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 third shloka this month.

Anandhalahari

Avidyanam antas-timira-mihira-dweeppa-nagari
Jadanam chaitanya-stabaka-makaranda-sruti jhari
Daridranam cinta-mani-gunanika janma-jaladhau
Nimadhanam damshtra mura-ripu-varahasya bhavati.

The dust under your feet, Oh Goddess great,
Is like the city of the rising sun,
That removes all darkness , unfortunate,
From the mind of the poor ignorant one,
Is like the honey that flows ,
From the flower bunch of vital action,
To the slow witted one,
Is like the heap of wish giving gems,
To the poorest of men,
And is like the teeth of Lord Vishnu
In the form of Varaha,
Who brought to surface,
The mother earth,
To those drowned in this sea of birth.

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