God as Mother - The Indian Concept of the Divine Mother

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shriadishakti , " jagbir singh "

<adishakti_org> wrote:

> CONTENTS

>

> Publishers' Note

> Prayer to Mother

> The Indian Concept of the Divine Mother

> The Worship of the Divine Mother

> The Power Of The Transcendent Reality

> The Destroyer Of Destructive Forces

> Destruction: The Springboard To Construction

> Lakshmi: The Supreme Sustainer

> The Path Of Prosperity

> Goddess Of Auspiciousness At Home And At Heart

> Creation: The Music Of Mother's Veena

> The Goddess Of Success

> The Path To Final Liberation

> The Great Goal And Its Attainment

>

>

>

 

THE INDIAN CONCEPT OF THE DIVINE MOTHER

(Sri Swami Sivananda)

 

Since the dawn of civilisation, when the primitive man lived in a

matriarchal society, the worship of the Divine Mother came into

practice. Later on, as civilisation progressed, the matriarchal

pattern gradually faded out, and the father became the head of the

family unit, where he was treated as the man in authority and to

whom everyone looked for guidance and approval. Consequently, there

was a change in the concept of God as such; the Fatherhood of God

was established. But Mother worship persisted simultaneously, since

this concept was psychologically more appealing to the devotee, the

mother being nearest in filial affection to the child. Subsequently,

a synthetic harmony between the Motherhood and Fatherhood of God was

developed by the Hindu religion; the people worshipped Sita and

Rama, or Radha and Krishna together.

 

The concept of the human mind is based on relative experience.

Subjective idealism, therefore, in its initial stages, takes the aid

of objective and relative analogies. God is neither limited to

abstract or concrete concepts. But it is easier to establish a

conscious relationship with the Providence in terms of benevolent

fatherhood or affectionate, kindly motherhood than by the concept of

an unfathomable void. God is devoid of qualities, in reality, but a

relative superimposition of the positive ideals of goodness and

virtue is essential for self-culture and spiritual progress of the

aspirant.

 

Mother is very kind to her child. You are more free with your mother

than with anybody else. It is the mother who protects you, nourishes

you, consoles you, cheers you and nurses you. She is your first

preceptor. She sacrifices her all for the sake of her children. In

the spiritual field also, the aspirant has very intimate

relationship with the Divine Mother.

 

The Upasana or the worship of the Universal Mother leads to the

attainment of knowledge of the Self. The Yaksha Prasna in

Kenopanishad supports this view. Approach Her with an open heart.

Lay bare your mind with frankness and humility. Lay your thoughts be

pure and sublime. Become as simple as a child. Pulverise your

individual entity, the egoistic nature, cunningness, selfishness and

crookedness. Make a total, unreserved, ungrudging self-surrender to

Her. Chant Her Mantras. Worship Her with faith and devotion.

 

Navaratri is the most suitable occasion for doing intense Sadhana.

These nine days are very sacred to Mother. Plunge yourself in Her

worship. It is an occasion symbolising the victory of the higher,

divine forces over the lower, negative qualities that find their

expression in injustice, oppression, aggrandisement, greed,

selfishness, hatred and a host of other undivine forces that add to

the suffering of man.

 

Worship the Mother in all Her manifestations. She is the creative

aspect of the Absolute. She is symbolised as Cosmic Energy. Energy

is the physical ultimate of all forms of matter and the sustaining

force of the Spirit. Energy and Spirit are inseparable. They are

essentially one. The five elements and their combinations are the

external manifestations of the Mother. Intelligence, discrimination,

psychic power and will are Her internal manifestations. Humanity is

Her visible form. Service of humanity is, therefore, the worship of

the Divine Mother.

 

Feel that the Mother sees through your eyes, hears through your

ears, and works through your hands. Feel that the body, mind, Prana,

intellect and all their functions are Her manifestations. The one,

universal life throbs in the heart of all. How can there be any room

for hatred and selfishness, when by hating another you are but

hating the Mother, when by being selfish to another you are but

denying your own self. Drive deep this consciousness within your

heart. Always meditate and practise this ideal of divine oneness.

Mother's grace is boundless. Her mercy is illimitable. She is

pleased with a little purity of heart. The sacred Navaratri is

approaching. Do not lose this glorious opportunity. Make a definite

and sincere attempt to obtain the grace Of the Mother. She will

transform your entire life, and bless you with the milk of divine

wisdom, spiritual insight and Kaivalya! May you all obtain the grace

of Mother Durga!