Soundaryalahari

SoundaryaLahari means 'waves of beauty'. This scripture consists of two parts - The first 41 verses are called AnandaLahari or 'waves of happiness' and the rest of the 59 verses are called SoundaryaLahari. It is believed that Lord Ganesha etched the AnandaLahari on Mount Meru from where it was read by Sage Gouda Pada and taught to Adhi Shankhara. Adhi Shankhara is supposed to have added the 59 stanzas and completed it. These 100 divine verses are among the most spectacular of Manthra literature.

We look at the eighth shloka this month.

Anandhalahari

Sudha-sindhor madhye sura-vitapi-vati parivrte
Mani-dweepe nipo'pavana-vathi chintamani-grhe;
Shivaakare manche Parama-Shiva-paryanka-nilayam
Bhajanti tvam dhanyah katichana chid-ananda-laharim.

In the middle of the sea of nectar,
In the isle of precious gems,
Which is surrounded by wish giving Kalpaga trees,
In the garden Kadamba trees,
In the house of the gem of thought,
On the all holy seat of the lap of the great God Shiva,
Sits she who is like a tide
In the sea of happiness of ultimate truth,
And is worshipped by only by few select holy men.

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