Sinduraruna is a translation of the Dhyana Sloka of the Sri Lalita Sahasranama.
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i.
The first light of dawn is amba—
Her eye of wisdom sees all.
She is the saffron queen.
From her ruby-studded crown,
the crescent moon shines.
Her eyes, starlit.
No smile is more alluring than hers,
and she is full of milk.
Her breasts nourish creation.
A red lotus of slender stem
blooms in one hand,
and from the other,
a jeweled cup of nectar overflows.
She is drunk on the rapture.
At her feet gleams a pot
weighty with untumbled gems,
for whosoever’s intentions are true.
I think of her, now.
ii.
My mind rests in the lap of the fair one,
seated upon the full-blown lotus of silence.
Her face is the moon luminous with delight,
her glance sidelong,
eyes wide like lotus petals.
Her limbs are the sun’s radiance.
She is clothed in golden silk
and holds a golden lotus in hand.
She is the living form of compassion—
She listens. She protects.
She is beautiful to gaze upon.
She inspires rite and praise.
She is true inner tranquility.
iii.
The goddess is a vibrant blossom
to whom all swarm, as bees seek nectar.
Her scent intoxicates.
She who wields the noose and goad,
the bow and flowering arrow,
none can resist her.
iv.
Decked out with jewels, sandalwood beads,
and saffron powder of deepest red,
she outshines all.
She is the sacrificial hibiscus.
She is the commanding empress,
the breaking light of dawn.
Her eyes flood the earth with tenderness.
She captivates the heart
and drives the mind inward.
She loves each child as the one,
for the one she is
is the one you are.
Photo by Rahul Viswanath on Unsplash
