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 fifth shloka this month.

Anandhalahari

Haris tvam aradhya pranata-jana-saubhagya-jananim
Pura nari bhutva Pura-ripum api ksobham anayat;
Smaro'pi tvam natva rati-nayana-lehyena vapusha
Muninam apyantah prabhavati hi mohaya mahatam.

You who grant all the good things,
To those who bow at your feet,
Was worshipped by the Lord Vishnu,
Who took the pretty lovable feminine form,
And could move the mind of he who burnt the cities,
And make him fall in love with him.
And the God of love , Manmatha,
Took the form which is like nectar,
Drunk by the eyes by Rathi his wife,
After venerating you,
Was able to create passion ,
Even in the mind of Sages the great.

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