Soundarya Lahari-- Verse 23

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tvayaa hrutvaa vaamamvapuraparitrupteyna manasaa

sariraardham sambhoraparamapi sankey hrutamabhoot

yadeytatvadroopam sakalamarunaabham trinayanam

kucaabhyaamaanamram kutila sasi coodaala makutam

 

You Captured( the right to be present on the) Left Side Of The Body( of Siva

by marrying him) : (but with your) Unsatisfied( and rest less) Mind

 

Half of the Body Of Sambhu (which is) Not Thine, Even , I have a feeling (you

have) Captured (creating a) Non Existing (illusion)

 

Which(is perceived) This Way (from) Your Appearance Filled with Red (of rising

sun) Three Eyed

 

(with) Body Leaning Slightly, Curved(half) Moon (decorating the) Hair Knot(as

a)

Crown

 

This is again an esoteric verse describing the state of deep devotion and

contemplation. In the previous verse, devotee contemplates on Devi as Bhavani.

The primary meaning of Bhavani is wife of Shiva. In this verse and in many other

verses her love for her husband and Pativratyam are emphasised. She is always

with Shiva on his left side.. She has earned this place on his left through

penance.They are the divine couple whose union is the beginning of time. They

are the ideal husband and wife. As the devotee contemplates on her, he is

blessed with the vision of the oneness of Shiva and Shakti. It is as if not

being satisfied with her exalted place on Shiva's left she moves even nearer,

merging with his body. Shiva's body is ash grey coloured. When she merges Shiva

appears with radiant colour of the rising sun. This radiance refers not just to

body colour but her power or shakti. Apara refers to the later part. It is the

body of Shiva that is transformed. He appears

in the form of a classically beautiful woman slightly leaning forward because

of the slim waist. But above, he is still Shiva with the third eye and his

typical hair knot adorned by half moon. The devotee says that his mind seems to

be playing a trick on him, because he is contemplating only on Bhavani but he

sees attributes of both Shiva and Bhavani. This is again a poetic expression to

extol the Mother's power. The vitality and radiance of the world which is

Sadasiva is the result of her will and desire. This is emphasised again in verse

92 " tvadeeyaanaam bhaasaaam pratiphalita ragaaruna tayaa " . It is her radiance

reflected on Sadasiva that is the cause of all Raga or activity. In the state

of highest contemplation focus is narrowed down and thus the duality of Shiva

and Parvati( Bhavani) becomes one ie Shiva- Parvati. This is some what

different from the Ardha Nari manifestation of Shiva Parvati.

 

Yantra is 2 concentric circles with radius of the smaller circle about 1/3 of

larger circle. The small circle is surrounded by 9 petals. Bijaksharam Srum

(pronounced some what like Sum but with " r " added to the 's " sound)

 

Expected result of upasana is relief from indebtedness, decease, evil due to

bad planetary positions and from evil spirits. Indeed this can give relief from

any type of threat.

 

 

 

 

 

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