Soundarya Lahari
Shivah shakthya yukto yadi bhavati shaktah prabhavitum
Na chedevam devo na khalu kusalah spanditumapi
Atas tvam aradhyam Hari-Hara-Virinchadibhir api
Pranantum stotum vaa katham akrta-punyah prabhavati
Meaning:
Lord Shiva, only becomes able to do creation in this world along with Shakthi,
Without her, even an inch he cannot move,
And so how can, one who does not do good deeds,
Or one who does not sing your praise,
Become adequate to worship you
Oh, goddess mine, who is worshipped by the trinity.
Episode -11
Na chedevam devo na khalu kusalah spanditumapi
Atas tvam aradhyam Hari-Hara-Virinchadibhir api
Pranantum stotum vaa katham akrta-punyah prabhavati
Meaning:
Lord Shiva, only becomes able to do creation in this world along with Shakthi,
Without her, even an inch he cannot move,
And so how can, one who does not do good deeds,
Or one who does not sing your praise,
Become adequate to worship you
Oh, goddess mine, who is worshipped by the trinity.
Episode -11
Soundarya Lahari, meaning ‘Wave of Beauty’, is a Sanskrit literary work believed to be written by sage Pushpadanta and Adi Shankara.
It is said that once Great Universal Master Sri Adi Shankara visited Kailash to worship Shiva and Parvathi. There, the Lord gave him a manuscript containing 100 verses which described the many facets of the Goddess, as a gift to him. While Shankara was returning, Nandi stopped him on the way. He snatched the manuscript from him, tore it into two, took one part and gave the other to Shankara. A very unhappy, Shankara, ran to Shiva and narrated the incident to him. Shiva, smiling, commanded him to retain the 41 verses with him as the initial part of the 100 verses and then, write an extra 59 verses in praise of the Goddess himself. Thus, verses 1 - 41 are the original work of Lord Shiva, shedding great light on the ancient rituals of Tantra, Yantra and various powerful Mantras. Verses 1 - 41 describe the mystical experience of the union of Shiva and Shakti and related phenomena are called Ananda Lahari (Wave of Bliss). They deal with Sri Vidya way of worship that includes construction of Sri Chakra diagram, Kundalini Yoga and mantras (including a powerful fifteen syllable mantra of Sri Lalita Maha Tripura Sundari called Panchadshakshari mantra). This is why this hymn is of paramount importance in the worship of Sri Lalita form of Devi Maa.
The remaining verses, i.e. 42-100 are composed by Adi Shankara himself, which mainly focuses on the appearance of the Goddess and is called Soundarya Lahari. This section describes the beauty of Devi Maa from head to toe in finer details, exhausting almost all literary ornamentation (alankaras) in Sanskrit language! In practice, however, entire hymn of 100 slokas is referred to as Soundarya Lahari (Wave of Beauty).
Soundarya Lahari’s importance in Kalpana’s life:
As I said in one of the earlier episodes, Geeta came to visit Kalpana in February 2016. Geeta has a habit of getting up at 4 AM to perform her puja. The next day of her arrival, Geeta got up as usual during Brahma Muhurtam and was cleaning the diyas in the kitchen. She could hear someone walking outside the kitchen in the foyer.
She could hear the soft tinkling sounds of anklets…
She thought Kalpana must have woken up and got busy in the cleaning and later in performing the puja. She could feel someone walking into the room and sitting next to her.
After finishing the puja when Geeta saw Kalpana entering the puja room she asked ‘When did you leave the room? I did not hear you going away’. Kalpana said she got up late and hence was preparing food for her husband and children in the kitchen and that she was coming to the puja room only then.
Then who did Geeta hear walking early in the morning and who sat next to her while she performed puja???
The following day, when Geeta was performing the puja, Kalpana sat observing the process. After the puja Geeta asked what Kalpana saw.
Kalpana explained that she saw a golden Peetam on which a Devi with red colored saree was sitting. She told Geeta that her Shiva puja was very nice as Kalpana thought Geeta was performing abhishekam to Lord Shiva.
Geeta explained that she was not performing Shiva puja but in fact it was the Sri Chakra puja that she was performing all the while. (It is believed that Sri Chakra puja has to be performed only after initiation by a Guru).
As I said in one of the earlier episodes, Geeta came to visit Kalpana in February 2016. Geeta has a habit of getting up at 4 AM to perform her puja. The next day of her arrival, Geeta got up as usual during Brahma Muhurtam and was cleaning the diyas in the kitchen. She could hear someone walking outside the kitchen in the foyer.
She could hear the soft tinkling sounds of anklets…
She thought Kalpana must have woken up and got busy in the cleaning and later in performing the puja. She could feel someone walking into the room and sitting next to her.
After finishing the puja when Geeta saw Kalpana entering the puja room she asked ‘When did you leave the room? I did not hear you going away’. Kalpana said she got up late and hence was preparing food for her husband and children in the kitchen and that she was coming to the puja room only then.
Then who did Geeta hear walking early in the morning and who sat next to her while she performed puja???
The following day, when Geeta was performing the puja, Kalpana sat observing the process. After the puja Geeta asked what Kalpana saw.
Kalpana explained that she saw a golden Peetam on which a Devi with red colored saree was sitting. She told Geeta that her Shiva puja was very nice as Kalpana thought Geeta was performing abhishekam to Lord Shiva.
Geeta explained that she was not performing Shiva puja but in fact it was the Sri Chakra puja that she was performing all the while. (It is believed that Sri Chakra puja has to be performed only after initiation by a Guru).
Then she explained to Kalpana that the Devi she saw was none other than Laitha Tripura Sundari.
Later after everyone left for the work, Kalpana asked Geeta to explain Soundarya Lahari to her. They both sat in front of the altar (puja room). As soon as Geeta started the explanation of the first stanza, Kalpana immediately asked her to hold.
Later after everyone left for the work, Kalpana asked Geeta to explain Soundarya Lahari to her. They both sat in front of the altar (puja room). As soon as Geeta started the explanation of the first stanza, Kalpana immediately asked her to hold.
The reason......
She could see Devi Maa in front of her sitting crossed legged with an orange saree, lot of jewels and a big smile.
Geeta has the habit of praying to Adi Shankara to seek his blessings before reading Soundarya Lahari. So she told Kalpana to think of him before starting. Suddenly Kalpana exclaimed that she could see him sitting at the feet of Devi Maa with his hands in praying position and looking at Mother Goddess. Kalpana could see that he was very small compared to the size of Devi Maa.
When Geeta was reading the Soundarya Lahari, Kalpana was looking alternatively at the book and Devi Maa. Maa then instructed Kalpana to close the book and only look at Her listening to Geeta’s reading.
As Geeta read the book Kalpana explained each and every part of the Goddess from head to toe in a sequence. Devi Maa showed Kalpana her naked body as described by Adi Shankara. Mother Goddess was slowly revealing each and every part of her body in front of Kalpana and she was able to describe the same. Before Geeta started the next sloka Kalpana used to explain and describe what would come in that particular sloka.
Initially Kalpana was reluctant to describe Devi Maa to Geeta as for any lady it is embarrassing to describe the nakedness of another woman, be it Goddess or any one.
Isn’t it??
But Devi Maa had something else in mind. She was edging Kalpana saying ‘nee para, nee para’ (meaning 'you tell, you tell').
Geeta wanted to touch Mother Goddess feet and requested the same to Kalpana. So Kalpana guided her hands to Devi Maa feet for namaskaram. And when Kalpana bowed her head to touch Devi’s feet immediately Maa picked her and hugged her.
At one point Kalpana told she could see a brown liquid coming out from the corner of Devi Maa’s mouth. Immediately Geeta explained that it was Devi's thamboolam juice that was dripping out and Gods like Indra, Vishnu drink that juice to get energy after their battle with the rakshas.
Geeta was stunned hearing the description by Kalpana.
Oh! What a divine image Kalpana must have seen.
Kalpana saw none other than Maha Tripura Sundari sitting on the top of the Sri Meru.
She could see Devi Maa in front of her sitting crossed legged with an orange saree, lot of jewels and a big smile.
Geeta has the habit of praying to Adi Shankara to seek his blessings before reading Soundarya Lahari. So she told Kalpana to think of him before starting. Suddenly Kalpana exclaimed that she could see him sitting at the feet of Devi Maa with his hands in praying position and looking at Mother Goddess. Kalpana could see that he was very small compared to the size of Devi Maa.
When Geeta was reading the Soundarya Lahari, Kalpana was looking alternatively at the book and Devi Maa. Maa then instructed Kalpana to close the book and only look at Her listening to Geeta’s reading.
As Geeta read the book Kalpana explained each and every part of the Goddess from head to toe in a sequence. Devi Maa showed Kalpana her naked body as described by Adi Shankara. Mother Goddess was slowly revealing each and every part of her body in front of Kalpana and she was able to describe the same. Before Geeta started the next sloka Kalpana used to explain and describe what would come in that particular sloka.
Initially Kalpana was reluctant to describe Devi Maa to Geeta as for any lady it is embarrassing to describe the nakedness of another woman, be it Goddess or any one.
Isn’t it??
But Devi Maa had something else in mind. She was edging Kalpana saying ‘nee para, nee para’ (meaning 'you tell, you tell').
Geeta wanted to touch Mother Goddess feet and requested the same to Kalpana. So Kalpana guided her hands to Devi Maa feet for namaskaram. And when Kalpana bowed her head to touch Devi’s feet immediately Maa picked her and hugged her.
At one point Kalpana told she could see a brown liquid coming out from the corner of Devi Maa’s mouth. Immediately Geeta explained that it was Devi's thamboolam juice that was dripping out and Gods like Indra, Vishnu drink that juice to get energy after their battle with the rakshas.
Geeta was stunned hearing the description by Kalpana.
Oh! What a divine image Kalpana must have seen.
Kalpana saw none other than Maha Tripura Sundari sitting on the top of the Sri Meru.
You may ask ‘Oh what is soo interesting in this. She must have read the description before and so was able to explain’…
The fascinating thing here is..
Till that day Kalpana had never read Soundarya Lahari and had not seen Sri Charka or Sri Meru in her life. When Geeta showed how the Sri Meru looks like and asked if Kalpana had seen the same. Kalpana was shocked beyond words and said that it was same but bigger, brighter and golden. Kalpana also saw the flowers that Geeta was offering to the Sri Chakra were falling on the Sri Meru but the flowers were bigger in size. (Sri Chakra written on a sheet of panchaloha, silver or gold while Sri Meru is the 3D verson of the same).
After this experience Kalpana got interested in learning about it.
By the time they finished by around 2pm, Kalpana was so exhausted with the divine energy she almost fainted with a very worried Geeta attending to her not knowing what to do.
The fascinating thing here is..
Till that day Kalpana had never read Soundarya Lahari and had not seen Sri Charka or Sri Meru in her life. When Geeta showed how the Sri Meru looks like and asked if Kalpana had seen the same. Kalpana was shocked beyond words and said that it was same but bigger, brighter and golden. Kalpana also saw the flowers that Geeta was offering to the Sri Chakra were falling on the Sri Meru but the flowers were bigger in size. (Sri Chakra written on a sheet of panchaloha, silver or gold while Sri Meru is the 3D verson of the same).
After this experience Kalpana got interested in learning about it.
By the time they finished by around 2pm, Kalpana was so exhausted with the divine energy she almost fainted with a very worried Geeta attending to her not knowing what to do.
Although I was not a witness to the morning process, I could see how drained Kalpana was in the evening. Kalpana’s family were supposed to come to my house for dinner.
Around 5pm Geeta called me to say that they would not be able to come as Kalpana was almost unconscious as she had seen Mother Goddess. In fact she asked if I can come to their house taking all the food. I was naturally a little upset as I had completed my preparation and being a weekend I did not want to face the traffic from Dubai to Sharjah.
After two hours a very tired Kalpana called to say that they would in fact be coming over. I was relieved. When I saw her, I could immediately see why Geeta was reluctant to bring Kalpana. She was tired and groggy as if she got up from deep sleep.Her eyes were drooping throughout the evening.
The divine energy is a very strong force and can deplete a human’s energy. Unless one is prepared to receive it, it is not feasible for ordinary mortal like us to bear it.
Smaram yonim lakshmeem tritaya-mida-maadau tava mano
Nidhaayaike nitye niravadhi-mahabhoga-rasikaah
Bhajanti twaam cintaamani-gunanibaddhaaksha-valayaah
Sivaagnau juhvantah surabhigrita-dhaaraahuti-sataih
Oh! Eternal Goddess Supreme! few persons knowing the aananda obtained from the continuous unbroken japa, do the aaraadhana or pooja for you, making the continuous stream of thoughts as the japamaala, in the beginning of Your divine Panca Dasa Aksharee mantra, combining the three “Kleem” [ the Kaama beeja mantra ], “Hreem [ the Bhuvaneswari beeja mantra ], “Sreem” [the Lakshmi beeja mantra], offer hundreds of aahutis by the ghee given by Kaamadhenu in the Agni in the Shakti triangle in the Sri Chakra.
Around 5pm Geeta called me to say that they would not be able to come as Kalpana was almost unconscious as she had seen Mother Goddess. In fact she asked if I can come to their house taking all the food. I was naturally a little upset as I had completed my preparation and being a weekend I did not want to face the traffic from Dubai to Sharjah.
After two hours a very tired Kalpana called to say that they would in fact be coming over. I was relieved. When I saw her, I could immediately see why Geeta was reluctant to bring Kalpana. She was tired and groggy as if she got up from deep sleep.Her eyes were drooping throughout the evening.
The divine energy is a very strong force and can deplete a human’s energy. Unless one is prepared to receive it, it is not feasible for ordinary mortal like us to bear it.
Smaram yonim lakshmeem tritaya-mida-maadau tava mano
Nidhaayaike nitye niravadhi-mahabhoga-rasikaah
Bhajanti twaam cintaamani-gunanibaddhaaksha-valayaah
Sivaagnau juhvantah surabhigrita-dhaaraahuti-sataih
Oh! Eternal Goddess Supreme! few persons knowing the aananda obtained from the continuous unbroken japa, do the aaraadhana or pooja for you, making the continuous stream of thoughts as the japamaala, in the beginning of Your divine Panca Dasa Aksharee mantra, combining the three “Kleem” [ the Kaama beeja mantra ], “Hreem [ the Bhuvaneswari beeja mantra ], “Sreem” [the Lakshmi beeja mantra], offer hundreds of aahutis by the ghee given by Kaamadhenu in the Agni in the Shakti triangle in the Sri Chakra.
Soundarya Lahari is a tantric text with mantra, yantra and tantra. Each sloka is a mantra and stands on its own. One can contemplate and meditate on any one sloka.
To know the phalashruti of each of the slokas please refer to the following link:
http://www.soundaryalaharishloka.in/2009/01/power-of-each-shloka.html
Hare Krishna
To know the phalashruti of each of the slokas please refer to the following link:
http://www.soundaryalaharishloka.in/2009/01/power-of-each-shloka.html
Hare Krishna
Next episode ‘Guruvayoor experiences’ to be posted on 15th December 2016.
