सौन्दर्यलहरी श्लोक ९९ — सरस्वत्या लक्ष्म्या — Word-by-Word Meaning
सौन्दर्यलहरी श्लोक ९९ — सरस्वत्या लक्ष्म्या
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
सरस्वत्या लक्ष्म्या
sarasvatyā lakṣmyā
with Saraswati and Lakshmi (as his companions)
विधि-हरि-सपत्नः
vidhi-hari-sapatnaḥ
a rival (equal) of Brahma and Vishnu
विहरते
viharate
sports / lives at ease
रतेः पातिव्रत्यं
rateḥ pātivratyaṃ
the chaste fidelity of Rati (consort of Kamadeva)
शिथिलयति
śithilayati
loosens / unsettles
रम्येण वपुषा
ramyeṇa vapuṣā
by his charming, handsome form
चिरं जीवन् एव
ciraṃ jīvan eva
while still living long (in this very life)
क्षपित-पशु-पाश-व्यतिकरः
kṣapita-paśu-pāśa-vyatikaraḥ
having destroyed the bondage of the fettered soul (the 'pasha' of the 'pashu')
परानन्द-अभिख्यम्
parānanda-abhikhyam
that which is named Supreme Bliss (Parananda)
रसयति रसं
rasayati rasaṃ
tastes / relishes the essence (rasa)
त्वद्-भजनवान्
tvad-bhajanavān
the devotee who worships You
Complete Translation
जो भक्त आपकी उपासना करता है, वह सरस्वती और लक्ष्मी के साथ विहार करते हुए ब्रह्मा और विष्णु के समान हो जाता है; अपने मनोहर रूप से वह रति के सुप्रसिद्ध पातिव्रत्य को भी शिथिल कर देता है। दीर्घकाल तक जीवित रहते हुए भी, बद्ध जीव के समस्त बन्धन (पशु-पाश) को नष्ट कर चुका वह भक्त इसी जीवन में 'परानन्द' नामक उस परम रस का आस्वादन करता है।
Origin & History
Source: Soundarya Lahari, Verse 99
Author: Adi Shankaracharya
Period: c. 8th century CE
Near the conclusion of the Soundarya Lahari, this verse forms part of the phalashruti, the hymn's account of the fruits won by the Mother's devotee. It gathers together worldly blessings and liberation-in-life as the rewards of devotion and is set, like the rest, in the Shikharini metre.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Verse 99 promise the devotee?▼
It promises that the worshipper of the Divine Mother enjoys wisdom and wealth like Brahma and Vishnu, a beauty that rivals the gods, freedom from all bondage even while living, and the direct taste of Supreme Bliss (Parananda) in this very life.
What is a 'jivanmukta' in this context?▼
A jivanmukta is one who is liberated while still living. The verse says the devotee, though continuing to live long, has the bondage of the fettered soul wholly destroyed — the very definition of liberation-in-life — and relishes the highest bliss here and now.
What is 'phalashruti'?▼
Phalashruti is the traditional declaration of the fruits or benefits of reciting a sacred text. Verse 99, near the end of the Soundarya Lahari, is part of this section, describing the rewards — both worldly and spiritual — that come to the Mother's devotee.
Does devotion to Devi give both worldly and spiritual gifts?▼
According to this verse, yes. It names Lakshmi (wealth) and Saraswati (wisdom) as worldly fullness, and the destruction of bondage with the taste of Parananda as the supreme spiritual gift — showing that devotion to the Mother completes life on every level.
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