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Pooja koti samam stotram
Stotra koti samam japam
Japa koti samam dhyanam
Dhyan koti manor layam

What is the meaning of manor layam in the above Shloka ?

Note : On some other sites samolayah is also used in place of manor layam, which one is correct ?

Sarvabhouma
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Shivkumar Mallesappa
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1 Answers1

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This Sloka is found in the 9th Chapter of the KulArnava Tantram.

PujAkoti-samam stotram stotra-koti-samo japah |
Japa-koti-samam dhyAnam dhyAna-koti-samo layah ||

Stotra is equal to a crore of PujA. A Japa is equal to crore of Stotra. DhyAna is equal to a crore of Japah and one crore of DhyAna is equal to Laya.

KulArnava Tantram, Chapter 9, Sloka 36

Here, "Laya" means "dissolution of mind" referring to a Samadhi kind of state which is achieved at the highest stage of Dhyanam. That's why its stated "dhyAna-koti-samo layah".

The verse is talking about some kind of a hierarchy of some spiritual practices like doing a formal worship, chanting mantras, reciting Stotras etc. And the whole Chapter is dedicated to the topic of Kula-Yoga and Kula-Yogis.

Rickross
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  • What is kula yoga? And who are kula yogis? And is this hierarchy of mantra dhyana stotra and laya only applicable to them or also for general people? – LSSJ Broly May 30 '22 at 17:38
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    @LSSJBroly Kaulism (Kaula) is sect among Shaktism. Kularnava Tantra is one of the scriptures for this sect. Kula Yogis therefore are Yogis from this Sampradaya similarly for Kula Yoga. No, this verse is generally valid for everyone. There are similar verses in other texts too – Rickross May 31 '22 at 06:44
  • Thanks a lot :D – LSSJ Broly May 31 '22 at 08:09