The two paths (Devayana & Pitriyana Margas) in the Chandi Sapthasathi

[Guest guest]

Dear devotees of Mother,

 

This short piece of information i would like to share with you.

 

The Devi Mahatyam or Chandi Sapthasathi, which is a part of Markandeya Purana,

forms the core text for the Sakthas in India. The text essentially reflects on 3

cycles. The first cycle represents the Brahma Grandhi Bhedana in the form of

Mahakali, the second cycle represents Vishnu Grandhi Bhedana in the form of

Mahalakshmi and the third cycle represents Rudra Grandhi Bhedana in the form of

Mahasaraswathi.

 

It is an allegory which starts with Vishada Yoga. It is interesting to note

that both Chandi Sapthasathi and Bhagavath Gita resemble together. Both have

700 slokas. Both start with Vishada Yogas. In Gita, Arjuna, in despair, tries

to escape the world. The Jagatguru as Krishna unfolds the philosophy and makes

him fight the battle.

 

Similarly, in Chandi, the story goes like this with Vishada Yoga. A king, by

name Suratha, defeated by the enemies and is kicked out of his country.

Wandering, dejected and shattered he meets a merchant by name Samadhi, who was

similarly betrayed by his household.

 

Entering a forest, they find in a hermitage a Jagatguru and Sage by name Medhas

and ask about their fate. The Sage asks them to calm down and slowly and

systematically tries to answer their doubts, in the form of a story. That story

becomes a teaching tool. Eventually, this King Suradha and merchant Samadhi do

the penance for the Mother Chandi. Chandi gives the boon to both.

 

Samadhi attains the Salvation and Suradha is born again as the Manu. Samadhi

achieves the Devayana or Achiradai Marga which is called the “Path of Light”.

And Suradha achieves the Dhuma or Pitriyana Marga which is called the “Path of

Darkness”.

 

THE PATH OF LIGHT / ACHIRADI MARGA (DEVAYANA)

 

The Devayana path or Northern path or the path of light is the path by which

the Yogins go to Brahman. This path leads to salvation. This path takes the

devotee to Brahmaloka. Having reached the path of the gods he comes to the world

of Agni, to the world of Vayu, to the world of Varuna, to the world of Indra, to

the world of Prajapati, to the world of Brahman. This is the path of light;

this is the path of freedom; this is the path of liberation.

 

THE PATH OF DARKNESS / DHUMA MARGA (PITRIYANA)

 

The Pitriyana path or the path of darkness or the path of ancestors leads to

rebirth. Those who do sacrifices to gods and other charitable works with

expectation of fruits go to the Chandraloka through this path and come back to

this world when their fruits of Karmas are exhausted. There are smoke and

dark-coloured objects throughout the course. There is no illumination when one

passes along this path. It is reached by Avidya or ignorance. Hence it is called

the path of darkness or smoke. The dark path is to the Pitris or forefathers. In

this path, sadhakas do the Karma of sacrifices or charitable acts with

expectation of fruits. This is the path of Bondage.

The path of Devayana or the path of light leads to Moksha and the path of

darkness to Samsara or the world of births and deaths.

This Devayana Marga is called Savya Marga and Pitriyana Marga is called

Apasavya Marga. Hence, Devi is called Savya – Apasavya Maargastha.

 

With regards,

sriram

 

 

 

Why delete messages? Unlimited storage is just a click away.