Sankara points out the unique nature of Sri Lalita Maha Tripurasundari. While poets and scholars are called Saraswathipaths and the rich are named as Lakshmipathis, it is not so with Lalithambika! Her name can never be associated with private mortals! Her embrace is only for Kameswara and not even for the barren ‘ Gorinta’ plant that deserves ‘Dohada!’ Though Vedic scholars call Devi in different names like Lakshmi and Saraswathi, She transcends them and remains as “Chandrakala” and Srividya or Mahamaya, the spouse of Sadasiva, the very form of Parabrahman!
Coming to the end of his astonishing descriptions of the glory and beauty of Lalithambika, Sankara expresses his ardent desire for the attainment of Brahmajnana or Self Realization.
He is very eagerly waiting for the “padodaka”- the water of Her lotus feet! He wants to drink deep those sacred drops which are capable of transforming an ignorant into a poet and scholar! It will be like the sacred “Tamboola rasa” of Goddess Saraswathi! She is described as the essence of Chandas,sastras, and mantras! “ Chandas Sara sastra Sara mantra sara talodari” She is also the lover of Sama Veda, very gentle in looks and the wife of Sadasiva! “Samagana Priya saumya Sadasiva kutumbini” She transcends all worlds, all qualities, and everything! She is the essence of Self control! “ Lokatita gunatita sarvatita samatmika”
Sankara, in his ninety ninth sloka of Soundarya Lahari indicates the effect of the ‘ Upasana’ of Devi as ‘Chandrakala.’ Such an individual will be graced by the Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswathi! “ Says Sankara, O Mother! One who worships you as Chandrakala shall have the Grace of both Lakshmi and Saraswathi and thus becomes the adversary of creator Brahma and protector Lord Vishnu! He shall cut off all connection with ‘Avidya’ or ignorance and shall live forever drinking deep the bliss of heaven!”
This sloka is almost the last of Soundarya Lahari! Sankara says that worship of Lalithambika shall make a man rich and prosperous in every field of activity! He can also be a great poet and a scholar! He will be long lived and free from diseases and worries! He will become intensely spiritual and enjoy rare spiritual Bliss! Devi shall see that Her devotee is happy and blessed in life! Though material advancement is assured, the Sadhaka will eventually move godward! Universal Mother Lalithambika shall look after every single need, material and spiritual, of Her dear child devotees without fail!
Devi shall never leave any of her upasakas in the lurch! However She will put him to severe test before raining Grace on him! Sri Vidya Upasana is the most difficult of all worships! She is Maha Maya and hence will test the devotees with Her illusory power! The upasaka has to maintain extreme caution, concentration and meditation in this form of upasana! Any faux pas shall let him down and make all his efforts futile! We have enjoyed the amazing descriptions of the Waves of Beauty- Soundarya Lahari through the words of the illustrious philosopher poet Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada!! He has transported all of us into a different Elysian world where we can enjoy and realize every single aspect of the Divine Beauty of Lalithambika! It is very highly doubtful if any one else, barring Sankara, would have attempted and accomplished such a great task not only beautiful but highly spiritual! We are indeed very fortunate to have gone through the hundred slokas and attempted to enjoy and relish the essence or the ‘rasa! May Lalithambika shower Her Grace on all of us always!
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