Soundarya Lahari, composed by Adi Shankaracarya, praises the
beauty and grace of Mother Goddess Shakti – the feminine primordial cosmic
energy. There is an interesting story, which narrates how the Soundarya Lahari
came to be composed by Adi Shankaracharya.
Legend has it that Soundarya Lahari book was given to Adi
Shankara by Shiva. But Nandi, the divine bull and vehicle of Shiva, was in a
playful mood and he snatched the book from Adi Shankaracharya.
When Adi Shankaracharaya demanded the book be returned, Nandi
tore it into two halves. On was kept by him and the other half was returned to the
Saint.
Adi Shankara went back to Shiva and told him what had happened.
Shiva asked him to write the second half. Adi Shankaracharya
then wrote the second half and it is today known as Soundarya Lahari.
The
first half, comprising 41 shlokas, which Nandi gave to the Guru is considered
to be the Anandalahari.