God as Mother - The Worship of the Divine Mother

[Guest guest]

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 WORSHIP OF THE DIVINE MOTHER

(Sri Swami Sivananda)

 

Devi is synonymous with Shakti 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. By Drive or Shakti we mean the presupposition of

all forms of existential power, the power of knowledge, of

omniscience. These powers are the glorious attributes of God—you

may call Him Vishnu or Siva or as you like. In other words, Shakti

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

God's causing this universe. Shakti and Shakta are one; the power

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

Shakti are like fire and heat of fire. Devi-worship or Shakti-

worship is therefore worship of God's glory, of God's

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

unfortunate that Devi is misunderstood as a bloodthirsty `Hindu

Goddess.' No. Devi is not the property of the Hindu alone. Devi

does not belong to any religion. Devi is the conscious power of the

Deva. Let this never be forgotten. The words Devi, Shakti, etc. and

the ideas of the different forms connected with these names are

concessions given to the limitations of human knowledge; human

comprehension. Bhagavan Sri Krishna says in the Gita, " This is

only my lower nature Shakti, beyond this is my higher nature, the

Original Shakti, the life principle which sustains this entire

universe. " The Upanishad says, " The Para Shakti, the Supreme

Power of this God is heard of in various ways, this power is the

nature of God manifesting as knowledge, strength and activity. "

Truly speaking all beings of the universe are Shakti worshippers,

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

Shakti which exists on every form of existence.

 

Since Shakti cannot be worshipped in its essential nature, it is

worshipped as conceived of in its manifestations, viz., creation,

preservation and destruction. Shakti in relation to these three

functions is Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Kali. These, as is evident, are

not three distinct Devis, but the one formless Devi worshipped in

three different forms. Navaratri is the festive occasion of

the `nine-day-worship of Maha-Kali, Maha-Lakshmi and Maha-

Sarasvati' the Divinity of the Universe adored in three ways.

Sarasvati is cosmic Intelligence, cosmic consciousness, cosmic

knowledge. Worship of Sarasvati is necessary for Buddhi-Shuddi,

Viveka-Udaya, Vichara-Shakti for Jnana for Self-illumination.

Lakshmi does not mean mere material wealth like gold, cattle, etc.

All kinds of prosperity, glory, magnificence, joy, exaltation or

greatness come under the grace of Goddess Lakshmi. Sri Appayya

Dikshitar calls even final Liberation as " Moksha Samrajya

Lakshmi. "

 

Hence worship of Lakshmi means the worship 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 aspect. During Navaratri, observe strict anushthana, and

purify your inner spiritual nature. This is the most auspicious time

in the year for Mother-Worship. Read Sapthasathi, or Devi Mahatmya

and Lalita Sahasranama. Do Japa of the Mantra of Devi. Perform

formal worship with purity and sincerity and absolute devotion.

Cry for the Darshan of Mother Devi. The Divine Mother will bless you

with the knowledge, the peace and the joy that know no end. May the

Divine Mother bless you all!