Essay name: Soundarya Lahari of Shri Shankara (Study)
Author:
Seetha N.
Affiliation: University of Kerala / Department of Sanskrit
The essay studies in English the Soundarya Lahari of Shri Shankara, focusing on its philosophical and devotional aspects. The Saundaryalahari represents an epitome of Shaktism (worship of the divine Goddess) by expounding the ultimate goal of liberation (moksha) through the non-dual knowledge of Nirguna Brahman, as taught by the Advaita philosophy.
Chapter 7 - Philosophical aspects in Saundaryalahari
47 (of 57)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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371
Goddess is called Nitya. The devotee has to worship the Goddess
with rosaries strung with Cintamani beads and offer oblations in
Sivagni with Surabhi's ghee.
Kundalini.
Sivagni is meant for the fire of
The devotee has to recite, reject everything as unreal
to recite,
in the fire of true knowledge.
The chant mentioned here has
another name called Lopamudravidya. Some interpret Sivagni as
existing in the triangle of Siva. In the Bindusthana, one has to
collect Svadhisthānāgni defend other forces with Pāsa and Aṅkuśa
->
and offer the ghee of letters.
Some consider this chant as
Kadividya while others consider this as Hadividya, removing Hakāra,
Sakāra and Kakāra of the second kūta and placing Ka, E and I in
their place. The devotee will attain supreme bliss by this chant,
if he meditates on the Goddess in the plexuses in the following way.
In Ajnacakra, He is Parasambhu and She is Citparamba dwelling on
the left thigh of Parasambhu. By worshipping this form, the
devotee reaches the immortal land of moonlight.
166 In Visuddhi-
cakra, Siva and Sakti exist as Vyome svara and Vyomesvarī who dispel
the darkness of nescience in man.
167 165. "Kāmo yoniḥ kamakala vajrapanirguha hasa matariśvā bhramindraḥ
punarguhā sakalā may aya ca purusyeṣa visvamātā (dividyā"
Tr.Up.8.
166. S.L. 36.
167. S.L. 37.
sa
(Siya)