Sweet Sound of Perfect Joy verses 6 & 7 and mantra
in praise of the Goddess Sarasvati
As you enter the throats and hearts of the intelligent,
In that very instant, they become transformed,
And are made powerful masters of speech –
To you, bestower of supreme intelligence, I offer praise!
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Through the blessings of praising you in this way,
May you enter the milky lake of my devoted mind,
And grant me the brilliant light of wisdom,
Complete with the twofold knowledge, I pray!
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Om picu picu prajna vardhani jvala jvala medhivardhani dhiri dhiri buddhi vardhani svaha
Recite this and your intelligence will increase.
Excerpt from The Sweet Sound of Perfect Joy, a poem by Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro, a Tibetan Buddhist master from the previous century. Translated by Adam Pearcey into English. These are the final verses. The sentence regarding reciting and intelligence increasing is part of the original text. Commonly found in Indian sacred literature – Sarasvati was born in an ocean of milk. The milky lake indicates good, pure, genuine, nourishing. This “Twofold knowledge” refers to 1) understanding the nature of reality – nature of all phenomena and your mind: empty, impermanent and interdependent 2) discerning knowledge – ability to understand things individually and discern between things (e.g. which teachings are beneficial to you, discernment in your work and your practice).
Meaning of the mantra:
Picu - soft – often associated with a soft, beautiful face – so the face of the goddess is often called ‘picu’
Prajna – wisdom (divine wisdom, wisdom of the Buddhas)
Vardani - prosperity, abundance
Jvala – ablaze
Medhi – circular, enclosure
Dhiri dhiri – stability, firm
Buddhi – intellect, intelligence
Svaha – so be it
When this mantra is recited, the section ‘dhiri dhiri buddhi vardhani’ is usually repeated twice before svaha is said.
The information on the meaning of the poem and the mantra is from Chandra Easton, a Buddhist teacher, and was given in her foundations of nondual tantra course part 1.
This poem, in Tibetan, with transliteration of Tibetan and English translation, is freely available at Lotsawa House online. I love this poem and wanted to share it with you all. Shanti, shanti, shanti.