ശുദ്ധ വിദ്യാങ്കുരാകാര ദ്വിജ പങ്ക്തി ദ്വയോജ്ജ്വലാ - Lalitha Sahasranama Discourse Part 87

śuddha vidyāṅkurākāra dvija paṅkti dvayojjvalā
[who has radiant teeth which resemble the buds of pure knowledge.]
This is the twentyfifth mantra of the Sri Lalitha Sahasranama. This mantra describes the radiant teeth of Devi. A comparison can be seen here. A small seed has been thrown into the soil. It germinates and then divides into two nascent leaves. It sprouts and blossoms. Suddha Vidya (pure knowledge) has sprouted into buds and become the radiant teeth of Devi. All thirty-two teeth sprouted from the single seed of Pure Knowledge. (Suddha Vidya) Suddha Vidya is the cause of liberation. Sri Vidya is the same as Suddha Vidya. This pure knowledge, which can grant liberation, has transformed itself into the teeth of Devi. Teeth gives clarity to speech, we can speak intelligibly only when we have teeth. If we lose our teeth, especially the teeth of the upper jaw, our conversation will become unintelligible to everybody. Each word of Devi is of the form of pure knowledge. It is the cause for liberation. This is the usual interpretation of this mantra. Devi upasakas (those who meditate upon Devi) are given a mantra deeksha called “Thryakshari”. Thirty-two initiations are prescribed for those who have been initiated into this mantra. Suddha Vidya, Bala, Dvadashantha, Mandakini, Anuthara etc are the names of some of the thirty-two rituals prescribed for worship. They are compared to the thirty tow teeth of Devi, arraigned in two rows. The other thirty-two dikshas are given to those who have been initiated into the “Thryakshari” diksha. The initiation into the Thryakshari mantra is the sprout. This sprout gives raise to the other thirty-two dikshas. There are people who compare her teeth to the thirty-two dikshas or rituals. The bud or the “Ankura” of Suddha Vidya are the spiritual seekers who have received “Thryakshari” mantra diksha. There are a thousand mantras in the Lalitha Sahasranama. Out of the fifty-one alphabets, the beginning contains only 32 alphabets. This indicates that the Lalitha Sahasranama in the main reference work, it contains the same knowledge as Shuddha Vidya. The two rows of teeth of Devi, represent pure knowledge. This is the interpretation of this mantra.
The next mantra in Lalitha Sahasranama is
karpūra vīṭikāmoda samākarṣi digantarā
[who is enjoying a camphor laden betel roll, the fragrance of which is attracting people from all directions.]
She who is enjoying a camphor - laden betel roll, the fragrance of which attracts people from all directions. We sometimes offer thamboolam (which contains betel leaves, camphor, black pepper, cardamom, cloves, lime and other fragrant medicinal substances). Usually we do not say that we eat the thamboolam. We say that we wear the thamboolam. We keep it or wear it for some time in our mouth. We enjoy the taste and fragrance. Controlled use of the thamboolam is mentioned in the scriptures. It cannot be compared in any manner to the modern substances like ‘Pan Parag’ which are addictive. Such substances are addictive and lead to substance abuse. Thamboolam is considered to have a decorative element to it. The fragrance and the red colour make it very attractive.
The name of the thamboolam worn by Devi is called Karpuravitika. She is enjoying its flavour and the fragrance of the betel roll has wafted far and wide. All are attracted by its fragrance. Devi speaks words of such fragrance. We are not attracted by any scent It is the fragrance of love that attracts everybody from far and wide. They are attracted by the fragrance of the “Karpuravitika” and came from far and wide to receive her love and blessings.
In the Lalitha Ashtothara, there is a mantra “thamboola pooritha smera vadanaye namo namah, karpūra vīṭikāmoda samākarṣi digantarā, maharajabhogavati” are other mantras which extol Devi as wearing and enjoying thamboolam. It is the prerogative of emperors to wear such fragrant thamboolam. A story is retold in “Saundarya Lahari.”
Long ago there was a war. Tarakaksuran, Simhavarthan, Suryavarnan were three demons or powerful asuras. They started persecuting the Devas. Ultimately, an army to destroy the three asuras was formed with Subramanya Swami, the son of Shiva, as the army commander. Before going to war, he prostrated before his mother, Parvathi Devi. Parameshwari blessed him and gifted Subramanya with a divine spear. Subramanya went to war and destroyed the three demons with his spear. His victorious journey back home is described in the Saundarya Lahari.
raṇē jitvā daityānapahṛtaśirastraiḥ kavachibhir-
nivṛttaiśchaṇḍāṃśatripuraharanirmālyavimukhaiḥ ।
viśākhēndrōpēndraiḥ śaśiviśadakarpūraśakalā
vilīyantē mātastava vadanatāmbūlakabalāḥ ॥
Saundarya Lahari 65
Description continued in the comments section...
#Lalita #LalithaSahasranamam.

[@Amritapuri]

Description continued... O! Divine Mother! Skanda, Indra, Viṣṇu, etc after winning their war against demons, come to you with their head gears removed, but still wearing armours on their chests, ignoring the remains of food of Śiva, meant for Caṇḍikeśvara, directly go to you to have a portion of the betel leaves mixed with pure edible camphor in your mouth. We are hearing the meanings of the mantra that describe the beauty of Devi, from Head to toe. We are explaining the principles that underlie the description of the lovely physical features of Devi. We shall hear more details in the coming episodes. To be continued…

[@adarshcallejogarcia2594]

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[@deva_646]

Thank you for uploading these gems ❤