In Devi’s eyes one could see all the 9 rasas (moods). Soundarya Lahari describes this as follows
शिवे शङ्गारार्द्रा तदितरजने कुत्सनपरा
सरोषा गङ्गायां गिरिशचरिते विस्मयवती ।
हराहिभ्यो भीता सरसिरुह सौभाग्य-जननी
सखीषु स्मेरा ते मयि जननि दृष्टिः सकरुणा
Soundarya Lahari 51
Moved by sentimental love for Shiva, resentful to any other person, With anger of jealously towards Ganga, as Ganga is Her co-wife. with transportations of wonder as Devi’s companions narrates various stories of Lord Shiva.
Once a demon named Bhasmasura did along severe penance on Lord Shiva. Pleased on the penance, the Lord appeared in-front of him. Bhasmasura asked for a boon and the Lord said “You can ask anything.”. Bhasmasura then asked that he be granted the power that anyone whose head he touched with his hand should burn up and immediately turn into ashes (bhasma). Lord granted the boon without any thoughts as He was compassionate to His devotees. Bhasmasura then wreaked havoc across the world with his new found power torturing everyone in sight as he was of low moral fibre. So the rishis ran to Vishnu for help. Vishnu, in the form of Mohini, appeared in front of Bhasmasura. Mohini was so exceedingly beautiful that Bhasmasura immediately fell in love with Mohini. Bhasmasura asked her to marry him. She told him that she was very fond of dancing, and would marry him only if he could match her moves identically. Bhasmasura agreed to the match and hence they started dancing. The feat went for days at an end. As Bhasmasura matched the disguised Vishnu’s move by move, he began to let his guard down. While still dancing, Mohini, struck a pose where her hand was placed on top of her own head. As Bhasmasura imitated her, he was tricked into touching his own head, and hence Bhasmasura immediately burnt up and turned into ashes, due to the power he had recently gained.
When Devi’s companions narrate these stories, Devi’s face would be lit up in wonder. She would ask “Oh really! Did such things happen?” When Devi sees the great serpents forming the ornament of Lord Shiva, She is with full of fearful surprise. Her face is as fresh as an un-plucked lotus flower and for companions, it gleams with a jestful smile. As a source of lotus-red grace, your regard, oh Mother, for me will remain only of Compassion. Even though you exhibit all the moods, Karuna, that if Compassion is alone what I seek. Devi is Naanaa-Bhaava-Prakashini, the one who exhibits several moods. We can see this in Amma’s Darshan, each of the moment the emotions and moods changes according to the devotee in front of Amma. One moment She would be cracking jokes with a Devotee, the next moment we could see Amma shedding tears and sharing the sorrow of another devotee. We usually don’t like Amma getting angry at our faults, what we need is only Her mood of Compassion. This is exactly what Sri Sankara describes in the above sloka.
In the Samudrika Shastra, (the study of face reading, aura reading, and whole body analysis), it is said that the best woman will have three colours in her eyes. Black in the centre, white in the next ring and red colour in the corner. The three colours represents the three gunas. Black-Tamas, White- Sattva and Red-Rajas.
The pure qualities of Sattva or (12) : (1) Kindness (Anarishanyam), (2) Discretion in the use of articles (Samvibhagaruchita), (3) Forgiveness (Titikshna), (4) Truthfulness (Satyam), (5) Righteousness (Dharma), (6) Belief in God (Astikyam), (7) Knowledge (Jnyanam), (8) Wisdom (Buddhi), (9) Intelligence (Medha), (10) Memory (Smriti), (11) Firmness (Dhriti), (12) Non Attachement (Anabhisangshcha).
The wrathful qualities of Rajas are (11) : (1)Excessive Miseries (Dukhabahulata), (2) Roving – Spirit (Atanshilata), (3) Impatient (Adhriti), (4) Pride (Ahankara), (5) Falseness (Anrutikriva), (6) Unkindeness (Akrunyam), (7) Arrogant (Dambho), (8) Vanity (Mano), (9) Pleasure (Harsh), (10) Lust (Kama), (11) Anger (Krodhashcha).
The ignorant qualities Tamas are (8) : (1) Despondency (Visaditavam), (2) Atheism (Nastikyam), (3) Unrighteousness (Adharmashilata), (4) Unintelligence (Buddhenirrodho), (5) Ignorance (Ajnynam), (6) Dull headedness (Duramegha), (7) Lethargy (Akarmashilata), (8) Sleepiness (Nidralutvam).
All the three colours representing the three gunas can be seen in the eyes of Devi.
We use to go for many pilgrimages. Taking bath in the Triveni Sangama (the conjuncture of three great rivers Ganga, Yamuna & Saraswati) is considered an auspicious ritual of any pilgrimage in India. But the most auspicious than all these pilgrimages is the glance of Grace from the Great Saints. Their eyes have all three colours. All these three rivers also are associated with three colours. Ganga is white, Yamuna is black & Saraswati is red. Being blessed by the glance of Mahatmas is considered more auspicious than a dip in the Triveni Sangam.