ஸ்ரீ லலிதையின் சரிதை 8

The Compounds of precious stones:
Inside the golden compound, there are eleven prakaras (compounds) one inside the
other and inside them there are six more compounds described hereunder. All these
compounds are perfect squares. Here also, the distance between one compound and
the other is Seven yojanas. (yojana is a measurement of length of about nine miles).
1. Pushyaraga Prakara (The compound of Topaz)
The area between the golden compound and this one is called Pushyaraga area.
Here male and female Siddhas reside. Those who were born earlier in the race of
Siddha and who obtained attainment (Siddhi) in their spiritual practices worshipping
the Divine Mother, stay here as Siddhas and gladly continue to worship Her.
2. Padmaraga Prakara (The compound of Ruby)
Here celestials of the species called Caranas reside. Those who were born in Carana
world and worshipped the Mother are reborn here, after attaining Her grace.
3. Gomedhika Prakara (The compound of Agate)
In this arena, Kala Sankarshani devi resides. She is worshipped b the Yoginis and
Bhairavas.
4. Vajra Prakara (The compound of diamonds)
Apsaras and Gandharvas (divine dancers and singers) stay in this arena. They are
ever engaged in the Japa (repetition) of the Divine Mother’s names and stay here
happily. The river Vajranadi flows in this place. The Goddess Vajreswari stays here.
When the demon Bhanda swallowed the diamond weapon (Vajra Ayudha) of Indra,
he could get back his weapon by worshipping the Mother here.
5. Vaidurya Prakara (The compound of Cat’s eye)
Those of the netherworld, who attained spiritual achievements by worshipping the
Mother, stay in this arena. The emperor Bali also resides here.
6. Indraneela Prakara (The compound of Sapphire)
Those people who were born on the earth stay in this area enjoying pleasures, after
their worship of Lalita during their lifetime there. Soon after the effect of their punya
(merit) is exhausted, they will be born again as human beings on the earth. By the
effect of their previous pious deeds, they again worship the Mother and return once
more to this pious place. Due to the blue colour of these precious stones, the dark
effect of likes and dislikes persists in them. Hence they are born again and again.
Those who can control their senses in toto merge in the ultimate state of salvation,
i.e., in the Divine Mother. They do not have rebirth.
7. Mukta Prakara (The compound of pearls)
Several rivers named Tamraparni, Mahaparni, Sadamukta, Sadodaka etc. flow in this
area. The celestials who worshipped the Mother and chanted her Mantras stay here.
The cities of the rulers of the eight sides exist here. (The eight sides are East, West,
North, South, North-East, South-East, North-West and South-West).
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8. Marakata Prakara (The compound of Emerald)
The abode of the Goddess Dandanatha also called Varahi exists in this area. There is
a garden
of golden palm-trees here. The Goddess Unmattabhairavi, Svapnesvari, Tiraskarini
devi, Kirapada
devi reside in this area. When Goddess Dandanatha is on duty, she stays in a
separate palace in the forest of Mahapadma (Big lotuses).
9. Vidruma Prakara (The compound of Coral)
In this area, Brahma along with sages like Marica stays and worship the Divine
Mother.
10. Manikya Prakara (The compound of Gem)
This area is also called the hall of gems i.e. Manikya Mantapa. Her Vishnu worships
the Mother.
11. Navaratna Prakara (The compound of several precious stones)
In this area exists a huge hall with thousands of pillars. Here Siva along with his
attendants constantly supervises the activities being done as per the orders of Lalita
Devi.
12. Manomaya Prakara (The compound of mind)
The entire area is a big well of Amruta (nectar). The Goddess Tara resides here.
Along with her attendants, she rows a big boat and takes her devotees inside along
with Her.
13. Buddhi Prakara (The compound of the intellect)
The entire area is a big well of Bliss. The captain of the ship in this arena is the
Goddess Varuni. She is also called as Sudha malini and Amruteswari.
14. Ahankara Prakara (The compound of Egoism)
The entire area is a big well of criticism and nectar; The water of this well is nothing
else than the nectar in the nerve Sushumna (The central nerve between Ida and
Pingala nerves of one’s backbone. The captain of the ship in this area is the Goddess
Kurukulla.
15. Suryabimba Prakara (The compound of the Sun)
Here brilliance comparable to the light of the rising Sun exists always. Plenty of
flowers called Kuruvinda are abundant here. The Sun performed penance here and
obtained brilliance. Martanda Bhairava stays here. He has a very luminous form.
His three wives are Mahaprakasa Sakti, Cakshusmati Sakti and Chayada Sakti (The
powers of great brilliance, eyesight and shade.
16. Candrabimba Prakasa (The compound of the Moon)
Moonshine ever exists here. The Moon performed penance here and attained
illumination. Somanatha, the Lord of the stars is the chief deity of this area.
17. Srungara Prakara (The compound of eroticism)
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This area is full of waters of eroticism. Here Manmatha, (Cupid-the god of love)
does Japa of the Mother’s sacred names, rowing in a boat. Only those who are of
pure mind by nature can cross this area.
18. Cintamani Gruha (The abode of Gems)
This is the great palace of Sricakra. It is called Mahapadmatavi also. Around the
mansion, hundreds of thousands of lotus like palaces exist.
a) To the east of this place, there is a large vessel with a diameter of one
Yojana. This is called Arghya Patra (the vessel used to wash hands)
b) At the south-east corner exists Cidagnikunda (The fire pit of knowledge)
c) At the south-west exists Sricakra Ratha, the vehicle of Sricakra.
d)
e) At the north-west exists the Geya Cakra Ratha of the Goddess Mantrini.
f) At the north-east exists the Kiri Cakra Ratha of the Goddess Dandini.
g) In between the East and the south-east exists Mantrini gruha – the abode
of the Goddess Mantrini.
h) In between the East and the north-east exists Dandini gruha – the abode of
the Goddess Dandini
(TO BE CONTINUED)