Reg. Purushi

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Dear Satish,

 

The word “Purushi†finds its origin as follows:

 

The creation of cosmos was the product of Sopadhika Parabrahman (Purusha with

Prakriti). The principle that has its origin from Sopadhika Brahman and cause

of Evolution of Cosmos is called with the name “Hiranyagarbhaâ€. Agni is an

aspect of Hiranyagarbha. From this Agni, rests of the gods have originated.

 

This Agni eventually became Chaturmukha Brahma and created the cosmos. Entire

Veda extols this Agni as Jatavedas (from whom Vedas or Jnana finds its source).

This Jatavedas is the remover of all afflictions and giver of Supreme Knowledge.

Jatavedas or Agni who is the remover of Afflictions is called Durg (masculine)

and Durga (as feminine) (Durga durgaarthi nasini). Both are Sopadhika Brahama.

 

Now, Vana and Bhaya (fear) are synonyms because vana or forest causes fear.

This fear can be any fear but the uttama adhikari understands this to be dvaita

bhaya of samsara. Since, Durga is remover of all afflictions and bestower of

fearlessness, she is coined as “Vana-Durga†(that gives protection from all

fear and removes afflictions and bestows supreme knowledge of Brahman).

 

Now, the Kalpa and Mahavidya has its roots in Brihadaranyaka and Krishna

Yajuraranyaka Pata. Since, the Aranyaka pata has to be studied in the Aranya

(Vana), this has been coined also as Vana-Durga. This is not the Ganapati

Muni’s interpretation but Sayana’s.

 

The mantra of Vana Durga in terms of Purusha (NOT PURUSHI)

 

Pranava – Bhuvaneswari – Durga Bijas - Durga (masculine gender) uttishta

PURUSHA kim svapishi bhayam me samupasthitham yadi sakyam asakyam va tan me

bhagavan chamay svaha – Durga Bija, Bhuvaneswari and Pranava

 

This mantra was given by Shri Vidyaranya by slightly changing the vana-durga

mantra.

 

The word PURUSHA in Brihadaranyakopanishad

 

1st chapter of Brihadaranyakopanishad (4th Brahmana – 1st and 2nd Kanda)

 

“aatmaiveda magra aasit PURUSHAVIDHAH sonuveekshyanaanyadaatmanopasya –

tso-AHAM ASMI itityagre vyahara - ……..Ya evam veda ……….(1)

 

“so bibhe-tasmaat ekaaki……………Dvitiyaadvai BHAYAM bhavati

………(2)

 

Please note that the two words PURUSHA, AHAM ASMI and BHAYAM are found in the

above two verses.

 

Shri Vidyaranya explaining the above verses says that Purusha (Pura + usha >

Pur+Usha>Purusha) is the Prathama Jiva in the form of Prajapathi. This Prathama

Jiva during the early stage do not know his “REAL NATUREâ€. Thus, not

knowing his TRUE NATURE (SVA-SVARUPA), experienced a sort of Illusion. This

illusion gave rise to Fear (Bhava). Thus, this is Dvaita Bheeti or the Fear of

Duality. Then the same Prajapathi performed intense Tapas and knowing his TRUE

SELF became one with Supreme Purusha. The cause of Fear in the Prajapathi is

due to the presence of Prakriti in him in the form of Maya. And hence, the

principle of “Aham Asmi†has evolved. With the Tapas, the Prajapathi burnt

his Dvaita Bhaya and dissolved in Paramaatma (Nirupadhika Paramatma).

 

SO, IN THE KRISHNA YAJUR ARANYAKA, THE JATAVEDAS AND HIS AHANTA SAKTI IS

CALLED DURGA AND IN SUKLA YAJUR ARANYAKA, THIS JATAVEDAS IS CALLED PURUSHA AND

DURGA IS CALLED PURUSHI.

 

Hence, PURUSHI and DURGA are Synonyms that is the Sakti of JATAVEDAS or

PURUSHA. And both are inseparable (abhinna).

 

In the vanadurga mantra, the Bhaya or Fear is the Fear of Duality and Purushi

is Durga of Sukla Yajur Aranyaka in the form of Purushi.

 

The Upasana of this Mantra is ADVAITA SIDDHI.

 

Now, the same Vana Durga is contemplated differently by different class of

people. The Vana Durga of 4 hands is Sattvika Murthi, of 8 Hands is Rajasika

and of 16 hands is Tamasika. The Abhicharika Prayogas like vashya, mohana,

ucchatana, unmade etc. are performed keeping in view the Vana Durga of 16 Hands.

For Karya Siddhi, the Durga of 8 hands and for Moksha or Kaivalya the Durga of 4

hands is worshipped.

 

Now, what is the basis of Giri, Pakshi, Bhramara, Jala, Patala Durgas I donot

know. I have the yantras of Pakshi and Bhramara but both are for tantrika

prayogas. Pakshi Durga Yantra is used for Unmaada and Bhramara for Chitta

Bhraanti.

 

But, none of these Durgas have been escalated to the position of Mahavidya

unlike Vana-Durga.

 

With regards,

Sriram

 

 

 

 

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