LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
लक्ष्य रोम लताधारता समुन्नेय मध्यमा (35)
Lakshya Roma Lata-dharata Samunneya Madhyama (35)
Meaning:
Devi’s waist is so slender that it’s existence can be inferred only from the previous namah. To put it differently, it means atma is so subtle that it can be known only through meditation and cannot be seen.
Interpretation:
Here, the word Madhyama (the middle portion) should be inferred to mean her waist. Devi's waist is being compared to the atma. Atma cannot be seen with natural eyes and it's existence can be felt only by looking at it from the inner eye through extensive concentration / meditation.
Adi Shankara, once again, is at his height of imagination / exaggeration when he compares Devi's waist to a tree on a river bank about to fall! (thatinee teera taruna says he):
चिरं ते मध्यस्य त्रुटित तटिनी तीर तरुणा
Chiram They Madhyasya Thrutitha Thatinee Theera Tharunaa
O Daughter of the Mountain! O (jewel) Ornament of womanhood! May safety be assured to Thy naturally slim waist. So slender it is that I am afraid it might break down anytime. Its precarious stability is like that of a tree on a cracking river bank.
Disclaimer: _ All matters contained in this article are the property of www.templesofasia.com. The opinions expressed in this article are purely that of the author. The author alone is responsible for the accuracy, authenticity, completeness and validity of all the information in the article.
Comments