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
18 (of 57)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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- 342 - 84 becomes talented in various branches of knowledge.
This is
spoken of as Sarasvataprayoga in S.L., in the fifteenth, sixteenth
and seventeenth stanzas.
Sarasvataprayoga
The
Here the Goddess is pictured as clear and bright as
autumnal full moon, adorned with crown and having four hands
holding Abhaya and Varada (refuge and boon) mudras, and rosary and
85 book. Among the three k奴tas viz. V盲gbhava, Kamaraja and
Sakti k奴tas, V盲gbhava is the first k奴ta for contemplation.
contemplation in Vagbhavak奴ta enables one to have literacy.
this form is the generally accepted one for Goddess Sarasvati,
the Vagdevat膩 (goddess of learning) this mode is called the
In the rajasic aspect, She is having the
Saravat aprayoga.
complexion of rising sun.
86 He who contemplates such a form
87 As
of the Goddess, can compose poems, replete with erotic sentiment
and can also delight audience with speech. In tamasic aspect
She is surrounded by Vasini and the other eight goddesses.
By this contemplation, a devotee composes epic poems.
people the eight goddesses viz. Vasini, Kame艣vari, Modini, Vimala,
Aruna, Jayini, Sarve艣vari and Kaulini are representations of
To some
84. ibid. IV, 45-47.
85. "Vame pustakadhari峁噄m abhayadam ak峁srajam dak峁ne..." L.S. 7.
86. S.L. 16.
87. ibid. 17.
