In the first few slokas at the beginning of Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra, the emergence of Sri Mata, the purpose for which She has taken avatar and the radiance She has flashed throughout the world have been described. She has kept for Herself “pasa, and ankusa representing raga or intense attachment and anger! Her sugarcane bow stands for Manas while the arrows indicate the “Panchatanmatras”-- sabda, sparsa, rupa, rasa and gandha! Thereafter, the Vasinyadi Vagdevatas describe the different ‘angas’ of the form of Sri Mata-- Her fragrant locks of hair with Champaka and Asoka flowers, the ‘kuruvinda Mani sreni kanathkotira’ decoration! Then follow the distinct description of Sri Mata's face! Sankara uses metaphors and says that Her face is the moon itself! “Mukh Chandra”! The kasturi mark on Her face is like the dark spot on the face of the full moon! “Kalankabha mriganabhi viseshika” Her face is that of Manmatha- ‘Vadanasmara’ The mangalya is similar to the festoon tied to the home! “Mangalya griha thorana chillika!”
Sankara, in his previous slokas, has elaborated on the beauty of Her eyes with collyrium! Her eyes are open for ever to protect Her own creation! The fish hide themselves fearing that they might be mistaken for stealing the quality of open eyes! Her ears are mistaken for the arrows and bow of Manmatha! Her two ear studs reflect on the exquisite cheeks and appear as four! Sankara considers that as the four wheeled chariot of Manmatha! Even Goddess Saraswathi has lost herself in the appreciation of Sri Mata's song! She has never stopped nodding her head in enjoying that bliss which is indicated by the tinkling sound produced by her “kundalas”! The redness of Sri Mata's lips challenge and defeat the redness of the ‘bimba’ fruit!!
Sankara now gives a wonderful metaphorical description of the face of Sri Mata! He is not at all satisfied with the descriptions earlier. His imagination runs riot and in his mental vision he sees a an amazing picture! Says Sankara, “ O Mother! The Chakora birds, having drunk deep the moonlight of Your smiling full moon like face, are suffering from cloying sweetness! They are unable to bear the excessive sweetness! In search of something sour, they drink the cool normal moonlight every night under the illusion that it is sour wash!
What an amazing metaphor! Sri Mata's face is compared to the full moon and Her smile is equated to moonlight! The excessive sweetness of the smile has hurt the beaks of these Chakora birds! Hence they go in search of the nectarine natural moonlight mistaking it for sour wash! Chakora birds are regular visitors during moonlit nights!
Chakora bird belongs to the family of crow--pheasant. It is a legendary bird described in Hindu mythology. According to legend, it is believed to reside upon the beams of the moon! In the .Mahabharata, when Kuchela, under severe stress of poverty, went to meet his dear old friend Sri Krishna, he happened to see the Chakora Pakshi! He didn't ask for riches from Krishna and returned empty handed. He was amazed to see his wife and children in prosperity soon after he rturned home! All his poverty had vanished! Chakora pakshi is believed to usher in good luck!
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