Tripura-sundari — the beauty-of-the three-realms, Perfection. The Divine-Night (Divya-rātrī)
The number used to represent the totality of perfection is 16. In human beings sixteen years represent the age of accomplished perfection, after which decline sets in — it is the age of the fullness of vigour and libido. There are fifteen days (tithis) in the complete lunar cycle from the new moon to the full moon. The 15 day is either the full moon or the new moon. 16 therefore represents that which is full within time and yet beyond time. The Girl-of-Sixteen (Shodashi) rules over all that is perfect, complete, beautiful.
After dawn, after the hour of the Star (Tārā), comes the hour of perfection. The young sun has risen in its fullness; the sun is the source of all life on this planet and is numerologically connected with the number 5 and with the five elements and is represented by the five-faced Śiva. Just after dawn its fierceness has not yet appeared. It seems gentle, bright, auspicious (Śiva). In the morning sun men worship the Progenitor, the principle that gives life to the three worlds and to all the mortals and immortals.
The Girl-of-Sixteen, the power of Śiva as the ruler of the three worlds, is. according to the Sodashi Tantra, identified with the Beauty-of-the-Three-Cities (Tripura-sundari), said to be the light radiating from the three eyes of Śiva to illumine the worlds. Hence she is “the Girl-of-Sixteen in whom the three forms of light unite.”
She is also known as Lalita. The wise say,
“The word Lalita has eight meanings, namely brilliance, manifestation, sweetness, depth, consistency, energy, grace and generosity; are the eight human qualities.”
The Kama-Shastra says:— Lalita means erotic actions and also tenderness; as she has all the above- mentioned qualities she is called Lalita. It is said also, “Thou art rightly called Lalita for thou hast nine divine attendants [in the Sri cakra,] and your bow is made of sugar-cane, your arrows are flowers, and everything connected with you is lovely (commentary on Lalita sahasranama).
Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, is a solar aspect of Śiva, hence he is sometimes identified with the Girl-of-Sixteen. “Indra is Sodasi” (Satapatha Brahmana 4.2.5.14. )
Accoutrements.
Ikṣu-kodaṇḍā — the sugarcane bow. Sugarcane is sweet at the oldest part signifying that true love comes with age. The leaves of the sugarcane are sharp and capable of cutting one, the powder from the leaves is also a severe irritant, indicating that desire is always accompanied by hurt. This idea is further strengthened by the bees forming the string of the bow. Bees produce honey but they also sting. Honey cannot be gotten without some risk of pain!
Pāśa – The triple noose – represents 3 things by which we are limited, bound and conditioned.
1. Individuality (anutva) – the basis for avidya or ignorance. It is the deep unconscious belief that we are incomplete, imperfect, an insignificant creature, limited and powerless rather than a manifestation of the Divine perfect light of consciousness.
2. Differentiation (māyā) – the concept that we are separate and different from other beings and from nature itself. The division of reality into subject and object, perceiver and percept.
3. Action (karma) – The first two bonds result in action performed in conformity with them. The actions result in reactions which then lead to rebirth.
Ankuśa — elephant goad. Incentive to continue in spiritual practice and the application of the teachings. The urging of the guru which drives us to practice and apply. Also indicates the prime necessity to control anger the worst of all negative emotions which results in self destruction as well as destruction of the other.
Śālipaḷḷava — rice-sprig. Symbolizes the bounty of nature, fecundity and abundance. Fruition of one’s good deeds
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