॥ आनन्दलहरी सार्थ ॥

.. AnandalaharI with meanings ..

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August 2, 2016
 .. AnandalaharI with meanings ..

॥ आनन्दलहरी सार्थ ॥

Document Information

Text title : AnandalaharI

File name : aanandalaharImeaning.itx
Category : laharI
Location : doc_devii
Author : Shankaracharya
Language : Sanskrit
Subject : philosophy/hinduism/religion
Transliterated by : S.V.Ganesan singanallur at gmail.com and P.
P. Narayanaswami
Proofread by : S.V.Ganesan singanallur at gmail.com and P. P.
Narayanaswami
Translated by : Sri. N. Anantaraman of Veda Rakshan Nidhi http://www.kanchiforum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1819
Description-comments : 17th volume of Complete works of Shankaracharya
Latest update : July 13, 2013
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August 2, 2016

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 .. AnandalaharI with meanings ..

॥ आनन्दलहरी सार्थ ॥
भवानि स्तोतुं त्वां प्रभवति चतुर्भिर्न वदनैः
प्रजानामीशानस्त्रिपुरमथनः पञ्चभिरपि ।
न षड्भिः सेनानीर्दशशतमुखैरप्यहिपतिः
तदान्येषां केषां कथय कथमस्मिन्नवसरः ॥ १
Oh Goddess Bhavani, Brahma, the creator is unable to extol your qualities
even though he has four faces, Shiva who destroyed Tripura and who has
five faces, Subrahmanya, the commander of the forces of the Devas who
has six faces and even Adi Shesha who has a thousand mouths/heads cannot
adequately describe your qualities or praise you. How then can the others?
Goddess Bhavani is incomparable. In this verse the difficulty in
describing adequately the attributes and qualities of the Goddess by
mere mortals has been brought out. Brahma has four faces and is the
repository of the Four Vedas. Shiva as DakShinamurthy is knowledge
personified. Subrahmanya is renowned for not only the beauty of form
but for valour and above all considered to be very meaning of the word
OM and one who explained the meaning of OM to Lord Shiva Himself and
thus earned the title Swaminatha. Adisesha, the thousand headed is also
repository of knowledge; yet none of these Gods themselves are capable
of adequately expressing the greatness of the Goddess. How then can
a mere mortal find adequate expression? says the Poet in the Acharya,
expressing his great humility before venturing to put down in words the
incomparable attributes of the Goddess.
घृतक्षीरद्राक्षामधुमधुरिमा कैरपि पदैः
विशिष्यानाख्येयो भवति रसनामात्र विषयः ।
तथा ते सौन्दर्यं परमशिवदृङ्मात्रविषयः
कथंकारं ब्रूमः सकलनिगमागोचरगुणे ॥ २॥

The sweetness of ghee, milk, grapes and honey cannot be described

adequately in word to bring out their sweetness. It has to be experienced
by tasting each of them with one’s own tongue. In a similar manner the
manifold attributes and qualities that you have, Oh Goddess, are not
capable of being expressed in word as they are not understood even by
Vedas and to Lord Parameshwara’s eyes alone they are revealed.

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 ॥ आनन्दलहरी सार्थ ॥

The tongue has two major functions - of taste and speech. In knowing and
communicating the greatness of the Goddess, speech is useless just
as it is useless in communicating exactly what sweetness tastes like.
The sweetness of Madhu or honey, of the sweet grapes or milk or ghee can
be experienced by the tongue when it performs the functions of taste
and this taste is known only to one’s own tongue; but even one’s own
tongue after tasting the sweetness cannot describe and communicate the
sweetness in words. The ineffable sweetness and greatness of the Goddess
have not been comprehended even by the Vedas and therefore have re-
mained
inaccessible to and beyond expression by Vedas. Even what is revealed
by the Vedas is difficult to comprehend and has been understood only by
a few and even among those who understand, the level of understanding
varies depending upon the depth of their inner experience. When such is
the case how can one comprehend the myriad qualities of Goddess?
Lord Shiva alone can know the greatness and beauty of His Consort, the
Goddess Bhavani. But even if he comprehends, one’s words not being good
enough to describe what one sees or experiences, Lord Shiva himself will
not be able to adequately describe Bhavani. Each Bhakta will therefore
have to experience the compassion or have the glimpse of the beautiful
form of the Goddess to the maximum extent possible by one’s own devotion
and perception. The efforts to have a fuller and better comprehension
will have to be continuous because the qualities are limitless, the
greatness is incomparable and the beauty is beyond description.
मुखे ते ताम्बूलं नयनयुगळे कज्जलकला
ललाटे काश्मीरं विलसति गळे मौक्तिकलता ।
स्फुरत्काञ्ची शाटी पृथुकटितटे हाटकमयी
भजामि त्वां गौरीं नगपतिकिशोरीमविरतम्॥ ३॥

Oh Gauri, daughter of Himavan, you are so auspicious with betel juice in

your mouth, streaks of collyrium in your eyes, Kumkum on your forehead
and
a necklace of pearls adoring your neck and golden yellow Saree secured
with a resplendent waistband around your broad waist. I am your devotee
always (constantly meditating on you).

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To the devotee the object of worship and meditation should be pleasant

and auspicious in order to visualise it and meditate upon. The divine
mother in all her auspicious glory as would appear to a cultured Indian
mind is pictured here by Acharya Bhagavatpada. The Tamboola, tasty and
pleasant smelling, is a sign of auspiciousness and good wishes in the
Indian household (Tobacco is not part of Tamboola). The tender leaves
of the betel creeper along with the betel nut to which mouth fresheners
like camphor are added are offered on all auspicious occasions in a Hindu
household. They are also offered as part of sixteen upacharas in any puja
to a deity after food or Naivedya is offered. The following stanzas will
be familiar to those who offer Puja in the traditional way to a deity:
पूगीफलसमायुक्तं नागवल्ली दलैर्युतं कर्पूरचुर्णसंयुक्तं ताम्बूलं
प्रतिगॄह्यताम्॥
The beautifying collyrium applied to the eyes, the Kumkum on the forehead
and ornaments worn round the neck and the hips indicate auspiciousness.
Visualising in one’s mind the auspicious beautiful form of the Goddess.
One must pray to Her for the auspicious things of life
विराजन्मन्दारद्रुमकुसुमहारस्तनतटी
नदद्वीणानादश्रवणविलसत्कुण्डलगुणा
नताङ्गी मातङ्गी रुचिरगतिभङ्गी भगवती
सती शम्भोरम्भोरुहचटुलचक्षुर्विजयते ॥ ४॥

The garland of flowers from Mandara tree adorns her chest where
nestles the Veena. The dangling of pendants of the ear rings shine and
sparkle when her ears are intent on listening to the subtle notes of the
Veena. She who is the daughter of Sage Matanga with her body slightly
bowed (through modesty) and with graceful gaits and beautiful lotus like
eyes shines in all splendour as Goddess Bhagavati. the consort of Shiva.
The poet Bhagavatpada now visualises the beauty and grace of the Goddess
in another pleasant form for facility of worship and meditation. The
beautiful flowers adorn the beautiful form and by adorning the form
of the Goddess become indeed resplendent. The melodious music of the
Veena held close to the ear of the Goddess depicts the beauty of sound
of music. The grace of movements and the natural feminine modesty as
indicated by the slightly bent form of the Goddess while playing the Veena
and her eyes darting here and there depict the divine and beauteous form

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 ॥ आनन्दलहरी सार्थ ॥

of the consort of Shiva ever ready to shower blessings on her devotees.

Beauty and grace, beauty of form and gracefulness of movements, the
beautiful sound emanating from a beautiful Veena so gracefully played,
the beautiful and lustrous flowers round the neck of the Goddess, nestling
and resting along with Veena undulating with the beautiful movements of
the body, the auspicious and graceful glance from the beautiful eyes,
all these give the devotee a wonderful enthralling personification of
beauty for contemplation.
नवीनार्कभ्राजन्मणिकनकभूषणपरिकरैः
वृताङ्गी सारङ्गीरुचिरनयनाङ्गीकृतशिवा ।
तडित्पीता पीताम्बरललितमञ्जीरसुभगा
ममापर्णा पूर्णा निरवधिसुखैरस्तु सुमुखी ॥ ५॥

Her body is adorned by gold ornaments studded with precious gems as

beautiful and resplendent as the rising sun. Her eyes beautiful like those
of a fawn have captivated Lord Shiva himself. Dazzling like a streak of
lightning and wearing a golden yellow dress and beautiful anklets she
is very embodiment of auspiciousness. May the Goddess Aparna with her
full and happy face confer her happiness and auspiciousness on me.
In this sloka the poet saint, Sankara, describes the auspiciousness of the
form of the Goddess. Only an auspicious Goddess can confer auspiciousness
on others. The glorious form of the rising sun is generally considered
auspicious. The yellow golden rays of the rising sun bring happiness
and joy to all living things. Beautiful gold ornaments studded with
precious gems are auspicious. The golden yellow peetambara or dress is
also considered auspicious. A smiling happy and full face is auspicious
and bespeaks of joy and happiness. Here the splendour of the Goddess
in all her auspiciousness is likened to all these. Above all the very
embodiment of auspiciousness, Shiva himself is enthralled by the grace
and form of Goddess Aparna. The word Aparna अपर्ण means without
parna or leaves. (Perhaps while doing penance as Uma she abstained
from eating even leaves!). The Goddess is likened to a creeper without
leaves. The word also means one who frees from indebtedness अप +
ऋण. For one who is in debt financially and otherwise, the Goddess
bestows freedom from debts and financial worry.

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हिमाद्रेः संभूता सुललितकरैः पल्लवयुता

सुपुष्पा मुक्ताभिर्भ्रमरकलिता चालकभरैः ।
कृतस्थाणुस्थाना कुचफलनता सूक्तिसरसा
रुजां हन्त्री गन्त्री विलसति चिदानन्दलतिका ॥ ६॥

The Goddess is verily a walking chidananda creeper born in the

Himalayas. Her hands are like the tender leaves, the pearl ornaments
resembling flowers, entwining round the sturdy pillar like form of
Parameshwara, her breasts resembling fruits, her speech full of
substance or Rasa she removes all ailments.
The Goddess is verily a walking chidananda creeper which entwines round
a tree and has curative properties. The creeper is a Himalayan creeper.
Himalayas are known to be the home of medicinal herbs. The creeper
needs a stout tree for support. Here Parameshwara is the tree round
which creeper Parvati has entwined herself inseparably. The tender hands
of the Goddess are like the tender leaves of the creeper; the flowers
are the pearl ornaments and the full breasts are likened to the fruits
(kuchaphala means having fruits shaped like the female breast or the
pomegranate). When flowers are in bloom on the creeper the big bees hover
around them. Here also the beautiful tresses of the Goddess attract the
bees. The only difference is that unlike the ordinary creepers the Goddess
is a moving and walking plant. The plant contains juicy substances. The
speech of the Goddess also is full of substance and meaning. The medicinal
plant only heals bodily diseases. But the Chidananda creeper that She is,
the Goddess, cures all types of ailments.
सपर्णामाकीर्णां कतिपयगुणैः सादरमिह
श्रयन्त्यन्ये वल्लीं मम तु मतिरेवं विलसति ।
अपर्णैका सेव्या जगति सकलैर्यत्परिवृतः
पुराणोऽपि स्थाणुः फलति किल कैवल्यपदवीम्॥ ७॥

Though many others in this world lovingly cherish and depend upon creepers
which have leaves and several good qualities, to me it appears that only
that Lata or creeper which is Aparna or leafless is worthy of being
cherished by all in this world which entwining round the old tree makes
it yield fruit in the form of eternal bliss.

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 ॥ आनन्दलहरी सार्थ ॥

Aparna as seen in shloka 5, is another name for the auspicious Goddess

Bhavani. Parameshwara or Lord Shiva is compared in this sloka to an
old tree. The reference is to his agelessness and permanence. Such
an ancient tree is entwined by the leafless creeper or Aparna meaning
that the Goddess Bhavani is inseparably attached to and is part of
Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva by Himself is austere, clad in next to nothing,
and presents an appearance that he has no wealth or gifts to bestow
on devotees. But the auspicious Goddess by her union with Him makes
Him also yield manifold blessings for devotees, leading them finally
to salvation, self realisation and eternal bliss. Shankaracharya,
therefore, considers that the Goddess is supreme and is worthy of being
worshipped. The leafless creeper, therefore, in the lithe and beautiful
form of the Goddess is far superior to the apparently attractive leafy
creepers which many seek.
विधात्री धर्माणां त्वमसि सकलाम्नायजननी
त्वमर्थानां मूलं धनदनमनीयांघ्रिकमले ।
त्वमादिः कामानां जननि कृतकन्दर्पविजये
सतां मुक्तेर्बीजं त्वमसि परमब्रह्ममहिषी ॥ ८॥

You who are the source of all Vedas are also the fountainhead of all
Dharma. At your feet, Kubhera, the lord of all riches prostrates with
reverence because you (are the source of all wealth) have created all the
wealth in the Universe. You who have defeated Manmatha, the God of Love,
are the very origin of Love itself. Oh Consort of the supreme Lord,
Parameshwara, verily you are the very seed of MokSha for the devout
seekers.
Dharma, Artha, Kama and MokSha are the four Purusharthas sought after
in this world. If the first three are sought in that order to achieve
the fourth, one has to lead a worthwhile life. Knowledge of the Vedas
and other sacred texts traditionally learnt in all humility gives one
wisdom and the pursuit of Kama or desire according to Dharma leads to
happiness. Though Artha or material wealth is necessary, it has to be
aquired only in Dharmic ways. The material wealth should not be used
to one’s unbridled desires but should be so utilised to love and enjoy
desired objects in a controlled way according to Dharma. When thus Artha
and Kama are pursued in a Dharmic way, mokSha or release from bondage

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is easier. Since the Divine Mother is the very source of Dharma, Artha,
Kama and MokSha, devotion or Bhakti to Her brings to the devotee all
the four Purusharthas in the required measure at the appropriate time
and makes the life enjoyable, happy, worthwhile and fruitful.
प्रभूता भक्तिस्ते यदपि न ममालोलमनसः
त्वया तु श्रीमत्या सदयमवलोक्योऽहमधुना ।
पयोदः पानीयं दिशति मधुरं चातकमुखे
भृशं शङ्के कैर्वा विधिभिरनुनीता मम मतिः ॥ ९॥

Though because of my vacillating (restless) mind my devotion to you is not

steady (constant), I deserve now to be blessed with your auspicious and
compassionate glance. Like the dark rain clouds giving the refreshingly
sweet (rain) water to the (thirsty) Chataka bird (and quenches its thirst)
so also only your auspicious compassionate glance can steady my mind.
I doubt very much whether any other method can achieve it.
The vacillating wandering human mind flits from thought to thought and is
never steady and fixed at any one thought for long. Steadfast devotion
to the Divine Mother is therefore difficult normally for the human mind
unless it is helped by divine will and divine grace of Mother. The Chataka
bird depends on the falling rain to quench its thirst. It opens the mouth
and waits for the rain to come so that its thirst can be quenched. Rains
come from the heavens Godsent, unasked and Chataka bird fed with the
fresh
sweet drops of rain water feels happy and satisfied. Similarly it is only
the divine grace that can satisfy the longing of the Bhakta even to have
steadfast devotion. The control of one’s mind is difficult. One’s effort
however great cannot succeed always. To have steadfast and deep devotion
to Goddess, the mind must necessarily dwell on Her form and attributes.
But how to fix the mind which flits from thought to thought and is
never at one place ? For this compassionate Goddess must render her
help by allowing her gaze to fall on the striving devotee and aid him
in keeping his mind steady in devotion. In short to have Bhakti itself,
the Divine Mother’s grace is a ’must’. There is no other way.
कृपापाङ्गालोकं वितर तरसा साधुचरिते
न ते युक्तोपेक्षा मयि शरणदीक्षामुपगते ।

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 ॥ आनन्दलहरी सार्थ ॥

न चेदिष्टं दद्यादनुपदमहो कल्पलतिका

विशेषः सामान्यैः कथमितरवल्लीपरिकरैः ॥ १०॥

Do not forsake me who have sought refuge in thee, but direct your
compassionate glance towards me without any delay. Oh goddess of
incomparable virtue, what difference is there between the Kalpaka VrikShA
and the other trees and plants if the former does not grant the heart’s
desire of those who seek it and pray to it?
The Divine Mother’s compassionate glance is like Kalpaka VrikSha. The
Kamadhenu and Kalpaka VrikSha are the legendary cow and tree respec-
tively
which grant one’s prayers. The Kalpaka Vriksa will lose its reputation
if this quality is lost and if it becomes like any other ordinary tree.
Here the devotee in the Acharya prays that the Divine Mother who grants
the wishes of devotees should immediately without losing time and without
hesitation bless him, the devotee, by her auspicious glance full of love
and compassion because he , the devotee, has sought asylum at her feet
(Sharanagati) and it will not behoove Her who is compassion personified
to reject him.
महान्तं विश्वासं तव चरणपङ्केरुहयुगे
निधायान्यन्नैवाश्रितमिह मया दैवतमुमे ।
तथापि त्वच्चेतो यदि मयि न जायेत सदयं
निरालम्बो लम्बोदरजननि कं यामि शरणम्॥ ११॥

Oh Goddess Uma, I have so much confidence and faith in your lotus

feet that I have not thought it fit to to seek refuge in any other
god. Inspite of this if you do not show compassion towards me, where
else and to whom else can I go for protection O Mother of Ganapati Uma,
the consort of Shiva and the mother of Ganapati, the remover of all
obstacles, is addressed directly for giving protection and solace to
the devotee who has surrendered at her lotus feet to the exclusion of
every other deity. The principle of Sharanagati शरणागति requires
absolute surrender to God’s Will, born out of deep faith and devotion
and the devotee not only seeks solace but immense hope that the prayers
will be heard out of love and compassion. God will lift him up who has
fallen at His feet. Single minded and steadfast devotion and immense

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faith are required on the part of the devotee.

अयः स्पर्शे लग्नं सपदि लभते हेमपदवीं
यथा रथ्यापाथः शुचि भवति गंगौघमिलितम्।
तथा तत्तत्पापैरतिमलिनमन्तर्मम यदि
त्वयि प्रेम्णासक्तं कथमिव न जायेत विमलम्॥ १२॥

By contact with the touchstone called ᳚Sparsamani᳚iron gets the status

of Gold instantly. Water which passes through gutters which joins the
torrential waters of the Ganga gets elevated to the status of ᳚Ganga Jal
᳚Therefore how can my mind, though sullied by several sins, not attain
purity by devotion to you ?
A base metal gets instantly elevated to the status of precious metal
because of its contact with the touchstone which is used to test gold.
Water from various places and running even through gutters joining the
mighty river Ganga gets merged with the flowing waters and loses its
identity as gutter water or impure water. Once it has joined the Ganga
and has become one with the flowing waters of the Ganga even the impure
water becomes purified in the Ganga flow and current and attains the
status of Ganga Jal which is considered not only sacred for bathing
but considered for ceremonial sipping so that all our sins are washed
away. The devotee’s mind constantly dwells on the feet of the Divine Mother
in deep devotion. The Acharya here concludes that however sullied by
one’s sins, the mind of the devotee cannot but get freed from impurities
(sins) if it gets bound by devotion to Divine Mother. The unquestioning
and complete devotion to the Goddess cleanses the mind of impurities
and makes it pure.
त्वदन्यस्मादिच्छाविषयफललाभे न नियमः
त्वमर्थानामिच्छाधिकमपि समर्था वितरणे ।
इति प्राहुः प्राञ्चः कमलभवनाद्यास्त्वयि मनः
त्वदासक्तं नक्तं दिवमुचितमीशानि कुरु तत्॥ १३॥

There is no one other than you, Oh Goddess, for granting one’s heart’s
desire. In fact Brahma and ancient sages have declared that you shower
even on the ignorant more blessings than even what they have prayed
for. I would therefore make this request, Oh Consort of Ishana, that
you make my mind attached to you throughout day and night.

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 ॥ आनन्दलहरी सार्थ ॥

Learned persons who can find out appropriate Vedic mantras or stotras
to praise the Goddess are sure to attain their heart’s desire through
devotion and prayer. But the divine mother is so compassionate and loving
towards her children that the ignorant who do not know how to pray and
what to pray for need not be despondent; for she knowing what they want
and their limitations, grants unto them even more than what they can think
of; because she knows what to bestow in her children. All she requires
is love and devotion. The Acharya therefore, prays, that his mind be
attached in devotion to the divine mother. This devotion and attachment
of the mind to the divine mother should not merely be in the waking
hours during day time but even during night when one is asleep. Thus he
prays that both in the wakeful and the sleeping states, the mind should
not get detached from devotion to Mother. This is Acharya’s prayer and
this should be our prayer also to the Divine Mother.
स्फुरन्नानारत्नस्फटिकमयभित्तिप्रतिफल
त्त्वदाकारं चञ्चच्छशधरकलासौधशिखरम्।
मुकुन्दब्रह्मेन्द्रप्रभृतिपरिवारं विजयते
तवागारं रम्यं त्रिभुवनमहाराजगृहिणि ॥ १४॥

Oh Great Goddess, your abode is shining and resplendent with the different
precious stones fixed to the tower domes reaching the moon. In such
a beautiful abode surrounded by Brahma, Vishnu, Indra and other Devas
(extolling your greatness) you shine as the empress of the three Worlds
(being the consort of the Supreme Lord of the three Worlds, Paramesh-
wara).
The poet here sets at rest any doubts that a devotee may have about
the capacity of the Goddess to shower blessings on him. When a devotee
worships the Goddess he is not worshipping some impoverished person but
the consort of the Lord of the three Worlds. The incomparable beauty
and splendour of Her abode, the greatness of other devotees who throng
around her should make it clear that the Goddess is Supreme and one who
is eminently entitled to our devotion and worship.
निवासः कैलासे विधिशतमखाद्याः स्तुतिकराः
कुटुम्बं त्रैलोक्यं कृतकरपुटः सिद्धिनिकरः ।

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महेशः प्राणेशस्तदवनिधराधीशतनये
न ते सौभाग्यस्य क्वचिदपि मनागस्ति तुलना ॥ १५॥

There is nothing anywhere to compare with your Soubhagya or

auspiciousness, Oh Parvati, daughter of the King of mountains. For
Kailasa is your abode, the courtiers who praise you are Brahma, Indra
and other Gods, all the three worlds are your family, the eight Siddhis
are at your beck and call and the Lord Supreme is the Lord of your heart.
Theme of shloka 14 is continued here. The author repeats that the Divine
Mother because of her uniquely supreme position is the most auspicious
one for worship.
वृषो वृद्धो यानं विषमशनमाशा निवसनं
श्मशानं क्रीडाभूर्भुजगनिवहो भूषणविधिः
समग्रा सामग्री जगति विदितैव स्मररिपोः
यदेतस्यैश्वर्यं तव जननि सौभाग्यमहिमा ॥ १६॥

Parameshwara is famed as the destroyer of Smara or Manmatha, the God

of Love. His vehicle is an old bull. Poison is his food. He wears
directions as his clothes. The cremation ground is his playground. He
wears snakes as ornaments. These facts are well known to the whole
world. Oh Divine Mother, there is no doubt that in spite of all these,
his Aiswaryam or overlordship is solely attributable to your Soubhagya
or great auspiciousness.
Manmatha is the God of Love. When Shiva was in deep meditation and
Parvati
was attending on Him, Indra and other Gods persuaded Manmatha to disturb
the meditation of Shiva, by aiming at Him his famed love shaft so that
Shiva would notice Parvati and her ministrations and would marry her. He
would beget Kumara who was destined to destroy the Asuras troubling and
humiliating the Devas constantly. However though the reluctant Manmatha’s
love-arrow aimed at Shiva succeeded in disturbing His meditation it
also provoked His anger and the sparks which flew out of His third eye
reduced Manmatha to ashes. Shiva who could destroy Manmatha thus is
known
for austerity and sternness. Added to this are His other unattractive
qualifications viz. an ancient bull (Nandikeshwara) as a vehicle,

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snakes worn around his neck etc. When Devas and Asuras churned the
milky ocean to get celestial nectar or Amrita, the giant snake Vasuki
who was used as a churning rope emitted deadly poison. The poison would
have destroyed the world. On a prayer from everyone, Devas and Asuras,
the great Mahadeva drank the poison to rescue the entire creation from
suffering. This incident is alluded to as Shiva having poison as His
food. Shiva is the ultimate destroyer who annihilates all creation
when the Time comes. He is also reputed to be having His abode in the
cremation ground. Thus Shiva is regarded as a fearful wrathful God and
even remembering these attributes of His will make any strong willed
person tremble. In spite of these famous attributes, He is considered
as the embodiment of auspiciousness and prosperity. The devotee in the
Acharya concludes that this is attributable to the grandeur and greatness
the Soubhagya of the Divine Mother, who is the consort of Shiva.
अशेषब्रह्माण्डप्रलयविधिनैसर्गिकमतिः
श्मशानेष्वासीनः कृतभसितलेपः पशुपतिः ।
दधौ कण्ठे हालाहलमखिलभूगोलकृपया
भवत्याः संगत्याः फलमिति च कल्याणि कलये ॥ १७॥

Shiva as destroyer or Samharamurti continues the annihilation of

the entire Universe when the Time comes. Making himself at home in
burning ghats his body is smeared with ashes. He, the Lord of the
entire creation, swallowed and stored round his neck the deadly poison,
halahala, out of his great compassion for the entire world. To my mind
Oh auspicious goddess, it appears that this was possible only because
of your association with him.
The idea contained in shloka 16 is contained here. In spite of
᳚unattractive attributes᳚like being the destroyer, the dweller in places
of death and so on, Parameshwara is the Lord of the Universe and wor-
shipped
as such. This greatness and compassionate action of Siva in swallowing the
deadly poison is also due to the beneficial influence of the auspicious
Goddess as she held Shiva’s throat tightly and prevented the poison from
travelling downwards and killing him due to which he survived and became
‘nIlakantha’ (blue throated).. So surmises the poet.

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त्वदीयं सौन्दर्यं निरतिशयमालोक्य परया

भियैवासीद्गंगा जलमयतनुः शैलतनये ।
तदेतस्यास्तस्माद्वदनकमलं वीक्ष्य कृपया
प्रतिष्ठामातन्वन्निजशिरसिवासेन गिरिशः ॥ १८॥

Oh Parvati, daughter of the King of mountains, Ganga’s face became small

and pale, seeing your great and incomparable beauty. Seeing the pitiable
face the Lord of mountains, Girisa, out of compassion gave her a place
to stay on his head.
Acharya here indulges in poetic fancy. Himavan is the king of the
mountains. Parvati is the daughter of Himavan. Rivers are also
considered daughters of mountains since they have their origins in
mountains. The river Ganga starts from the Himalayas. Hence Ganga is
also the daughter of Himavan. The river is beautiful and majestic in
its own way. But seeing the incomparable beauty of Parvati, her sister
the poet visualises that Ganga became pale emaciated and turned into
water. Seeing her pitiable face, out of compassion, Lord Shiva who is
Girisa or overlord of mountainpeaks staying in Kailasa, gave her an
honoured place in his matted locks. The allusion is here to the story
when Ganga descended from the heavens and out of pride felt that nobody
could withstand her torrential downpour. Shiva absorbed the water in
his locks and Ganga remained in His matted locks and later when King
Bhagiratha prayed that Ganga be allowed to flow to the earth, a small
portion of water collected in His locks was allowed to flow out. Thus
Ganga came to stay caught in the matted hair of the Lord. Shiva is
therefore depicted as having Ganga on his head. Ganga is depicted as
a Goddess also. The imagery and the flight of fancy are presented here
only to describe the great beauty of form of Parvati.
विशालश्रीखण्डद्रवमृगमदाकीर्णघुसृण
प्रसूनव्यामिश्रं भगवति तवाभ्यङ्गसलिलम्।
समादाय स्रष्टा चलितपदपांसून्निजकरैः
समाधत्ते सृष्टिं विबुधपुरपङ्केरुहदृशाम्॥ १९॥

Oh Bhagavati, Brahma, the creator creates the beautiful maidens of heaven

by gathering with his own hands the dust falling from your divine feet and
the water you have bathed in while taking the oil bath, which is scented

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and fragrant with red sandalwood paste and saffron mixed with kasturi.
Brahma, the creator in his search for materials for creating the beautiful
forms of celestial damsels of Devaloka found that the fragrant water
used by the Goddess Parvati for washing her beautiful body combined
with the dust of her feet is ideal material for fashioning the beautiful
feminine forms.
Abhisheka or ceremonial bath is one of the six upacharas offered to
a deity. The abhisheka teertha or water and other material used for
the Abhisheka which flows out is regarded as sacred having innumerable
properties such as curing of diseases, washing away one’s sin etc. Wearing
the dust from holy feet possesses also great qualities capable of
conferring prosperity and happiness on the devotee. If that is the case
with the dust from the feet of holy men, words cannot describe the unique
qualities of the dust from the feet of the Divine Mother. Brahma, the
Creator and all other Gods do penance to get a sprinkling of the dust from
the divine feet of the Mother. It is this dust and the divine Abhsheka
Teertha fragrant with many rare substances of medicinal fragrance that
Brahma chooses as material in his work of creation to fashion feminine
beauty in the world of Gods. The author here extols the incomparably
divine beauty of the Divine Mother who is Bhagavati, the repository of
all auspiciousness and prosperity and happiness.
वसन्ते सानन्दे कुसुमितलताभिः परिवृते
स्फुरन्नानापद्मे सरसि कलहंसालिसुभगे ।
सखीभिः खेलन्तीं मलयपवनान्दोलितजले
स्मरेद्यस्त्वां तस्य ज्वरजनितपीडापसरति ॥ २०॥

One who thinks of you sporting with your friends in the cool waters of
the lake set in gentle motion by the cool southern breeze with beautiful
swans majestically and happily cackling and chirping away amidst the
blooming lotuses and with creepers and vines full of flowers of the
spring all around will be freed from the troubles and suffering caused
by various illnesses.
In this concluding sloka, the author wants the devotee to visualise the
Divine Mother in pleasant happy surroundings. Spring is the pleasantest of
seasons when the flowers are in bloom, the trees and plants have put on

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new leaves, the waters in the lakes are clear, the lotuses bloom in all
glory and the birds chirp and sing in happiness. Beautiful swans happily
move around the beautiful lotuses. The pleasant and gentle southern breeze
wafts through the flower laden branches of trees and the air is cool and
filled with fragrance. The cool breeze gently stirs the cool waters of
the lake where the lotus flowers are in bloom and the swans float and
glide amidst them. The devotee must visualise the Goddess as playfully
and happily enjoying in such pleasant surroundings with her maids in
attendance. This will cool the burning fevers of the tormented Bhakta
and bring peace and tranquility to him. Meditating upon the Goddess
thus will cure one not only of illnesses of the body just as cool water
cools down a heated body but it will cure one of all illnesses notably
the disease of the interminable cycle of births and death called Samsara.
Conclusion : In the above 20 verses of Ananda Lahari Stotra the Acharya
visualises the Goddess Bhavani as happiness and auspiciousness personified
and recommends that the Goddess should be so worshipped and meditated
upon in pleasant surroundings so that we may be freed of all ailments
and miseries. Great happiness, prosperity and peace of mind can be
achieved through the happy and blissful contemplation of the divine,
beautiful and auspicious form of the Supreme Mother.
Needless to say that the Grace of the Mother will fall on all her children
and in greater measure on all those children (devotees) who surrender
at Her feet placing implicit trust in Her strength, love and compassion.
Acknowledgement: The meaning and notes were reproduced
from the book Ananda Lahari Stotram issued by Bombay Co-ordination
committee of Veda RakShan Nidhi (Regd.). The book has been written by
Sri. N. Anantaraman, the then Commissioner of Income Tax.
॥ इति श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यविरचिता आनन्दलहरी सम्पूर्णा ॥

Encoded by S.V.Ganesan (singanallur at gmail.com) and

P. P. Narayanaswami
English translation/commentary from the book was posted by SLN41 at
http://www.kanchiforum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1819

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was typeset on August 2, 2016

Please send corrections to [email protected]

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