Mother Durga

[Guest guest]

On 6 Mar 2001, Madhavananda Prabhu wrote:

 

> Yes, I thought they were good examples of how Durga can give one bhakti, by

> which liberation is an insignificant by-product.

 

Dear Prabhu,

 

PAMHO. AGTSP.

 

I am not sure if you had read my first text prior to the one you have

responded to. There I had given three types of liberation etc,. where I

mentioned a pure devotee is not interested in any liberation but only in

devotional service of the Lord.

 

Now coming to mother Durga or Lord Siva giving bhakti, they may actually put a

conditional soul on the path of bhakti.

 

It does not mean they are capable of giving *true* liberation. Just like any

of our sankirtana members may give a book and introduce some one to the path

of Bhakti. It does not mean he is capable of giving liberation.

 

Lord Siva says "Mukti Pradata Sarvesam Visnur eva na samsayah" --There is no

doubt that Visnu is the deliverer of liberation for everyone.

 

SB 3.32.12-15 purport:

That Brahma becomes liberated is known to everyone, but he cannot liberate his

devotees. Demigods like Brahma and Lord Siva cannot give liberation to any

living entity. As it is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita, only one who surrenders

unto Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can be liberated from the

clutches of maya.---Srila Prabhupada.

 

Only Mukunda or Krishna is the giver of liberation. Even the greatest

Vaisnava Sambhu / the greatest demigod Siva cannot give liberation. Here

liberation means the ultimate liberation, the result of all the bhakti, taking

one home back to Godhead. That is done by only Mukunda.

 

That is my understanding.

 

I thank all the Vaisnavas for the wonderful glorifications (stories and

quotations) of mother Durga and Lord Siva.

 

Your humble servant,

Bhadra Govinda Das.