THE THREE FOLDS (Soundarya Lahari 69)

Sri Mata is described as Goddess Saraswathi Herself! She is ‘sangita priya'-lover of music. “Saraswathi sasthramayi guhamba guhyarupini” is how Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra describes Her! She is the undercurrent of all Sastras, resident of caves or the heart and  whose form is mysterious. She is the treasure house of all arts, connoisseur of all arts and the very limit for emotional appreciation! “Kalanidhi kavyakala rasajna rasa sevadhihi.” She is very fond of 'Sama gana’ the music of Sama Veda! She is gentle and soft and the spouse of Sadasiva. “Samagana priya soumya Sadasiva kutubini”. In the famous “ Syamala Navaratnamala Stotra”  She is represented as “Sangita Matruka” holding the Veena on Her left breast, and showing the ‘Varada mudra’ “ Dayamana dirgha nayanam Desikarupena darsitabhyudayam vama kuchanihita Veenam Sangita matrukam Vande”. Sa Ri,Ga, Ma, Pa Dha NI, Sa, tam tam Veena sankranta kantha hasthantam santham mridula swantam kuchabharatam tam namami Sivakantam” She is considered to be the origin of the seven swaras and the Mother of Music! She presents Herself as compassionate with her long looks and as the preceptor or all! “Veenavadana Vela kampita sirsham namami Matangim” Sri Mata is also described as playing on the Veena and nodding Her head as a mark of Her enjoyment and appreciatimon!

Sankara has already stated how Sri Mata's mellifluous voice has put to shame the sweet notes of Goddess Saraswathi's Kachchapi Veena! Describing Her Chubuka or chin Sankara's poetic imagination runs riot! He visualizes Her father lifting up Her chin again and again out of filial bond and affection! Not stopping at that, Sankara imagines Kamesa lifting Her chin up to kiss Her lower lip having missed it many a time! Sankara's compares Sri Mata's neck to the lotus stalk and Her face to the lotus flower! The white necklace below covered up by the slush of “krisnagaru” heightens the beauty of the lotus stalk viz Her neck!

Continuing the description of Sri Mata's neck Sankara says,” O Mother, the connoisseur of Music! The three folds on Your neck reminds me of the three threads associated with the mangalasutra tied at the wedding! These three folds appear to be the barrier to keep separate all the musical notes, the basis of all ragas,  emerging from your neck like “ Shadjama, Madhyama,Gandhara and others from mixing up with one another!”

In some countries, after the mangalasutra is tied, a one fold ‘sutra’ is tied to the left hand of the bride! The neck is adorned with a ‘sutra’ that has three folds! This has been an accepted practice! Sankara says that music and all its ragas and variations emerge from the neck or throat of Sri Mata! It is because of such sweetness of Her voice Goddess Saraswathi had to give up playing on her Veena and put it under cover!

This sloka is an example of how a great sadhaka looks at his chosen deity. Sankara considers Devi as the very source of music! Whatever sound emerges from her mouth through the throat is music to him! She is “Sangita matruka”-- the mother of all music! She is also  Sangita Rasika one who loves and appreciates music! It is amazing that the three folds on Devi's neck have conjured up this vision in the mind of Sri Sankara! His imagination and visions are simply unparalleled!