GOD’S EYES

Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam calls the Devi (Divine Mother or Mother-Goddess) as Vaama Nayanaa (one who has beautiful eyes). In many places the Sahasranamam repeatedly gives importance to the God’s eyes. This is due to the reason that She takes care of her devotees by the grace of a mere glance of her eyes. The same colour, the same musical themes and the same form apply both to the Devi as well as to Sri Vishnu. That is why she goes by the names of Naaraayani, Padmanaabha Sahodari (Padmanabha’s sister).

There is a traditional belief that the Devi’s eyes as well as Sri Vishnu’s eyes both keep their sight roaming constantly. This is described in his songs by Sri Tiruppaanaalvaar (a saint/devotee). Sri Alvar describes from foot to head Sri Ranganatha Swami of Srirangam (a well-known temple town in Tamil Nadu). Again, tradition prescribes that masculine deities are to be described from foot to head, while feminine deities are to be described from head to foot. Thus the description in Sri Sankaracharya’s Soundaryalahari commences from the Devi’s hair. Accordingly Sri Alvar sees the God’s chest and going up, attempts to describe His eyes.

But Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam and Sri Alvar both find it equally difficult to describe God’s eyes in full. The Sahasranamam uses the terms ‘One with a thousand eyes’, and ‘One whose eyes do not blink and keep permanently open’. Her eyes are similar to those of the fish and hence her title, ‘Meenalochani’. All these terms do not complete the picture.

Sri Alvar too attempts to describe God’s eyes using various terms. How are those eyes? Not only were they black. They were bright as well. Moreover red lines had red lines crisscrossing them. Such eyes were roaming about, looking here and there.

Kariyavaagi, pudai parandu
Milirndu, sevvari odiya
Periya vaaya kangal ennaip
Pedamai seydanave
(Tiruppanaalvaar, paasuram 8)

How many word pictures for those eyes! Black eyes, large eyes, eyes with light red lines, bright eyes. Additionally they were viewing one and all happenings around. Sri Alvar regrets that his own eyes had not seen the God’s eyes of above multi-description.




Narayana has the same form as Narayani and like Her; He too is always on the lookout for his devotees everywhere. Thus numerous attempts to completely describe God’s eyes remain unsuccessful.

Drusaa draghee yasyaa
Daradalita neelotpalaruchaa
Daveeyaamsam deenam snapaya
Krupaya maamapi Sive
(Saundaryalaharee, sloka 57)

Sri Sankaracharya has described the Devi’s eyes in ‘Soundaryalahari’ and Sri Kanchi Mahaswami covers this in his discourses. The Devi’s sight extends to cover the entire universe which is her creation and to whom she stands in the place of Devine Mother. The sight stretches longer and longer to fall upon even those standing very far who may seem ineligible for the Devi’s mercy. The eyes resemble half-closed, not fully open blue lotus flowers. These are cool like the wet blue lotus flowers. Her long eyesight, blue eyes, cool eyes – hence the apt comparison with blue lotus. “Please include me too in the flood of Your far stretching merciful sight”, thus Sri Acharya prays. “This act will not cause you any harm but will confer immense benefit on me and make me blessed.” He cites the instance of the full moon light, which falls equally on royal palaces as well as on forests.