শ্ৰীত্ৰিপুৰসুন্দৰী ৱিজযস্তৱঃ

A cry of victory rather than a petition: every verse ends by declaring that Shri Rajarajeshvari, who dwells in the Shrichakra, prevails. It is one of six stavas here built on the sixteen syllables of the Shodashi mantra, and one of only two that print those syllables as headings instead of leaving them to be noticed. Her body is lit like the fierce sun risen at the end of an age and her hair is a rain cloud; the Vedas, one verse says, have not to this day fathomed that she possesses such majesty. She is worshipped by yogins through the breath itself, as hamsah so'ham; she plays on Kamesha's lap; she is the creeper that brought Madana back to life; and the closing verse names her his secret companion, and Lalita.