Greatness of Ambal

AMBAL & SHIVA

Although these are of the same tathvam (principle), more than Shiva, to Ambal (Shakti) is the greatness; this, Adi Shankara Bhagavadhpadhal explains in his 'Soundaryalahari' sthothram.

shivaH shaktyA yukto yadi bhavati shaktaH prabhavituM
na cedevaM devo na khalu kushalaH spanditumapi |
atas tvAm ArAdhyaaM hari-hara-viri~nchAdibhir api
praNantuM stotuM vA katham akR^ita puNyaH prabhavati || 1 ||

Lord Shiva, only becomes able,
to do creation in this world,
along with Shakti.
Without her, even an inch he cannot move;

And so how can, one who does not do good deeds,
or one who does not sing your praise,
become adequate to worship you
Oh, goddess mine,
who is worshipped by the Trinity.

In its first shlokam, his saying that without Shakti, Shiva cannot budge an inch. Is it adhishayokti (technique of exaggeration)? or is it real? Shri Periaval asked this question. 

Everyone had settled down, getting ready to begin the aniversary celebrations of the Samskrtha Sahithya Parishad. When Shri Periaval came to the stage, his Ajna (orders) came forthwith to bring Shri Ranganatha Sasthrigal from Chinna Kanchi. The Ajna was for him to commence the celebrations. And then as Shri Periaval did nirbandham (insisted), that he speak a few words at the commencement of the Sabha, Sasthrigal said, "It is very ashaktham (unable), for me; can't say anything."

Shri Periaval told him, "Say that very sentence", and then prompted him with a blessing, "say only the shlokam 'shivah shaktya yukto'".

This is an explanation that Shri Periaval gave in upadesham on that occasion for the verse. "In Shri Rudram, 10th anuvakam, comes the mantra

या ते रुद्र शिवा तनूः शिवा विश्वाह भेषजी ।
शिवा रुद्रस्य भेषजी तया नो मृड जीवसे ॥ १०.२ ॥

yA te rudra shivA tanUH shivA vishvAha bheshhajI |
shivA rudrasya bheshhajI tayA no mR^iDa jIvase || 10.2 ||

[Rudra! That which is your auspicious form, auspicious as the universal panacea for all ills, auspicious as the bestower of knowledge and realisation of Your Rudra form - with that make us live in happiness.]

"This shloka that says 'shivah shaktya yukto', remains as the vyakhyanam (exposition), as the veda mula pramana (Vedic evidence, for the above mantra); therefore, this is not just stuti (eulogy), but only the truth.

"Hey Parameshvara! As a mangalakara (auspicious), part (half) of your body, as the eternal panacea that cures everyone, even you of your visham (poison), remains the Shakti known as Uma; only because of her you live."

The Sabha was immersed in surprise at Shri Periaval's explanation.

"For the above mantra in the Vidyaranya Bhashyam, for the root word 'jIvase', the meaning, 'By that Shakti you should help us live; and you do help us live' is given in a casual manner."

That Shri Periaval, using just the meaning of the root word ('jIvasa'), explained this mantra as the mula mantra for the 'Soundaryalahari' (verse 1), goes to prove that he is himself a Shiva avatar!



Source: Maha Periyaval Darisana Anubhavangal vol.2, pages 155-171