Adiguru Sri Shankaracharya has summed up the ways to quench the thirst for experiencing this source PARABRAHMA by gifting the mankind with his creation SAUNDARYALAHARI- A divine poetry of 100 verses on Devi Tripurasundari. The perfect combination of poetic excellence and divine inspiration in Adishankaracharya has resulted in this composition which is considered as eminent text on Tantra shastra-the science of the absolute. It has been composed in the metre of 17 syllables for one paada, called shikharini, which suits the best to describe the grandeur of Devi Tripuransundari in her myriad forms and manifestations. It reflects Shankaracharya’s super flight of spiritual vision, flow of devotion and a profound contemplation. It deals with the secrets of Aagama, Kundalini yoga and Shrichakra. It has withstood the litmus test of time in giving solace and spiritual uplift to the upasakas of Saundaryalahari.
The stream of devotional thought and description has fluently progressed through verses, reflecting bliss and beauty of Devi with the grace of a wave-lahari. The first 41 verses cover Tantra shastra with Kundalini yoga and Shrichakra upasana. These first 41 verses are called Anandalahari reflecting Sat chit ananda roopa of Devi. The next 59 verses describe the grandeur and beauty of Devi as the reigning queen of the Universe, reflecting satyam shivam Sundaram roopa of Devi. These verses are called Saundaryalahari.
Every shloka of Saundaryalahari is a mantra with specific results-phala, when chanted repeatedly. It is like everlasting golden mine. Every word has the capacity to transform the seeker to a much higher plan. Numerous hidden or deeper meanings would reveal themselves according to the seeker’s perception, maturity, nature and learning. When repeated many times, with or without philosophical knowledge, just the sound vibration of the combination of letters in the words itself has the Mantric effect on the seeker.
Devotees of Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation (Canada) have been learning the meaning, philosophical interpretation and chanting these divine shlokas under the guidance of Dr. Alakananda Nath, who has spent numerous hours researching the slokas and bringing it to the interested devotees / learners in a simple language with examples making them understand the beauty, grace and power of each of the 100 slokas.
As more and more devotees, who experienced the benefit of chanting Saundaryalahari, have shown interest, this divine project of chanting has been taken up on EVERY FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH at 7.00 pm or 7.15 pm. With the blessings and instruction of Shringeri Jagadguru, the devotees under the leadership of Dr. Alakananda Nath started chanting the divine verses in the sannidhi of Devi and Shankaracharya at the Sharadamba Temple from July 2014.
We request all the devotees of SVBF to participate in this divine Saundarya lahari chanting with their families and friends and get the full benefit of these powerful verses.
The students of two batches who have learnt Saundarya Lahari with Dr. Alakananda Nath have been chanting the first Friday of every month. We have videotaped the chanting held on Friday 05 September 2014, thanks to Sri Balu Srinivasan.
