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Story of the Soundarya Lahari of Adi Shankaracharya

Soundarya Lahari, composed by Adi Shankaracharya, 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.

Story of the Soundarya Lahari of 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.

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