Soundarya Lahiri 1

November 15, 2006

"sitam_subba" <sitam_subba wrote:

SHIVAH SHAKTYA YUKTOU YADBHAVATI SHAKTAH PRABHAVITUM

NACHEDEVAM DEVO NAKHALUKUSHALAH SPANDITUMAPI

ATASTVAMARADHYAM HARIHARA VIRINCADHIBIRAPI

PRANATUM STOTUMVA KATHAMATKRUTAPUNYA PRABHAVATI

only when shiva's unision with shakti happens,power manifests.when

it is not so,the supreme god(paramashiva) is unable to move even a

piece of straw. No wonder that Hari,Hara ,Brahma and others prostate

before you [shakti].I am fortunate that i am enabled to express my

devotion to you (through these verses) may be,due to some great

deeds or puja I must have done in my previous lives.

The 1st line"SHIVA SHAKTYAYUKTO YADI BHAVATI SHATAH PRABHAVITUM"

--establishes the supremacy of Shakti

--Theoretical physics postulates a universe whose entire mass was

concentrated at one point and then evolved into the present

configuration.Among infinite number of probable paths the evolution

followed a path that led to the present configuration including a

planet with conditions suitable for life.One has to accept that

there is some guiding force(shakti responsible for this

evolution.The vast diversity-very active stars to black

holes,himalayas to depths of pacific,microbes to large animals- is

LEELA,a play or an entertainment for this force.

> --Adi Sankara in Dakshinamurty stotra says"Beejaswantarivankuro

jagadidam.....".The world is analogous to the plant in the seed.The

seed becomes a plant due to growth impulse,nutrients etc.Therefore

the manifestation of a plant from seed is due to the loving care of

the mother who protects life and allows growth.The universe is

seen,felt and observed only because of this manifestation.

> The last line".......MA KRUTA PUNYAH PRABHAVATI" means the

result of good deeds in past lives.It can also mean years of

Sadhana,physical training and meditation which have prepared the

Sadhaka for a glimpse of the splendour of divine mother.

> The Beejaksharam for upasana is KLEEM.The expected result of

Upasana is Viidhhi(overall development?)

Interpreting the stanza from the following point of views :

[1] VedAnta [2] Samkhya [3] The chief Deity of Sri-Vidya [4]

Significant words [5] Their significance [6] Genesis of sounds [7]

The Yantra [8] The Pranava [9] The MAtrkA, the Samskrt Alphabet [10]

KAdi-vidyA [11]HAdi- vidyA [12] The PaNcAksari [13] The Guru , The

Initiator [14] Candra-kalA

[1] Only when in conjunction with the Sakti, [the Maya with the

twofold functions of Avarana – veiling the real, and Viksepa –

showing the unreal, not independently however of the Brahman, which

is Siva] would Siva [ the auspicious, undefiled Bliss ie the

Brahman, which is the Supreme Existence, Consciousness and Bliss,

and becomes Isvara when amalgamated with the MAyA] acquire the power

to create [sustain and destroy the elements, Ether, etc, and the

variants evolved out of them, as also to become one with them];

otherwise the Deva [who indulges in the pastimes of creation etc]

becomes incapable even of stirring., [not to speak of engaging in

the direction of such pastimes]. While so, how dares one who has not

[purified his mind by the accumulation of] virtuous deeds, [through

many a previous incarnation, has not studied intensively the

Upanisadic lore and attained Self-realization through the grace of

his Guru, and thereby been enabled to comprehend Thy real nature by

the removal of the cobwebs of illusion, which ensnare even the

great], either to salute [by way of bidding adieu to Thee] or to

extol [with the view to being spared Thy attentions] Thee [that hast

endowed even Isvara with such powers and that art proficient in

rendering what is impossible, possible], [O MAyA!] that art worthy

of being served even by Hari [Visnu, the sustainer] Hara [Rudra, the

destroyer], ViriNca [brahman, the creator] and others [of that type,

subject to AvidyA]?

[2] Only when in conjunction with the Sakti[Prakrti, the blind

creative Energy, endowed with the three properties : Sattva, Rajas

and Tamas – Rhythm, Mobility and Inertia] would Siva [the lame

Purusa, called Isvara] characterized by indifference and not capable

of acting independently [acquire the reputation of being the creator

and enjoyer of the world]. Should it be otherwise, the Deva [isvara]

becomes totally incapable even of stirring, [much more so, of any

action he is reputed to be the author of, as it is from the Prakrti,

in the presence of the Purusa, that the Mahat, AhamkAra, TanmAtra-s,

etc.. in their order, have had their origin] While it is so, how

dares one who has not acquired Thy Sattva-guna [and hence the proper

knowledge derived from a study of Kapila's system, with the help of

a Guru] to salute or to sing the praise [in some such manner

as ,"What shall I say of Thee, O crest-jewel of chaste women! That

hast established Thy greatness, without in any way affecting Thy

husband's, Thyself blind and He indifferent"] of Thee [O Goddess!]

that art worthy of being served even by Hari, Hara and ViriNca,

[each one of them, by partaking of the Sattva, Tamas and Rajas

respectively of Thy Guna-s, in their work of sustenance, destruction

and creation] and such others?

[3]Only when frolicking wiht the Sakti [His consort, Haimavati,

seated on His lap] would Siva [possessed of infinite auspicious

qualities, from whom Bhava - the creator, Mrda - the sustainer, and

Hara - the destroyer, take their origin, who has His seat on Mount

KailAsa and in the inmost core of the Sri-cakra] be capable of

procreating [as His progeny, the entire universe, nourishing it and

becoming its overlord]; otherwise, the Deva [though self-effulgent]

becomes powerless even of stirring; [much less would there be scope

for Him to be credited with achievements, such as the burning of the

three Pura-s, swallowing the virulent HAlAhala and the like]. While

so, how dares one [who cannot lay any claims to having worshipped at

Thy lotus-feet during previous lives], either to make obeisance [by

body, word of mouth and mind] before, or to glorify Thee [O

Goddess!] that art served by Hari, Hara, ViriNca [ and Isvara, as

the four legs of Thy couch, by Sadasiva as Thy mattress, Mahendra as

Thy spittoon and so on]?

To be continued....

November 15, 2006

Thanks.I have read a few books in Telugu(sitaramanjaneyam etc) but never before come across such a concise summary of this interrelationship.regards

NMadasamy <nmadasamy (AT) nmadasamy (DOT) com> wrote: "sitam_subba" <sitam_subba wrote: