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 5 - Shakta-Tantras鈥擲aundaryalahari as an epitome of Shaktism
8 (of 84)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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: 107 : both in the realm of form as Goddess and as formless being in bliss, in which even the distinction of Goddess and devotee disappears 25. Divine mother can be comprehended 26 both for enjoyment and liberation as well
Sakta-darsana pictures Goddess by the figure of
four Sivas supporting the throne of the Mother, set in the
wish-yielding groves in the isle of gems surrounded by
wish-yielding trees amidst the isle of ambrosia.
Goddess
is seated on Paramasiva as a carpet indicating that Siva
27 Sakti is otherwise called
is the moving principle
kundalini, lalita, vyapini, sumans, etc.
28 The Upasaka
(the devotee) who knows the presence of this Sakti which
is sleeping inside him in particular centres, will awaken
that power and realise supreme bliss through the ways
prescribed in Tantras
29.
25. "Tada tu devatabhavan bhajante yogipungavah" Ibid. VIII 65.
26. "Yastva samarcayeddevi bhuktimuktyo岣� sa bhajanan",
Ibid. VI. 9.
27. "Jayajanani, sudhasamudrantarudyanmani dvipavilvatavimadhya-
kalpadrumakalpakadamba kantara vasapriye krttivasapriye".,
See Syamaladandaka.
28. "Tva帽 vyapiniti sumana iti kundal墨ti
tvan kamin墨ti kamaleti kalavat墨ti
tva帽 maliniti lalitetiaparajiteti
devi,stuvanti vijayeti jayetyumeti'
Carcastava
29. "Sakti岣� kundaliniti viswajanani vyapar abaddhodyama
jnatvetthan na punab sprsantijananigarbhe (rbhakatva帽 narah".
Laghustuti.2.
