SRI MATA'S TONGUE--ITS EFFECT (Soundarya Lahari 64)

Every sloka of Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra glorifies the innumerable attributes of Sri Mata! She is described as the basis of Nature, the unmanifest as well as the manifest! She is all pervading, of various forms, the embodiment of Vidya-Knowledge and Avidya- Ignorance! She is the cynosure of the eyes of MahaKamesa! She is also the moonlight that wakes up and pleases the Kumuda-- Lily flower! “Moolaprakriti ravyakta vyaktavyakta swarupini  Vyapini vividhakara vidyavidya swarupini MahaKamesa nayani kumudahlada kaumudi!” She is the messenger of Siva and worshipped by Him! She is also the form of Iswara! She is the bestower of wellness to all! She is the darling of Lord Siva, devoted to Him, dear to Her devotees and worshipped by them! “ Siva duti Sivaradhya Siva murthi sivankari Siva Priya Siva para sishteshta sishtapujitha.” She is beyond the reach of Manas and words and Self effulgent! “Aprameya swaprakasa mano vachamagochara!”

There is none in this world who is not pleased by the praise showered on him deservingly or undeservingly! Similarly all Devas are pleased by the praise heaped on them by their bhakthas. In fact, all the stotras composed  by devotees like Sankara are in praise of the concerned Gods or Goddesses! Normally we are happy to hear our praise! We are doubly happy when our close relatives are spoken well of.The husband is happy when the wife is praised. Similarly the wife is elated when her husband is spoken very highly of of! A loyal wife shall always be thinking about  her husband and the sterling qualities of his character.

Sankara, in this sloka points out how Sri Mata is constantly thinking of Her husband Kameswara and his qualities! Once again, Sankara's vision describes Sri Mata's tongue in a new interpretation! Says Sankara, “O Mother! Your tongue is red like the” Japa flower!” It is constantly praising the great qualities of your husband! It  is amazing to observe how the pure white body of Goddess Saraswathi has turned red as she seats herself in front of you!” What Sankara means is that Sri Mata's tongue is not only deep red in color but capable of turning into red anything in its proximity! The powerful red rays shall not leave anything unchanged!

Sankara says that Sri Mata is wondering at the heroism of Kameswara in fighting and decimating Trpurasuras and their forts! She chants within Herself the other heroics of Her spouse! Seated in front of Sri Mata's tongue, the pure quartz like white color of Goddess Saraswathi is transformed into red! The Divine red rays can change anything into red color!

The body is the temple of God! Every part of it is sacred and has to be utilized for good purpose! Any devotee or upasaka has to keep in mind this aspect. The parts of our body should not be misused or abused! The tongue should speak and sing the glory of God in any form!  Manas should worship him! Both the legs should visit temples! Ears should hear the Divine sports of God! Eyes should drink deep the beauty of the Lord! Nose should smell the water fragrant with ‘ thulasi’ (Oscimum sanctum).! Head should bow down in utter humility before God! “Jihve! Kirthaya Kesavam Muraripum cheto! bhaja Sridharam panidwanda! Samarchayachuta kathah srotradwaya! twam srunu, Krishnam lokaya lochanadwaya! Harergacchanghri yugmalayam jighra ghrana! Mukunda pada thulasim murdhan! namadhokshajam” directs Sri Kulasekhara Azwar in his Mukundamala. By saying that Sri Mata is chanting for ever the glory and the Divine sports of Kameswara, Sankara suggests that all mortals should chant the glory of God and his Leelas!

THE CHAKORA EXPERIENCE (Soundarya Lahari 63)

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!

DEVI'S LIPS (Soundarya Lahari 62)

It is surprising to note that Sri Sankara has gone further in describing the beauty of Sri Mata! He has exceeded them in portraying Her ethereal beauty and looking at Her form in different exclusive angles! She has drenched and stolen the heart of Kamesa with Her sweet seductive smile! “Mandasmitha prabhapura majjath Kamesa Manasa.” She is decked with golden Keyuras on Her shoulders! “Kanakangada keyura kamaniya bhujanvitha.” She has a very slim waist! “Lakshyaroma latadhara samunneya madhyama.” She has two soft, delicate thighs known only to Her spouse Kamesa.”Kamesa jnata saubhagya mardavoru dwaynvita.” She has defeated the lotus by the radiance of Her feet! “Padadwaya prabhajla parakruta saroruha.” In no way is She inferior to the dignified gait of the female Swan! ”Marali manda gmana maha lavanya sevadhi”

Her entire form is of red color and adorned with several ornaments. She seats Herself on the left thigh of Kamesa and has total control of Her husband! “Sivakameswarankastha Siva swadhina Vallabha.”

Sri Mata's voice is sweet and extremely mellifluous! It is like the cascade of Amrita from heaven- the Divine nectar! Sankara envisions Goddess Saraswathi enjoying Devi's song and nodding her head vigorously! The ‘kundalas’ on her ears create a tinkling sound as if she is admiring and appreciating Devi's song! Sankara compares Her nose to a flute and hopes that would bring happiness and cheer to him and others! The pearl at the tip of Her left nostril ( Chandra Nadi) is similar to the one in the nose!

While the Vasinyadi Vagdevatas describe Devi's form and ‘angas’ in general, Sankara delves deep in to their specialities! To his devotional and spiritual eyes everything about his Mother is imbued with special significance! His angle of vision is not that of an ordinary mortal but of a wondering upasaka of Devi! He describes the extraordinary nature and beauty of Devi's lips! Says Sankara, “O Mother! Let me tell the natural quality of and comparison for your lips! The coral creeper in its ripened state can equal Your lips!  The coral alone is not enough. It has to ripen. That deep redness too is not sufficient! The other fruits of creepers are others suitable! The reflection of Your lips make the fruit of “Donda”- a creeper red in color! That is why it is called “Bimba”. Hence it is not similar even to the sixteenth part of Your lips!”

Woman's beauty is generally judged by her face, eyes and gait! The face is compared to the full moon in general. The eyes are compared to the lotus petals that are broad and even extending to the ears! “Rajiva patrekshana” “Akarnanta nayana ” The more she walks slowly with dignity the more beautiful she is considered! She is compared to the gait of the female swan-°Marali manda gamana”-Sankara employs all these images in the description of Devi’s beauty! Another aspect of beauty is the lips of the woman. Sankara, therefore, describes the special nature of her Divine lips in this sloka. They are expected to be red in color and soft! They are generally compared to the red “Bimba” fruit!

Often in te stotras praising the deities, we come across the standard  description of the beauty of the the God or Goddess! The smile and teeth of the woman adds charm, and attraction to her personality! Sankara, in one of his great and popular stotras on Devi, “Meenakshi pancharatna” describes the beauty of Devi in the first sloka. “ Udyadbhanu sahasrakoti sadrusam keyura harojvalam bimboshtim smitadanta pankthi ruchiram pitambaralankrutam…”She is similar to thousand crore rising suns, decked and radiant with Keyuras and garlands, endowed with lips like the ‘Bimba’ fruit, with smiling rows of teeth and adorned with the yellow dress pitambara” Thus the beauty of Devi is the ideal and standard that any woman can anticipate!

DEVI'S NOSEGAY (Soundarya Lahari 61)

During the “Kesadi padanta'” description  Sri Mata's form is given special importance by the Vasinyadi Vagdevatas! Every ‘anga’ of Devi is specifically described. She has emerged out of the sacrificial fire for the purpose of defeating the asuras tormenting the Devas! With four arms and pasa and ankusa she shines forth with the coruscating brilliance of thousand Suns! She has equipped Herself with the sugarcane bow and the flower arrows of Manmatha! The beauty of Her form is incomparable and indescribable as She has decked Herself with excellent flowers like the Champaka, Asoka and Punnaga! Her face is similar to that of the full moon with ‘mriganabhi’ mark resembling the spot on the moon! The ornament on Her nose-- nosegay shines like the freshly blown Champaka flower! The nosegay shines mocking the brightness of the stars in heaven! “ Navachampaka pushpabha nasadanda virajita Tarakanti tiraskari nasabharana bhasura. ” Vasinyadi devatas continue and are ecstatic in describing the other parts of Devi's Divine form!

Pleading for Devi’ sideward glance on him, Sankara says that his birth shall find its fulfilment only then! He compares Her eyes to the arrows of Manmatha and the earlobes to the bow of the Love God! That illusion is created by the proximity of the eye and ears! Taking the metaphor further, Sankara continues and says that Her two ear studs refllect on her exquisite cheeks as four! He considers it as the chariot of Manmatha with four wheels! He wonders how Mamatha could oppose Iswara proceeding to destroy the Tripurasuras with earth as His chariot, sun and the moon as two wheels and the Vedas as the horses followed by Devas and the Pramatha Ganas! Sankara, in his vision observes Goddes Sarasvathi nodding her head vigorously and enjoying Devi’s songs even as her ‘kundalas’ produce strong tinkling sound!

In line with the description of  Devi's nosegay in Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra, Sankara takes up Devi's nose for his explanation! Says Sankara, “ O Mother, the flag post of the clan of Himavan! let the flute of Your nose be near to us and grant us deserving fruits! This flute of Your nose has pearls that have slipped from the left Chandranadi’! Because of this, Your left nostrl tip wears the  Pearl of Chandra Nadi!”

It is the nature of true devotee to expect well being through every part of the Divine form! Hence Sankara expects that Devi's Nose shall bring him and all others wellness and  happiness! The Flute is a wind instrument and the air passing through it is modulated into different notes by the mastery of the player and the dexterity of his fingers! As Prana or breath passes through the nose, Sankara compares Devi's nose to the flute! The pearl at the tip of Her nostril is compared to the one inside the Chandra Nadi on the left!

Nadi is the term representing the channels through which, according to Indian traditional medicine and spiritual science, the energies of physical, subtle and causal bodies flow. Surya is the Sun- your breathe in. Chandra is the Moon--your breathe out. Through the control of breath- Pranayama- the breathe in and breathe out--we can release suffering, heartache, depression and create the highest enlightenment, bliss and miraculous capability! Our right nostril is Surya Nadi and the left nostril is Chandra Nadi. Inhaling and exhaling is an automatic process throughout our lifetime. This represents the Vedantic principle-- ‘So ham’ ‘Ham sa’ or the Brahman! Through proper control of Breath or Prnayama one can increase his longevity and live for more than hundred years! That is how our Sages and Seers  lived for centuries together!

SARASWATHI NODS HER HEAD (Soundarya Lahari 60)

Describing the glorious attributes of Sri Mata,Vasinyadi Vagdevatas point out the dexterity of Devi in music and literature!  She is the personification of all sixty four arts! She is an expert in artistic discourses! “ Kalavati kalalapa kantha kadambari priya”. Not only this, She is a redoubtable debater, who can demolish any opponent through Her arguments! “ Vagvadini vamakesi vahnimandala vasini”. She is the very heart of fine arts, the master and one who revels in discussion of kavyas-epics! “Kalathmika kalanatha kavyalapa vinodini sachamara Rama Vani savya dakshina sevitha”- She is fanned with chamaras-- a kind of fan with feathers, by the Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati on Her left and right! She is the Knower of all Vedanta- the essence of all Vedas as well as the embodiment of Satya- Truth and Ananda or Bliss! “ Sarva Vedanta samvedya satyananda swarupini”.

Is there any limit for the attributes of Sri Mata who is “ Akhilandakoti Brahmanda Nayaki?- the Lord of all the worlds in the universe?  She is the very form of all languages, has a huge army, bereft of ‘bhava’ feeling and 'abhava'- absence of feeling! She is Rajarajeswari, the bestower of kingdoms and the queen of all Kingdoms! “Rajarajeswari rajyadayini rajya vallabha”.Vasinyadi Devatas are never tired of glorifying the countless attributes of Sri Mata. She is the essence of all ‘Chandas’--rules of prosody and composing, of all Sastras and Mantras or invocations! She grants peace and rest to mortals tortured by the inescapable cycle of birth, death and old age! She is well versed in the Upanishads, and the very center of art that transcends peace and calmness! “Janma mrityu jaratapta Jana visranti dayini Sarvopanisha dudgushta santyatita kalatmika”

Earlier Sri Sankara has described Sri Mata's earlobes as the bow of Manmatha and the eyes that cross lobes as the arrows of the Love God! In another twist of imagination he calls Her face with exquisite cheeks that reflect the two earstuds, as chariot of Manmatha! He wonders how Manmatha could target Lord Siva who with earth as chariot and the sun and the moon as the two wheels and the Vedas as the horses, killed Trpurasuras! Sankara now exults in the sweet music and songs Devi is engaged in! Says Sankara,” O Mother, the spouse of Sarva (Siva), Your melodious and mellifluous song is being heard and enjoyed by Goddess Saraswathi! Even as she nods her head in total enjoyment of Your music, her ear studs produce a tinkling sound! I consider that as an appreciation and praise for Your music!”

Strange and amazing indeed is the poetic imagination of this devotee, Sankara! He says that Devi's words beat the cascade of Divine nectar! They are so sweet like honey. In his vision Sankara sees Goddess Saraswathi drinking deep the beauty of Devi's song continuously! As a result of this ecstasy, she nods her head without a stop! Her earstuds (kundalas) produce a sweet tinkling sound as if Goddess Saraswathi is appreciating and extolling Devi's music and song!

Every poet has what is called poetic license! We cannot take exception to pictures

painted by Sankara's imagination! Sankara has embellished the image of his Divine Mother through his rare poetic vision! In doing so, he has derived inexplicable delight, not only for himself, but passed it on to the readers of Soundarya Lahari! Every sloka is a gem of description involving flights of imagination, fancy and imagery!The reader who understands and enjoys each and every sloka is really fortunate! Devi shall surely bless him!

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