Tripurasundari Ashtakam

                      Octad to Goddess Tripurasundarii

by Adi Shankaraachaarya

(A Translation in English )

Before we begin, let us offer ourselves at the feet of the Divine Mother, Mahaatripurasundarii, (the one of many names called by her children) who as Ishvara rules the world but is none other than the indwelling spirit (Atman) within us and which pervades us all that exists.

This introduction deals with the background on the name of Tripurasundarii.
It is one of the best epithets to describe the Devi meaning that she is the belle of all the three worlds. The word tripura can be interpreted. variously. The Kaalikaa Purana says that by the will of pradhaana, the body of Lord Shiva became triple : the upper part became Brahma, the middle part became Vishhnu and the lower part became Rudra. As these three pura-s (bodies) are in Lord Shiva, he is called Tripura (three bodied) and his wife is known as Tripuraa. In the Kaamakalaa Vilaasa (13,14), the honored sage, Abhiyukta, mentions that Devi created all the three forms and she is before all (purobhava), because she is in the form of all the three(trayiimayi) and exists even after the dissolution of the three worlds and recreates them again. In the Brahmanda-Purana, it is mentioned that the Goddess Tripurasundarii rules over the entire universe and She is the supreme empress, and Brahma, VishhNu and Shiva are mere functionaries in Her empire. The Lalitaa Sahasranaama portrays Her as being attended by Lakshmi and Saraswati on either side. Shankaracharya, in his Saundrayalahirii, mentions that Brahma, VishhNu and Shiva started their cosmic processes when the Supreme Shakti knitted Her brow for a split second.

The Devi mantra consists of three syllables, and her fifteen lettered mantra panchadashaakshari is composed of three kuuta-s (peaks). She resides in three naadi-s (nerve channels), namely sushhumnaa, pingalaa, and idaa.
She is the ruler of the three Shaktis - ichchaa (will), jnana (knowledge)and kriyaa (action). She pervades all the three worlds - heaven, earth and the nether world. She is the controller of all the three bodies - sthula
(gross), suukshhma (subtle), and kaarana (causal). She is the self which is present through the three states of existence - jaagrat (waking), svapna (dream), and sushhupti (deep sleep). Though she is above all guna-s, She pervades the three modes of energy- sattva (purity), rajas (mobility) and tamas (inertia).

Love and joy are the inherent qualities of beauty. Sundarii means belle and beauty. Shankaracharya, while explaining Chandogya Upanishhad 7, 31:1,
mentions that all longing and desire is a source of pain, and in what is finite there is no bliss. He mentions that the Infinite alone can produce bliss. When bliss takes on a form, it is sundarii: sarvaa.nga sundarii
(lalitaa trishati, verse 130) and Shankara comments on this name of the Devi as the one who possesses all the marks of beauty and has all the qualities of perfection and is thus the source of Bliss.

May the Divine Mother guide us in our every action and thought, and may She confer upon us the greatest gift of all, moksha (liberation) by removing the veil of maya which She weaves.

The English Translation of the octad is as follows:

Octad:1

"I take shelter in Tripurasundari, the wife of the three eyed one (Shiva), wandering in the forest of kadamba trees, refreshing like a multitude of clowds to the hosts of sages, whose hips excel the mountains, who is served by the celestial damsels, who has eyes like a newly bloomed lotus and who is dark in colourlike a newly formed cloud."

Octad:2

"I take shelter in Tripurasundari, the wife of the three eyed one (Shankara), who lives in the forest of kadamba trees, holding a golden vina, adorned with a necklace of precious gems, whose face is full of delight due to nectar, who bestows mercy and glory, the Devi with radiant eyes."

Octad:3

"She whose house is the forest of kadamba trees, whose garland is radiant on Her heavy bosom, whose breasts are high and hard (firm) like mountains, who shines in the grove by the grace of Paramaguru Lord Shankara, whose cheeks are reddened due to inebriation, who is the abode of sweet song and sweet talk, by such an intensely blue woman we are playfully protected."

Octad:4

"I take shelter in Tripurasundari, the wife of the three eyed one, who dwells in midst of the forest of kadamba trees, who always stays near the golden mandala, who lives in the six lotuses and is ever in readiness (for yogis) like a flash of lightning, who has imitated the color of the hibiscus whose crest jewel is the brilliant moon."

Octad:5

"Between whose two breasts there is a beautiful (or adorable) vina, who is adorned with curly hair, who resides on the lotus, who is the foe of those of cunning intellect, whose eyes are reddened by intoxication. who has enamoured even the foe of cupid, who is the daughter of sage Matanga, in this sweet talking Tripurasundari I take shelter."

Octad:6

"She who bears the first flower of smara, who is wearing a blue garment with blood drops, who holds a bowl of honey, whose eyes are confused and who is staggering on account of intoxication, meditate on Tripurasundari Devi. Whose heart is elevated by firm breasts, the black one with her hair disheveled, in this Tripurasundari, the wife of the three eyed one, I take shelter."

Octad:7

"She who is anointed with kumkum, whose curly hair is anointed with musk, who wears a soft smile, who holds the bow, pasha, ankusha, etc., who enamours all people, whose garment is decorated with a red flower garland, who shines with a garland of hibiscus, on this Mother I meditate at the beginning of the japa vidhi."

Octad:8

"I worship the Mother of the entire world, who is the wife of lord Shankara, whose hairs are done by her chamber maid, who is the pativrata wife of Shankara, who is engaged in various talks, who is adorned with jewels by Lakshmi, whose servants are the heavenly damsels."

This concludes the translation of the octad of Ttripurasundarii ashtakam composed by shrii shankara.

sourced and compiled by a seeker of truth