable of creating the universe and destroying it by the batting of Her eyelids! In other words, when she opens her eyes universe is born and when She closes Her

eyes everything is destroyed! “ Unmesha nimishotpanna vipanna bhuvanavalihi Sahasra Sirsha vadana Sahasrakshi Sahasra path!”--She has thousand Heads, faces, eyes and feet! We find 🐃🐐such a description at the beginning of the famous “Purusha Suktha where the Viratpurusha is being described! In short, Sri Mata is Viratpurusha or the BRAHMAN and Viratpurusha is Sri Mata or the BRAHMAN!

After describing Sri Mata's eyes in various ways, Sankara points out that the white, red and black colors of Her eyes have brought the perennial rivers Shona, Ganga and Yamuna to this world! It is for the peace and prosperity of the human beings and other creatures inhabiting the earth! Sankara continues and says, “ O Mother, the daughter of the Himalayas! Elders, sages and saints proclaim that the closure and opening of your eyes result, respectively, in the destruction and creation of the universe! I know why you are not closing your eyes permanently! It is because You don't want to destroy the universe that You yourself has created!”

Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra has already indicated the glory of Sri Mata in the sixty sixth Sloka! “Unmesha nimishotpanna vipanna bhuvanavalihi”- the One capable of creating and destroying the world by opening and closing Her eyes. Mother is the embodiment of compassion! How can She destroy Her own children or creation! Otherwise she is not entitled to be called a mother! She is ever careful that Her children are safe and protected always. If ordinary mothers are so kind and compassionate to their children what should be the love of the Divine Mother for her innumerable children? Sankara builds upon the idea expressed in the sloka cited above in the Sahasra Nama Stotra!

Sankara's lmagination and smartness comes into play here and he gives a very pleasant twist and turn to the idea conveyed in the sloka of the Sahasranama! The Devas are different from the human beings as their feet do not touch the ground! Another very important quality of the Devas is they do not bat their eyelids! In short their eyes are always open and because of this quality they are called “Animishas”- those who do not bat their eyelids! Naturally all Gods and Goddesses have their eyes open always! But Sankara says that Devi has specially kept her eyes open lest the world She has created may be destroyed! That is the poetic twist that Sankara gives! To great bhaktas, normal things related to the Divine appear unnatural and abnormal!

THE COLORS OF DEVI'S EYES AND THE RIVERS (Soundarya Lahari 54)

The dhyana sloka for Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra starts with the description of Sri Mata's person and Her color! She is of the red color of “Sindhura” She has in Her hand the red “Utpala”flower! She has Her red feet on a vessel studded with diamonds! “Sindhuraruna  vigraham” “Raktotpalam bibrathim” “Ratna ghatastha rakta charanam”. Her figure, the flower she holds and her feet sport red color only! In the next sloka it is stated that Devi has the smear of Vermillion or kumkum on Her Divine person-”Sakumkuma vilepanam!” She is decked with red garlands and dazzling ornaments-”Aruna malya bhushojwalam!” She shines red like the Japa flower! We find in the descriptions the predominance of red or Aruna color associated with De

Not only Her person but the entire universe is drenched with the Aruna rays emanating from the person of Devi! “Nijaruna prabhapura majjad brahmanda mandala!” Once again She is “Sarvaruna anavadyangi” one whose angas or parts of the body are red in color! Her face is

similar to the Moon during the ‘Saratkala’ which is exceptionally beautiful! Here White color is associated with Devi! Black is also associated with Devi's person.”Nisthula nila chikura.”  She is incomparable and has black locks of hair!

Sankara is unable to take off his mind from the eyes of Devi! He wants to glorify them in as many ways as possible! He desires to describe them in different angles which no one else can think of! Her eyes with the Sun and the Moon are responsible for the day and night! Her looks are all pervasive, compassionate, invincible and protective for all! But Her looks are distinguishing and do not mean the same thing to all! Her eyes and the eye lashes are similar to the bow and  feathered flower arrows of Manmatha, God of Love! The beauty of Her eyes is heightened by the black collyrium on the margin of her white eyes! The Mixture of black, white and the red color of .Her Third Eye suggest three Gunas Sathwa, Rajas, and Thamas with which She would create the Trimurtis after the Mahapralaya or the great Deluge!

Is Sankara satisfied after describing Devi's eyes in such a glorious manner? Not at all! He finds a new vision of how Devi tries to absolve Her children from all sins and impurities! Sankara exclaims, “ O Mother, eternally lost in the thought of your spouse, Siva!  You, with your compassionate eyes of red, white and black colors have brought to this earth the confluence of three rivers by name Shona, Ganga and Yamuna respectively It is only to purify us, the sinners and make us pious!

Coming down from the heights of the Himalayas, river Ganga has different names like Bhagirathi, Alakananda, Jahnavi and others! Her waters are medicinal, cool, sparkling white and ward off the sins of those who take a dip in her waters! Waters of river Yamuna are said to be dark in color while Shona river water is said to be red! Sankara declares that Devi's eyes, a combination of the three colors, has brought down the three rivers for the prosperity and well being of humanity!

COLORS OF DEVI'S EYES (Soundarya Lahari 53)

Sri Mata's face and eyes are extremely and indescribably beautiful! The “ mriganabhi” mark on her face is similar to the spot on the moon! “Mukhachndra kalankabha mriganabhi viseshika” Her eyes are like the fish crisscrossing the lake of Her face! “ Vaktra Lakshmi Parivaha chalan minabha lochana.” She is Parabrahma Swarupini and has employed the Trimurtis for creation, protection and destruction! During Her fight with Bhandasura She creates Lord Vinayaka by a mere look at Kameswara! ”Kameswara mukhaloka kalpita Sri Gneswara!” It is He that destroys the mines planted by the asuras! Not only this, She creates the ten avatars of Vishnu from the nails of Her ten fingers! “ Karanguli nakhotpanna Narayana dasakrutihi.” She is the concentration of entire energy, Lord of everything, all pervading as well as the embodiment of all mantras! “ Sarva Sakthi mayi Sarvamangala sadgatiprada Sarveswari, Sarvamayi Sarvamantra  swarupini.” She is also the Creator Brahma, protector Vishnu and the destroyer Rudra! “Srushtikarthri Brahmarupa gopthri Govinda rupini samharini Rudra rupa Tirodhana kariswari Sadasivanugrahada panchakritya parayana” She is Herself the mother and spouse of Brahma, of many forms and worshipped by the wise! She grants peace and rest to those caught in the eternal cycle of birth,death, and old age! “ Janma mrityu jaratapta Jana visranti dayini.”

The more Sri Sankara visualizes Her face and eyes the greater is his imagination! Different thoughts flit across his mind and he describes the eyes of Sri Mata in an entirely different angle! It is impossible for any other individual to look at and experience Sri Mata in that light! Sri Sankara exclaims, “ O Mother! the chief spouse of Siva! Your three eyes are layered with collyrium and look  attractive and beautiful! The eyes exhibit a mixture of the three colors, namely, White, Black and Red! They are like that, probably, because You want to create the creator Brahma, protector Vishnu, and the destroyer Rudra who have merged in to Paramatma during the great deluge or Mahapralaya! The three colors of the eyes represent the three Gunas Satwa, Rajas and Tamas!

No action can take place without these three Gunas! Satwa is pure, ideal, protective and preferred by everyone but found rarely in all! Saints, sages and seers, not all of them, possess this quality! Rajas makes one proud, arrogant, angry and egoistic! Without this quality no fight or battle can take place! Tamas leads to lethargy, ignorance and inability to understand things! Human beings are an admixture of these three qualities! Some have a very small percentage of Satwa and are called good. Others have a good percentage of Rajas and are termed aggressive  arrogant and proud! The rest are called lazy, lethargic and indolent and have a large percentage of Tamas!

When the Mahapralaya takes place everything is swallowed up in the swirling waters of the ocean! All creatures, animate and inanimate, without any exception are totally destroyed and there is only the Parabrahma or Virat Purusha that exists! It is at this sight of the “Viswarupa” that Arjuna shuddered with fear and shock when the Lord gave him the special grace! The pandavas, Kauravas, including Bhishma, Drona and everything in the Universe went into the gargantuan mouth of the Virat Purusha with thousand heads and innumerable hands! After the demolition of the entire universe and its inhabitants, fresh creation takes place and a new generation starts! Even the Trimurtis change!

Sankara says that the white color of the eye stands for Satwa Guna and Vishnu the protector! In the same way the red color of the Trinetra is Rajas, capable of total annihilation in the form of Rudra! The black color indicates Tamas and lethargy that represents Brahma!  The three eyes of Devi have these colors indicating that with them she would create a fresh batch of Trimurtis after the great Deluge! It is Sankara alone who could experience the beauty of Devi with such spiritual and devotional fervour!

SRI MATA'S EYES- MANMATHA'S BOW AND ARROWS (Soundarya Lahari 52)

Sri Mata's face and it's features are beautifully described in the first few slokas of Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra! Her eyes are like the fish criscrossing the lake similar to the beautiful face of goddess Lakshmi! “ Vaktra Lakshmi Parivaha chalan minabha lochana”. She is lotus eyed and shines like the Padmaraga stone! “ Parvati Padma nayana Padmaraga sama prabha”. She is “Rama rakendu vadana Ratirupa ratipriya Kamya kamakalarupa Kadamba kusumapriya” She has the face of full moon, is the embodiment of the beauty of Ratidevi and fond of rati or conjugal bliss! She is Desire herself, personification of the art of ‘Kama’ and lover of Kadamba flower! She is also “ Sringara rasa sampurna--full of Sringara or eroticism! She is “ Mrigakshi Mohini..” one with the eyes of the deer and very attractive! She is “Lasya Priya layakari lajja Rambhadi vanditha” She is fond of dance, the destroyer, modesty Herself and worshipped by the Divine damsels Rambha and others! She is “Sri Siva Siva Sakthaikya rupini Lalithambika”--She is called Siva, the embodiment of the unity of Siva and Sakthi called Lalithambika

Sankara, one of the greatest devotees of Sri Mata is fascinated by the extraordinary beauty of  Her eyes! Her right and left eyes are the sun and the moon creating the day and night respectively! Her looks are expansive, compassionate, invincible and protective! Her eyes are of thick black color like bees and extend upto her ears! Her looks are distinguishing and do not mean the same for all! Her Third eye is jealous of her other eyes! Sri Sankara is not satisfied

with the descriptions that he has made already! There is still something that he has to say and describe without which he cannot be satisfied! In his vision, Sri Mata's eyes sport an entirely different look and now he describes them to his satisfaction!

Says Sankara, “ O Devi, the bud adorning the head of the clan of Himavan, I visualize your eyes in my heart! They have extended themselves up to your ears! Your eye lashes are similar to the feathers that have totally spoiled the peace and calmness of Kameswara! They have induced Sringara rasa or erotic feelings in Him! They are similar to the arrows of Manmatha drawn up to the ear for reaching the target!”

The reference is to the story of Kumarasambhava. After Uma destroyed herself in the sacrificial fire of Daksha Yagna, She was born as the daughter of Himavan and Menaka. She was called Parvati and wanted to marry none other than Lord Siva! Unable to endure separation from Uma, Siva sat in severe meditation. Meanwhile Tarakasura tortured the Devas and they wanted to see his end! It was known that the son of Siva and Parvati alone has the capacity to kill Tarakasura. So the plan of Devas was to bring together the Lord and parvathi for the birth of the son. But they were afraid of disturbing the severe penance of Siva. Parvati, in the meanwhile was serving the Lord and assisting him in the hope of marrying him. Indra, king of Gods summoned  Manmatha, God of Love for uniting the Lord and Parvathi in wedlock.

Manmatha shuddered at the very thought of disturbing the penance of Iswara. He knew the consequence would be fatal! Initially he refused but was prevailed upon to do the job for the welfare of the Devas! Manmatha equipped himself with the Sugarcane bow and his deadly five flower arrows--Aravinda, Asoka, chuta or Mango, fresh Jasmine, and Nilotpala. He went to the place with great trepidation and saw the Lord in deep penance! He waited for the opportune moment when Parvati would be very close to the Lord in serving Him! The moment came and he shot his arrows targeting the Lord! The Lord was strangely disturbed! His peace and penance was shattered! Though Manmatha was reduced to ashes by the Trinetra of Siva, he lives invisible tormenting all with romantic feelings of love! But Siva and parvathi were married later and Lord Subrahmanya was born! He killed Tarakasura in a great fight and saved the Devas! To the mind of Sankara, Sri Mata's eyes are the Sugarcane bow of Manmatha bent and the eyelashes the feathered arrows drawn taut up to the ears that destroyed the penance and peace of Kameswara! What an ingenious comparison? Can any other poet describe the eyes of Devi in similar terms?