Shri GurubhyO namah Shri ParamaGurubhyO namah  Shri ParamEsHtHi GurubhyO namah

SivaH SaktiH kaamaH kShitir atha raviH Seeta kiraNa

smarO haMsaH Sakran tadasu ca paraa maara harayaH

amee hRullEkhaabhis tisRubhir avasaanEShu ghaTitaa

bhajantE varNaan tE tava Janani naamaa vayavahataam

This is 32nd Mantra from Soundarya Lahari

1.Shiva, 2 Shakti, 3, Kama or Manmatha, 4, Kshiti, the Earth, 5. Ravi, the Sun, 6. Sheetakirana, the Moon, 7. Smara, again Manmatha, 8.Hamsah, Swan, 9. Shakra is Indra, 10. Para is Brahma, 11, Maara, again Manmatha, 12, Harayah, Hari, Vishnu.

Though the 12 th name indicates literally HARA, Sri Lakshmidhara  in his Bhashya refer this to Hari, the Vishnu.  It is also likely that original text of this mantra would have been as HariH instead of HarayaH.

These 12 represents 12 Seed syllables, divided into three groups and when Hreem seed Syllable is added to these three groups, O Janani, forms your Mantra, Panchadashi.

Devi Upanishad also known as Devi Atharvasheersha gives a sloka which reads as

kaamO yOniH kaamaklaa vajrapaaNirguhaa hasaa

maatariScaabhramindraH punarhuhaa sakalaa maayayaa ca

punaH kOSaa viSvamaataa divi dyOm

also gives the formation of the same Pancadashi mantra.

1 kama, 2 Yoni, 3 Kamala, 3 Vajrapanih 4. Guha 5. hRIm

6 ha 7 Sa 8 Matarishva, 9 Abhram 10 Indra 11 Punarguha

12 sa 13 ka 14 la 15 Maya bija.

There are fifteen variations in Srividya named after Viṣṇu,  Shiva, Brahma, Manu, Chandra, Kubera, Lopamudra, Agastya, Nandikeshwara, Surya, Skanda, Manmatha, Durvasa 2 variations and Yama. There are different opinions on these number of variations.

Maharshi Durvasa has composed Sri Shakti Mahimnah stotra also known as Tripuramahimna Stotra which has 61 slokas. These 61 Slokas are also to similar to Soundarya Lahari describing kundalini, meditation techniques, several aspects of Shakti Worship and the poetic description of Devi.  It is not known as to why this Shakti Mahimna Stotra has not become as popular as Soundarya Lahari. It is believed that Maharshi Doorvasa also known as Krodha Bhattarika consecrated the Kamakshi at Kancheepuram. Lalita stavaratna is another composition of sage Doorvasa. Navavarana Pooja Manual called Chintamani Kalpam used in Kamakshi Sannidhana is said to have been scripted by Maharshi Doorvasa

17^th Sloka of Sri Shakti Mahimna Stotra reads

Brahmaa yoni ramaa surESvara suhRullEkhabhiruktaisthathaa

maataMDEndu manOja haMsa vasudhaa maayaabhiruttastaiH

sOmdbhu kSiti SaktibhiH prakaTitai rbaaNaangavEdyaiH kramaad

varNaiH SrISivadESikEna viditaam vidyaam tavaambaaSraye

Brahma, Yonih, Rama, sureshvara, Hrilheka, Martanda, Indu,Manoja, Hamsa, Vasudha, Maya, Soma, Ambu,Kshiti, Shakti totally 15 seed syllables of Panchadashi Mantra. This Vidya is known by the world teacher Shiva.  Amba I surrender to you.

9 th 10 th and 11 th slokas in First Chapter of Varivasya Rahasya by Sri Bhaskararaya also explains the formation Sri Vidya pancadashI mantra;

krOdhISha, along with SrikanTha, konatraya, that is triangle.Lakshmi. Mamsa along with Anuttara constitute the first group known as Vagbhava kuta

Siva, Hamsa, Brahman, Viyat, Shakra, these severally joined with AkShara constitute the second group known as Kamaraja Kuta

The same group without Shiva and viyat constitutes the third group known as Shakti Kuta. At the end of these three groups Hrillekha should be added.

Now we understand as to how 32 nd Mantra of Soundarya Lahari, 9 th Sloka of Sri Devi Upanishad, 17 th Sloka of Sri Shakti mahimna Stotra and Varivasya rahasya of Sri Bhaskararaya have conveyed the formation of  Sri Vidya Pancadashi Mantra in different coded language.  We also find Sri Vidya Pancadashi Mantra in Sri Lalita Trishati. Trishati as we know is the 300 names of Sri Lalita Maha Tripura Sunadari. If we divide 300 by 20 we get 15. Each 20 names in Trishati gives one seed syllable of Pancadashi Mantra.

Each seed syllable of Pañcadaśī mantra represents a god or goddess. The divine entities mentioned in the above three verses are Śiva, Śakti, Viṣṇu, Lakṣmī, Brahmā, Indra, Manmatha, Sun, Moon and Mother Earth, who cover the entire Universe. This is the reason for saying that when Pañcadaśī mantra or Ṣoḍaśī is practiced, other mantras are not necessary. However, one should be guided by the Guru.

This 32 nd Mantra of Soundarya Lahari speaks about the sound vibrations inducing the sublime experience. The energy is seen in union with consciousness.  The deities are distinguished by particular seed syllable. These deities are the energy in the sound syllable. These syllables are known as Matrikas. Devi, Shakti, Amba, Lalita in whatever the name we address, it is nothing but the Effulgence. This effulgence is also present in the sound. The energy residing in Mantra lends brilliance, tejas to the Mantra.  This effulgent sound evokes an experience of illumination within known as Matrika. Matrika is the creative energy of the sound.

Matrika is the transcendental sound and is pure energy, having illumination, prakasha and also deliberation that is reflection, vimarsha.

Matrika being prakasha and Vimarsha is regarded as the source of all vidya, knowledge and that is why Matrika is the most important in Mantra Sadhana. Matrika assumes an inward feeling that results in one pointedness, Ekagrata, through the mantra.

Mantra is not the prayer or praise to divine but the DIVINE itself.  Divine when perceived in a form, these forms could be in the form of a sculpture, a photo, a pot filled with a pure water, a geometrical drawing and also in the form of sound that is produced by the syllables. The SOUND of mantra itself is the DIVINE.

Now let us try to understand whatever little possible about Sri Vidya Pancadashi Mantra. The First 4 seed syllables correspond to Kriya shakti of Sri Tripura Sundari, conferring power to do everything. This correlates to waking state of consciousness that is jagrutavaste. We know that the cosmic counter part of Walkig state of Consciousness is Vaishvanara. VaiShvanara was discussed while understanding the 27 th Mantra Japo jalpah as well while understanding Madukya Upanishad. Hence no need to repeat it here. Tamasa Guna prevails here.  Once we add hreem to these 4 seed syllables it is called Vagbhava koota and refers to Sound form of Tripurasundari from the neck upto the top of the head.   We may recollect Vagbhavakootaika svaroopa mukha pankaja from Sri Lalita Sahasranama. One should take the time of 11 Matras to recite this koota contemplating on fire from Mooladhara to Anahata. 1 matra is the time taken for a winking. This mantra confers immense power in learning, speech and wisdom.

The second group of 5 seed syllables correspond to iccha shakti of Sri Tripura Sundari, conferring the will power to fulfil all our desires. This correlates to dream state of individual consciousness that is swapnaavaste. We know that the cosmic counter part of dream state of Consciousness is Taijasa. Taijasa was discussed while understanding Madukya Upanishad. Hence no need to repeat it here. Rajasa Guna prevails here.  Once we add hreem to these 5 seed syllables it is called Kamaraja kuta, kamakala koota or madhyakoota. This  is the sound form of Tripuarasunadari form the neck down to the waist.  We may recollect kanthadhah kati paryaMta madhyakoota  svaroopini from Sri Lalita Sahasranama. One should take the time of 11.5 Matras to recite this koota contemplating on the brightness of the Sun from Anahata to Ajna Chakra. This mantra confers immense power to fulfill all desires.

The third group of 3 seed syllables correspond to jnana shakti of Sri Tripura Sundari, conferring power to know all, that is getting jnana from everywhere. This correlates to deepest sleep state of individual consciousness that is sushupta avaste. We know that the cosmic counter part of this state of Consciousness is prajna. prajna was discussed while understanding Madukya Upanishad. Hence no need to repeat it here.Satvika Guna prevails here.  Once we add hreem to these 3 seed syllables it is called Shaktikoota which is the sound  of Tripuarasunadari below the waist.  We may recollect Shakti kUtaitakapanna Katyadhobhagadharini from Sri Lalita Sahasranama. One should take the time of 8.5 Matras to recite this koota contemplating on the brightness of thousands of Moon from Anahata to middle of the forehead.This mantra confers immense power to achieve all the goals in the life.

Before I forget I must mention that the first group or Kuta also refers to Creation,  the second to Sustenance  & the third to dissolution.

Reciting one round pancadashi mantra is equal to three rounds of reciting Purna Gayatri Mantra.

The entire Panchadasi mantra should be pronounced in 31 matras. In the case of continuous recitation of this mantra, without leaving time gap between the kutas only 29 matras are prescribed. But the time factor does not apply when the mantra is recited mentally. Hrim has 12 letters, namely, ha, ra, I, m ( bindu) Ardha Chandra, Nada, Nadanta, Shakti, Vyapika, Samana and Unmani.

Now we find 18 letters in first kuta, 22 letters in the second and 18 again in the third- Totally forty eight out which hREEM alone makes 36.

We have understood that three states of human consciousness, waking state, dream state and Deep sleep state corresponds to three groups of pancadashi Mantra, vagbhava kuta, Madhya kUta and Shakti Kuta. Sound in these Kutas correspond to the Universal Consciousness States called Vyshvanara, Taijasa and Prajna.  There is another and very important state called the Fourth State which is SELF. ATMA. This is the fourth kuta when added to pancadashI becomes Shodashi Mantra.

Vysvanara, Taijasa, Prajna and Self ATMA is mentioned in Mandukya Upanishad.  Those interested may refer to youtube video titled as Maneesha Panchaka on my channel.  The video is 2 hours plus, but from 1 hr 36 minutes onwards the video explains these 4 states of consciousness.

The fourth Kuta is SrIM seed Syllable which makes Pancadashi to Shodashi. This is known as Chandrakala.  Sri Vidya is derived from this seed Syllable SrIM.

There are many variations in Shodashi Mantra and three of them are very well known.

There is another Vidya called MahashodhashI vidya which also has many variants. Trailokya Mohana Kavaca from Rudrayamala refers to about 12 variants of Mahashodhashi.

Before concluding the explanation of 32 nd Mantra in Soundarya Lahari, we shall know the benefits of this reciting this Mantra;

There is Yantra for this Mantra which need to be engraved on Gold plate and reciting this Mantra 1000 times a day for 45 days in the heart centre, will give the Sadhaka Accomplishment in Alchemy and other related science. The offering that is Naivedya is Curd rice and Black gram cake.

The same yantra engraved in on Gold plate to be placed in the place of business after reciting the Mantra 1000 times a day for 45 days in the Heart chakra will give success in business. The offering is Sweet Pongal.

OM SHANTIH SHANTIH SHANTIH

8-7-2019                                                                                                   ATMANANDANATHA

(JSD Pani)

Youtube link for 32nd Sloka: