18
Sanskrit:
इन्द्रगोपपरिक्षिप्तस्मरतूणाभजङ्घिका ।
गूढगुल्फा कूर्मपृष्ठजयिष्णुप्रपदान्विता ॥ १८ ॥
English:
indragōpaparikṣiptasmaratūṇābhajaṅghikā |
gūḍhagulphā kūrmapr̥ṣṭhajayiṣṇuprapadānvitā ॥ 18 ॥
Tamil:
இந்த்³ரகோ³பபரிக்ஷிப்தஸ்மரதூணாப⁴ஜங்கி⁴கா ।
கூ³ட⁴கு³ள்பா² கூர்மப்ருஷ்ட²ஜயிஷ்ணுப்ரபதா³ந்விதா ॥ 18 ॥
Meaning:
In this 18th verse, Śrī Lalitā appears as:
- Her shanks (lower legs or calves) are shaped like Cupid’s quiver and surrounded by glowing red beetles (Indragopa), emphasizing allure, vitality, and vibrant beauty.
- Her ankles are hidden (gūḍha-gulphā), while her feet (prapada) are beautifully arched and outshine even the back of a tortoise (kūrma-pṛṣṭha), a symbol of stability, spiritual groundedness, and inward withdrawal.
Meditation:
I meditate upon Śrī Lalitā, whose lower legs, like Cupid’s quiver, radiate irresistible beauty, ringed with red indragopa beetles drawn to the nectar of Her presence, and whose hidden ankles suggest mystery and modesty, while Her feet surpass the beauty of a tortoise’s curved back—firm, arched, and perfectly balanced. May this vision inspire in me the charm of graceful movement and the pull of divine attraction that draws the heart toward love and devotion, and may I learn from Her how to walk the spiritual path with steadiness and grace, letting even my steps reflect serenity and strength.
Sanskrit: इन्द्रगोप-परिक्षिप्त-स्मरतूणाभ-जङ्घिका
Tamil: இந்த்³ரகோ³ப-பரிக்ஷிப்த-ஸ்மரதூணாப⁴-ஜங்கி⁴கா
Meaning: Her lower legs glow like red beetles, resembling Kama’s quiver, radiating beauty that inspires love and devotion, both worldly and divine.
Reflection: Her radiance is not mere physical charm — it is symbolic of the divine force that moves creation itself, the energy of attraction that draws souls toward liberation.
Contemporary Reflection: Love isn’t weakness—it’s a power that moves worlds. Like Her, embody elegance and gentle strength even in how you walk through life.
Meditation: “I walk with loving intent, every step a silent offering to the world.”
Sanskrit: गूढ-गुल्फा
Tamil: கூ³ட⁴-கு³ல்பா²
Meaning: Her ankles are delicate and subtle, radiating divine grace and beauty.
Reflection: Her ankles, delicate and graceful, embody subtle beauty and divine energy, guiding devotees with elegance and stability on the spiritual path.
Contemporary Reflection: Inspires appreciating subtle beauty, maintaining balance, and acting with intention, bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary life.
Meditation: “May I learn to honor the unseen, the quiet strength, and the hidden grace that sustains life.”
Sanskrit: कूर्म-पृष्ठ-जयिष्णु-प्रपदान्विता
Tamil: கூர்ம-ப்ருஷ்ட-²ஜயிஷ்ணு-ப்ரபதா³ன்விதா
Meaning: Her feet are slightly arched like the back of a tortoise—strong, poised, and victorious.
Reflection: Her foundation is steady, suggesting balance between motion and stillness, strength and subtlety.
Contemporary Reflection: In life’s rush, remember to root yourself. Stand firm like Her, with poise that withstands chaos and calm alike.
Meditation: “I ground myself in strength, finding stillness within motion.”
Audio courtesy of The Sanskrit Channel
Video courtesy of Sri Sankara TV YouTube channel