Parvati Gita

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The other devi gita is found in the Mahabhagavata purana, which

actually refers to the conversation of Parvati and Himavan as Parvati

Gita. ...

http://www.ambaa.org/devigita/Devigita1.htm

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http://www.ambaa.org/devigita/Devigita1.htm

 

Shri Devi-Gita

by Shri Giridhar Madras

 

Introduction:

 

Devi gita constitutes the last ten chapters of the seventh Skandha of

the Devi Bhagavatam. In the puranas, one will find several gitas and

many mahatmyas. The differences are that in the mahatmya, the

glorification of the deity is by recounting the various deeds of the

God and offering praise to the divinity. A gita, on the other hand,

is a direct revelation of the truth from the disciple, which often

includes the manifestation of the cosmic form. While mahatymas

emphasize bhakti, gita stresses a balance of bhakti and jnana.

 

Specifically, we are interested in discussing the Devi gita. To avoid

any confusion and also be aware, there are two other devi gitas. The

first of which is found in the Kurma purana. This is a conversation

with Parvati and Himavan, introduced by Lord Vishnu as Kurma. Goddess

Parvati is praised here by 1008 names and She grants him two cosmic

visions and instructs him. The other devi gita is found in the

Mahabhagavata purana, which actually refers to the conversation of

Parvati and Himavan as Parvati Gita. The narrator of this section of

the Mahabhagavata Purana is Lord Shiva. However, by Devi gita, we

refer only to the gita found in the Devi Bhagavatam.

 

Setting:

 

The setting of the Devi gita is introduced by Janamejaya's query to

Vyasa regarding the supreme light who became manifest on top of the

Himalaya mountain. Vyasa talks about the demon Taraka, who has

obtained a boon that he can be killed only the son of Lord Shiva,

knowing fully well that Sati has immolated herself. Therefore, the

gods became scared and went to Himalayas and worshipped Her asking to

born and marry Lord Shiva. Shakti then appears before them and grants

them a boon that her manifestation will be born as Gauri as the

daughter of Himavan. Himalaya becomes choked with emotion when he

hears that She, whose belly contains millions of universes, is about

to become his daughter. He requests as follows, "Proclaim to me your

nature, and declare that yoga conjoined with bhakti and that jnana in

accord shruti whereby you and I become one."

 

This sets the scene for Devi Gita and the teachings.

 

Brief summary:

 

In the Devi gita, following Himalayas request, the Devi proceeds to

describe her essential forms. The Devi declares that prior to

creation, She is the only existent entity, the one supreme Brahman

and is pure consciousness. Then She outlines the basic evolution of

the causal, subtle and gross bodies of the supreme Self when enjoined

with maya. The treatment here is very similar to that of Vedantasara

and Panchadasi, but in much more simpler terms than the latter. Then

She reveals Her forms (both the frightful and pleasing) to the gods

and Himalaya. Then follows a detailed summary of the yoga, the stages

of bhakti and the ways to attain Her.

 

Simplicity and Profoundness:

 

Devi gita is both simple and profound. It is different from other

gitas in the respect that statements are clear and can not be

reinterpreted according to one's taste. For example, several

commentaries have been written on the Bhagavad Gita of Krishna,

wherein each commentator feels differently regarding bhakti and

jnana. For example, it required Madhusudana Saraswati to explain

krama mukti in clear terms (though Shankara mentions it also) of

bhakti. But Devi Gita is clear: "Even when a person performs bhakti,

knowledge need not arise. He will go to the Devi's Island (similar to

Brahmaloka). Till the complete knowledge in the form of my

consciousness arises, there is no liberation." Similarly, the words

of `coming' `going' `becoming' cause confusion since one can

not `become' Brahman, if one is already one. The Devi Gita provides a

clear explanation that all these terms are applicable only as long as

one in maya. It is the clarity of these terms and the simple

explanation of complex vedantic and philosophical questions that

makes Devi Gita unique.

 

Start of chapter 33:

 

The Devi said: "O Giriraja ! This whole universe, moving and unmoving

is created by My maya shakti. This maya is conceived in Me. It is

not, in reality, different or separate from Me. So I am the only

Chit, Intelligence.

 

There is no other Intelligence other than Me. Viewed practically, it

is known variously as Maya, avidya; but viewed from the point of

Brahman, there is no such thing as Maya. only one Brahman exists, I

am that Brahma, of the nature of Intelligence. I create this whole

world on this Unchangeable eternal Brahma and enter first as Prana

within it in the form of chidabhasa.

 

O Mountain ! Unless I enter as Breath, how can this birth and death

and leaving and retaking bodies after bodies be accounted for! As one

akasa is denominated variouslty as Ghatakas, patakas, so too I appear

variously by acknowledging this prana in various places due to avidya

and various antahkaranas.

 

As the sun rays are never defiled when they illumine various objects

on earth, so too, I am not defiled in entering thus into various high

and low antahkaranas. The ignorant people attach buddhi and other

things of activity on Me and say that the Atman is the doer. The

intelligent people do not say that. I remain as the Witness in the

hearts of all men, not as the Doer."

 

To be continued ...

 

http://www.ambaa.org/devigita/Devigita1.htm

 

, "Alexandra Kafka"

<alexandra.kafka@a...> wrote:

> I am in serach for information about Devi in Her aspect as Uma-

Parvati. Where would I find the most detailed description of Her and

Her stories?

> Does someone know the Parvati Gita? I think it is part of the

Mahabharata. Has someone read it? What is the content of the Parvati

Gita? Is it in print somewhere?