Devi Worship

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sarvamangala maangalye sive sarvaarthasaadhike

saranye trayambake gouri narayani namo'stu te.

 

O Narayani, Devi, the three-eyed, the Refuge, the Auspiciousness, the bestower

of all wishes, the blessedness that is in all that is blessed. Prostrations be

to Thee!

 

Devi is synonymous with Sakti or the Divine power that manifests, sustains and

trans­forms the universe as the one unifying Force of Existence. In fact worship

of Devi is not sectarian. It does not belong to any cult, as it is commonly

mistaken to be. Devi is not what is set in opposition to Vishnu or Siva, as the

common populace understands. By Devi or Sakti we mean the presupposition of all

forms of existential powers, the omnipotence and powers! These powers are the

glorious attri­butes of God—you may call Him Vishnu or Siva as you like. In

other words, Sakti is the very possibility of the Absolute's appearing as many,

of God's causing this universe. God creates this world through Srishti-Sakti

(creative power), preserves through Sthiti-Sakti (preservative power) and

destroys through Samhara-Sakti (destructive power). Sakti and Sakta are one, the

power and the one who possesses the power cannot be separated; God and Sakti are

like fire and heat of fire.

 

Devi worship or Sakti worship is, therefore, worship of God's glory, of God's

greatness and supremacy. It is the adoration of the Almighty. It is unfortunate

that Devi is understood as a mere blood-thirsty `Hindu Goddess'. No! Devi is not

the property of the Hindus alone. Devi does not belong to any religion.... not

only so much. Devi is not differentiated from the Deva by sexual factors. Devi

is the conscious power of the Deva. Let this not be forgotten. The words Devi,

Sakti etc., and the ideas of the different forms connected with these names are

concessions given to the limitations of human knowledge; they are not ultimate

definitions of Sakti! The original Sakti is beyond human comprehension. Bhagavan

Krishna says in the Gita, —This is only My lower Nature (Sakti)—beyond is My

higher Nature (the Original Sakti), the life-principle which sustains this

universe. The Upanishad says, —The Para Sakti—supreme power of this God—is heard

of in varieties of ways, this power is the nature of God, manifesting as

knowledge, strength and activity. Truly speaking, all beings of the universe are

Sakti worshipers, for there is none who does not love and long for power in some

form or other. Physicists and scientists have proved now that everything is pure

imperishable energy. This energy is only a form of Divine Sakti which exists in

every form of existence.

 

Since Sakti cannot be worshipped in its essential nature, it is worshipped as

conceived of in its manifestation, viz., creation, preserva­tion and

destruction. Sakti in relation to these three functions is Sarasvati, Lakshmi

and Kaali. These, as is evident, are not three distinct Devis, but the One

formless Devi worshipped in three forms. The Devas corresponding to these are

Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesvara, who in the same way are not three Devas, but the

forms of the one Supreme Deva who is formless. Navaratri is the festive occasion

of the `nine-nights' worship of Mahakaali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasarasvati, the

Divinity of the Universe adored in these ways.

 

Sarasvati is cosmic intelligence, cosmic consciousness, cosmic knowledge.

Worship of Sarasvati is necessary for Buddhi-Suddhi and Viveka-Udaya, Vichara

Sakti, for Jnana or Self-realisation. Lakshmi does not mean mere material wealth

like gold, cattle, etc. All kinds of prosperity, glory, magnificence, joy,

exalta­tion or greatness come under Lakshmi. Appaya Dikshita calls even final

Liberation as —Moksha-Samrajya-Lakshmi. Hence worship of Lakshmi means the

worship of the central purpose of existence itself. Mahakaali is the

transformative power of Divinity, the power that dissolves multiplicity in

unity. The worship of Devi is, therefore, the explanation of the entire process

of spiritual Sadhana in all its aspects.

 

During Navaratri, observe strict Anushtana, purify your inner nature. This is

the most auspicious time in the year for Mother-worship. Read Saptasati or Devi

Mahatmya, Lalitasahasranama. Do Japa of the Mantra of Devi. Perform formal

worship with purity and sincerity and devotion. Cry for Darsana of Devi. The

Divine Mother will bless you with the knowledge, the peace and the joy that know

no end!

 

May the Divine Devi, the Mother, bless you all!

 

Om Santi, Santi, Santi!