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Soundarya Lahari
सौन्दर्यलहरी
Saundaryalaharī
Chant
त्वया हृत्वा वामं वपुरपरितृप्तेन मनसा शरीरार्धं शम्भोरपरमपि शङ्के हृतमभूत् । यदेतत्त्वद्रूपं सकलमरुणाभं त्रिनयनं कुचाभ्यामानम्रं कुटिलशशिचूडालमकुटम् ॥२३॥
Study note
Word breakdown
- वामं वपुः
- the left body
- अपरितृप्तेन
- with unsatisfied mind
- त्रिनयनम्
- three-eyed
- कुटिलशशिचूडालम्
- having a crescent moon crest
After taking Śiva's left half with an unsatisfied heart, the Goddess seems to have taken his other half as well, for her entire form appears rosy-red, three-eyed, and bowed by the weight of breasts, crowned with the curved moon. This playful meditation on Ardhanārīśvara suggests that love ultimately claims the whole of its object, not just a part.
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