The Tilaka of Sharada

The Sushumna is known as the middle path; those four are the neuter ones. (7)

Without vowels, no manifestation of others occurs immediately. Therefore, the wise say the letters are composed of Shiva and Shakti. (8)

From the cause, the five elements emerge from the Matrika the primal mothers/letters. Thus, the letters representing the elements are divided into five groups of five. (9)

Air, fire, earth, water, and ether are the fifty letters in order. Five short, five long, those born from the junction ending in the Bindu. (10)

The letters from 'Ka' to 'Ha' are uttered in sets of five. The letters of the Matrika arise from the distinctions of moon, sun, and fire. (11)

Thirty-eight kalas aspects/parts are established in their mandalas. Amrita, Manada, Pusha, Tushti, Pushti, Rati, Dhriti, (12)

Shashini, Chandrika, Kanti, Jyotsna, Shri, Priti, Angada, (13)

Purna, Purnamrita, and the desire-granting Kama—these are the kalas born from the vowels. Tapini, Tapini, Dhumra, Marichi, Jalini, Ruchi, (14)

Sushumna, Bhogada, Vishva, Bodhini, Dharini, Kshama. (15)

Those beginning with 'Ka' and 'Bha' are the wealth-giving solar ones; the twelve ending in 'Tha' and 'Da' are declared. (16)

Dhumrarchi, Ushma, Jvalini, Jvalini, Visphulingini, (17)

Sushri, Surupa, Kapila, Havyakavyavaha. These are the kalas of the ten letters beginning with 'Ya', which grant merit. (18)

These grant safety and fulfill desires, appearing in white, yellow, and red colors respectively. From the five divisions of the syllable 'Om', the kalas span the fifty letters. (19)

Srishti, Vriddhi, Smriti, Medha, Kanti, Lakshmi, Dhriti, Sthira, (20)

Sthiti, and Siddhi are declared as the kalas of the 'Ka' group in order. (21)

Originating from Brahma, starting with 'A', they have the luster of heated gold. They are shown holding a rosary and a water vessel in two lotus-hands. (22)

Jaya, Palini, Shanti, Ishvari, Rati, Kalika.