Navarathri Specials : Chapter One: The Nature Of Mahamaya

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The Mahamaya drags by force and dumps into delusion the minds even

of the wise people without allowing them to meditate on their Self.

 

What is Her Nature?

She is the Power of the Divine and is possessed of the six divine

attributes called Bhaga. Supremacy, valour, reputation, wealth,

wisdom, non-attachment: the fullness of these six attributes

together is called Bhaga. Mahamaya possesses all these in full

measures.

 

The entire moving and non-moving world is variously deluded by

Mahamaya.

 

Is She then an evil influence?

Not so: If she is pleased, SHE bestows also. SHE bestows not only

righteousness, wealth and enjoyment, but salvation also She bestows

to man.

 

How She confer liberation?

SHE is the highest knowledge, vix Self-Knowledge. Knowledge is

divided into two in the Vedas. They are Para, the superior and

Apara, the inferior. The knowledge of phonetics, rituals etc.. only

inferior knowledge.

 

What then is superior knowledge?

`That by which is that eternal Truth is realised' is Superior

knowledge. She herself is that Superior Knowledge. Then, She is the

cause of Liberation. Time had no power on Her. Then again, She is

also who is the cause of this mundane bondage as well. She is the

controller even of Brahman and other gods.

 

How did she come into being, and what is her sphere of action? What

constitutes her nature?

IS She an evil force or a redemptive force?

 

What is her form? Is she endowed with Sattvic form or Rajasik form?

 

Where from did she originate?

How was She born? Is She of divine birth or of human birth?

 

The sage replies : you asked what sort of person She is.

 

She is eternal; She is without beginning or end. She it is who

begets this world. All phenomenal universe is permeated by Her. As

clay in a pot, gold in necklace, yarn in cloth, She is present as

the material cause of this created universe.

 

If she is without birth or deaths, how do you say She was embodied?

When She for the sake of helping the celestials, assumes a form,

then She is said to be born. Her revelations and disappearance are,

what are called Her births and deaths. Even though She is eternal,

She is said to be born.

 

 

Devi Mahatmyam

Swami Siddhinathananda [ Pre monostic name: S Narayanan Nair]

Kerala, Kottayam Distict.