सौन्दर्यलहरी श्लोक ३५ — मनस्त्वं व्योम त्वं — Word-by-Word Meaning
सौन्दर्यलहरी श्लोक ३५ — मनस्त्वं व्योम त्वं
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
मनः त्वं
manaḥ tvaṃ
You are the mind (manas)
व्योम त्वं
vyoma tvaṃ
You are the ether / space (akasha)
मरुत् असि
marut asi
You are the air (vayu)
मरुत्-सारथिः असि
marut-sārathiḥ asi
You are fire (Agni, the charioteer / friend of the wind)
त्वम् आपः
tvam āpaḥ
You are the waters
त्वं भूमिः
tvaṃ bhūmiḥ
You are the earth
त्वयि परिणतायां
tvayi pariṇatāyāṃ
when You have transformed (into all this)
न हि परम्
na hi param
there is indeed nothing beyond / other (than You)
त्वम् एव
tvam eva
You alone
स्वात्मानं परिणमयितुं
svātmānaṃ pariṇamayituṃ
in order to transform Your own Self
विश्व-वपुषा
viśva-vapuṣā
into the form/body of the universe
चित्-आनन्द-आकारं
cit-ānanda-ākāraṃ
(while remaining) of the nature of consciousness and bliss
शिवयुवति
śivayuvati
O youthful consort of Shiva (Shiva-yuvati)
भावेन बिभृषे
bhāvena bibhṛṣe
You assume (this) by Your own will / as a sport
Complete Translation
आप ही मन हैं; आप ही आकाश, वायु, अग्नि, जल और पृथ्वी हैं। जब आप इन सबके रूप में परिणत हो जाती हैं, तब आपसे परे कुछ भी शेष नहीं रहता। हे शिव की युवती (पत्नी)! चिदानन्द-स्वरूपा रहते हुए भी, अपने ही स्वरूप को सम्पूर्ण विश्व के रूप में परिणत करके, उसे धारण करने वाली आप ही हैं।
Origin & History
Source: Soundarya Lahari, Verse 35
Author: Adi Shankaracharya
Period: c. 8th century CE
Belonging to the Ananda Lahari, this verse is one of the clearest statements of Advaita within the hymn, identifying the Goddess with the mind, the five elements and the whole cosmos while affirming Her transcendent nature as Chidananda. It reflects Shankaracharya's non-dual vision and is set in the Shikharini metre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Verse 35 called philosophical?▼
Because it presents an Advaitic (non-dual) vision: the Goddess is declared to be the mind and the five elements, and once She has become all this, nothing exists apart from Her. It identifies the Divine Mother with both the universe and its transcendent ground of Consciousness-Bliss.
What are the elements named in the verse?▼
The verse names the mind (manas) and the five great elements (pancha-mahabhuta): ether or space, air, fire, water and earth. The phrase 'marut-sarathi' ('charioteer of the wind') refers to fire, which is fanned and carried by air.
How does this verse unite devotion and knowledge?▼
It is addressed lovingly to the Goddess as 'Shiva-yuvati', the youthful consort of Shiva, yet its content is pure Vedantic non-duality. Reciting it lets the devotee adore the Mother with the heart while contemplating Her as the formless Chidananda with the intellect.
What does 'Chidananda' mean?▼
Chidananda means 'Consciousness-Bliss'. The verse says that although the Goddess appears as the whole material universe, Her true nature remains pure Consciousness and Bliss, which She has freely shaped into the form of the world.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →