The twenty ninth mantra is
Om anākalita sādṛśya cibuka śrī virājitāyai namaḥ
[whose chin cannot be compared to anything (because of its unparalleled beauty).]
This mantra describes the unparalleled beauty of Devi’s chin, emphasizing that it is beyond comparison. No earthly object or analogy can do justice to its beauty. The mantra speaks of “She whose chin cannot be compared to anything,” highlighting its uniqueness and the fact that its beauty transcends any possible comparison.
Sri Sankaracharya Swami expresses the same sentiment in Saundarya Lahari, where he too acknowledges that Devi’s chin, like the rest of her divine form, is beyond the limits of human expression or comparison. Its beauty stands alone, radiant and incomparable.
karāgrēṇa spṛṣṭaṃ tuhinagiriṇā vatsalatayā
girīśēnōdastaṃ muhuradharapānākulatayā ।
karagrāhyaṃ śambhōrmukhamukuravṛntaṃ girisutē
kathaṅkāraṃ brūmastava chibukamaupamyarahitam ॥
Saundarya Lahari 67
“How can I describe thy chin?” Such is the awe expressed when contemplating the beauty of Devi’s chin, which is said to be incomparable. “O! Mother, the beauty of thy chin cannot be compared to anything else.” The lotus-like face of Devi is likened to a mirror, and her chin is compared to the handle of that mirror, elegant and indispensable. Only two beings have ever touched Devi’s chin, underscoring its sacredness. In moments of affection, we might gently caress the chin of a small child, much like the tender love that flows toward Devi. A fascinating example of this is found in the temple at Thirumeyachur in Tamil Nadu, where a unique idol of Shiva and Shakti stands. Located in the second enclosure outside the sanctum-sanctorum, this idol offers a special visual experience. When viewed from the front, you see Devi’s serene, smiling face. But when viewed from the side, Devi’s expression changes to one of anger, as she looks furiously toward the sun. In this moment, Parameshwara is depicted soothing her by caressing her chin, calming her anger.
Sri Shankaracharya Swami highlights that only two beings—the divine Parameshwara and, perhaps, the childlike innocence of all creation—have the freedom to touch Devi’s chin, emphasizing the sacred intimacy and reverence for her unparalleled beauty.
Himavan, the king of mountains, performed intense penance for countless years, desiring the boon of having Devi born as his daughter. As a result, Devi took birth as the daughter of Himavan. As a father, Himavan gently touched her chin with the tenderness and affection that only a parent can offer. Lord Parameshwara, too, has the freedom to caress her chin with love and respect. There is nothing in the universe that can compare to the beauty of her chin. The phrase “anākalita sādṛśya cibuka śrī virājitā” beautifully encapsulates this, signifying that the unparalleled beauty of her chin is truly beyond comparison.
Up to this point, the mantras have described the radiant beauty of Devi’s lotus-like face. We will now see how these mantras are divided into three parts: Vagbhava Kutam, Madhya Kutam, and Shakti Kutam. The initial portion is known as śrīmad vāgbhava kūṭaika svarūpa mukha paṅkajā
[whose lotus face is the auspicious vagbhavakuta (the first five syllables of the panchadasakshari mantra).],” where the loveliness of Devi’s face, compared to a lotus, is portrayed. The description of her face concludes with the twenty-ninth mantra.
Some may question whether it is appropriate to give such a detailed description of Devi’s physical attributes, as found in Sri Lalitha Sahasranama and Saundarya Lahari. However, consider the relationship between a child and a mother. A small child, feeling complete freedom and love toward its mother, climbs onto her lap, touches her, talks freely, and expresses itself without reserve. Even in nature, a crow sees its own offspring as the most precious, loving it as though it were crafted from gold. In the eyes of a mother, no child is more beautiful than her own. We have all seen children who, despite seeming unattractive or unkempt to us, are lovingly cherished by their mothers.
In the relationship between a devotee and the divine mother, there is a similar sense of boundless love, where physical beauty becomes irrelevant. The devotee, overwhelmed by devotion, forgets the physical body, transcending worldly concerns. In such moments, the descriptions of Devi are expressions of the highest devotion and admiration.
The description is continued in the comments section…
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