Thus Spake the Divine - Black and Red Kamakshi

Thus Spake the Divine

Black and Red Kamakshi

Poojyasri Maha Periyava is enthralled about the representation of Kamakshi by Mooka Kavi in his Mooka Pancha Shati. In some places, Mooka Kavi identifies Her as red and in others as black. Maha Periyava scientifically explains the genesis of colours and justifies Mooka Kavi’s perception of Ambal’s complexion.

There are many Shlokas that elucidate the eminence and beauty of Ambal. Among these Saundarya Lahari, composed by Adi Shankara Bhagavadpada, and Mooka Pancha Shati, composed by Mooka Kavi, are unparalleled. These compositions bring forth the Divine Form of Ambal right in front of our eyes; like an enchanting painting drawn by a renowned painter. These compositions project into our mind Her benevolence. They contain expressions that enable us to capture and experience the exotic image of Ambal, which is beyond what can be absorbed by our mind and senses.

While Saundarya Lahari stands for magnanimity of Ambal?, Pancha Shati tells us about Her tender and elegant qualities. Mooka in Sanskrit means dumb. Mooka Kavi, a staunch devotee of Kamakshi in Kanchipuram, obtained the grace of Kamakshi in the form of Tambula’s leftovers (betel leaf and nuts). Five hundred Shlokas instantly flowed out from Mooka Kavi like nectar. This is why we call the compilation as Mooka Pancha Shati. (Pancha means five and Shata is 100).

While extolling the beauty of Kamakshi, Mooka Kavi describes Ambal’s complexion as red in some Shlokas and crimson red in others. In certain Shlokas, he says, She is dark (black) complexioned! He says Her complexion resembles that of a bunch of saffron flowers and that of hibiscus red. In next instance, he says she is bluish dark as that of Kayampoo!

Why does Mooka Kavi describe the same Ambal in different complexions? What does Bhagavadpada say in Saundarya Lahari about Ambal’s complexion? Saundarya Lahari’s 93 rd Shloka describes Her complexion as crimson red, which is the colour of the Rising Sun that spreads its rays from the east. The origin of all creations is Sambhu, Para Brahmam, who is action-less and colour- less. To engage in Creation, colourless Sambhu manifests into Ambal and turns into red crimson colour, as a gesture of compassion for protecting the entire Universe (jagatrAtum shambhOrjayati karuNA kAchidaruNA). Acharya says the colour of compassion is that of the Rising Sun (Crimson). And, that is the colour of Ambal.

Black is the colour of destruction and indicates Tamo Guna (Inertia). Sleep, death and destruction are indicated in black. Therefore, it is appropriate to visualise Kamakshi (who is also addressed as Raja Rajeshwari, Lalita Maha Tripura Sundari and Sri Vidya) as black or bluish dark, as elucidated by Mooka Kavi in his Pancha Shati. Mantra Shastras describe Her as ‘Red Brilliance’. Kamakshi also resembles the characteristics of Sri Vidya in Her entirety. Therefore, it is more apt to describe Her as ‘Red’ to signify Her compassionate persona.

It is apt even as per science. Colours have been classified into seven viz. Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red (VIBGYOR). The colourless sunrays on refraction turn into these seven colours. Note that this list does not include white and black. On one corner of the spectrum, beyond violet, it is black. On the other end, after red, it is white. In other words, red is very close to white. White is the most pleasant to our eyes, but it is not a colour by itself. Following white, red is the least disturbing and highly pleasant colour.

That is why, while developing photo films, only red lights are used. Since we may feel that red is a little sharp for our eyes, they opt for lighter red, which is infra-red. In contrast to infra-red is dense ultra violet, following which comes black. Mooka Kavi first describes Ambal as black and later as bluish black. However, as red is most proximate to whitish Brahmam and is the colour of compassion, it is apt to identify Ambal as only red complexioned. Mooka Kavi, with the grace of Ambal, had Her physical dharshan! Then, why did he describe Her as black? Let us know about this in the next chapter.

This article is a snippet from the Book Thus Spake the Divine, is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.