What is Soundarya Lahari

 Soundarya Lahari is a composition by Bhagavan Shiva and Sri Adi Shankaracharya.

As the story goes, Sri Adi Shankaracharya, in his quest to learn from the Master Himself, visited Bhagavan Shiva in Kailasha. Bhagavan imparted the required knowledge and then gave His own composition describing the beauty and glory of Goddess Parvati. 

Happily receiving the book, Sri Adi Shankaracharya was on his way back home, when he met Nandi, the vahana (vehicle) of Shiva. Nandi was very possessive of his master and mistress and tried to take away the book from the Acharya. 

During the feud between them, the book tore into 2 halves and Nandi took away the second half. Sri Shankaracharya then fled back to Bhagavan Shiva and reported the incident to Him, expressing his desire to have the complete copy of the composition. 

Lord Shiva, being aware of the Acharya's capability and talent of composition, told him to compose new verses on his own and complete the book.

So, the first 41 verses are composed by Bhagavan Shiva and the rest 59 verses are by Sri Adi Shankaracharya.

Chanting Soundarya Lahari regularly bestows both Spiritual and Materialistic wealth and prosperity. 

The first 41 verses are called Aananda Lahari - Wave of Bliss. The second part, 59 verses are Soundarya Lahari - Wave of Beauty.

The hymn is written in "Shikharini" Chandas (meter). Each verse comprises of 4 lines. Each line has 2 parts - first half has 6 syllables and the second half has 11 syllables. "Shikhara" means peak and "Shikharini" is a feminine word for "the One who dwells in Shikhara or peak". As Parvati, on whom this composition is done, resides on the Shikhara of Mount Kailasa, this meter chosen by Sri Adi Shankaracharya is very apt for this composition. 

The specialty of Soundarya Lahari is that each of the 100 shlokas of this stotram is a mantra in itself and is considered targeted at a particular aspect of human well-being. One is indeed blessed to even be exposed to this mantra, let alone read and reap the benefits of the same.

Each verse of Soundarya Lahari has a Mantra and a Yantra related to it.  We can explore each shloka with its related Yantra, meaning and benefits of chanting the same.


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