LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM
@ S. Subramaniam
कामेश ज्ञात सौभाग्य मार्दवोरु द्वयान्विता (39)
Kamesha Jnata Saubhagya Marda-ooru Dvayanvita (39)
Meaning:
The beauty of Devi's thighs is known only to Her consort and Creator Kameshvara (Lord Shiva).
Interpretation:
The above description of Devi's thighs directly refers to it's secretive nature. That's why it is mentioned as the beauty is known only to Lord Shiva and nobody else has any clue about it. It can be seen here, that the comparison of the Angam with something else is also missing in this Namah.
It should also be understood that, from this Namah onwards, we deal with the Shakti Kuta part of the Panchadasi Mantra. Shakti Kuta stands for complete secrecy.
Adi Shankara, however, has a totally different perception. He continues with his usual comparisons and says Devi's thighs look stronger than the trunk of Airavata, the elephant of Indra करीन्द्राणां शुण्डान् (Kari Indraanam Shundaan) and they glow like the Gold coated stem of Banana tree
कनक कदली काण्डपटलीं (Kanaka kadali kanda patalim).
Here, it should be understood that Adi Shankara is describing not a particular Angam of Devi but the whole of her Motherhood. His mind is so pure and his devotion towards Devi Maa is supreme and at its peak that he is able to make such comparisons. He looks at her as a divine Mother and only as a mother. Similarities to this kind of worship can be drawn to the bhakti of and the relationship between Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Devi Kali Maa.
Motherhood is absolutely beautiful. It has no bounds, no limits and there is nothing beyond it. That's what Shankara's descriptions in the above line really means. Let's bow our heads in reverence before the greatest saint, the greatest scholar of Hinduism.
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