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Saundarya Laharee

Saundarya Laharee literary meaning "waves of beauty" consists of two parts viz. Aanand Laharee meaning "waves of happiness" is its first 41 stanzas) and Saundarya Laharee is its next 59 stanzas. The Saundarya Laharee is not only a poem, it is a Tantra textbook, giving instructions on Poojaa and offerings, many Yantra, almost one to each Shlok; describes Taantrik ways of performing devotion connected to each specific Shlok; and details the results ensuing there from.  It is believed that Lord Ganesh himself etched the Aanand Laharee on Mount Meru (Some people believe that Sage Pushpdant did the etching). It was read from there by Sage Goudaapaad (Guru of Shankaraachaarya Jee) who taught it to Shankar. Aadi Shankar himself added the rest of the 59 stanzas and completed it. These 100 stanzas are supposed to be the foremost among Mantra literature. It is also believed that by making suitable Yantra and reciting particular stanzas and worshipping the Yantra almost anything can be obtained in the world .

According to others, once Aadi Shankar visited Kailaash Parvat to worship Shiv and Paarvatee Jee. There, Shiv gave him a manuscript containing 100 verses which described the many facets of the Goddess, as a gift to him. While Shankar was returning after visiting Kailaash, Nandee stopped him on the way. He snatched the manuscript from him, tore it into two, took away one part himself and gave the other to Shankar. Shankar, desolate, ran to Shiv and narrated the incident to him. Shiv, smiling, commanded him to retain the 41 verses with him as the initial part of the 100 verses and then, write an extra 59 verses in praise of the Goddess himself. Thus, verses 1 - 41 are the original work of Lord Shiv, shedding great light on the ancient rituals of Tantra, Yantra and various powerful Mantra. The remaining verses, i.e. 42-100 are composed by Aadi Shankar himself, which mainly focuses on the appearance of the Goddess. Thus all the 100 verses are collectively known as 'Saundarya Laharee'. There are more than 36 commentaries to Saundarya Laharee written in Sanskrit itself. Of them the most famous is that written by Lakshmee Dhar alias Lallaa, His commentary is used to understand the meaning of the different verses.

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