THE JEWEL BOX (Soundarya Lahari 94)

Sankara says that Devi's gait is extremely beautiful and dignified! Her pet swans try to imitate and learn Her walk. But they fail many a time and they follow Devi wherever She moves! It is as if the anklets of Devi are coaching them by the jingling sound produced while walking! Devi's gait is incomparable! Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra describes Her gait as the majestic, slow and dignified walk of the swan with Her lotus feet adorned with diamond studded Manjiras or anklets that produce sweet jingling sound! “ Sinjana mnimanjira manditha sripadambuja Marali mandagamana mahalavanyasevadhihi”

Lalithambika is Parabrahma Swarupini! Creator Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra and Maheswara form the legs of the ‘mancha’ on which She is seated! The pure white color of Siva has covered Her like a wrapper! That whiteness is transformed into red because of Devi's color! It looks like the personification of “Sringara rasa!” Speaking about Her beauty, Sakara says that everything about Her person is beautiful. Her locks of hair are curved, smile enchanting, manas soft, waist very slim,and breasts heavy! In short, She is the ideal for beauty in the universe!

Sankara, in this sloka, describes the beauty of Devi in a very high metaphorical language! Says Sankara, “ O Mother! The dark spot is not a defect! It is musk or 'Kasturi!’  It is not the moon but water! These white things are not rays but the box replete with Divine camphor! As you are using these materials daily, Brahma always replenishes these things for your use!”

According to Sankara, the moon is the jewel box of Devi! It is filled with water of incense! The black spot in the moon is the Kasthuri or Musk placed for Lalithambika's use in the box! The crescents of the moon that we see is ‘the canister of emerald full of Divine camphor!’ Thus Brahma has no other alternative but to refill these daily after Devi's use and see that the box is full always!

The imagination is highly metaphorical and apt! To Sankara, description of the beauty of Devi is of paramount importance! He will go to any extent and conjure up any vision that strikes his mind! Hence he considers the moon as the jewel box of Devil! The spot on the moon is considered as musk worn on Devi's forehead! The box is of emerald full of Divine camphor! In a surprising manner, Sankara says that the creator Brahma fills up the box as Devi uses these things daily!

DEVI'S BEAUTY (Soundarya Lahari 93)

Lalitambika is the cynosure of all eyes! Her majestic and royal gait is incomparable! Her pet Swans, in attempting to learn Her style slip many a time but follow Her wherever She goes! Sankara says that it is as if they are coached by the jingling sound of Devi's anklets! Her lotus feet grant prosperity to the poor! They ooze out the honey of beauty and resemble the heavenly bunch of flowers from the Divine Kalpavruksha or the wish fulfilling tree! Sankara wants to be the Bee enjoying the nectar offered by Her feet!

Sankara, after his Kesadi padanta--from the crown to the feet description, once again praises the form of Devi! Devi is seated on her Panchapretasana with Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra and Maheswara as the four legs of the pedestal or mancha! Siva with His spotless whitness  has covered Her like a wrapper! His white color has transferred into red because of the color of Devi!

Sankara, in the ninety third sloka, describes the form of Lalithambika and its speciality at every stage! Says Snkara, O Mother! In Your body, locks of hair are curved and beautiful! They are delicate during your laughter! They are soft and gentle for Manas! They are a little hard near the breasts! Your waist is slim and You have heavy breasts as well as the Jangha! There is an indescribable Sakthi or energy which is red and the embodiment of the compassion of God Siva!

The entire body of Lalithambika and the speciality of its different parts are described by poet Sankara! Every description augments the natural beauty of Devi! Curly hair is a gift of nature that all cannot have! It Is only the select few who can have that gift! The captivating smile is another precious quality that undoes a man! The most important part of a woman is her chest and the hard breasts that attract man! Woman's beauty is greatly heightened by them! Sankara says that all these parts have the indescribable energy of Siva as the red colored compassion of Siva!

Sankara has come almost to the finishing stage of his description of the beauty of Lalithambika in Soundarya Lahari! He continues describing a few more aspects of Devi before he concludes! Every description is a gem in itself reflecting the total devotion and dedication of the philosopher poet! The various visions of Devi he conjures up are priceless possessions that one should retain and cherish! Throughout, it is Child Sankara who drinks deep the celestial and incomparable beauty of his Divine Mother! She too appears to appreciate his arresting and innovative explanations!

PANCHAPRETASANASINA (Soundarya Lahari 92)

Lalithambika's lotus feet are capable of bringing great prosperity to the poor the moment they desire for it! Sankara is very unhappy with the celebrated poets for comparing Devi's feet to the stony and hard back of the tortoise! He wonders how compassionate Siva lifted those feet and pressed them on the grinding stone! Devi's feet ooze the honey of beauty! Her feet are like the bunch of flowers of the Wish fulfilling Tree namely the Kalpavruksha! Sankara wants to enjoy Divine bliss by being the six legged busy bee! He wants to realize that bliss through his Manas and the Jnanendriyas!

Speaking about Devi's gait, Sankara wonders if Her pet Swans are  learning the art of walking from Her majestic royal gait! They follow Devi wherever She moves about! The jingling sound of anklets that Devi wears appear to coach the swans in the art of walking! It is a custom for Devi to take a stroll with Her pet Swans often! According to Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra Devi is seated on “Panchapretasana” and is the embodiment of “Pancha Brahmas”  Pancha pretasanasina Pancha Brahma Swarupini Chinmayi Paramananda Vijnana Ghana rupini” She is full of Awareness and Supreme Bliss and the personification of Knowledge!

After a continuous and long description of Sri Lalita Maha Tripurasundari from the crown to the lotus feet, Sankara once again praises Devi! Says  Sankara, “O Mother! The Trinity of creator Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra as well as Maheswara worship You as the four legs of Your pedestal or Cot! Siva, with His impeccable White color has reached You and has become a wrapper over You! He has turned into red because of the redness of your body! He looks as an embodiment of Sringara rasa!”

Again in the 174th sloka of Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra, Devi is described as the lover of the Five Yajnas and seated on the pedestal of the the ‘Five Pretas!’ She is the creator, the form of Brahma! She is mysterious as well as the form of Govinda or Vishnu! She is also the destroyer and the form of Rudra and in charge of Maya or “Tirodhana!”  She is the bestower of Grace as Sadasiva! Thus Devi performs these Five important functions! “ Srushti karthri Brahma Rupa gopthri Govindarupini Samharini Rudrarupa thirodhana kariswari Sadasivanugrahada Pancha krutya parayana!

In the first sloka of Soundarya Lahari Sankara has stated that without Her “pada dhuli” Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra are incapable of creation, protection and destruction respectively!  Devi has delegated Her powers to the Trinity and they are involved in their regular duties. When Sri Lalitambika takes over their duties, Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra are disembodied and so they are called ‘pretas!’ Pancha Brahmas are Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Iswara and Sadasiva! The first four are the legs of the throne or ‘mancha’ on which Sri Mata takes Her seat! As the Upanishad says nothing moves in the universe without Her Sankalpa! “ Na tatra suryo bhati na chandra tarakam Nemo vidyuto bhanati ku toya magnihi tameva bhanata manubhati sarvam tasya bhasa sarvamidamvibhati!” The sun, moon, stars, lightning, water and fire shine only after You shine! Sadasiva is the Supreme Being! The Linga has five faces and they are Ishana, Tatpurusha, Vamadeva, Aghora and Sadyojata. Lalitambika is praised as sitting on a throne the legs of which are Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, and Maheswara while the seat of the throne is the lap of Sadasiva! The five daily 'yajnas’ are for Daiva-Gods, Pitru-forefathers, Manushya- fellow human beings, Bhuta-- for other beings and finally Brahma Yajna- worship of Knowledge! A person is expected to perform these daily!!

DEVI'S GAIT (Soundarya Lahari 91)

Glorifying the beauty of the different 'angas’ of Lalita Maha Tripurasundari, Vasinyadi Vagdevatas gloat over the Speciality of Her feet and gait! Her lotus feet have the jingling ’manjiras’ as adornments! She has the slow majestic gait of the Swan! She is the very limit of attraction and beauty! She has brought Manmatha back to life after he was burnt to ashes by the third eye of Iswara! To kill Bhandasura She created the ten avatars of Vishnu from Her finger nails! She has the power to create the worlds and destroy them by opening and closing Her eyes! She has thousand heads, eyes and legs! “Hara nethrajni sandagdha Kama sanjeeva noushadhihi Karanguli nakhotpanna Narayana dasakrutihi Unmesha nimishotpanna vipanna bhuvanavalih Sahasra sirsha vadana Sahasrakshi Sahasra path” She is called “Kathyayini kalahantri Kamalaksha nishevita Thambula poorita mukhi dadimi kusuma prabha!” She can destroy Time and is served by none other than Lord Vishnu himself! She has Her mouth full of ‘thamboola’ and is of the hue of the pomogranate flower!”

Sankara has described the beauty and glory of Devi's lotus feet in the earlier slokas. But he is not yet totally satisfied! The more he describes her ‘Padas’ the greater is his imagination and the visions he gets! Her feet bestow prosperity to the poor and downtrodden the moment they pray! Her tender feet and moonlike round nails laugh at the Kalpavruksha that make Devas prosperous! Sankara further says that Her feet oozes out the sweet honey of beauty! They are similar to the bunch of flowers of Kalpavruksha where he will be the Bee with six legs!

Sankara has, at length, satisfied himself with the descriptions of Dev's feet and conjures up the the final vision! Says Sankara, “ O Mother! Your pet Swans desire to  learn Your majestic gait and follow You despite their slips off and on! It is as if Your anklets, with their sound are teaching them how to walk!!” It is a habit for Devi to go for a stroll along with Her pet Swans!

Swan's gait is considered as very beautiful and majestic! It is said to be the ideal and a model for women. The leisurely walk of the elephant is also engaging and beautiful. The walk of a beautiful woman is generally compared to the gait of a swan or a rogue elephant (Manda madebha yana) Sankara, as is usual with him exaggerates and says that Devi's gait is so beautiful and majestic that even Her swans want to learn from Her! Sankara says that the jingling sound of Devi's anklets teach the swans on the art of walking!

The beauty of a woman is heightened by the way in which she walks! While her personality, features and other aspects are important, her gait has a great role in defining her beauty! There are a few women who walk heavily and at whose gait the earth shudders and everything is violently disturbed! Nature has bestowed this smooth, natural, soft, and majestic gait to the selected few alone! As Lalithambika is the embodiment of beauty, there can be nothing that can be greater! Hence She is the last word for beauty and is endowed with every minute thing that makes for Her ideal beauty!

SANKARA THE SHATPADA (Soundarya Lahari 90)

Speaking of the tender and delicate feet of Lalithambika that dispel all troubles and difficulties of  Her devotees, Sankara takes exception to the way celebrated poets have described them. They compare Devi's feet to the hard and stony back of the tortoise!  “How can these poets be so cruel in comparing?” questions Sankara. It is very difficult to understand how Kameswara, during the wedding, lifted those hard and stony feet and pressed them on the grinding  stone as per the prevailing custom! Glorifying Her feet, Vasinyadi Vagdevatas say in Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra that Her feet have defeated the lotus by their radiance and brightness!

In the eighteenth sloka, describing ‘Janghika’ and ‘Gulpha’ the Stotra says that the former is like the quiver of Smara' or Manmatha hidden by ‘Indragopa’.The latter, has established victory over the back of tortoise! “ Indragopa parikshiptha Smara’thunabha janghika Gudagulpha Kurma prushta jayishnu prapda” Sankara asserts that Her feet grant prosperity to the poor the moment they wish for it! Devi's feet, appear to laugh with their moonlike nails making fun of the Kalpavruksha and the lotus hands of the Divine damsels!

Having exhausted conjuring up various visions of Lalithambika's lotus feet in different aspects and  angles, Sankara imagines himself to be the bee immersed in enjoying the fragrance and their sweetness! Says Sankara, “ O Mother! Your feet bestow exceeding prosperity to the poor! They ooze out the sweet honey of Your Beauty! They are similar to the bunch of flowers of the heavenly  Kalpavruksha! I will be the Bee with the six ‘indriyas’, in that bunch of flowers!

It is customary for poets to compare the feet of Gods and Goddesses to  the soft petalled lotus flower. The broad petals of the lotus are also compared to the eyes of Devas as in “Pankajakshi” and “ Rajivanayana!” Bees are drawn naturally to the lotus by its smell and the nectar that is in its center! So Sankara transforms himself into the Bee to enjoy the beauty of Devi's lotus feet and drink deep the nectar oozing out of it!

This attitude is what is called surrendering unto the Lotus feet of Devi! Like the ant that feeds on the sugar candy endlessly and finally merges itself in to it and loses its identity, Sankara becomes the Bee to enjoy the bliss and lose himself in Divinity! Adwaita's main tenet is this merging of the Individual Soul into the Absolute Soul or Paramatma! The word “Shatpada” represents the Bee with six legs! The six indriyas or legs of the Bee are Manas,skin, eyes,  ears, tongue and the nose! Sankara, with all jnanendriyas desires to merge into the bliss of Devi's presence! Sankara hints at the union of the Jivatma and Paramatma where the individuality is lost like a drop of water losing itself in the ocean!

DEVI'S MUNFICENCE (Soundarya Lahari 89)

While describing the speciality of Devi's feet, Sankara points out that they are not only at ease in the snow clad Himalayas but shine bright in the night! They grant prosperity to the followers of “Samayachara!” Devi’s feet defeat the frost bitten lotus that folds up during the night though Goddess Lakshmi resides in it for a while!

Devi is described as the bestower of kingdoms, one who upholds Truth, with the ocean  forming Her jurisdiction! She has the aim of destroying Bhandsura! She has calmed down that arrogant asura! She has control over all the worlds! She grants all desires! She is called Savitri and is the personification of Existence, Awareness and Bliss-- Satchidananda! “ Rajya Lakshmi kosanatha chaturanga baleswari Samrajyadayini satyasandha Sagara mekhala Dikshita daitya samani sarvaloka vasankari sarvarthadathri Savithri Satchidananda rupini!”

Sankara is surprised at the way celebrated poets have described Devi's feet! They are cruel in comparing them to the stony and hard back of the tortoise! On the other hand they are renowned and ward off all troubles and difficulties! They are also tender and delicate like the flowers!  It is difficult to think how Kamesa, though compassionate, lifted both the feet of Devi and pressed

them on the grinding stone during the wedding ceremony!

In the eighty ninth sloka, Sankara continues to speak about the significance and glory of Devi's feet and nails. Says Sankara, “ O Mother! Your lotus feet grant immense prosperity to the poor the moment they pray! At the same time they grant prosperity to Devas! They are similar to the Kalpavruksha! It is similar to the lotus hands of Divine damsels (apsarasas) whose moonlike  nails seem to laugh!” In other words, the nails on your feet appear to have a hearty laugh at the Divine damsels!

Devi is so munificent that Her lotus feet grant prosperity to the poor very quickly! The Divine damsels fold their hands in worship soon after they have the darshan of Devi's feet! Devi  covers up the “Thamo Guna” qualities of Her devotees by the brightness of Her finger nails! “Nakha didhiti sanchanna namajjana tamoguna”

LOTUS FEET OF DEVI (Soundarya Lahari 88)

While describing the 'angas’ of Sri Lalita Maha Tripurasundari, Vasinyadi Vagdevatas, declare that the softness of Her thighs are known to Kameswara alone. Her ‘Janus’ are in the form of the crown of ‘ Manikya' precious stone! Devi's ‘Jangha’ is akin to the hidden arrow of ‘Smara’ or Manmatha! Her hidden ‘Gulpha’ is harder than the back of tortoise! “ Kamesajnatha soubhagya mardavorudwayanvita manikya makutakara janudwaya Virajita Indragopa parikshiptha Smara' thunabha janghika Gudagulpha Kurma prushta jayishnu prapadanvita.”

Earlier, Sankara, in the previous slokas, has visualized how Devi hit Kameswara on His forehead for the fault of calling in their privacy His other wife by a slip of His tongue!  He says that Manmatha, once humiliated by Siva, enjoyed at this discomfiture of Siva and laughed through Devi's anklets! Sankara wonders how Her feet are at ease on the snow clad mountains and at the sametime effulgent during the night. She brings prosperity to the followers of Samayachara! Her feet defeat the lotus that is frost bitten and folds up during the night despite the stay of Lakshmi in it for sometime!

Sankara does not agree with the opinion of Vasinyadi Vagdevatas that Her feet are harder than the back of tortoise! How can Her feet be so hard questions Sankara! Sankara says, “ How did the poets compare Your delicate, tender flowerlike feet so cruelly to the stony and hard back of tortoise? It is a wonder how, during the wedding, compassionate Kameswara, lifted  both Your feet and made them press the grinding stone!”

Sankara takes exception to the comparison of Devi's tender feet to the stony and hard back of tortoise by celebrated poets! He cannot reconcile himself to such cruel comparisons! He has earlier described the soft, bright and delicate nature of Devi's feet. They have beaten the softness of the lotus as well as its brightness! “ Padadwaya prabhajala parakruta saroruha Sinjana Mani manjira manditha sripadambuja” is how Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra describes Her lotus feet.

During the second incarnation of Lord Vishnu, He took the avatar of Kurma or Tortoise and bore the burden of the great Meru mountain and prevented it from being drowned in the ocean. As Devas were dying in the battle with asuras, it was suggested that the Meru mountain has to be churned when Amirta- Divine Nectar will emerge! Drinking that would make one immortal So Devas and asuras churned the mountain with Vasuki, king of snakes, as the rope! The asuras were on the side of the the head of the snake. Terrible poison, ‘Halahala’ spewed out of the snake's head! Many asuras died and the mountain began sinking! Devas prayed and Lord Vishnu took the avatar of ‘ Kurma’ and lifted it up! Churning continued and out came Lakshmi, Chadra, Airavata the white elephant,  and many other valuable objects! Finally emerged “Dhanvantari” with the “Amrita kalasa” containing the Immortal drink! The poison was swallowed up by Lord Siva and Amrita was distributed mainly to Devas deceitfully by Vishnu in the guise of Mohini with her bewitching beauty! The practice of the groom placing the bride’s feet and pressing them on the grinding stone is a ritual followed in the weddings even today!

MORE ABOUT DEVI'S FEET (Soundarya Lahari 87)

The significance of Devi's feet is again and again stressed by Sankara! Though he has

described them earlier, he is not satisfied. Devi's feet have defeated the lotus by their radiance and brightness! “ Padadwaya prabhajala parakruta saroruha!” She has the royal and dignified gait of the female Swan. Her lotus feet are adorned with the jingling diamond studded “Manjiras!' She is the resident of “Chintamani” and seated on the pedestal of “Pancha Brahmasana!” She is situated among the extensive lotus forest and what is called “Kadamba Vana!” She is very proud  that the great sages and seers as well as all Devas praise Her glory! “Devarshigana sanghata sthuyama natma vaibhava” She is scintillatingly brilliant like the flash of lightning! She is the deity on all the six Chakras! “Thatillatha sama ruchi shatchakropari samsthita!” She is called Narayani, the embodiment of the the primordial sound or ‘nada’ devoid of name and form! “ Naranh yani Nadarupa namarupa vivarjita!” She is like the moonlight that pleases those tormented by the ‘ Tapatrayas'--three types of sufferings!

Sankara has earlier pointed out the speciality of Devi's feet. They are not ordinary. The holy water of Ganga from the matted hair of Siva washes Her feet! They are praised by the Vedas and the Upanishads! The red color of Her feet is similar to the Kaustubha diamond of Vishnu! Sankara offers his obeisance to the lotus feet of Devi wet with the smear of “laksharasa!” He conjures up the vision of Siva being very angry because She went to offer “Dohada” to the barren Asoka tree neglecting Him! Interestingly Sankara visualizes how Siva, by a slip of the tongue, called the name of His other wife and how Devi hit him with her leg over the forehead! Manmatha, Siva's enemy, had a hearty laugh through the  jingling sound of Devi's anklet!

Sankara is still not fully satisfied with the glorification of Lalithambika's feet! They are eternal, and offer prosperity for all who approach Her! says Sankara, “ O Mother! Your feet are at ease in the snow clad mountains! They are bright and radiant even during the night! They grant prosperity to  the followers of “Samayachara!” They outsmart and defeat the lotus that withers at frostbite and folds up during the night though Lakshmi lives in it for sometime! There is no wonder in this!”

The “Kaula and Vamachara” path of worship of Devi dates back to the primitive ritual where the ‘terrible aspect of the Mother Goddess was worshipped in prehistoric times’. It is Sankara who rescued different schools including the Saktha path from those odious practises. He ‘established it in it's pristine Vedantic purity as “ Samayachara!!” This is the main practice in the monastic institutions established by Sankara. Sankara calls “Samayachara” as “Swatantra Tantra” in his Soundarya Lahari! It integrates ‘the yogas of Mantra, laya, bhakthi, Karma and finally Jnana! The sadhaka has to identify himself totally with Sri Vidya, Sri Mata, Guru and Sri Chakra.

‘Samayachara’ is the process of initiation by the Guru. Kundalini rises through Guru’s influence. It appears to the disciple in various Chakras. Finally after the union with ‘Sahasrara’ returns to ‘Muladhara’. Worshipping  Sri Lalithambika in the Chakras of ‘Kundalini’ starting from Muladhara is called ‘Samayachara’. This is explained in “Rudra Yamala” an ancient scripture as told by Siva himself to Sakthi! The worship can be done only mentally! Among the celebrated Devi upasakas are Manu, Chandra, Kubera, Manmatha, Agasthya, Indra, Dattatreya, sage Durvasa and a host of others! Sloka thirty seven of Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra declares,“Kulangana kulanthastha kaulini kulayogini Akula samayantasta Samayachara tatpara.” Later the progress of Devi through various Chakras is described in detail.

Ok

MANMATHA'S LAUGHTER (Soundarya Lahari 86)

Sankara, in his obsession for describing the beauty of Lalithambika, conjures up several visions that stun and petrify us! He says that Manmatha made Devi’s ‘Janghas’ a quiver for his ten arrows! They are circular and resemble the quiver! Indra and other Devas are always at Her lotus feet! Sankara continues and speaks of the significance of Devi's feet! She has the water of the river Ganga from the matted hair of Siva for a wash; the Vedas and the Upanishads speak volumes of the greatness of Her feet; Her feet are of the red hue of Vishnu's Kaustubha diamond!

Offering his obeisance to Her lotus feet, Sankara remarks that they look extremely beautiful with wet “ Laksharasa'” and radiance. He says that Kameswara is angry because Lalithambika is moving forward to offer “Dohada” to the barren Asoka tree! The tree has stolen His prerogative and hence his envy and anger! Sankara's fertile imagination offers us different vistas of Devi's  ‘angas’ and surprise us with brilliant images!

In the eighty sixth sloka, Sankara surprises us with another amazing vision! He speaks of the the anger of Sri Mata at the slip of the tongue of Her spouse Sadasiva! Says Sankara, “O Mother! In Your privacy, when Your husband, by a slip of the tongue, called the name of his second wife, You hit the forehead of Siva with your leg! Having seen this rare sight, Manmatha, smarting at the humiliation caused by the fire of the Third Eye of Siva, laughs with the jingling sound of the anklets She wears!

Women are naturally angry with their husbands when they remember other women and call their names! So Devi is angered by the calling of the name of the other woman in their privacy! Their is jealousy that the other woman has solen the heart of Her husband! In Her anger She hits the forehead of the Lord with Her leg!! Manmatha, invisible, relishes the scene and laughs with the jingling sound of Her anklets! In other words, Devi's anklets are so beautiful that they denote the Sringara rasa which is the forte of the Love God. Manmatha, says Sankara, had a hearty laugh at this sight, forgetting the humiliation that he suffered at the fire of the Third Eye of Siva!

Manmatha is considered as the enemy of Lord Siva because he disturbed the severe penance of the Lord though for the well being of  Devas. He was responsible for uniting Siva and Parvati and the birth of Lord Kumaraswami! Later Tarakasura who tormented the Devas was killed by Lord Kumaraswami! Sankara says that Mamatha was very happy to see the discomfiture of his enemy, Siva when Devi hit him on the forehead with Her leg! The romance of the husband and wife becomes well-knit with such mutual tender and affectionate blows!

I

SIVA'S ANGER (Soundarya Lahari 85)

The lotus is no comparison for the feet of Sri Mata! They are rosy and bright and attract the attention of everyone! They are a symbol of natural beauty that cannot be excelled! But Devi's feet have defeated the lotus by the radiance of Her feet! Diamond studded 'manjiras’ adorn Her feet and the jingling soft sound produced by them heightens the beauty of Devi! She has the royal and dignified gait of the female Swan that compels other's attention and care! Her feet are smeared with red ‘sindura’ paste! “Sruthi seemantha sindurikrutha padabja dhulika!” She is capable of uplifting the mortals caught in the mire of samsara or family ties! “Samsarapanka nirmagna samuddharana panditha!” Her lotus feet grant emancipation or ‘mukti’ to Her sincere devotees! She is the very embodiment of causeless compassion and the torch that dispels the darkness of ignorance or ‘ajnana’.” Avyaja karunamurthy rajnana dhwanta deepika!

Sankara is not satisfied with the descriptions of Devi's eyes, ears, feet, nose, breasts, navel and other angas' of Devi! After explaining the extreme softness of Her thighs that defeat the softness of the elephant trunk and the plantain stem, Sankara states that her forelegs (Janu) are harder and more stony than the heads of the eight ‘Diggajas! Manmatha has converted Her “Janghas” into his quiver where the ten arrows are kept! Indra and other Devas always remain obedient at Her lotus feet!

Considering himself as impure, Sankara prevails upon Sri Lalitambika to place Her lotus feet on his head and purify him! The Vedas and the Upanishads wear Her feet as ornaments on their head! It is the water of the Ganga from the matted hair of Lord Siva that wash Her feet! Her feet are of the red hue of the Kaustubha diamond of Lord Vishnu! Sankara calls upon Devi to place such distinguished feet on his head so that all his impurities are removed once for all!

Once again, in the eighty fifth sloka Sankara conjures up a beautiful vision of Devi's feet and offers his ‘pranams’ to those lotus feet. Says Sankara, “ O Mother! Your feet are wet with the smear of  ‘Laksharasa! and shine with dazzling brilliance! I offer my obeisance to them! It appears that Kameswara is furious at that Asoka tree that expects Devi's kick for the ritual of “Dohada!”

Sankara imagines that Lord Siva is angry that his prerogative during the romance and love quarrel-- Devi's Pat with Her leg is obtained by the Asoka tree! “ Dohada” is a ritual in ancient days where a beautiful woman would gently hit the tree that  does not bear flowers and fruits! It is believed that the hit by the leg of a beautiful woman would electrify and activate the tree into bearing flowers and fruits! The tree would not be barren afterwards!! We wonder at the humility and simplicity of the great poet, philosopher and the founder of the Adwaita School of Philosophy! It is a lesson for all of us puffed up with pride, arrogance and ego! Sankara indirectly warns all of us not to be the victims of those evil qualities! If Sankara feels he is impure, how about all of us full of innumerable defects!

DEVI'S FEET (Soundarya Lahari 84)

In the second sloka of Soundarya Lahari Sankara speaks volumes of the greatness of Devi's “Pada renu” the fine dust under Her feet! By taking a small portion of that Brahma is able to create the universe and all animate and in inanimate creatures! It is because of that “Pada Renu” Vishnu with his thousand heads is in a position to  bear the burden of the entire universe! Sankara says that Siva is not an exception at all! He has smeared that “Pada renu” all over his body!! Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra describes Devi's feet as “padadwaya prabhajala parakruta saroruha Sinjana Mani manjira manditha sripadambuja!”--Devi has defeated the brightness of the lotus by the radiance of Her feet! Her lotus feet are adorned by the jingling diamond studded ‘manjiras'! Towards the later part of Soundarya Lahari, Sankara once again describes the distinctive qualities of Lalitambika’ feet!

Sankara has already, in the earlier slokas, described how Devi has lightened the entire earth by her 'Nithambas!’ Her round and soft thighs are softer than the elephant trunks and the plantain stem! Sankara continues and comments that Her forelegs “Janu”, are harder and more stony than the heads of the eight ‘Diggajas--Elephants guarding and holding the eight directions! It is because She has been prostrating and worshipping Her spouse Iswara always! Revelling in his poetic imagination, Sankara says that Manmatha,to win over Lord Siva, converted the ‘Jangha’ of Devi into his quiver where he kept his ten arrows! Indra and other Devas are always at Her lotus feet worshipping Her!

Sankara in this sloka points out the speciality of the feet of Devi! Says Sankara, “ O Mother! Your feet which have the Vedas and the Upanishads as adornments on Your head, which have the water of the Ganga from the matted hair of Lord Siva for a wash, which are red in color like the Kaustubha diamond of Lord Vishnu--kindly place them on my head and sanctify me!”

Lalithambika is described as “ Sruthi simantha sindhurikrutha padabja dhulika Sakalagama sandoha sukthi samputa maukthika” in the Sahasranamam. Again “Sarvopanisahdudghusta santyatita kalatmika” She  is ‘parabramha swarupini’ where words fail to describe and Manas cannot enter! “Yato vacho nivartante aprapya Manasa Saha” Sri Mata's feet are washed by the water of the river Ganga from the matted hair of Lord Siva says Sankara! Not only that, Her feet are red like the Kaustubha diamond worn by Lord Vishnu! Sankara hints that Sri Mata is sublime and far superior to the Trimurtis!

It is ahankara or ego that causes the downfall of man! Pride and arrogance undoes the individual however great he might be! “Ma kuru dhana Jana yauvana garvam harati nimeshat kalas sarvam” rebukes Sankara in his “Bhajagovinda Stotra.” Despite his phenomenal contribution to religion, philosophy and devotional literature, Sankara is humble and considers himself a sinner! He knows his limitations! What is he in the presence of his Mother Sri Mata? So in all humility he requests Lalithambika to place Her distinguished feet on his head so that all his blemishes and sin can be warded off once for all! Is it possible for any person, including Sakara, to  obtain the Grace of Sri Mata easily? If Sankara considers himself impure, what about us, poor mortals???