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?
No comments:
Post a Comment