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 seventh shloka this month.

Anandhalahari

Kvanat-kanchi-dama kari-kalabha-kumbha-stana-nata
Pariksheena madhye parinata-sarachandra-vadana;
Dhanur banan pasam srinim api dadhana karatalaii
Purastad astam noh Pura-mathitur aho-purushika.

With a golden belt,
Adorned by tiny tingling bells,
Slightly bent by breasts like the two frontal globes
Of an elephant fine,
With a thin pretty form,
And with a face like the autumn moon,
Holding in her hands,
A bow of sugar cane , arrows made of flowers,
And the noose and goad,
She who has the wonderful form,
Of the ego of the God who burnt the three cities,
Should please come and appear before us.

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