AdiShankaracharya’s Soundarya Lahari CD
The hymn of Soundoryalohari contains 100 poems (verses) of four lines each said to be written by
Jagadguri) Shri Adi Shankarachoryo (8th Century Indion philosopher). Legend of this work is often
substantiated by the distinct difference that is present in the two sets of poems “Anandnlahari” – The waves
of bliss (verses 1 to 42) and “Soundaryalahari’. The waves of beauty (verses 4. To 100) the complete set is
known as Soundoryalahari.
Anandalahari deals with the Mantra, Yantra and Tontra practices of Shaktha cult. The Shaktho system is
system of rituals accompanied by Meditation based on Advaita philosophy. Shaktha sect worships Devi
through rituals and meditation and is based on a non-dual interpretation of reality. These verses are on a
metaphysical plane, describing the philosophical & spiritual aspects of Shakthi worship. A notable feature
of this set of verses is that the verses are not interlinked in anyway; they stand apart. The language is also
highly transcendental in nature.
Soundaryalohari, the second part, is a description of the Supreme Mother from crown to feet, as a
description of the vision that Shri Adi Shonkaracharya experienced. These verses ore said to be written by
Shri Shankarachorya himself. He mode generous use of figures of speech of Sanskrit poetics.
However, the term “Soundarya lahari” is now commonly applied to the entire hundred verses.
SA050
CD: $7.50